Here's a thread I never thought I'd start. I was looking at @GaryMc 's fantastically coordinated and varied EDC accoutrement and began to increasingly take an interest in his handkerchiefs. They are entirely splendid. Having just carried plain linen ones from Brooks Brothers my whole life, I never gave much thought to them. Now I'd like to have a few of those of the dandy style. I think they will also get little Expat Jr. more into carrying them, which all men/boys should get in the habit of. So, fire away. Show me some of your handkerchiefs, some sites where you get them, etc. (I'm hoping this is pic heavy). http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/03/26/every-man-should-carry-a-handkerchief/
I've got a few custom hankys from the forum. I wished they were available a little more though. Edit to add-Oops, no pics yet. I'll have to take a few
I would rock that! Hopefully I wouldn't have to use it in the woods, I'd drop it and it would instantly melt into the backdrop, never to be seen again. (It'll end up wherever my Zippo hand warmer went one deer hunt).
Man, I love them when sitting in the deer stand. I keep one in my pocket and my fingers stay pliable so I can work the safety.
I have like 5 or 6 I bought from monkeyz here on the forum that I carry daily. I think the prices some of these are going for are crazy tho.
I've personally always though the idea of carrying hanky to blow ones nose then stick back in your pocket is gross. Also, the thought of handing it someone else to wife their secretions in then taking it back .... gross. Other uses are valid I suppose but still not for me.
Never not had a handkerchief or a bandana on me. Been carrying them since middle school at least, considered it just propper etiquette to always have it to catch those sneezes or screw ups with food and drink we all have from time to time. Plus had more girls needing to borrow one than you can shake a stick at my entire life, including my Wife of almost 20 years now. Small kids? They come in really handy there. So you make sure they are clean when you leave for the day or have spares nearby. Carried plain white ones til I moved out West, then bandanas. Moved back South, back to white until the great new online entrepreneurs started making some really cool ones in recent years. When I wore suits for a couple of decades, also always had one as a pocket square in that breast pocket of my jacket, some fancy silk, some plain white linen. Had to look the part of a gentleman even on the days I certainly did not feel like one in the business world. Those days are almost over for me and I won't miss them when they are. Learned to hate ties over the years but still put them on for funerals and weddings, something I rarely see others doing now, but I digress.... The two best retailers I know of are both online only entrepreneurs. First up is Godspeed Tactical, many of us here are friends of Eli, who was a member of the old forum. His can be found at: http://www.godspeedtactical.com/test-shop/ I know he would appreciate your business. The second is Hanks by Hank at: http://hanksbyhank.bigcartel.com Keep in mind both these guys are entrepreneurs, both run small operations, thus designs change often. If you see it and like it, you had better buy it because it may be permanently out of stock by the time you get back to the site. Also check back regularly as designs change quickly. What I can say about both companies are they have great often cutting edge styling, both have excellent customer service, and in my experience both ship very swiftly for small operations. They have designs from sweet (cutesy) to classic to totally bad a$$. Keep in mind these are 2-layer, different print on each side, made in small shops of excellent materials so they aren't cheap. Here are just a few of my recent purchases GODSPEED TACTICAL HANKS BY HANK If you want something cheaper but stylish, I'd suggest looking at smaller bandanas, they can be had in almost every pattern on the planet today. Pick something you want type the name and bandana on eBay and literally hundreds pop up. Plus there is nothing wrong with plain old cotton linen handkerchiefs, they can be had cheap and I still carry those as well.
@Expat BTW: "The Art of Manliness" is a book every grown man & boy should read, needs to be highlighted on your "reads" thread........
I'm like Gary: carried a hank daily since I was maybe 6. LOTS of allergies as a kid, teen and early adult. Now, just part of my EDK. Bandanas too, at least two in the day pack (and I mean day pack, every single day --- never leave home without it, basic survival gear, and stuff I need -- fire, first aid, toothpicks, etc.) Of course, my hanks pale by comparison with Gary's.
GaryMc and Stone -- thanks for the great posts. Your social commentary was right on as far as I'm concerned. Likes: ties/weddings/stuff I need/daypack/business world attire/just to name a few of your mentions.
I agree. I never use mine for that. There seems to always be a tissue, paper towel, napkin or something around somewhere. I have used them to stop a kid's bloody nose. Or to put some ice in it to hold against a goose egg.