I grew up within a cultural upbringing that older boys and men would naturally carry penknives at all times..
in the same way that modern youth are never without their ipods and phones...

In my late teens I graduated from antiquated family hand me downs
to proper expensive swiss army knives.

In Bristol, there was a world music night club on our road,
I would voluntarily hand my knife to the security staff, and have it promptly handed back on going home..

that's what I got used to..


When I moved to east london, winter 1986, house mates insisted we all go to a St Paddies night at an Ilford Club.

Ok, so on arrival I politely took my folded swiss army knife out to hand over the security / coat check desk
and was immediately jumped by doormen, roughed up and bundled out onto the street.

They kept my knife and expensive leather clothes that had also been in my pocket...

My house mates continued into the club without me.. ****s...