Most of us oldsters carry more out of date stuff than that in our thinking. The I wonder whatever happened to. . . or the You know, you can’t find . . . in the stores anymore stage of life. Reality sometimes ain’t all that great.
I went to jury duty and they confiscated mine! I did get it back later. Never gave it a thought. I make sure it is in my checked luggage when I travel.
I do the same. I barely have enough hair for a comb but never need it as it is cut short. My wife says “eww gross” when it comes to handkerchiefs but always seems to need to borrow mine. I carry two in case I need to use one, I have a clean spare. Pocket knives have always been a given all my life as they were for my father and grandfather before me. I do have to be careful where to carry it as so many places now have metal scanners and bans on “weapons”. It’s a tool not a weapon, the only person I have ever cut is myself and that has been very rare.
Right pocket; keys, coins, car fob and tissue, left packet; magnifying glass, measuring tape and pocket knife. I stopped carrying a comb decades ago when my lack of hair showed up.
T’was the way of it in my early years. Dad had several pocket knives, each with a different side piece – bone, wood, ebon, pearl, and metal. He taught me games and best uses but also to be cautious. He also taught me how to hone the blades and to keep the channels clear of rust. Lots of mumblety-peg games in that collection.
Always in my pockets: Billfold, comb, handkerchief, pen knife, 3-foot tape measure, ballpoint pen, and a flip phone. Any coins go into the jar on the dresser every night. Anybody else read the “Pluggers” comic strip?
I’ll allow for tissues for nasal matters and the handkerchief for wiping brow matters. But a handkerchief for nasal clearance should never be a thing. Yuck!
My dad always carried those three things—and used them. I used to carry a jackknife, but stopped for some reason. Now I have an excuse to go buy one. They are handy, for sure.
Wallet, comb, knife. Is now Wallet, comb, pocket knife, belt knife, nail clipper, keys, reading glasses, driving glasses, a couple of small tools and phone. Oh and sometimes mask as well.
I was reminded today that another essential item is a safety pin. I keep two pinned to the left front pocket of my broadfalls, where they go un-noticed until wanted.
And I have several attached to each of my two wallets. (A large one for cycling, a small one for walking or driving.)
During a first-aid class, a paramedic showed me his medical kit: a pocket-size pair of bandage scissors with a large safety pin attached to one handle. My uses for pins have all been less interesting than his.
allen@home about 3 years ago
I still have a little hair left Earl. Not much just a little.
stairsteppublishing about 3 years ago
My theory is that men are born with pocket knives.
Templo S.U.D. about 3 years ago
I got the pocketknife taken care of most times, but not the handkerchief nor the comb.
Wilde Bill about 3 years ago
Leave the pocketknife home when you go to the airport.
sirbadger about 3 years ago
21 years ago, you could take the pocket knife to the airport.
Leojim about 3 years ago
What, no firearms?
Qiset about 3 years ago
In school one day, a teacher asked me for my pocketknife because he knew I would have one.
KA7DRE Premium Member about 3 years ago
When I went to school, most kids had a pocket knife and no one gave it a second thought….That’s how much the world has changed.
Doug K about 3 years ago
Not so much comb anymore? But he does have some hair in the back and on the sides and a pretty substantial mustache.
sandpiper about 3 years ago
Most of us oldsters carry more out of date stuff than that in our thinking. The I wonder whatever happened to. . . or the You know, you can’t find . . . in the stores anymore stage of life. Reality sometimes ain’t all that great.
The Reader Premium Member about 3 years ago
Don’t forget to tell him about pocket lint.
Classyladyor about 3 years ago
My Dad always had a “jack knife”.
juicebruce about 3 years ago
Earl I would add a pen to your list of things to carry ;-)
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member about 3 years ago
Nowadays I carry a map, calculator, compass, flashlight, spirit level, barometer, magnetometer, bank card, clock, and music player.
Little Caesar about 3 years ago
So, Earl, are you going to tell him the three rules of being a man over 50?
dadoctah about 3 years ago
Phaser, communicator, tricorder. I’m all set.
kucpa Premium Member about 3 years ago
He will never part with the comb.
iggyman about 3 years ago
I carried a Leatherman on my waste for years!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 3 years ago
I went to jury duty and they confiscated mine! I did get it back later. Never gave it a thought. I make sure it is in my checked luggage when I travel.
Algolei I about 3 years ago
All I need is my towel.
ERBEN2 about 3 years ago
Are you kidding me ?
Wichita1.0 about 3 years ago
Money is also nice. Trust me on this.
Zebrastripes about 3 years ago
Must be in the jeans…
rhpii about 3 years ago
I do the same. I barely have enough hair for a comb but never need it as it is cut short. My wife says “eww gross” when it comes to handkerchiefs but always seems to need to borrow mine. I carry two in case I need to use one, I have a clean spare. Pocket knives have always been a given all my life as they were for my father and grandfather before me. I do have to be careful where to carry it as so many places now have metal scanners and bans on “weapons”. It’s a tool not a weapon, the only person I have ever cut is myself and that has been very rare.
Tentoes about 3 years ago
Dad once sent me a birthday card. “As you grow older, you’ll find there are things you have to give up. Like combs.”
timzsixty9 about 3 years ago
Earl, you gotta comb out the mustache, from time to time..right?
Gameguy49 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Right pocket; keys, coins, car fob and tissue, left packet; magnifying glass, measuring tape and pocket knife. I stopped carrying a comb decades ago when my lack of hair showed up.
sandpiper about 3 years ago
T’was the way of it in my early years. Dad had several pocket knives, each with a different side piece – bone, wood, ebon, pearl, and metal. He taught me games and best uses but also to be cautious. He also taught me how to hone the blades and to keep the channels clear of rust. Lots of mumblety-peg games in that collection.
goboboyd about 3 years ago
And a dime to make an emergency call on a pay phone. In a booth on a corner. If you can’t fix the problem with a triangular bandage.
iggyman about 3 years ago
As far as the comb goes, like it is said “Grass does not grow on a Busy Street” but then an empty barn does not need a roof!
mike75035 about 3 years ago
Rule #9 – Never go aywhere without a knife.
ms-ss about 3 years ago
Always in my pockets: Billfold, comb, handkerchief, pen knife, 3-foot tape measure, ballpoint pen, and a flip phone. Any coins go into the jar on the dresser every night. Anybody else read the “Pluggers” comic strip?
mistercatworks about 3 years ago
Remember to wash the handkerchief occasionally. :)
BC in NC Premium Member about 3 years ago
I’ll allow for tissues for nasal matters and the handkerchief for wiping brow matters. But a handkerchief for nasal clearance should never be a thing. Yuck!
Frank Salem Premium Member about 3 years ago
Over 40% of the male population carry knives.
COL Crash about 3 years ago
The other essential item is a pen.
kathleenhicks62 about 3 years ago
You can comb the “stach”.
Mayor Snorkum about 3 years ago
My dad always carried those three things—and used them. I used to carry a jackknife, but stopped for some reason. Now I have an excuse to go buy one. They are handy, for sure.
purepaul Premium Member about 3 years ago
I’d feel nekkid widout my Leatherman mini!
NELS BALWIT Premium Member about 3 years ago
Wallet, comb, knife. Is now Wallet, comb, pocket knife, belt knife, nail clipper, keys, reading glasses, driving glasses, a couple of small tools and phone. Oh and sometimes mask as well.
timbob2313 Premium Member about 3 years ago
I carried a Buck folding belt knife from the time I was in HS until I retired in 1998. Very useful tool. But I believe now illegal in most states.
rockwood2002 about 3 years ago
in grade school all the boys carried pocket knives, we would play mumbley peg during recess.
Thinkingblade about 3 years ago
Pocket knife, wallet, keys, cell phone and wrist watch. I may have a shirt and pants on – but I am naked without those in the world.
roberta.forbes.pyle about 3 years ago
Earl, use the comb to get crumbs out of your moustache!
ANIMAL about 3 years ago
Sad…..
MuddyUSA Premium Member about 3 years ago
In time most men go bald?
Another Take about 3 years ago
Dad’s handkerchief stopped many a bloody nose in its day. I guess today’s kids don’t do anything that would result in a bloody nose.
WilliamDoerfler about 3 years ago
You might need to help someone with a hair malfunction.
Rolf Rykken Premium Member about 3 years ago
Where’s Roscoe? : )
Natarose about 3 years ago
use it for your mustache!
kf6rro about 3 years ago
Can’t really carry pocket knives to most places anymore.
mfrasca about 3 years ago
Memories of Gene Wolfe.
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member about 3 years ago
Four things, including Chapstick, or Carmex.
pbr50138 about 3 years ago
Earl…you still have hair and a mustache.
aunt granny about 3 years ago
I was reminded today that another essential item is a safety pin. I keep two pinned to the left front pocket of my broadfalls, where they go un-noticed until wanted.
And I have several attached to each of my two wallets. (A large one for cycling, a small one for walking or driving.)
During a first-aid class, a paramedic showed me his medical kit: a pocket-size pair of bandage scissors with a large safety pin attached to one handle. My uses for pins have all been less interesting than his.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 about 3 years ago
Change hair comb to a mustache comb and all of them would still be useful.