When I went to school no self respecting boy walked around without a penknife or, preferably a jack knife.
You never knew when you might have to open a can of pork and beans, build an emergency shelter, whittle a toy flute or fend off a mountain lion, a dragon or a band of godless commies.
Yeah, I CONSTANTLY carried a Swiss army knife (with scissors, etc).
Yesterday I installed a shop work light using nothing else. (I was pretty proud of myself :) )
Nowadays if you need to build an emergency shelter, you are supposed to call 911 and let the police do it for you. :-)
...or get into a quick game of ‘mumbly peg’ with it at recess or lunch!