I have carried a pocket knife for longer than I can remember. My dad gave me one when I was very young. He gave me a Schrade folder that I still have tucked away in one of my keepsake boxes. When I was a little fart, that knife meant the world to me.

The receiving of that knife was a ritual of sorts. To me, the four or five year old kid, it was a passage into manhood. Receiving that knife from my dad was like the first time I shaved that single whisker off of my chin.

Today, I know that when he gave me that knife--it meant as much or more to him than it did for me. The reason is his dad gave him a pocket knife too. He recalls that with great pride and emotion.

Now, do not let the above dissuade you from picking up a first pocket knife if you have never been given one or never owned one. The timing really does not matter. What matters is the responsibility, the pride and the icon of manhood that goes along with it.

There are so many knives on the market today that finding the "right one" can be quite a daunting task. My suggestion for you is to enjoy the search. Celebrate the hunt.

Ensure sure you have an idea of what size you want to carry. That is the most important aspect. It must be comfortable in the pocket almost as if you could forget it was there. It should also be very comfortable in your grip.

When looking for that perfect pocket knife, research the handle material. I am quite fond of Micarta wood. I think this black wood makes the prettiest handles out there. I own quite a few.

Another very important feature in a knife is the blade steel. There are many blade steel guides out there on the Internet; so learning a bit about steel should not be too difficult. One of my preferences is AUS-8A. It is good stainless steel that holds a nice blade and does not cost a fortune.

Now, let's get to the nitty gritty. A man should be proud of his pocket knife. However, this pride must always be kept in check with a huge layer of humbleness. Nobody likes a show-off and certainly not some fool who likes to walk around flipping his blade about all over the public setting.

The pocket knife is a personal thing. Keep it that way. A few of your friends and family may know that you always carry a knife, but you should not be the one to be pulling it out and showing it off at every opportunity. Doing this reduces the meaning of your membership in the pocket knife carrying class of men.

These days, people have grown biased towards the man who takes pride in being a man. Many people in our society would do anything to feminize every man out there if it were possible.

Look at Hollywood. What you see is men portrayed as weak, emotional, superficial specimens of human-nature. What is happening? Why have men chosen to represent this impression? This is an attack on manhood and the things we represent.

So, when you remove that pocket knife to trim a nail or slice off a piece of meat from a cooking steak, be prepared to hear the gasps and snorts. People look down on men who celebrate being men. That pocket knife is an icon of manhood and their exist many who are challenged by it.

When you slide that pocket knife into your jeans, you are joining a coveted group of the dwindling masculine class. You must represent our ranks with pride, respect and honor. When those folks look down on you for what you represent, simply smile, chuckle, nod your head and move on. There is no call or need to explain or even become angry or distraught. You simply represent a dying breed of man that people choose not comprehend anymore.

Now, I sure hope I have not offended any of the more fragile readers. I say that sincerely. However, that is as far as it goes. Should you be offended by what I have had to say, it is possible that you may be challenged by the remaining few of us who celebrate being a man.

If I have brought you grief in my expression of manhood in regards to the iconic pocket knife, may I suggest that you sit down to a calming Latte; perhaps a nice bubble bath would calm the nerves. Maybe a nice shampooing down at the local salon would lift your spirits.

The wife has alerted me to an important episode of Oprah downstairs. I am on my way with pocket knife and sharpener in hand. I hope she has brewed up some Cappuccino; there is nothing better to get my day started.