A great experience

[redhawk44p]

I was talking to a guy at work yesterday when I noticed a clip on his pocket. I said "what have you got there?". He pulled out a S&W knife. Then he produced 4 other knives. I am standing there with my mouth open holding a handful of knives. I never even knew this guy liked knives. I was delighted to find another Knife Knut at work. I thought I was the only one. I was embarrassed though I only had 3 knives on me. I invited him to join Blade Forums.
Has anyone else found a Knife Knut in a place where you never thought to see one?

 

[TheSurvivalist]

The guy was carrying five knives? Who needs to carry five knives?! I can see a reason for carrying two knives, even three. Perhaps a stockman, a small one hand opener, and a small fixed blade; each knife serves a different purpose. But five? That seems a little ridiculous.

Although I lack the information necessary to confirm my theory, I believe that you may be dealing with a mall ninja disguised as your co-worker. If not, then that guy is really paranoid.

Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not saying that your friend isn't a nice guy; he may simply be uninformed. Please, introduce this person to Bladeforums. Let him learn our ways, and absorb the knowledge and wisdom of experienced knife collectors and enthusiasts. The last thing anyone needs is an another unleashed mall ninja running loose.

TheSurvivalist

 

[tim8557]

Last night, at a Christmas Party. I was talking to the host, whom I had never met before. Somehow we got onto the topic of current obsessions. I told him that I collected knives and was obsessed with sharpening them. His eyes lit up and out came a SAK from his pocket. He then showed me his walking stick which doubles as a sword when pulled apart. He was then off to the family room to dig out more when the wife gave him that "Stop in your tracks, you old fool" look. Guess she was afraid we'd scare the hell out of the sheeple. I was only carrying my sheeple-friendly KOPA.

They may be everwhere.

 

[Hair]

The guy was carrying five knives? Who needs to carry five knives?! I can see a reason for carrying two knives, even three. Perhaps a stockman, a small one hand opener, and a small fixed blade; each knife serves a different purpose. But five? That seems a little ridiculous.

Although I lack the information necessary to confirm my theory, I believe that you may be dealing with a mall ninja disguised as your co-worker. If not, then that guy is really paranoid.

Actually, it is you that is uninformed. You need one knife for dedicated throat-cutting. One knife for stomach-stabbing. One knife for throwing. One knife for prying. And lastly, you need a SAK with pliars for extracted your dedicated stabbing knife and your throwing knife from the victims corpse. All of these need tanto-points, black coating, and blood grooves. Even the multitool.

Joking aside (yes, it was still a joke even if it wasn't funny), I carry three knives max when I am in the mood to "travel heavy". I carry a good knife for me to use when the sharpness is needed (usually a folder, sometimes a fixed blade), a cheapo knife for messy/dirty things I don't want to subject my nicer knife to and to lend out to people if they ask to use my knife, and a SAK or multitool for everything else.

But I usually "travel light" and carry a mid-level folder or fixed blade that I don't mind lending out or getting a little dirty, but is still a quality tool. Such as a Leek, 119, or Nighthawk. Sometimes I carry a SAK in addition to that and will lend that out instead. Sometimes I just carry a SAK or a slipjoint.

That's the cool thing about being a knife knut. So many options. Sort of the man version of fashion or shoes. I can travel light and just take a Leek, Native, or SAK in my pocket. Or I can carry a fixed blade on my belt and a folder. Or just a folder in a belt sheath. I can carry a cheapo knife to lend out and a nicer knife for me, or just a mid-level knife that I don't mind using AND lending out. It just depends on my mood, what I am wearing, what I expect to be doing that day (especially at work).

Oh... the topic. The only knife knuts I have met were working at a knife store. I had fun talking to them, though. I have a lot of friends and co-workers that like knives, but they are into lower-end knives and not true knife knuts. For example, one of my friends carries his S&W because his CRKT is too nice to use. Another friend has said "buying a knife for more than 60 bucks is stupid".

One of my bosses at work used to be a Marine and he likes knives. He owns some good ones- Benchmade, KA-BAR etc... and we have talked about knives on several occasions. But he uses knives out of necesity and isn't really in love with them like I am. He usually doesn't even carry a knife anymore and always asks to borrow mine when he needs one. But, that isn't eally finding a knife knut in an unexpected place since he A: works in a warehouse, and B: was a Marine. So I think him liking knives is pretty expected.

 

[redhawk44p]

Although I lack the information necessary to confirm my theory, I believe that you may be dealing with a mall ninja disguised as your co-worker. If not, then that guy is really paranoid.
TheSurvivalist

He is not a Mall Ninja. He is in his mid 50s with a solid reputation at work. He is a polite soft spoken gent. I would refrain from amateur psychology myself.

 

[Hair]

He is not a Mall Ninja. He is in his mid 50s with a solid reputation at work. He is a polite soft spoken gent. I would refrain from amateur psychology myself.

Most ninjas are polite, soft spoken, and respected. Age is irrelevant in the ninja way.

Test him. Throw a stapler at him when he is not looking. If he catches it without turning around, and then deanimates it, he is a mall ninja. If he doesn't, then tell him I am sorry.

 

[TheSurvivalist]

Originally Posted by redhawk44p
He is not a Mall Ninja. He is in his mid 50s with a solid reputation at work. He is a polite soft spoken gent. I would refrain from amateur psychology myself.

Yes, you are quite right. Nobody likes psychology anyway. I will be happy to refrain from practicing amateur psychology here without a license, as long as you refrain from reading my posts. Agreed? I simply ask that you provide a valid, logical reason for this polite, soft-spoken gentleman to be carrying five knives.

In all sincerity, though, I truly was not attempting to belittle your co-worker by suggesting that he may be a mall ninja. The term "mall ninja" does not apply exclusively to young people, nor does it describe only undesirable persons. There are many varying degrees of the mall ninja affliction, many of which I have personally witnessed. A mall ninja is, regardless of his outward appearance, simply uninformed and inexperienced.

I have known many polite, soft-spoken, and well-respected people (one close to 60 years old) who could be described as "mall ninjas." Often, these people possess a wide collection of cheap and exotic chinese knives (purchased from mall shops and flea markets). Once they are properly informed and educated by a knowledgeable knife enthusiast, they will cease to be mall ninjas.

As I said, introduce your co-worker to Bladeforums. He will undoubtedly benefit from the experience.

Sincerely,
TheSurvivalist

 

[redhawk44p]

A valid reason? May I ask if you are in law enforcement? He simply enjoys having them around I would guess. I felt it would have been intrusive to ask. How many Knife Knuts could provide a valid reason for the knife they carry?

True his knives were inexpensive but he was proud of them. I did not feel superior because my blades were S30V and VG 10. I was just happy to find a fellow knife enthusiast.

I apologize if you considered my reply impolite. It is my opinion that a person can carry a pocket full of knives of whatever quality as long as he does not threaten or harm anyone with them.

 

[cockroachfarm]

.....It is my opinion that a person can carry a pocket full of knives of whatever quality as long as he does not threaten or harm anyone with them.

A good opinion that I am sure is shared with many who have read this post.

 

[TheSurvivalist]

Originally Posted by redhawk44p
It is my opinion that a person can carry a pocket full of knives of whatever quality as long as he does not threaten or harm anyone with them.

I, too, share this opinion. I really don't care how many knives a person has. The guy can carry a rucksack full of knives if he wants, so long as he doesn't harm anyone. I am simply curious as to why he carries 5 of them. Are they all for different purposes? Does he use them all? I just fail to see the benefit of carrying five heavy knives around at the workplace if they serve no real purpose.

In the past, I have carried up to four knives at once. They all had a separate purpose. A Stockman for carving and detail work, a one-handed opener for opening packages and cutting cord, a small fixed blade for camp chores and as a defensive weapon, and a large blade for bushwork. If the knives serve no purpose, why burden yourself with them?

Ask the guy why he carries them. If he carries them around just because likes to fondle them and show them to people, that's fine. I'd just like to know.

I apologize if I pissed you off. Maybe I should end all my sentences with a so nobody takes them seriously.

TheSurvivalist

 

[redhawk44p]

I am not POed. I was perhaps ruffled when I thought you were speaking of him in a derogatory manner.

To answer your question I do not know why he carries them. The S&W had a 3.5" blade the others were small stockman style knives. We all have reasons for doing things not all people understand. If the opportunity arises I will ask him for you.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I don't need to carry as many knives as I generally do carry. Rarely do I need more than my Victorinox Ranger, and even then, the Ranger would probably be OK, even if not ideal.

Mostly, anything over two knives is for showing off to my friends or maybe to myself, enjoying having the variety with me, like a pocket full of pens in the old days, even when all the pens I "needed" were on my desk at work anyway.

I like to carry my Vic. Classic on my keyring, a good folder, a utility folder/beater, a SAK, like the Ranger, and often a gentleman's knife like one of my slipjoints, a Schrade or a Laguiole.

That's the difference between a man with a pocketknife and ... a knife knut!

 

[rowdy27]

Anymore than 2 tattoos is a warning sign too!!
(I forget where I read this though!) ;^)

 

[harm]

He is not a Mall Ninja. He is in his mid 50s with a solid reputation at work. He is a polite soft spoken gent. I would refrain from amateur psychology myself.

i carry 4 - 6 knives.1 dedicated cutter.the others are just because i like them,u know,the feel of opening and closing or unsheathing and feeling the weight in hand.
it's not only the mall ninjas that like knives

 

[shaldag]

what Esav said. The question "why do you need to carry more than 2 knives?" is just a step away from "why do you need to carry a knife?"

Aside form a SAK, one-hand opener, and some kind of beater, I like to have a custom or 2 in my pocket to play with. If that makes me a mall ninja in some people's mind, then so be it.

Do I NEED to carry all of that? Nope--I can survive just fine without them. But life is not just about survival.

 

[wwells20]

I was talking to a guy at work yesterday when I noticed a clip on his pocket. I said "what have you got there?". He pulled out a S&W knife. Then he produced 4 other knives. I am standing there with my mouth open holding a handful of knives. I never even knew this guy liked knives. I was delighted to find another Knife Knut at work. I thought I was the only one. I was embarrassed though I only had 3 knives on me. I invited him to join Blade Forums.
Has anyone else found a Knife Knut in a place where you never thought to see one?

Nope. I seem to be the only knife knut I ever run into. When I try to show a knife or educate someone I still get, "you paid how much for that knife?"
I still love the look on their faces even though the price I paid for some knives does sound a bit excessive.

 

[redhawk44p]

It is rare to find another knife lover. That is why I was so delighted.

You should have seen the eyes of the other guy standing there when we started pulling knives out from here and there. It was hilarious.

 

[wwells20]

I would really like to have another knife guy or girl around to "talk blades" That's what is good about being here. Enjoy your company (knife person)

 

[cockroachfarm]

..... The question "why do you need to carry more than 2 knives?" is just a step away from "why do you need to carry a knife?"...

We have a BINGO! Please clear your cards for the next game.

 

[VCM3]

We got to talkin',and,come to find out,he's a not so obsessed closet knife fettish guy,alongside being a fun loving,easy going,kind of guy,who would give you the shirt off his back.So,I gave him a Benchmade Mini-Reflexas a Thank's for the great job tip.I'm kinda hoping this knife will bring the collector out in him.We'll see? I'm talking about the electrical contractor who wired up my new building,had a little typo,but you all follow,right.