Do you CARE if it's sheeple friendly?

To not care about being sheeple friendly hurts our hobby in my opinion. Anti-knife people should get exposure to knife culture gradually, not through shock value. The events of 911 has put knives into a shadowy state. I feel that as enthusiasts owe it to the hobby to bring knives back into mainstream acceptance.

Imagine if I went into the office with a katana to open up a package. Legally I can carry a katana and cutting a box is not a crime. However, I would likely be disciplined or fired for performing these actions at work. People would feel threatened and HR would likely institute a company wide ban on all bladed items. Now imagine I cut open a package with a cool looking folder with a small blade. I've had co-workers comment about my small knives that they thought were "cool", "neat", "cute", and "useful". I've had people ask me about knife prices, where to buy, and what brands I like. Which is better for the knife hobby?

There is a time and a place for everything. I won't go to work barefoot and wearing bathrobe because it is not appropriate. But I will hang out in my house that way all the time. I won't take my big scary knives to work because it is not appropriate but I will take them on camping trips and I will take my small "office friendly" knives to work because it is acceptable. I believe most people here answer to an employer 40 hours a week. They need to play by their rules during that time.
 
Me, worried??? Nahhh. I just continue to carry a Benchmade Skirmish and a Cuda Maxx 5.5 bowie. Depending on how I am feeling, usually carry a fixed as well. Alaska is wonderful :cool:
 
Hell no.

I carry a Bm 630, Swamp rat HR, and Sog multi-tool. Everywhere. For some off reasons no one notices or cares. I actually carry small knives compared to what the rest of people carry, like RATK.

What I buy is for me and what I think I will use it for.
 
stevekt said:
To not care about being sheeple friendly hurts our hobby in my opinion.
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I agree with you Steve. I have been able to share my interest with many people because I have taken care to bring people to understanding why I am interested in knives...slowly in some cases. Some just have automatic, unconsidered reactions. Reactions don't always reflect a deeper concern or fear. If you're not used to carrying a knife or knowing someone who does, it can seem puzzling.

Hell, I just started carrying a flashlight which is something I never thought I would do. Now I think it's a little weird not to. :)

Nitin
 
If people you know (like co-workers) are afraid of you because of your knife,then perhaps they fear you to begin with.

I use big knives around folks all the time. I WANT people to see GOOD people using large knives. Other wise they will think nobody needs a knife like THAT,they don't know anyone with ThAT type of knife etc.

Next thing you know no one will be able to own one...

We can all buy Micras and Vic classics and snap the blades off,and hope they like them :rolleyes:
 
I have had the same experience with my knives, people do not fear me, I am a friendly person with some education and computer skills. An under 3 inch knife during work has never raised any attention to me. The same is true when I wear a big knife, know one cares, because I am in the woods not at work. In fact one of my friends bought a blue bump and a BM 630 because he like mine so much, and like me he only carries the BM 630 in the woods.
 
I work in an office invironment and I usually carry a bigger (~4") blade IWB but then carry a sheeple friendly smaller blade in my pocket. I work in a large software company which has all kinds of rules.

I carry the small knife for these reasons:

1) I'm a contractor, if people like me, they'll hire me back, if they don't then I have to find a new gig.

2) I'd rather not have people know I carry a knife. It's none of their business and if I ever need my big knife in public or work I'd just as soon it be a surprise to all concerned.

3) I sometimes use the small knife around other cow-workers. I don't like to scare people or answer too many questions. It takes up too much time and impact's their impression of me (see #1).

4) Big knives are often crappy at small tasks. A nice, (usually) less expensive, smaller knife works well for opening boxes, etc., and keeps the bigger, nicer knife in good, sharp condition longer.​


I don't really care what people think about me having knives that much, but I feel that MY LIFE is better when I'm not having to explain the value of knives to sheeple. I'm not a salesman, I don't give a %&* if they see my view point on knives, nor do I enjoy explaining/justifying/illustrating why a good knife is infinitely useful.

If they don't understand, I can't explain it to them. So I keep my knives to myself.
 
It all depends on the company at hand. Family and friends.....DON'T care, the bigger the better :D :cool: :) . Around school I use a small slipjoint that is very sheeple friendly, although I still carry my larger knife, just don't pull it out to use.
 
I understand how some of you might think that those of us who say we don't care could negatively effect knife enthusiasts and knives. However, the reason I do not care is that nobody has ever expressed concern. In fact, people come to me because they know I have a knife, flashlight, screw driver, etc, etc, etc. Also, my knives are legal to own and use and they are not being waved around or otherwise being used irresponsibly. In my community (small town) lots of people carry knives including many store clerks. Why then should I care if someone gets all worked up because I use my legal pocket knife, opened and used in a safe manner to open a box or something? I feel that my example is good enough without having to explain or apologize to anyone. In other words, I'm not going to go out of my way to explain life, the universe and everything to those who are so freaky about my knives.

I guess if I lived in an area where such things were of any concern I might care a little bit. But I do resent being told that because I don't particularly care about the sheeple that I am in some way not being a good pro-knife'er.

Some folks don't like my long hair, beard, mustache or tatoo either ........ I don't care. When I owned my Harley and people got concerned looks on their faces, I didn't care about that either. I let my actions and deeds speak for themselves by saying thing like please, thank you, yes sir, yes ma'am, holding doors open for people, etc.

I mean, I find it offensive that women can suckle their babies in public, but that's my problem....not their's and I don't think they are representing motherhood poorly.

Basically, anti-gunners, anti-knifers, anti-pot-holers, anti-'whatever inserted here' are going to be offended no matter what you, me or the man on the moon do. As long as I am being responsible and I am within the law with what I am using or doing then I am not going to care about what the sheeple think.

M'kay?
 
It definitely is a consideration for me. On the streets and subway I like to keep it out of the way; at work, no problem. Like 4 Ranges and BuckyKatt, I work in an office, in NYC, and am already known as the ”knife guy” or the “gun guy” by the people on my floor. They have a few jokes with it once in a while, and so do I.
One of the people once asked my why I carry a knife to work, and I simply said it’s just another tool I use. The reply was accepted rather well. Actually I usually have 2 sometimes 3 on me. A few people were a bit surprised with my carrying a knife, odd I thought when they themselves have letter openers fashioned as replica swords with blades that would otherwise classify them as daggers. Guess it’s all in the marketing and presentation.

Anyway, I got into my office from the NY Show in November, on a Saturday, with a Katana I has just purchase (had to put in alot of OT on a project). A few thought I was a bit nuts, but yet they all took a liking to it and requested to handle it because they neced had before (most kept it sheathed). Anyway, someone else in the office, on another floor wondered what I had, and I answered honestly, upon which the person backed up startled like it was going to come alive, untie itself, and jump out of the pouch it was wrapped in. I got a similar response just showing the same person a nice hunter I had purchased as well – I picked it up by the blade and it never left the sheath.

Like someone already said, some people are just scared by anything.

BOO!
:eek:
 
F#ck the Sheeple! If they want to be a food source on legs let em' but their little feelings aren't going to slow me down.
 
Yes...

If it looks evil, snaps open... and has a high "Fun factor." Or has "dangerous" written all over it, I dont need to carry it in a work environment.

I do think it is funny when people freak out over a SAK. I carry a spartan. When in doubt the small blade goes out. If I need something bigger I'll open up the bigger blade. If something larger, out comes the leatherman.

I think most times you have to paint the picture for them that its a tool. EVEN with swiss army knives. We live in a time where most of the people we run in to have no practical reason to carry a knife. They eat out, buy new clothes (No need to de-string them.) and see no reason to cut open a letter. Gone are the days where we actually have a need/reason to fix anything ourselves. Do it yourselfers are not people who wire in a room, or do the sheetrock... they "painted."

My .02, our hobby is on borrowed time... Just look at the Assault weapons ban, it banned "Scary looking."
 
I am a book editor who works in a publishing house in Greenwich Village. We publish law books marketed to tax lawyers. One day, I had to open one of those large cartons of reams of Hammermill paper used for copying machines. We all know they have those two heavy plastic bands around them. I pulled out an Uncle Henry 897UH three-and-one-half-inch stockman to cut the plastic bands. Two ladies in their forties happened to see me, and one said to the other as if she'd just witnessed a street fight, "Look, he has a knife." I realized then that nothing but a scissors was acceptable where I work. I really thought I'd be hearing from Human Resources, but surprisingly I didn't. Just my story. Funny thing though, I have almost all of my Internet knife purchases shipped to my office at work, so as I don't have to wait to get home to see them. I discreetly open them behind closed doors.
 
for the most part, it's not a problem for me. i carry pretty much whatever i want, but it's never been an issue. about the only time i'm cautious, is when i am at a school, or goverment building, etc.. then i leave my blades in the car.

abe m.
 
I work at a public University in administration. Besides being left leaning in nature, public universities are political land mines. There are constant fights over resources like budgets and staff. Back stabbing is the norm. It is how battles are started and won with resources reallocated. I would rather stay out of those kind of battles by not upsetting the sheep. My job is hard enough and why give the yellow belly back stabbers ammo? I am fine carrying a mini-Buck in my pocket and using that in the office. My 110, griptillion, CUDA EDC or SOG Powerlock might cause a stampede! Hate to imagine the reaction if I pulled out my Harpy.
 
k5blazer said:
I work at a public University in administration. Besides being left leaning in nature, public universities are political land mines. There are constant fights over resources like budgets and staff. Back stabbing is the norm.
Click to expand...

What do the backstabbers use? :)
 
Johnny11758,

Good observation! Got me there on that one. I'll have to think about. Thought provoking.

K5
 
Honestly, the more weapon looking it is the better.

Going to a christmas party opening a prize with a 722, and there are people staring at you is cool. :cool:
 
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