The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KNIFE GAME

WHEN I WAS ABOUT 12, WE USED TO PLAY A GAME WITH POCKET
KNIVES WHICH WE REFERRED TO AS "SPLIT" OR "STRETCH."
TWO BOYS WOULD STAND FACING ONE ANOTHER WITH THEIR FEET
TOGETHER. THE BOYS WOULD TAKE TURNS THROWING THEIR
KNIVES AND TRYING TO STICK THEM IN THE GROUND.
WHEN A BOY'S KNIFE STUCK, THE OTHER BOY HAD TO
"STRETCH" ONE LEG UNTIL HIS FOOT TOUCHED THE KNIFE,
KEEPING THE OTHER FOOT IN PLACE. THE BOYS WOULD
CONTINUE, REMOVING THE KNIVES AND RE-THROWING THEM
UNTIL ONE BOY STUCK HIS IN SO FAR AWAY THAT THE OTHER
BOY COULD NOT STRETCH FAR ENOUGH TO TOUCH IT AND
WOULD THEREFORE LOSE THE GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN