Wedding showers are great times to give knives as gifts. Every couple starting a new life together needs quality kitchen accessories to have fun cooking together. Whether you choose a knife block filled with various size knives, a set of steak knives, a ceramic chef's knife or a small but very sharp paring knife, the gift will enjoy a great deal of use through the years.

For birthday, Christmas or a special occasion where you wish to give a person something special, consider a top quality pocket knife for a gift idea. Both ladies and gentlemen can enjoy a pocket knife; they come in very handy at the most unusual times. Whether a package needs to be opened or a steak cut, a quality pocket knife with a sharp edge will do the job. Pocket knives can be found in sizes from quite large to very, very small.

Martial arts fans or people with Oriental d'cor will enjoy a large decorative knife in an Oriental design. These knives often have a stand on which they can be displayed. Samurai swords are another type of knife that makes a great gift idea.

Hunting and fishing knives could be your selection if the recipient is an outdoors enthusiast. Filet knives, sharp skinning knives, handy knives for rigging tackle and large pocket knives make wonderful gifts for this type of person.

There is a folk lore superstition regarding the giving of a knife as a gift. If the knife is given to a friend, money must be exchanged as well. It is considered very bad luck to give someone a knife without exchanging money or the friendship will be cut by the knife. Because of this superstition, it is common that the gift of a knife will be given along with a penny, nickel or dime in the box with the knife so that the recipient can give back the coin, thereby saving the friendship from being severed by the giving of the sharp blade. The exact background of this superstition is unclear yet, even today most people will include a coin with the gift of a knife and request the coin be given back. The apparent view is that it is far better to be safe than sorry.

When choosing a knife for a gift that will be used frequently, select a tempered steel blade and a well-crafted handle that is secured firmly to the knife shank. This will insure a long lasting gift idea that will be enjoyed for many, many years.