Are traditional designs still non-threatening

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will62

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Oct 18, 2002
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Is a traditional type knife still pretty much not offensive if you use one? Given that the ban everything types are starting to look at knives are traditional designs still somewhat acceptable to use?

I have ran into people who think that anything with a pocket clip and can be opened one-handed is evil. I have found that these same people view a trapper or stockman as at least OK.

Anyone else run into these types?
 
YEP, got those types here too. Pull out the Mini Griptillian and they making comments about why i hafta carry such a huge knife.:rolleyes:

The Case Mini Trapper just gets comments like why i would use a dirty old pocket knife to slice my apples and summer sausage.
 
Maybe. But then again a knife is an inanimate object and those that find knives threatening are irrational. There is no guarantee that hoplophobes will accept traditional knives also.
 
Very true. Here is something i do to illustrate my point...

Lay the knife on the table and yell at it telling it to attack me or whoever is watching.

Same thing with those other scary objects that sheeple think are the cause of so many of societies problems.
 
I blame it all on a lack of proper role models, as children. But yeah, I've had the same experience - a girl I used to work with would freak out whenever the UPS guy would deliver a Benchmade, but she thought the Case trapper was nice. Go figure.

James
 
My 4" bladed toothpick is certainly traditional and definitely threatening. Same thing with a large "clasp" knife. A Buck110 has probably gutted more people than any single folder, and it's certainly traditional now.
 
It's all dependent on the user. I've read of numerous incidents involving violence and knives. The knives used run the gamut, from the Buck 110 to the Spanish Navaja to the khukuri to the balisong to the Douk-Douk. All these knives would be considered traditional.
 
kamagong said:
The knives used run the gamut, from the Buck 110 to the Spanish Navaja to the khukuri to the balisong to to the Douk-Douk. All these knives would be considered traditional.
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No, they wouldn't. That's an alternate use of the term "traditional". Every one of those knives has a strong connotation or connection to violence.

Traditional knives defined as slipjoints, with natural or simulated natural handles, and no locks, are still overlooked or accepted even by most hoplophobes.

If you extend characteristics a bit in either direction, sure, a really large Texas toothpick might get a negative reaction, while a locking Opinel will pass without comment.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
No, they wouldn't. That's an alternate use of the term "traditional". Every one of those knives has a strong connotation or connection to violence.

Traditional knives defined as slipjoints, with natural or simulated natural handles, and no locks, are still overlooked or accepted even by most hoplophobes.

If you extend characteristics a bit in either direction, sure, a really large Texas toothpick might get a negative reaction, while a locking Opinel will pass without comment.
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You're right on the money Esav. You can't tell what will trigger a negative reaction in people. That same Texas Toothpick with turquoise or MOP scales might remind someone of mommy's pretty earrings and appear non-threating whereas one in stag or jigged bone will frighten them. Sad to say that these matters of taste, like and dislike wend their way into laws.
 
A lot of these "negative reactions" are nothing more than the "offended" person looking for attention. How many times have you seen a child act all scared or grossed out by something, way out of proportion to the cause? Given that one of society's big problems now is that our young people aren't maturing as they age, it's no wonder they're all running around "acting" offended at every turn, hoping someone will turn the TV camera their way.

-- Sam
 
ParaGlock said:
A lot of these "negative reactions" are nothing more than the "offended" person looking for attention.
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You've got that right.

I remember when my daughter was young, she'd kick up a fuss about something, and glance over to see how her mother was reacting. 9 times out of 10, Mommy was busy fixing lunch, ignoring the dramatics. End of drama.

We play along with their performance by paying too much attention to them.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I remember when my daughter was young, she'd kick up a fuss about something, and glance over to see how her mother was reacting. 9 times out of 10, Mommy was busy fixing lunch, ignoring the dramatics. End of drama.
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I have observed this while in line at the grocery store. It's fascinating to watch. Kid falls down, bumps head, looks up to see if mom is watching. If she is, then the waterworks come on. If she isn't, the kid just sort of gets over it and goes about his business.

As for reactions to my knives, I get wildly different reactions depending on which one I have at the time. My Kershaw Scallion has a black blade, and people kind of take a step back when I flick it open. But my Spyderco Cricket, which has a blade about the same size, makes everyone go "Awwwww it's so CUTE."
 
The only thing that raises fewer eyebrows than a modest sized trapper or stockman is a SAK in my experience.
 
ParaGlock said:
A lot of these "negative reactions" are nothing more than the "offended" person looking for attention. How many times have you seen a child act all scared or grossed out by something, way out of proportion to the cause? Given that one of society's big problems now is that our young people aren't maturing as they age, it's no wonder they're all running around "acting" offended at every turn, hoping someone will turn the TV camera their way.

-- Sam
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Excellent point.
I usually ignore people who freak over tools , their problem.
Not mine.
:)
 
Esav and kamagong - not to hijack the thread, but can you help me with the word "hoplophobes"? I can't find it in my references. Thanks, Mike
 
malextwo said:
Esav and kamagong - not to hijack the thread, but can you help me with the word "hoplophobes"? I can't find it in my references. Thanks, Mike
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It's a made up word. From "hoplon" which is Greek for weapon. Hoplophobia--irrational fear of weapons. It was coined in the 60's by a firearm instructor. Can't remember his name. He was a Marine Lt. Colonel. He's regarded as the father of modern handgun shooting.

His basic tenets are:
Assume every gun is loaded. Even if it's not, handle it as if it were.

Muzzle discipline: never point the gun at anything you don't want to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger till what you want to shoot is in your sights.

Make sure your target is a target and know what's behind it in the line of fire.
 
When you refer to the reactions people have upon seeing a knife, what area are you inquiring about? I notice your location is listed as Kuwait. People of different cultures and people who live in different places very often have vastly different reactions to and feelings about knives and other cutlery. Where I live most people would have no problem at all seeing someone use a knife for any common purpose, even cutting their steak in a restaurant.
 
Dr. Mudd said:
When you refer to the reactions people have upon seeing a knife, what area are you inquiring about? I notice your location is listed as Kuwait. People of different cultures and people who live in different places very often have vastly different reactions to and feelings about knives and other cutlery. Where I live most people would have no problem at all seeing someone use a knife for any common purpose, even cutting their steak in a restaurant.
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I live in San Diego. When I pull out a stockman to cut some twine, no one ever blinks an eye. When I use my Native, I sometimes I get comments of the "That's a really large KNIFE" sort.

When I have visited less urban areas, I get no comments on the use of the Native. I think more people are "blade challenged" in urban environments than in rural environments. At least that has been my experience. It has also been my experience that slipjoints are less scary to the blade challenged. Maybe it reminds them of grandpa.
 
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