Cases where you wish you could use your knife?

[Reswob]

Every man who has consideration for others or for his environment isn't a 'wuss'. The fact is, people tend to generalize, and if someone feels the need to make a show of whipping open his knife in a public space, many will view all knife carriers as 'reckless', 'obnoxious', 'unstable', 'dangerous', etc., even if there was no bad intent. And since most people don't carry a knife, 'they' are the majority, and the majority votes. You may not care, but someone else might care enough to push for tougher legislation. So one can do whatever one wants, wherever one wants and not care what anyone thinks. But don't turn around and wonder why so many people have or develop a negative view of carrying knives.

Jim

I don't feel that it is 'considerate' of others to be afraid to cut a piece of fruit in public, as the OP stated. I feel it is ridiculous to be that extremely sensitive. The fact is, to many people, seeing someone use a knife that isn't made of plastic or came to them with a steak at a restaurant, will freak them out. Doesn't matter if the knife in question is an auto or a SAK, and it doesn't matter if the user is just standing around flicking it open and closed, or if they're using it for a legitimate purpose. And you can't always be worried about these people. For god's sakes, if you want to cut a piece of fruit, or open a package, or whatever, just do it!

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Every man who has consideration for others or for his environment isn't a 'wuss'. The fact is, people tend to generalize, and if someone feels the need to make a show of whipping open his knife in a public space, many will view all knife carriers as 'reckless', 'obnoxious', 'unstable', 'dangerous', etc., even if there was no bad intent. And since most people don't carry a knife, 'they' are the majority, and the majority votes. You may not care, but someone else might care enough to push for tougher legislation. So one can do whatever one wants, wherever one wants and not care what anyone thinks. But don't turn around and wonder why so many people have or develop a negative view of carrying knives.

Jim

Even simpler than that, indulging in knife theatrics and making people nervous is just damned rude. Again, I'm not saying never cut anything in public, but you're being a jerk when you whip out your Recon 1 XL and wrist snap the blade out to cut open your bag of Fritos. Common sense and middle ground. I'm very much a modern folder kind of guy, but seriously, get a SAK or traditional and toss it in a pocket or hook it on a keychain. If your Case Peanut makes a pearl-clutcher nervous, yeah, that's probably one to ignore, but if you wave an Emerson Super Commander out of your pocket in the middle of the aisle at Walmart, I'm gonna give you the stinkeye and enough clearance to put a round in you in case you're planning something stupid and not just cutting the tag off your undies.

 

[stabman]

Trust me, they would shake their heads an laugh at any folder larger than a stockman.

I think you're wrong about that, and are creating a sense of historic approval for not seeing the point of large folders.

Travel back in your time machine, and I'll bet you'd find some people who wouldn't see the point of large folders, while others would see a utilitarian use for them.
Much like now.

 

[stabman]

My grandfather carried a relatively small folder...but he saw the useful nature of the Benchmade Resistor.

He liked the lock, the ergonomics, and thought the blade was a useful shape.
He wasn't looking at it as a weapon; he was looking at it as a pocket-knife...and he saw the reality of it rather than imposing some sort of "Back in my day..." nostalgia filter on it.

 

[Etna]

I know people have used their knife for survival and necessary situations where their knife was there when they needed it, but has their been a flip side? Has there been any situation you were in where you wish you had/could use your knife but couldn't due to some potential issue?

All the time when overseas. Too miserly to purchase check-in luggage just for one small knife that will not see much use (if any), and always regreting it for that one time i actually need it.

 

[marcinek]

I think you're wrong about that, and are creating a sense of historic approval for not seeing the point of large folders.

Travel back in your time machine, and I'll bet you'd find some people who wouldn't see the point of large folders, while others would see a utilitarian use for them.
Much like now.

Agreed. For a utilitarian large folder. Like the 3.75 inch recurved tactical banana peelers they used back then.

 

[stabman]

Agreed. For a utilitarian large folder. Like the 3.75 inch recurved tactical banana peelers they used back then.

I'm sure they had people to roll their eyes sarcastically back then also...

I get it, you like to snarkily look down upon ownership of a certain category of knife.
That does not make your view factual; it just makes them your views.

Own those views!
Admit to your looking down on others without feeling the need to create a supposed community of like-minded folks throughout the ages who thought the exact same as you do.

Or not...who cares really.

 

[stabman]

Oh, and I've used my knives pretty much wherever I felt like, and no one cared.
Not pretty girls, not old people, no one really.

The only place people judge what I use for knife tasks is right here, on a knife forum...
That is rather odd.

 

[craytab]

Oh, and I've used my knives pretty much wherever I felt like, and no one cared.
Not pretty girls, not old people, no one really.

The only place people judge what I use for knife tasks is right here, on a knife forum...
That is rather odd.

No it's not. We are rather peculiar creatures that can be quite particular. And some of us might be pretty girls......

 

[BilboBaggins]

I like my spyderco cricket for these situations. Small, wicked sharp, and easily mistaken for a nail clipper. Nobody really reacts to it at all.

 

[stabman]

No it's not. We are rather peculiar creatures that can be quite particular. And some of us might be pretty girls......

I'm always leery of people claiming to be pretty girls on the internet...

It's a trap!

[video=youtube;4F4qzPbcFiA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA[/video]

 

[BenHarris]

Well, this is my only EDC knife so I don't have this issue. When a knife is a tool, is used only like a tool, and looks like a tool most people do not even think twice about me using one. I have used knives like this in downtown areas in liberal cities, in rural church buildings, and on academic campuses, and I have never had a negative reaction from a knife like this. Just food for thought...

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[blade dude]

I've noticed that if you're sitting down and don't make eye contact while using it, no one cares. If I'm in a store I'll use my traditionL because I prefer not getting kicked out for some stupid thing, but in public places I use my delica when needed. It's all how you present yourself. I wear a Gshock, black paracord bracelet and Oakley sunglasses. So i kinda remind people of cops or marines because of my style and they don't bat an eye especially because my hat has a flag patch. But my brother who wears skinny workout pants things sagged, a backwards hat and looks like he's trying to be ghetto, gets much different reactions. Back on topic only once I wished I could have used it but couldn't, and that was because my mom has a rule against using a knife to open packages in the car while she drives down the freeway

 

[average gimp]

I neither approve of reckless behavior nor of people who are afraid of inanimate objects. Cut what you need to cut in a quick and responsible fashion without needless aggression or flamboyance. If sheeple faint at this, too damned bad.