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.
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.