Handkerchiefs

[Masterofsparks]

I own several dozen in my drawer and always have one in my pocket. As far as washing them I don't have a problem with that at all! After all you don't have a problem washing your underwear!
I am 55 now and have carried one ever since I was a kid. I have a box of kleenex on my office desk but still prefer my good old cotton hankie!

 

[TimmyBoston]

That's what washing machines are for. I only offer it to people I love. I would never hand my hanky to a stranger.

Me too.

 

[galopede]

Only ever carry white cotton hankies when out performing with my morris dance side. We need them to wave about!

Mine are permanently stuck in the waistband of my trousers as I only play the squeezebox these days (finally succumbed to Morris Dancer's Knee) but they are an essential bit of kit for Cotswold morris.

Gareth

 

[pal]

Interesting, I was taught when I was young that a gentleman always carries a handkerchief. I carry one most days, even if I don't ever use it.

 

[Confuzius]

I carry one in the summer to mop up sweat from my face, brow and head.

I've always thought it was rather gross to blow your nose into a hankie, if you're going to do that why not just blow it in your hand and wipe it inside your pocket...

Still, the sweat rag is kind of gross too, so I can't judge too much.

 

[S. Holmes]

I always carry a clean 100% cotton one. I have some allergies and if paper tissues are not available how would one clean their nose? The handkerchief is generally preferred over the shirt sleeve.

 

[Clem]

Mr. Clean raises a good question. Where do you guys get your handkerchiefs? I get mine at Bloomingdale's and find them to be good.

Conway (I live in New York), Sears has them on occasion and failing that I own a sewing machine and will make my own. I haven't had to do that too much lately because good solid hankies last a long time.

 

[Penn]

I'm an avid snowboarder. Gloves actually have a fabric swatch specifically for wiping. It ain't pretty after a full season, that swatch. And it's a lot of wiping and sniffling, wiping and sniffling - which is fine, but if there's a better way.....

A couple years ago I rode with someone who was carrying a hanky. Just brilliant. I picked up some casual-but-good-quality hankies from Duluth Trading. Always have one with me now. I also have a couple weeks of algery sniffles each spring and fall. The hanky is absolutely superior as far as being more gentle on your snoz. And tissues can be dusty which can actually irritate allergies. I'm giving hankies as gifts.

Hankies. I'm opinionated. Another thing we shouldn't have given up on.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I always carry one too. These days, I pick them up in Japan where handkerchiefs remain an essential item. My favorite handkerchiefs were linen ones that I bought at Banana Republic back when they sold odd and exotic items. They were originally made for British officers and were wonderful. Sadly they have disappeared over the years--I'd love to find more.

 

[tpoof]

I've been packin the red and blue spotted ones for many years..

 

[markb]

Do any of you folks still carry a cotton handkerchief? Thoughts?

I do.. For me it's a utility item same as a pocket knife.

 

[Left Coast DJ]

I have a roll of toilet paper in my car.

 

[Mr. Clean]

I have a roll of toilet paper in my car.

I guess that might be good information to know...



you know...just in case...

 

[Unknownsoldier]

A hundred years ago, when my mom and dad were busy kitting me out for boarding school, one of the items on the list was a dozen white cotton handkerchiefs.

I have somewhat mixed emotions when it comes to the good old cotton hankie. There was a time when no self-respecting gentleman (or lady) would leave the house without a clean handkerchief tucked into a purse, pocket or sleeve. But those days are long gone.

From the perspective of basic hygiene, it does seem somewhat ridiculous to carry around a piece of cloth filled with semi-congealed mucus. For the obvious purpose of blowing one's nose - it appears that the disposable Kleenex tissue is a far superior choice. As long as the supply of tissues exceeds the demand for nose-cleaning, then the tissue is always going to beat the cotton. There is always the environmental argument to be made - that a handkerchief can be washed many times, while a paper tissue kills trees and ends up in a landfill. Although I'd be as hesitant to throw a used hankie in with the rest of my laundry as I would to mix in a dirty diaper.

Of course, a handkerchief has other uses: It can serve as an ad-hoc bandage, sling, or (in an unfortunate British stereotype) a sun hat. They can be useful for polishing eyeglasses, or as an impromptu carry sack.

The other use of the handkerchief - so serve as a decoration for a gentleman's jack breast pocket - I believe specialty silk pocket squares are vastly superior.

Do any of you folks still carry a cotton handkerchief? Thoughts?

I carry one regularly, and generally do not use it for it's intended purpose having a kleenex in my bag anyway. But it does make you stand out when in a meeting or class, you produce a perfectly white starched ironed and folded handkerchief to cough into or buff ones glasses (a nervous tick I have when remembering if a pupil asks a question, I "strut", polish my glasses and close my eyes whilst reciting whatever they need to know... sounds a bit dippy, but it works for me, especially when trying to gain respect in class, as they are all only a year or so younger than me ).

Tom

 

[Deltaboy]

I keep on handy all the time. It is a old habit learned from my Dad and Grandfathers.

 

[rgc]

I always have a linen, silk or wool pocket square in my jacket pocket for dress. I usually have a cotton handkerchief with me in a rear pants pocket for use. One to show and one to blow.

 

[Milkbone]

I never leave home without one. I have pulled it out many times to offer to my mother, girlfriend, etc. I have some monogrammed that I carry in rotation. It's a gentleman essential.

+1

I always carry one as well, I like the aspect of being able to offer an unused one, of course, if needed.

 

[Mr. Clean]

I always have a linen, silk or wool pocket square in my jacket pocket for dress. I usually have a cotton handkerchief with me in a rear pants pocket for use. One to show and one to blow.

Now dat der's funny...I don't care who ya are.

 

[pal]

I have a roll of toilet paper in my car.

You know you're a redneck if................
Oh, that was a different thread

 

[Yushiro]

Its become a completely dead custom in Malaysia. But Dad carried one with him every day and like the fountain pens he used every day, instilled the hanky habit in me as well. I never leave home without one. While they are cotton all the time, I don't seem to have any white ones. Sadly tho, the quality of these have dropped somewhat significantly these days.

The China and Indian made ones don't absorb any sweat whatsoever and are rather coarse (and are always too small). I still have 5-6 old cotton ones which are still very good. As far as bandannas are concerned, I used to carry a few in the 80's. Apart from the usual red and blue ones, we also had bandannas printed with logos, album art and pictures of Heavy Metal bands (I remember having a Iron Maiden 'Somewhere in Time' Bandanna) but those were for show, absolutely useless when it came to functionality.

I never offer them to anyone, not even wifey. Its a personal thing and I like to keep it that way.