Importance of Lenny’s Knife

Lenny’s knife is a symbol of experience. Because Lenny is old, Frankie and Jimmy assume they will be able to beat him easily in a fight. When he expertly flicks out a knife with the Marine Corps motto on the side, the two teens realize they may have chosen the wrong old man with whom to try to pick a fight. The way Lenny handles the knife and the motto suggest Lenny might have more experience fighting than they do.