A thought and wanting opinions from the experts.

[Blade_Crazy]

So i catch a lot of flack for carrying and knife if not two or three. Its usually the normal "what will you need all of those for?".... and what ever else they come up with. ?

But in my opinion a knife is a tool, I have done a lot of independent study of combat (hand to hand and weapon including knife fighting) but with that i have done a lot of study of the laws and what they say about self defense and use of deadly force and weapons. In my study i have concluded that it is better to view a knife as a tool and not a weapon (despite its obvious ability to be one) and wanted to know what you guys (being the knife experts) thought and how you react to the "flack" we as knife nuts tend to catch when we use and carry knives.

 

[Gadfly22]

My view: Any flack I might get doesn't matter, nor does it matter if I think a knife is a tool or a weapon. But so long as I am in compliance with local knife-carry laws, I don't care what others think. And I carry on my cell phone a copy of my local statutes, defining what constitutes a legal knife, in case anyone (including law enforcement) should inquire.

 

[marcinek]

Either ignore it or calmly, rationally inform the other party as to why I carry a knife.

What else are you supposed to do when someone's opinion is different than your own? Call names? Complain on a forum?

 

[Blade_Crazy]

usually i would simply tell them its a tool i wasn't necessarily looking to complain more looking to see what you guys thought about your knives and why you carried them.

 

[philwar]

I NEVER explain behavior of mine that is perfectly rational to me. I turn it around and ask people why I should.
As for knives, sooner or later people always come to see their uses, trivial as they sometimes are. They also need to realize that they are being prejudicial: 'people carrying knives must have something wrong with them.'

 

[marcinek]

usually i would simply tell them its a tool i wasn't necessarily looking to complain more looking to see what you guys thought about your knives and why you carried them.

I didn't mean to say you were complaining....I'm saying that, in general, a "flackee" getting upset about "flack" and doing nothing other than calling the "flackers" names on a knife forum doesn't accomplish much, in my opinion. It happens.

What do I think about my knives? I like them.
Why do I carry them? I need to cut things. And I like to carry them.

I guess I get interest far more than I get flack....I think it's because I don't feel the need to whip out some comically large Urban Camo Sec Ops Overcompensator 3000 while at Applebees. Use an "Applebees" sized/styled knife at Applebees...people want to know more about it.

Unless it's a SAK...then they don't care at all.

 

[dannyp]

I haven't had this happen for quite a while. A lot of it has to do with the manner in how you use the knife. I tend to pull it out, calmly open it and proceed to cut what is needed. If someone didn't know me, that person would be clueless that I even had a knife unless it had to be used. Flicking a knife open as quickly as possible and flashing it around is going to draw unwanted attention, even if you have the best of intentions. I'm not saying that you should try to hide it, just that if you appear like you know what you're doing most strangers won't say anything.

There are exceptions such as people who have an unfounded fear of knives, and these people aren't worth worrying about or trying to argue with because you're not going to change their irrational opinions. I just usually respond with a polite "to cut things" when asked why I have a knife. Then I proceed to cut whatever I need to and put the knife away.

 

[Blade_Crazy]

lol just for conversation sake (and a mild interest) what would be an "applebees" knife in you opinion?

 

[marcinek]

lol just for conversation sake (and a mild interest) what would be an "applebees" knife in you opinion?

I have never, anywhere gotten flack for pulling out and using a slipjoint. In fact, doing so always seems to be a the start of a pleasant conversation. And since I happen to prefer carrying slipjoints...it's a win-win.

 

[cricketdave]

In the area I live most guys carry a pocket knife of some kind so its not usually commented on, sometimes my wife will comment. do you really need a pocket knife at a formal dinner? well yes i do and then followed by sticking my tongue out at her and making obnoxious sounds.

cricket

 

[Vanguard41xx]

I don't try to make a big deal about it. I take it out, cut whatever, put it back and get on with my business. Simple as that. And if someone was to ask why I need "such a dangerous weapon", I'll reply by saying it makes life a hell of a lot easier. Have you seen the clam shell packaging these days? Seriously, they don't want anyone opening the product. Someone has asked me once why I don't carry utility shears. I said pocket knives are a lot easier to carry, and are easier to sharpen (at least for me). Someone also asked my 14 year old son why he carries a medium sized Case knife, (they also called it a weapon). He said that it is useful, and brings back fond memories of carving with his Grandfather. (Luckily, my Dad is still with us, but I believe he wants to check out soon).

 

[marcinek]

... sometimes my wife will comment. do you really need a pocket knife at a formal dinner? well yes i do and then followed by sticking my tongue out at her and making obnoxious sounds.

cricket

Just wait until she has a thread hanging off her that needs to be cut off!

And you can do that with a pocketknife anywhere.

Do it with something like a Delica...and one might get a reaction (which is a shame). Do it with something that is designed to provoke a reaction...and one usually gets (and should fully expect) a reaction. In my opinion.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

When people react in shock at me carrying a knife with (oh-emm-gee!) a massive 4" blade...I simply remark "it's a lot smaller than your chef's knife at home" and give them a good-natured smile as I watch the light bulb slowly warm up and turn on in their head.

If they question the need, I point out to them that cutting tools allow our civilization as we know it to exist. Everything from the car they drive, the shirt on their back, and the house they live in was made thanks to cutting tools. The ability to separate matter and reassemble it are our two most powerful abilities as humans. Our society was built by knives and string.

 

[timberweasel]

I haven't encountered many folks in the real world who share my interest in knives. I think it's quite normal to want to discuss topics that interest us (movies, books, art, music... whatever) but when it comes to knives, I've learned to just keep my mouth shut. Most people I know are simply not interested or even feel uncomfortable around knives. So, any new knife I have will not come out for a little show-and-tell. A knife gets far better reception if it appears only when needed and is promptly put away after use.

But thank Jeebus for BladeForums! It's nice to have a place to discuss and gush a bit over our new blades...

 

[Undertow82]

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. I mean that in a utility sense, BTW. Not to mention, I never feel them in my pocket and most of my knives are what non-knife people would call 'large.' They're not cumbersome so why not carry them?

People fail to realize that a couple generations ago, everyone had a pocket knife. I bet people would find countless practical uses for knives if they would just keep one with them. I wonder why knives are often seen as weapons before tools in general society.

 

[marcinek]

.... I wonder why knives are often seen as weapons before tools in general society.

I believe it's because a large percentage of knives sold are cheapo tacti-awesome ninja crap sold to people who want to look like and act-like bad-*sses.

I blame those people....not the people freaked out by knives.

That's why I think it's a good thing to explain yourself to people who are freaked out by the knife you are using as a tool. Like FortyTwoBlades said...when they realize you are not some obnoxious Rambo/ninja wannabe knucklehead trying to intimidate people by flashing your knife around, they invariably say "Oh. Well that makes sense."

 

[MT Damascus]

I have a concealed weapons permit so i carry what ever i want, legally. I veiw it as a weapon as much as a tool. I like to show my family members my new knives and they have learned to appreciate the quality crafsmanship of the knives i buy.

 

[Blade_Crazy]

Like FortyTwoBlades said...when they realize you are not some obnoxious Rambo/ninja wannabe knucklehead trying to intimidate people by flashing your knife around, they invariably say "Oh. Well that makes sense."

Agreed, I am actually in the process of converting my mother-in-law. I don't think she will ever jump up and go by a couple of Spyderco's but she at least will acknowledge the value and quality of the knives I like/own/want.

 

[marcinek]

Agreed, I am actually in the process of converting my mother-in-law. I don't think she will ever jump up and go by a couple of Spyderco's but she at least will acknowledge the value and quality of the knives I like/own/want.

Good on you! That's good for all of us knife nuts.

 

[Nimick]

My view: Any flack I might get doesn't matter, nor does it matter if I think a knife is a tool or a weapon. But so long as I am in compliance with local knife-carry laws, I don't care what others think. And I carry on my cell phone a copy of my local statutes, defining what constitutes a legal knife, in case anyone (including law enforcement) should inquire.

By the letter of the law in my state, as well as many other state and local jurisdictions, whether or not you think of your knife as a weapon determines your compliance with carry laws.