Anyone ever gone without a knife for a day?

JSMcustoms

JSMcustoms

Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
1,792
Have you guys ever had to go without your knife on for any reason? What was it like?

The last time I had to do without, it wasn't because I couldn't carry one, but simply because I realized when it was too late to go back and get it. That experience was terrible. Even though I somehow didn't end up needing a knife for anything, I still felt really awkward without one on me. It was almost like losing a limb. I kept constantly checking my pockets and so on, making myself look like a total idiot even though I knew the knife wasn't there.
 
I sometimes have to leave it at home or on rare occasion forget to grab it if in a hurry. Either way those seem to be the days when I NEED a knife. Any other day might just use it a few times but, NOOooooo if its not in my pocket then Yup need it now and for a good reason. (PS. Feeling naked with out a knife is normal, and doesn't get any easier)
 
I'm not allowed to carry one at work and sometimes I go from there to meet friends or something so I don't have one the whole day, I usually feel they same as if I forgot my cell phone or wallet at home, also all we have at work to cut things are ridiculously dull scissors (you have to clamp up and down on a piece of string 4-5 times before you can "chew" through it) which is quite obnoxious.
 
I have forgotten my knife a time or two and it was uncomfortable knowing that my favorite tool was missing.

Spent a whole day once trying to replace a SAK that was stolen from my hotel room in South America. Not easy finding a store that sells them even in the big city. In hindsight, I don't recall why it was not in my pocket. Then again, I seldom carry a pocket knife in my swim trunks.

Yep, any time I head to the court house, I have to shed the knife.
 
claycat said:
It's an uncomfortable feeling. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

shunsui said:
Jury Duty.
Click to expand...

Bingo. Jury duty was the most recent knife-less day I had to endure. I have knives stashed all over the place (car, overnight duffel bag, locker at work, etc) so forgetting my knife is usually pretty difficult. It really is an uncomfortable feeling not having a knife in my pocket though. Jury duty for a few hours was tough even though I really had no use for a knife in the court room, I can't imagine what a whole day (or weekend away...GASP!!) would be like without a knife.
 
When traveling... specifically when flying without checked luggage. Although, I have been tempted to buy a knife (something inexpensive and utilitarian, like a SAK or Sodbuster) at the destination if the trip was more than just a few days. At jury duty or when attending sporting events, I just leave my knife in the car. So, I'm not really going without it for a whole day.
 
I mean, I'm not an addict, there were no withdrawal symptoms; but I have been poor as heck for a while now, and a few weeks ago I lost the only decent pocket knife I have. It's actually the event that led to me joining the forum! See, the knife I lost (now found) was an old Gerber AR 3. If anyone's familiar with 'em, they're not terrible knives, but they're certainly not good knives, either. It's a nice solid EDC, with a smooth action and no play, but the blade steel is entirely crappy, poorly-heat-treated 440A that won't take a good edge, and won't hold even a fair working edge for long. I've been meaning to get a better knife for a long time, but I'm thrifty and stubborn and I didn't want to give up on a knife I already had.

So anyway, I lost it. Specifically, I had to leave it at home to go to a formal event - my nice pants had gotten a little tight and it ruined the line of the pocket - and somehow it secreted itself in a dark corner and I couldn't find it for a couple weeks. I didn't feel naked, not quite, but something did feel off, and I definitely missed it at least once a day when I reached for it to open a box or slice an apple. It was awkward and I felt (and you ex-Scouts will understand what I mean) unprepared. At long last, I had the excuse I needed to upgrade!

Long story short, I found the old knife, but not before the idea of getting a new one (or two, or three...) had firmly taken root, and now, well, now I'm here. And now the girlfriend and I are both working, and we have at least enough disposable income for me to get a decent EDC for Christmas! If you have suggestions, feel free to toss 'em out, but there are plenty of "What EDC should I get?" threads on BFC already.

And of course I'll post how the story ends! Right now I think the ideal outcome would be a Spyderco Techno for work-safe carry and something larger and slicier for home and utility work, but we'll see. I sure do like how that Boker Anso Haddock looks... but, oh man, the Emerson Journeyman seems so versatile and tough, and, oh, the Spyderco Starmates are just coming out, and those Sage2s... hmmmm...
 
michaelm466 said:
I'm not allowed to carry one at work and sometimes I go from there to meet friends or something so I don't have one the whole day, I usually feel they same as if I forgot my cell phone or wallet at home, also all we have at work to cut things are ridiculously dull scissors (you have to clamp up and down on a piece of string 4-5 times before you can "chew" through it) which is quite obnoxious.
Click to expand...

I am not allowed to carry a knife at work either, so I keep one in my truck and it goes in my pocket as soon as I leave work.
 
Only when I have to go to the VA hospital in Tampa Florida. They will screw up you day big time if you get caught with one in there hospital. they have sign all over the place saying just that.
 
jury duty... not looking forward to that... yeah, uncomfortable indeed, considering that lately I typically have two on me and a sak in my pack.
 
If i'm in a hurry and wearing shorts, I rarely take a knife. It feels really wierd not having it and it usually ends up the times I dont bring it. I DO need it. I feel naked without one.
 
Traveling by plane,in and out of security check points.Changing planes all day.Even if only for a worry stone, i missed it.That was 1,and then my brother was deployed to Irac.We went to see him off,I left the gun and knife home that day.Good thing too,they went over my vehicle with a fine tooth comb entering the Army base.
 
A.P.F. said:
If I can't take a knife, it is probably not worth going there.
Click to expand...

Very true. Same for guns. I flew from Oregon to New Mexico to visit some friends for a couple weeks and mailed my knives ahead of me because I was trying to only have a carry-on. But that didn't work out. Lack of knives aside, the whole experience was horrible. I'm DONE with airtravel. I like long road trips anyway so I don't care if it takes 30 hours of driving, I'm not flying anymore.

I used to work in a quick lube and when working around cars it's not a good idea to have things in your pockets that can scratch the paint, so we weren't allowed to carry knives or anything like that. Then I bought a pair of side-zip LE/ combat style boots and laced a neck knife in the laces and wore it under my pant leg. The boss agreed to it since it was below the body of most cars and the chances of damaging a paint job where it was were so remote. I also got the OK for a leatherman micra.

Back about 14 years ago I ordered a spydercard and it has been in my wallet ever since so even if I forget my EDC I have a backup, except where prohibited by law. It rarely gets used but I've had to resort to it a few times. I wish I had bought one with a plain edge. Plus the habit of keeping a knife in my boot came in handy a few times too.

On those very very rare occasions where I don't have a knife I feel awkward. I just don't like not having a cutting tool handy.
 
I travel a bit, America to Europe or Japan. I can't carry a knife then, and it always gives me a very bad feeling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top