The Original Fidget Knife
The Original Fidget Knife
Amazing how knives have stories and bring back memories
This week’s Knife Junkie Podcast Mid-week Supplemental (episode 398 coming out on Wednesday, March 8) features a list of my favorite fidget knives, all contemporary folders, most with bearings and unique locks conducive to the mindless activity.
As I was compiling my list, the words of my favorite Kenpo Karate teacher, back in my Philly days, rang in my ear.
Miyo taught me how to be precise in my striking, kicking and joint locking. She was a slight but strong woman teaching some big brutes how to fight.
I was not one of those brutes, and recognizing that I would not be able to rely on that brute strength, Miyo impressed upon me that speed, precision and maximizing body mechanics (i.e. punching from the ground then the hip) would be my best chance in a fight. She was a great teacher — and easy on the eyes. In my mind she was like a Bond Girl, beautiful and deadly.
She liked fighting as much as any of the bruisers in that Philadelphia dojo, but what always burned her up was when a student of hers brought a new knife to class.
I remember her saying on more than one occasion, “Put it away until after class! What is it with guys and knives?”
The school ran on “Martial Arts Time” and so had difficulty staying on schedule, and to her there was nothing more disruptive as a dude showing off his new knife.
Until someone brought in a balisong. It was a cheap “gas station butterfly knife” but still a balisong.
I remember the class’s amazement when Miyo’s eyes lit up at the sight of the butterfly knife and she forgot all about the schedule she was trying to keep.
“Let me see that.”
What following was a stunning whirlwind of sharpened steel and clacking handles — every guy in that class who crushed on Miyo up until that point, straight fell in love.
Of course there was a lot of whooping and hollering at the hidden skill she was exhibiting (and no doubt, shaming some us with), but when she stopped and handed the knife back to its owner, we all fell silent — her skills were amazing and it was the first time she didn’t bemoan a knife in her class.
“Line up,” She barked to start the class, and as we did, she noted our demeanor and said.
“Ever want to reduce stress, get a butterfly knife, they are the Martial Artist’s pacifier. Just don’t flip while your watching TV with your wife or it’ll have the opposite affect.”
Twenty-five years later, I know what she meant!
Bob
Just Published — This Week’s Podcast (Episode 397) featuring Stephen of the Paddy’s Potato Peelers YouTube Channel
NoVA-1 Preorder
The NoVA-1 EDC Bowie Knife is a design collaboration between Bob DeMarco of the Knife Junkie Podcast and ABS Journeyman Bladesmith, Matt Chase of Hogtooth knives. Inspired by the Hogtooth Knives EDC Tanto, a fixed blade knife that’s easy to carry in the uptight environs of Northern Virginia (NoVA), the Knife Junkie decided to call this EDC Bowie, NoVA-1, in honor of the D.C. suburbs.
If you’re interested in getting your own NoVA-1, you’d better hurry! A limited edition, serial numbered run of 50 knives is being offered with a March 31, 2023 order deadline!
Check out the NoVA-1 at theknifejunkie.com/nova1.
