Do you ever take along a knife specifically to use at table when attending a BBQ or visiting a steakhouse for a meal?

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When I arrive at a BBQ I pull out my briefcase full of premium cutting tools, and shoot a look of distain and disgust towards the inferior cutlery surrounding me.
But seriously, I do take knives on vacation, or at long weekends away. Because the knives in most guest kitchens are bad and I'm not looking at a kitchen knife sharpened on a pull through carbide sharpener.
 
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Have you ever considered carrying an additional knife in such cases, one dedicated to the task of slicing steak? One that would never be perceived as dangerous/threatening to others when used for dining?
Not really, as my interpretation of what's dangerous or threatening may be different than others.
 
Done it once, there was not proper steak knives and I whipped out my Native in S110V.

Stonewear plates vs steel? My knife was dull as hell afterwards....

If I was to bring something it would be like a folding, serrated, steak knife.
 
Not really, as my interpretation of what's dangerous or threatening may be different than others.
Oh? You don't think it would be relatively easy to choose a knife that wouldn't be viewed as "dangerous or threatening" by almost everyone? How about a folding knife which was indistinguishable from an actual steak knife, or perhaps a fruit sampling knife? There's a ton of models out there -- which I had no idea existed prior to this thread.
 
Nobody will ever even notice much less care, especially in this day and age of "social distancing".... Its not like you'll be eating elbow to elbow with strangers. Tables are separated, most have screens between them, most places have fairly dim lighting in the dining area. That said, a bright green zombie slayer is far more likely to get noticed than a small bone or stag handled folder.
This Mark McCoun friction folder is frequently used at the local steak house. Not at all big or scary....
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I did not. That's not true.

Whether one uses their own knife as noted is a choice. Neither right nor wrong. That's what I admitted, or rather stated. Go back and look what I posted.

If one chooses to use their own knife in the setting I described, it wouldn't be a "rude and uncouth" act, and no that's not up to "opinion." Anyone suggesting that is objectively wrong.

No way to tap-dance around that. Even if there actually are people who exist that would be offended by people using their own knives, it wouldn't make the act "rude and uncouth." It would just make the offended people wrong.

There are other labels that one could apply to those who use their own knives (I noted some above), and their validity would at least be arguable.

"Rude and uncouth" ain't among them.

As I have stated, there are no laws on etiquette. In my opinion, if I were to bring my own knife, I would be being rude to my host (the restaurant) and I would be acting in an uncouth manner. Makes no difference to me whether the restaurant staff recognized it as rudeness. I would recognize it as such.

Now, whether you bring your own knife to a restaurant or not I really don't care. What you consider proper etiquette for yourself is up to you. But I do wonder at your refusal to allow me to have my own opinion about my own behavior. Judging by your posts, I'm wrong in anything I do if I do not think just like you. You must be a real blast at a party running around insisting that everyone behave according to your exact standards.

I'm done with the matter.
 
Oh? You don't think it would be relatively easy to choose a knife that wouldn't be viewed as "dangerous or threatening" by almost everyone? How about a folding knife which was indistinguishable from an actual steak knife, or perhaps a fruit sampling knife? There's a ton of models out there -- which I had no idea existed prior to this thread.
Hang on; a fruit sampling knife is pretty much a sterling sliver butter knife.

That'll cut your food but the stuff on the able won't? Bit of a reach I think.

Before you forget post those YouTube videos you were crowing about.
 
Oh? You don't think it would be relatively easy to choose a knife that wouldn't be viewed as "dangerous or threatening" by almost everyone? How about a folding knife which was indistinguishable from an actual steak knife, or perhaps a fruit sampling knife? There's a ton of models out there -- which I had no idea existed prior to this thread.
Maybe for you, sure.

For me, I have no issue using the cutlery at a steakhouse, and have no interest in taking my own.

In my opinion, I am there to eat a meal and enjoy the food and company with zero desire or need to pull out my own knife.

In my mind, I am a guest, and would rather not take any chance of causing discomfort or an problem to the establishment, staff, or other patrons.

If I may share a quick story...

I hired a young man a couple of years back, who was very enthusiastic a seemed like a good fit for one of my work crews.

One day, I got a call from the crew leader that he was out in the nursery with his own machete to make discards. As the owner, I assign safety clippers.

When I got there, he was wildly swinging the machete, and the rest of the crew, rather than working, was watching him with trepidation.

In his mind, he was increasing productivity, and using a more efficient tool.

In my mind, he was acting dangerously around other employees, and costing me money since they had all stopped work to get away from him.

I was also thinking about what my insurance payout would be if he hurt himself or someone else. Not to mention, the crew morale being affected, as well as my professional reputation.

So, in summary, I'd rather just use what the steakhouse provides and be polite and cognizant of my surroundings.
 
Maybe for you, sure.

For me, I have no issue using the cutlery at a steakhouse, and have no interest in taking my own.

In my opinion, I am there to eat a meal and enjoy the food and company with zero desire or need to pull out my own knife.

In my mind, I am a guest, and would rather not take any chance of causing discomfort or an problem to the establishment, staff, or other patrons.

If I may share a quick story...

I hired a young man a couple of years back, who was very enthusiastic a seemed like a good fit for one of my work crews.

One day, I got a call from the crew leader that he was out in the nursery with his own machete to make discards. As the owner, I assign safety clippers.

When I got there, he was wildly swinging the machete, and the rest of the crew, rather than working, was watching him with trepidation.

In his mind, he was increasing productivity, and using a more efficient tool.

In my mind, he was acting dangerously around other employees, and costing me money since they had all stopped work to get away from him.

I was also thinking about what my insurance payout would be if he hurt himself or someone else. Not to mention, the crew morale being affected, as well as my professional reputation.

So, in summary, I'd rather just use what the steakhouse provides and be polite and cognizant of my surroundings.
Using that sort of logic, why would you use ANY knife, even one that was provided by the steakhouse? How would the origin of the steak knife innoculate it from somehow causing discomfort/problems to other patrons?
 
I am still blown away with what you can pay for a steak knife.

 
Using that sort of logic, why would you use ANY knife, even one that was provided by the steakhouse? How would the origin of the steak knife innoculate it from somehow causing discomfort/problems to other patrons?
Would you just admit that what you really want to do is display one of your knives in public? That's what this boils down to, isn't it?
 
I did once several years ago. I pulled out a Browning Ice Storm (made by Mcusta) with VG10 blade at a restaurant to cut some steak that was a little on the tough side. I got a few stares. I didn't care.

I don't do it now tho. Too many people freak out when you pull out a pocket knife it seems nowadays.

The wife and I rarely go out to dinner anyways. Cooking and drinking at home is one way we save $ and we'd rather entertain at home.
 
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