Knives as Totems

I often find myself thinking about the Amber Bear of Slupsk. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a tiny carved bear, impossibly perfect, made from amber. Discovered in a Polish bog in the 19th century, its history stretches back more than 3,500 years. Every time I look at pictures of it, I can feel the heartache of the person who once owned it and lost it, a loss that resonates through time. This bear was more than an object, it was clearly treasured, perhaps passed down through generations, or gifted by someone deeply loved. It meant something. Its beauty and significance transcend both time and reason.

In many ways, it brings to mind pocket knives. Why do we carry them? Why do they hold such importance in our lives? I think that much like that amber bear, a pocket knife holds meaning beyond its utility.

 

They are Totems.

 

Totems are symbols that carry deep meaning for us. They represent our identity, our values, and who we aspire to be, they're a beacon to ourselves and others. Just as we express ourselves through our appearance, clothing, jewellery, and watches, our knives are an expression of our character and values. Once imbued with significance, they don’t just project outward; they also shine inward. In moments of doubt, they remind us of our ideals and secure us in who we want to be.

A Totem is an anchor. It grounds you in time and space, in the here and now. A pocket knife is a steadfast companion through the mundane and the extraordinary. It’s reassuring presence in your pocket brings comfort in times of strife, and in moments of joy and beauty, it serves as a reminder that you're here, right now and that you’re alive.

Totems have memory. The more experiences you share with an object, the more meaningful it becomes, not only to you but to those who come after you, those who love you. When you die, perhaps only your wristwatch will carry greater significance for your loved ones. They too, will remember your companion, recalling the times that it was with you and they, the adventures, the trials, and the quiet moments. Through this process, a part of you lives on in their hearts as well as their pockets, becoming an even more important Totem for them, a beacon and anchor throughout their own lives also.

I am fortunate to possess such Totems in my life. The most precious of these is a French-made staghorn slipjoint that once belonged to my great-grandfather, Arthur Ernest Barnes. I have only one memory of him, a faint and fragile image that is difficult to grasp. But I know that he was intelligent, considerate, warm, with a mischievous sense of humour. He was an avid shooter, fisherman, and a man who appreciated nice things. My mother and her father have many fond memories of their time with Art, and this very knife frequently appeared in those moments. Most famously, he would gut a rabbit, clean the blade by stabbing it into the ground, and then a short time later, seemingly without a second thought, use it to peel an apple. It’s through this knife, by reaching back through it as a conduit, that I feel a connection with him, a man who passed away when I was only three years old.

So why knives? Totems can take many forms, and people invest meaning in all sorts of objects. But knives lend themselves particularly well to this role because of their primal utility. As humans, we cannot truly cut things by nature, a knife, with its sharp edge, is the most powerful tool we possess, timeless and indispensable from the human experience. It has naturally become a conduit for art, expression, and deep meaning.

I know some readers might dismiss this as an overblown obsession with material things, accusing me of inventing meaning where there is none. Some may buy knives purely for utility, others perhaps compulsively, driven by a desire to consume and accumulate. But I am writing this for those who understand that there is something special about the knives in our lives. Now more than ever, we must be able to articulate and defend our love for this hobby. This is my attempt, for what it’s worth, to explain why these simple, beautiful, and eternally useful tools are so important to me.

Knives are for the everyday and for adventures.

Knives are for using and for meaning.

Knives are for the sensitive, not the senseless.

Knives are for life.

Knives are Totems.

 

Harley