Because I might have to kill someone...

When I'm asked, "why do you need to carry a knife?" My usual reply is "to cut stuff" "But why do you need one that big?" (large Sebenza)
"To cut big stuff"
 
"Why do you carry such a big knife?" "What 'big' knife?!? This is the SMALLEST one I've got!" I never use mine in public. I bring a steak knife from home if I have steak in the lunch bag for lunch. The steak ALONE causes panic among the vegan legwetters where I work. It's even better when I bring lamb and smell up the whole place heating it in the microwave. "Oh! What is that meat smell!? It's making me siiiiccckkk....waaaa,waaaa, waaaa!!" I love it! I eat more lamb these days because of that, heh, heh. It's even better to bring it rare and slurp the blod up off the plate. One of them gagged and nearly puked when he saw that. I loved it. The few people who actually know what the clips on my pockets are only asked once---"Can I use your knife to cut open this box?" "No, this is an expensive item. It's not company property. Find a boxcutter." I don't ask to use their credit cards and check books, they don't ask to use my knives. Works out great.
 
Originally posted by FrankDL
I just calmly look them straight in the eyes and tell them in a robotic voice, "Because the voices tell me to!"
Funny...they never ask me it ever again.;)
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I like this one best so far. It's even better than "because my Glock does not open boxes very neatly.
 
For the few folks who have ever seen me "wave" open a right and left hand folder simultaneously and grin maniacally, I generally just shrug my shoulders an' give 'em a silly a$$ grin
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I do that all the time at work!! 'Course, they're used to me :D
 
Originally posted by Richard K
When I'm asked, "why do you need to carry a knife?" My usual reply is "to cut stuff" "But why do you need one that big?" (large Sebenza)
"To cut big stuff"
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so far I really like this answer.Some other things that come to my mind when asked "Why".

"Because I like it" or "Don't touch it or you'll cut yourself" or I'll put it back in my pocket and say with a really confused look "I'm not sure what you mean."
I'm not in public to much because I'm in the kitchen most of the time but usually when people see that I'm covered with tatoos and usually have a scaral(sp) on my face they pretty much dont ask me anything!:D
 
I've finally gotten tired of being constantly asked why I carry a knife so I just clip it IWB and tell the people who ask that I don't have a knife; especially if the ones who ask are the ones who've asked me if I'm going to "kill somebody with that knife." They usually get a, "Nope, don't have one on me, but it sure would be helpful right around now, huh?"
 
When someone asks m why I have a knife I usually reply "I use my knife to cut open everything you try to cut with your car keys"!
 
For me, it's simple.

Q: What do you carry a knife for?
A: Cutting stuff.

Q: What kind of stuff?
A: Stuff I need to cut.
 
"Ssshhh! (glance left, glance right) The clowns!"

Even comes in handy if you ever have to plead insanity...
 
I too carry a Cuda MAXX Bowie (I love it) and at the same time usually one or two others such as an axis 710 by BM. My answers to the question have usually been "Well, I need to open boxes, and knives are something I kinda like to collect."(it's the standard 'I'm not a bad guy, i just have a large pocket knife.') But the answers on this discussion are by far much better!! I'm gonna use the voices in my head one from now on!!

Thanks guys!! I really appreciate the advice on how to come off like a nut :)

Rayn
 
I list all the stuff I have cut with a knife...tape, packing straps, pecils, radiator hose, gaskets, blister packs, cardboard, cans, bagels, apples, string...and tell them "It's the handiest tool I own"

Frank
 
Sniff..sniff. I love you guys SOOOO much! This is why I come back to this forum. Honest to God intelligent people.( atleast most of you...you know who you are)

As far as my response to "Why do you have that thing?", I find the become the sheeple approach works well. After September 11th I have found many sheeple to be concerned about following attacks. So when I'm asked the big question I just tell them I carry 1 for utility, and the other 3 for defense against terrorists because I'm scared. I've had complete starngers give me cards to their shrinks, and a few even started trying to console me on the spot. I go along with it till I can get out of earshot, and begin ROTFLMAO. This has even worked with a pair of police officers. They went from thinking I was a knife wielding freak to wanting to take me home and give me milk and cookies.

I no longer try to explain to the less offensivly minded why i choose to carry a knife(or 4), I just make them want to be my protector. Even though they'd probably faint at the first sign of danger

Great thread. Please tell me if I said something sheeplish or stupid. I'm 17, thats all I can come back with.:confused:
 
Originally posted by boobar
I am a person who carries a knife for utility 99.9% and I have yet to be asked by someone why I carry a knife.
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Me too... :)



The Deacon,
Great story, I like it. :D
 
I live in the heart of liberalville - right in the ultra-left wing suburbs of San Fransico, California. I am only 18 years old, but I've been carrying a 3 inch lockblade since I was 12, and always acted responsibly with it. (No 'lets see how far I can throw this' type crap you see outta most teens with knives.) Occasionaly I would carry even at school, (I was a teachers assistant in photo last couple years, I have to cut open *lots* of boxes of chemicals, that I really don't want to get on my hands.) but I have been asked this time and time again. Well, I'm a quiet, but very down to earth sort, and everyone in the school knew/knows of my plans to be a cop (just graduated from HS in June.) so very few of them asked me about it to be an ass, they were serious. Well, I know that I had at least three of my friends (all female) start carrying regularly, as I proved to them they were strictly for utility, and very good for scaring off males trying to take advantage of them (one of these friends became my girlfriend...hehe.) Anyways, I really am rambleing, so I will cut out now.

John.
 
My responses USED to be the following:
"Because you never know when you might have to kill something."
"They took away my sword."
"They won't give me the retractable claws I want."
"You never know when you might have to skin a rhinocerous."
"What do you mean big? This is the smallest one I've got!"
"Haven't you heard?"(glance sideways-each direction)"There's a full moon tonight.Don't you have yours?"
I have been asked many times. I was even asked once; "Are you supposed to have that?" (A Spyderco Endura) This guy assumed that one hand openers were illegal. I was also accused of brandishing a weapon by an insurance auditor at a company I used to work for. What I was actually doing was opening a box with a Schrade Pocket Beast! Thankfully my boss at the time fully supported my legal right to carry and use tools and told the guy to mind his own business.
Nowdays I'm much less the smarta$$ and tell people that I've carried a pocket knife since I was seven years old and can't imagine being without one for reasons stated best by Gollnick.
 
Whenever a question likes this comes up, invariably someone will point out how a prosecutor will try to turn a legitimate case of self defense into murder in the courtroom.

It seems to me the main problem is not how to convince someone you carry a knife just for utility purposes. The main problem is with the law and government of this country. We need to spend more time and energy trying to defeat those who oppose self-defense, than making up clever excuses for exercising our God given right of self- preservation.
 
I work pretty closely with about 30 to 35 people at my job. Not a person among this group carries a knife. The guys in our parts department who deal with shipping, recieving and a ton of cardboard boxes every day don't have a blade among them. It is absurd to me when I see one of these guys go to open a box with their car keys. I have gotten every type of reaction, mentioned in this thread, to my responsible and legitimate knife use. It seems to me that most people are wary, suspicious and fearful about a knife user/carrier.
 
One potato, two potato, three potato, four.

I carry three knives all the time. The EDC defensive knife, the Emerson neckclaw, and the SAK Hiker for general cutting tasks like boxes and packages, etc.

If they see the EDC defensive knife, they'll ask if it's legal to carry it, or ask why I carry it.

Answers:
Is it legal?-----Yes, there is no blade length restriction in Mass.

Why I carry it?----I instruct in defensive knife to law enforcement and civilians on a regular basis.

They don't usually ask past that. If they do, they get a number of answers dependant on their attitude when asking. I don't frighten people with them, or open the defensive knives in front of many people unless I'm with the right company.

Discretion is the better part of valor around sheeple. Why get them to think about it when you don;t have to.

Brownie
 
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