What do you think of alcohol flasks?

[FalloutJack]

{1} Sure.

{2} Nah.

{3} Dunno.

{4} Maybe.

{5} How should I know?

I don't really have a strong opinion on them. And now, for an expert on the nature of flasks!

 

[Thurston]

Have you ever seen one? Yup.
Have you ever used one? Yup.
Do flasks have a bad rep? Yup.
Are the cool? Depends.
Or just tacky Depends.

 

[Muspelheim]

And when you're taking booze with you for a trip, that tiny amount won't do any good.

Won't do any "good" - what does that mean, exactly?

I come from the vodka belt, so that's my general drink of choice. I'm a pretty big chap and raised on the stuff, so I need more than a little hip flask's worth of it to really feel it, not to mention keeping it going for more than half an hour. Most hip flasks just gets me 'almost drunk', and I drop back to sober way too quickly. It just ain't enough for my purposes.

Is tiny baby flask for tiny baby mens!

 

[Flames66]

I was wondering what does everyone think about alcohol flasks?

1)Have you ever seen one?
2)Have you ever used one?
3)Do flasks have a bad rep?
4)Are they cool?
5)Or just tacky?

1) Yes. There are several vintage and engraving businesses near me that sell them.

2) Yes, I have two. Sometimes when life is getting me down I take one with me and drink whiskey or something similar during the day. My favourite is an old Martel travel bottle I wrapped in white leather:

Spoiler: Flask

3) Not that I have noticed. The only people I have heard make negative comments about a hip flask is the kind of person who finds leather jackets threatening (not someone I put much stock in).

4) Depends on who is using them and in what context. It looks pretty cool to me when the classic "Hard Bitten Detective" or Gangster archetype is sipping from one during nefarious dealings. Something like this:

Spoiler

5)It looks tacky to me when someone is drinking who really should not be. For example, turning up drunk to a funeral. Also if the flask itself is overdecorated.

Spoiler

You can also use a flask for something other than alcohol.

Indeed. I used my older flask as a water bottle for a long time. Unfortunately, the steel started making a hole in the side of my bag and I had to rethink.

Do flasks have a bad rep? - Depends on what circles you frequent. For the most part, they do.

Is there anyone in particular that this is true of?

Are they cool? - Also depends on what circles you frequent. Some people will think they're cool, like admiring someone's specially made Zippo. Others won't and will assume anyone with a flask is either a hipster or an alcoholic.

I have seen that. People like to make assumptions with hardly any context. I am guilty of this myself and am trying to cut down.

 

[Flames66]

Just like a whisky decanter, I can't figure out a single instance where one might be of use.

For me, it's a question of aesthetics. I would rather store my portable alcohol in a flask that has meaning to me than a standard bottle.

 

[Vigormortis]

Is there anyone in particular that this is true of?

Are you asking for names or something?

All I was getting at was that hip flasks, in the public perception, have a "for alcoholics" image attached to them.

 

[Flames66]

Is there anyone in particular that this is true of?

Are you asking for names or something?

All I was getting at was that hip flasks, in the public perception, have a "for alcoholics" image attached to them.

I was hoping you could group people into derisive boxes so I could feel superior.

I haven't seen much of this alcoholics perception. I have seen them used by people with drinking problems in media, but it's usually in conjunction with much more overt clues.

 

[Vigormortis]

I was hoping you could group people into derisive boxes so I could feel superior.

I mean, I 'spose I could do that. I'd be a dick for doing it, but if it makes things easier...

I haven't seen much of this alcoholics perception. I have seen them used by people with drinking problems in media, but it's usually in conjunction with much more overt clues.

It's generally an idea perpetuated by both media perception and the more prudish members of society. Many won't verbally state aloud that they think flask carriers are alcoholics, but many will think it. (and gossip about it in private)

It's a bit like the public perception of trilby hats.[footnote] They're not fedoras, for fuck's sake. How hard is that for people to grasp? I've even seen stores like Target label trilbies as fedoras. I was almost tempted to buy one and then return it by complaining it was false advertisement.[/footnote] It's an image that's been adopted within the public view, despite it not making any sense and being far from the truth.

 

[WolfThomas]

I honestly can't figure out what their purpose is. If it's for smuggling alcohol with yourself then a disposable bottle (glas or plastic) is a must. If it's for carrying around alcohol just in case you need it, a glass bottle is needed (even the makers of metal flasks say not to store alcohol in them for extended periods).

Just like a whisky decanter, I can't figure out a single instance where one might be of use.

These were the reasons when I matured I abandoned hip flasks (among other dumb young adult things).

However these days I do appreciate a good fortified wine or single malt scotch, especially towards the end of an evening, but I don't want to drink a whole bottle or bring it to a party where it might get drunk by someone else.

So I have ordered a pewter hip flask, because the pewter apparently doesn't alter the taste the same way as stainless steel. It hasn't arrived yet, but I figure I can bring a sixpack of beer or bottle of wine to drink from first or if at a venue buy beer there, then towards then end have a quick nip of quality liquor with friends.

I agree about Whisky decanters though. They make no sense. Whisky doesn't need decanting and I'm suspicious people feel them with rotgut and pass it off as fancy.