Can us knife folk be sheeple too?

[Monocrom]

I've gotten some mixed signals about NYC and its knife culture... Can anyone clarify it for me?
I've read some places that it's totally unacceptable to carry a knife, and other times people have said that it's ok to carry a 5" folder. Is there a length restriction? Are there other restrictions as to the type of knife one is allowed to possess in public?
Based purely on legality, what's the deal?
Thanks...

Ah! Allow me to help you with that, my good Sir. Take a look at THIS short thread. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3653298#post3653298 (Another user was kind enough to post a link to the current, NYC laws regarding knives).

But, just to clarify, the legal limit in NYC is any fixed-blade of folder with the blade under 4" in length. Gravity-knives and switchblades are illegal. But there's a huge gray area with regards to knives that are "dangerous weapons." Basically, if a cop decides that the 3.5"-bladed fixed-blade that you were wearing around your neck is a "dangerous weapon," be prepared to lose your knife and for some legal hassles.:grumpy:

Another thing to watch out for is cops who label a modern-day folder as a gravity-knife, because some of them can be opened using inertia. Nevermind the fact that a knife like that really isn't a gravity-knife.

The law also requires that your knife be hidden from public view, or concealed. (Beware of some cops who'll hassle you for wearing a tactical folder with a polished clip, clipped to the top of your pants pocket. Their reasoning being that knife-clips are distinguishable from other types of clips. Therefore, your knife can be seen by others who are out in public. A violation of the law).:jerkit:

There are some places where it is unacceptable to carry a knife..... But not just because you're in NYC. Post Offices consider knives to be weapons. Your street-legal folder isn't going to be legal anymore, once you walk through the door to buy stamps. The same thing applies if you're walking into any Federal building.

The one nice thing about NYC, you don't need to order knives off the internet. Just go to Paragon's Sporting Goods store in Manhattan; 18th street and Broadway, 2nd floor. You'll find everything from high-end production knives to custom-made knives from some of the best names in the Industry! Including, Randall-Made knives; at a large mark-up of course.

 

[TrentKTS]

All interesting responses above with food for thought. I will make one observation and put it out there however.

Remembering the hundreds of confirmed sheeple (meaning through their speech and actions it was obvious to me they were perpetually afraid of almost anything on the small potential of danger, or the mere appearance of risk) that I've interacted with, after a brief conversation wherein I was not rude in any fashion it was very apparent that not one of those sheeple thought that indeed they were a member of the sheeple breed.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

yadda, yadda, yadda. . .

My post was made to set the record straight. Whenever someone resorts to childish name-calling, instead of being able to argue the merits of their point of view, I call them on it. Basically, act like an idiot and you get treated like one

Maybe you don't even bother reading what you type? By the proclamation quoted above, I should now treat you like an idiot.

I doubt I will run up to a cop, whip out my knife and cut something for absolutely no reason- as you suggest, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a knife to cut something in front of a police officer.

You claim to have a point, but I don't see one. (please feel free to point out where you said something intelligent.)

Who has a fragile ego? Perhaps it is the guy who just went out of his way to brag about his “glorious” future plans while simultaneously trying to paint an unwholesome picture of me? Sad.

I could now brag about the level of my education, but “one-upmanship” is lame.
It also has absolutely no bearing on the topic at hand.

Have fun at tech school, I hope you get a good career out of it. And I do think it is nice that you want to help people.

Bottom line:
Trying to put me down will not change the fact that I consider it cowardly to hide from the public when using knives.
The general public (and knife enthusiasts in general) can only profit from viewing safe and responsible knife usage. Every time sheeple see an apple being cut, or a package being opened (and nobody screaming and bleeding)- it chips away at the cultivated ignorance they have accepted as reality. Knives are tools, and people should not be ashamed to use them.

 

[Jay_Wyatt]

Not trying to start LEO bashing, but most law enforcement officers do not know the law concerning weapons. Try asking 5 officers the same question? state, local or whatever. I bet you will get 5 different answers. I wish law enforcement was required to know more about knive and wepon laws. It would only take 15 minites of research to find out the law in your area. I would hate to see someone get their knife taken by law enforcement because a LEO does not take the time to know the law. I understand that there are thousands of laws on the books and one person cannot be expected to know all of them. But If your in law enforcement ; please take the time to look up the law in your area. I use to keep a copy of the state weapons law in my car.( I need to get a copy back in there. ) In Texas; one can have a knife with a blade of no more than 5 and 1/2 inches and be lawfull. It has been a long time since I have looked this up;so please correct me if I am wrong. I never carry over 4 inches so I feel safe in that respect.

 

[Monocrom]

Not trying to start LEO bashing, but most law enforcement officers do not know the law concerning weapons. Try asking 5 officers the same question? state, local or whatever. I bet you will get 5 different answers. I wish law enforcement was required to know more about knive and wepon laws. It would only take 15 minites of research to find out the law in your area. I would hate to see someone get their knife taken by law enforcement because a LEO does not take the time to know the law. I understand that there are thousands of laws on the books and one person cannot be expected to know all of them. But If your in law enforcement ; please take the time to look up the law in your area. I use to keep a copy of the state weapons law in my car.( I need to get a copy back in there. ) In Texas; one can have a knife with a blade of no more than 5 and 1/2 inches and be lawfull. It has been a long time since I have looked this up;so please correct me if I am wrong. I never carry over 4 inches so I feel safe in that respect.

One good idea is to carry a copy of the knife laws, where you live, with you. When approached by an officer who's seen your knife, be polite but not submissive. Show him the copy in a discreet manner, otherwise he'll think you're trying to show him up. If you present yourself as a rational and respectful person, he's more likely to treat you that way..... If you're dealing with a jerk with a badge, the copy you carry with you, won't help you.

 

[Scott Dog]

No knife people can't be sheeple. Isn't that an oxymoron?

 

[stevekt]

Carry whatever you want and use it however you want but be respectful of others.

 

[Scott Dog]

Rat I couldn't have said it better myself.:thumbup:

 

[DaTrueDave]

No knife people can't be sheeple. Isn't that an oxymoron?

Well, we see that Monocrom is afraid to use his knife in public and feels the need to duck down a side street to use it...

 

[Monocrom]

Well, we see that Monocrom is afraid to use his knife in public and feels the need to duck down a side street to use it...

LOL ...... I should have joined Bladeforums sooner, the flaming could have kept me warm all winter.

 

[Dijos]

We've seen countless threads where we all make comments about sheeple (people that get afraid or make negative comments when we pull out our knives to use them as a tool). However, how many of you have similar reactions when you see someone else pull out a knife? Especially a tactical type folder?

I would say I've sometimes felt uneasy around people that whip out a knife. Maybe it's because I don't know if I can trust them with a knife, or wonder if they are responsible with a knife, etc. Many people like to whip out knives and brandish them, wave them aroudn dangerously, etc.

On the other hand, if I know someone, and know them to be responsible, etc, and I see them pull out a knife in a safe manner and use it in a proper fashion, I have no problems and would probably ask about the knife, etc. So I guess it depends on the person.

So how do you feel when someone pulls out a knife? Especially if you didn't know they had one on them.

I'm not sheeplish, but my sister-in law is. Seriously though, I think that wade has a point. It;s one of the reasons that i don't talk to people about knives. Most of the time, it's some wannabe tough guy, who wants to talk about "shanking" some "homies" or whatever. It's why I keep quiet in the gun store, also. and the reason that I stay out of practac, too. It's a specific cross-section of folks that I avoid, and they're the ones who are talking the most.



Edited to add:
I think the reason that it makes my skin crawl is that I feel like it's a reflection on ME, personally. The same way I cringe when I see some loudmouth Pinkie-ring wearing, godfather quoting guido, and I know that THAT's the way lots of people look at Italians.

 

[DaTrueDave]

I'm not sheeplish, but my sister-in law is. Seriously though, I think that wade has a point. It;s one of the reasons that i don't talk to people about knives. Most of the time, it's some wannabe tough guy, who wants to talk about "shanking" some "homies" or whatever. It's why I keep quiet in the gun store, also. and the reason that I stay out of practac, too. It's a specific cross-section of folks that I avoid, and they're the ones who are talking the most.



Edited to add:
I think the reason that it makes my skin crawl is that I feel like it's a reflection on ME, personally. The same way I cringe when I see some loudmouth Pinkie-ring wearing, godfather quoting guido, and I know that THAT's the way lots of people look at Italians.

Don't you feel the need to correct that stereoptype? To offer yourself as a good example for all to emulate in this one regard?

 

[WadeF]

Maybe the feelings I have are more complex. Let's say a co-worker pulls out a knife, but not in a discrete way. Let's say he makes some large violent movement to snap the blade open. When I see this I am probably thinking many things:

"That guy looks like an idiot whipping his knife out like that."
"That guy is giving people who carry a knife a bad image."
"That guy's knife is a real POS from some flea market."
"That guy's knife is probably as dull as a dinner knife and he probably has no clue."
"I'd love to tell him about my knife and how much better it is and sharper it is, but then I'd feel like a snob."
"I could offer to sharpen his knife, but then he'd probably cut himself with it because he's used to a dull edge and then I'd feel bad. Also the edge wouldn't last long with whatever crap steel was used to make his blade and then he'd think I didn't do a very good job sharpening it."

All these thoughts would hit me at once and result in one big CRINGE. So maybe it's not really fear, but just an uneasy feeling because of all the above thoughts.

 

[Monocrom]

All these thoughts would hit me at once and result in one big CRINGE. So maybe it's not really fear, but just an uneasy feeling because of all the above thoughts.

If the co-worker is a jerk, your best bet is to try to avoid him. If you try to teach him about knife-etiquette, he'll think you're a snob. But if the guy is at least somewhat intelligent or otherwise reasonable, pull him aside and talk to him. Let him know that other co-workers get uneasy when he just whips out his knife. (If you've noticed it, chances are that others have noticed his actions, as well). Talk to him about discretion, in a friendly manner......

Honestly though, you're in a better position than most.

 

[Daniel Koster]

I admit it....I am a sheeple sometimes around knives.

And I'm a knife knut....not just a plain knut...but a khukuri-knut and also a knifemaking knut!


The first time I saw a BM Skirmish I thought "My gosh! that thing is huge! whatcha gonna do, kill somebody with it?"

I have one in my pocket now........and this was just a few months ago... *shame*



This from the guy who has strapped an 18" long khukuri to his belt and gone hiking/camping with it....



Can't figure myself out...but there are definitely certain knives that freak me out, and not just in terms of taste or personal preference.

 

[howlin wolf]

as far as NYC goes - if you pull out a knife anywhere, you may get jumped by a plainclothesman or meet the designer of the knife rushing to make the 5:10.

 

[ahgar]

in answer to the original question.
no
later, ahgar
loved the git in the elevator thing.

 

[harrymole]

Ok, this is my opinion only. I agree with Rat and Monochrome I think you should not be afarid to use your knife in public and I do, but I also think you should use discreation. There are certain situations that you should be discreet. I have seen many people here in ths south just flip open there Flea market specials and use them with no reserve, no one bats an eye. If I were in a restaraunt I would discreetly use my knife to cut up food or other things. I donn't necassarily think bye opening it in public I'll go to jail or even get questioned but I am cautious.

Wade- to answer your original topic if I see someone playing with their knife in public I will sometimes strick up a conversation and let them know in a disceet way that their behavior is not appropriate. It depends on the situation and atmosphere. I teach my sons responsibility and that their actions with a knife can be mistrude, so to be catious of when and where you open your knife. I also tell them only to open it if they need it. Thanks.

 

[puukkoman]

I would hate to see someone get their knife taken by law enforcement because a LEO does not take the time to know the law.

It's happened to me.
In Maryland, the books lay out the criteria for a "weapon," and include some very specific items. A balisong, however, is not in the list. Nor is it contained anywhere else in the statutes.
I am certain of this, as I experienced contact with two officers who deemed my knife to be unacceptable. They searched through their books, while I waited in the station, and could not find any info to use to "book me."
I did, in spite of this, lose my Benchmade 42AS to the evidence locker.

 

[nozh2002]

I am sheeple! Bite me...

Thanks, Vassili.

I think all this childish talk about "me being cool couse I have knife with me and all of them being not cool and let call them some sheeple and me like wolfle and feel how I came cooler after this"... Some people afraid of knives - have hoplofobia or something, some people afraid of me even without knife, just because the way I look and speak - so what? I also may afraid somebody else and this is just normal natural reaction on possible thread, sometimes unreasonable based on misunderstanding...