Superstition suggestion for a fantasy/historical-fiction work

[dclayh]

If you accidentally cut yourself with a knife, you have to purify it somehow (fire, most obviously, or the blood of a foe) to remove its taste for your blood, or else it will shortly betray you again.

Comments

[janviere]

I didn't read the title and thought that you'd done something horrible with the kitchen knives.

[rose_garden]

I like the concept; it works for me.

[ahhunter]

Interesting contrast with the tradition that says a drawn blade has to taste blood before you can return it to the sheath--if there's no one good to stab nearby, you're obligated to cut yourself.