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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:24:29 AM

came4U

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The french word for knife is couteau as in 'un couteau' not 'une couteau' (feminine) so, knowing this..knife is a masculine. Literally only. lol

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:24:56 AM

LadyKarin

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In German "Das Messer" - is neutral
But some special knives, as "Der Dolch" masculine
"Das Skalpell" - neutral

for purists and specialists see this online-dictionary (Munich Universities): http://dict.leo.org/ende?lp=ende&lang=en

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:25:48 AM

szobras

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And so the thought went on, is a blade a measure of manhood?
Throughout some time periods within certain cultures,yes.

The question, is a knife more likely to be in the possesion of a male or female?
Different types, uses, and utilities will and do vary the statistics.

Are there any female collectors or bladesmiths?
Plenty, and many very knowledgable, and talented.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:36:49 AM

Stephann

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In Spanish, the knife is "la cuchara" - a feminine word.

Beyond that, knives represent power to harm or kill. This sort of power, traditionally, has been a male tool. A rite of passage for boys decades past was to be given the responsibility of a pen knife.

I'm not suggesting women can't or shouldn't be afforded an interest in knife play or knives, only that historically and traditionally they have had a masculine appeal.

Stephan

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:36:59 AM

Maya2001

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I see dcnovice had the same idea as myself of looking at different languages that defined nouns as being masculine or feminine

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:45:02 AM

Najakcharmer

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I used to collect knives and swords, and still do, but my interest has changed from my initial teenage focus of "oooh, it's gotta LOOK cool" to "it's gotta be functional and damn well useful for butchering cows, deer, wild hogs and sheep." The look-cool blades you can get out of the BudK catalog frankly suck, and I have no use for them any more.

I have a lovely knife case painted like a Paleolithic cave wall, made from the hide of a bull I killed. It holds my pretties and makes them easy to transport on hunting or farm butchering expeditions.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:57:45 AM

RCdc

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I would have to disagree Stephann. Historically knife usage changes, however, women have always used and carried knives, moreso than men. For men, swords, foils and machettes have been a bigger influence. Women carried knives for gutting and protection. In french renaisence period, women carried them discretly and even powder compacts had hidden ones. In japan, women used knives and throwing weapons more than swords and traditionally encouraged to use naginata (sp?) for exercise purposes. Knives were traditional for celtic and pagan female rituals and to carry to protect their homes and villages when men were away - it was expected. Roman women carried knives and small daggers. It's only in later 20th C that knives became a male right of passage with pen and 'flick' knives.

the.dark.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 11:59:03 AM

MissHarlet

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I want both .. the look and the function.... the look is great for mind play and the function is self explanatory ...... However even those that look good have to be well made and well balanced ... I cant stand those that are what I call the " Barbies of the blade world"

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 12:13:53 PM

came4U

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quote:

Are there any female collectors or bladesmiths?
Plenty, and many very knowledgable, and talented.

no, I am not allowed sharp utensils thanks to my probation order.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 12:29:24 PM

AquaticSub

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Currently I own several blades and Valyraen took me to our local sword and dagger shop to let me pick out a blade for Christmas. I picked a nice survivial knife and was genuinely touched. Rose for my recovery, blade for Christmas - the man gets me.

I personally don't see them as a phallus symbol. A well crafted blade is simply a beautiful thing and I adore historical weaponary. I hope to expand my collection considerably over the years.

I also don't see them as gender assigned at all since, as has been pointed out, knives for women's use have existed throughout history.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 12:36:13 PM

Aneirin

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If anyone is interested in custom knives from what has recently been claimed as the internet's largest forum, may I recommend

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/index.php

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 12:45:52 PM

kisshou

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I have been told that men carry knives because they are a secret source of hidden power. My Master always has a knife on him and it is very handy.

I have noticed that people who are into knife collecting/owning started at a very early age.

I think that another interesting poll would be what age did you desire your first knife .

< Message edited by kisshou -- 1/6/2008 12:46:59 PM >

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 12:50:25 PM

bipolarber

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At most of the science fiction cons, there is always a dealer in blades in the huckster room. I've been to several smaller events where I was manning a table directly across from a purveyor of sharp, pointy-stabby things. The interest, and those who buy them seem to be pretty well split down gender lines.

As to it's "phallus" symbol nature... well, as Freud put it, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And sometimes, knives are just really wonderful tools. Since this thread started, I took stock of some of those that I own, and realized I have way more knives than I thought I did! Hunting knives, pocketknives, two switchblades, a few throwing knives from when I went through that phase in high school, the usual kitchen cutlery, and one or two prop knives left over from my theatre days. (Come to think of it, the switchblades came to me as props too. A production of "12 Angry Men," but they make a wonderful impression on a helpless sub! Cutting off a bra and panties with a switchblade was enough for one playmate to come on the spot.)

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 1:14:36 PM

Gwynvyd

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Personaly I am one of those gals who *loves and adores* knifes and swords. I collect them.

I love knife play, and I am also a Swordswoman. ( I also do fencing )

I have everything from damascus to machettes, to long swords, to daggers, to scaples, to fencing foils. I even have ornate Middle Eastern swords for Beldidancing.

Wiki seems to think they are Phallic.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword but they do have a great history on swords there.

Gwyn,
Who has a long sord unsheathed by her headboard.. even though she lives in a good neighborhood. Ya never know.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 1:40:29 PM

Lashra

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Yes I collect knives, daggers, swords, axes, guns. I love weaponary of all kinds and have since I was a child. I think most women have been brainwashed into believing that weaponary is "male" or something evil to be avoided. Most don't know how to handle a weapon which I think is a real shame considering its females that are attacked more so then males.

I have always said every woman should have at least one gun and know how to use it. I think if we did you'd see a drop in crime.

But yes I love blades, particularly the very sharp kind.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 2:52:13 PM

summerblossom

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I am a very feminine female and I love knives of all sorts and swords too. I only have one but I enjoy looking at all kinds of collectors swords and knives. I especially like Japanese swords. I have a small dagger with a painted mermaid on the sheath. It is beautiful and I like to keep it on my wall. So it's not really just a guy thing cause I'm feminine but like em too.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 3:02:13 PM

Politesub53

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Hey dark

quote:

and many tips are nipple shaped if you examine closely.

Next time i get stabbed ill try and take a look

[email protected].

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 6:37:11 PM

Najakcharmer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: bipolarber
At most of the science fiction cons, there is always a dealer in blades in the huckster room. I've been to several smaller events where I was manning a table directly across from a purveyor of sharp, pointy-stabby things. The interest, and those who buy them seem to be pretty well split down gender lines.

Yep, and if they sold lamb splitters, game gutting hooks, skinning knives, hide scrapers and carcass cleavers, and made them pretty as well as functional, I'd be all over those tables. Except what they do sell is utter crap that is good for nothing but looking sort of cool on somebody's shelf. You can't make food with those knives and you can't effectively defend yourself or fight with them either. So pretty much the only audience for those highly decorated monstrosities is collectors who want knives for reasons other than using them.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 6:42:01 PM

MsGQ

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Actually, stephann, in spanish knife is "cuchillo". El cuchillo, technically, and it is male. However, some blades are designated "la cuchilla", for example, daggers, and are female.

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RE: Is a knife male or female? - 1/6/2008 6:52:07 PM

Aileen1968