I stood before the glass case in the dive shop, carefully considering my choices.

Should I pick the Survival Series Ultimate Knife or the one called the Halcyon, which was a fine name for a blade? The gleaming weapons lined the case, each with their own special charm. I almost wanted the camouflage-handled one. It seemed so American.

"That one." I pointed to the corner of the shelf. "That's the one I'd like to get my boyfriend for his birthday. He dives a lot and needs a new scuba knife. He mentioned this to me last week."

The clerk extracted a shiny silver knife and droned on about the features. Scalloped edges that made it easier to hold. Something called a skeletonized handle, which meant it had holes in case I wanted to slip my fingers into them for a firmer grip. A stainless-steel blade, a spear-point, a serrated edge and a straight edge.

Turning it over in my hands, I smiled as I wondered what it would feel like to cut skin with the steel. The blade caught the light of an overhead lamp, and it practically winked at me.

"I'll take it."

____