Does it offend you...

[jill jackson]

Busse Argonne Assault makes a great knife for food prep!

"It's for utility, officer"

Yeah, if your food is still alive and fighting back!

 

[jackknife]

When you come across someone who is into knives, but they only consider knives to be weapons? The only thing they have in mind when it comes to blades is how effective it would be when attacking another person... Does it offend you?

I know it offends me and I think it plays a terrible image on the knife community, and I always make sure there are observers when I try to tell these people that they are crazy and wrong.

How do you handle these types of people?

I agree with you, but I don't know if offend is the right word. I don't like it, that's for sure. With todays political climate, we as knife nuts are not immune from the same things that will plague the gun owners, the demonization of a tool because of one or two idiots or wack jobs. I am put off by the large numbers of young people who seem to be drawn to the knife as a weapon because so-and-so in a movie or TV show used it and that was 'cool'. Or the posts I see a good number of with comments of "I carry a knife in case somebody gets on me."

Sometimes reading these posts in the general forum, it seems like there's a huge growing number of both immature and insecure people looking for a crutch to lean on. They want a 'cool' or 'bad ass' knife. I don't know. Maybe I'm dating myself badly, but when I was growing up, there wasn't any so called tactical or one hand knives. Okay, that's not quite true, there was one hand knives, they were called sheath knives, or hunting knives and they were carried in a sheath on your belt. Most men had one, and if you worked in a trade like a warehouse, construction site, or other job where you needed a knife with one hand, you just wore the sheath knife on your hip. Plus there was no lock or folding blade to worry about. I guess you could say that those belt knives in the 1050's were the original one hand knife. The only other one hand knife around back then was the so called switchblade. That was universally looked at as a street punks weapon. No self respecting man would bother with one. But all men who had pants on back then, did carry some sort of pocket knife. Usually a small two blade jackknife or penknife of some sort. The pocket knife was looked at as a daily carry cutting tool. That was it. A knife was looked at as a poor weapon, suited only for punks or criminal types. If you think you needed a weapon, then you carried a gun or some sort of impact weapon like a blackjack or stout walking stick. Of course, blackjacks were legal back then. Knives make for very poor defense weapons.

Today, with a more complex society, and added problems of violence, I still think a knife is a very poor weapon. With 40 out of the 50 states now having CCW's, I'd go with a firearm if I need a weapon. Living in Maryland, a CCW is not in the cards, so I make do with other tools. Any knife I carry is just a utilitarian cutting tool.

I think as knife owners, we are the sole ambassadors of our hobby. Some kid waving around a tactical knife is our worst enemy if we want to keep on having the privilege of carry a knife. Scare the citizens too much and we'll go the way of England where a Vic classic is all you will be allowed. Irresponsible knife carriers and manufacturers will do us more harm than you can imagine. Creating this artificial market for 'cooler' knives with wilder looking blades and gimmicks won't do us any good in the long run. One mall ninja with his flipper in public will do more harm than 10 of us using our knives as a tool. Just look over the past posts right here in your forums. How many times have I seen some young guy posting about what a bad reaction he got when he so innocently flipped out his knife to cut something in a restaurant. Never mind that he was deliberately being provocative, looking for that reaction so he could be self righteous. In 60 years of carrying a knife, I've never had a bad reaction to my taking out a pocket knife to cut something. It's both the kind of knife, and how you do it. Most people can't tell you what a weapon type knife is, but they know it when they see it. And unfortunately, that's the majority of the modern so called tactical folding knives that the makers have pushed on the gullible public.

Some time ago, my wife and I were leaving the local mall. Appropriate setting. Passing by the arcade by the exit, we saw a bunch of young kids, maybe late teens. They were watching two of the little punks seeing witch one of them could get his waved knife out faster. They were being 'cool' I guess, but the people coming and going were disturbed by their behavior. It was to me the epitome of stupid, immature behavior that will do us all in. Even as a I watched while passing, I saw cell phones coming out where people were calling the police. How many of the people have maybe written their congressmen or local state senator asking for legislation of those 'dangerous knives.' And the knife people will act so shocked when a law is passed.

If you need a weapon, carry something effective. Leave the knife for the Hollywood movie idiots. When out in public, keep in mind what you do with your knife affects all of us.

Carl.

 

[johnwaynesandw]

Mr. Carl, I could not have said it better myself. I feel the same way. The other day my wife and I were watching a show called "Diamond Divers" and these guys mentioned they carried knives to use in fights. Well two of these guys got into it and one pulls out a knife. I am sure it was all for show because nothing serious came of it, and TV has a way of putting it on. I looked at my wife and said "they sure make the rest of us look bad". It is a shame that people would use a knife for self defence when so many better options are out there.

Thanks,
John

I agree with you, but I don't know if offend is the right word. I don't like it, that's for sure. With todays political climate, we as knife nuts are not immune from the same things that will plague the gun owners, the demonization of a tool because of one or two idiots or wack jobs. I am put off by the large numbers of young people who seem to be drawn to the knife as a weapon because so-and-so in a movie or TV show used it and that was 'cool'. Or the posts I see a good number of with comments of "I carry a knife in case somebody gets on me."

Sometimes reading these posts in the general forum, it seems like there's a huge growing number of both immature and insecure people looking for a crutch to lean on. They want a 'cool' or 'bad ass' knife. I don't know. Maybe I'm dating myself badly, but when I was growing up, there wasn't any so called tactical or one hand knives. Okay, that's not quite true, there was one hand knives, they were called sheath knives, or hunting knives and they were carried in a sheath on your belt. Most men had one, and if you worked in a trade like a warehouse, construction site, or other job where you needed a knife with one hand, you just wore the sheath knife on your hip. Plus there was no lock or folding blade to worry about. I guess you could say that those belt knives in the 1050's were the original one hand knife. The only other one hand knife around back then was the so called switchblade. That was universally looked at as a street punks weapon. No self respecting man would bother with one. But all men who had pants on back then, did carry some sort of pocket knife. Usually a small two blade jackknife or penknife of some sort. The pocket knife was looked at as a daily carry cutting tool. That was it. A knife was looked at as a poor weapon, suited only for punks or criminal types. If you think you needed a weapon, then you carried a gun or some sort of impact weapon like a blackjack or stout walking stick. Of course, blackjacks were legal back then. Knives make for very poor defense weapons.

Today, with a more complex society, and added problems of violence, I still think a knife is a very poor weapon. With 40 out of the 50 states now having CCW's, I'd go with a firearm if I need a weapon. Living in Maryland, a CCW is not in the cards, so I make do with other tools. Any knife I carry is just a utilitarian cutting tool.

I think as knife owners, we are the sole ambassadors of our hobby. Some kid waving around a tactical knife is our worst enemy if we want to keep on having the privilege of carry a knife. Scare the citizens too much and we'll go the way of England where a Vic classic is all you will be allowed. Irresponsible knife carriers and manufacturers will do us more harm than you can imagine. Creating this artificial market for 'cooler' knives with wilder looking blades and gimmicks won't do us any good in the long run. One mall ninja with his flipper in public will do more harm than 10 of us using our knives as a tool. Just look over the past posts right here in your forums. How many times have I seen some young guy posting about what a bad reaction he got when he so innocently flipped out his knife to cut something in a restaurant. Never mind that he was deliberately being provocative, looking for that reaction so he could be self righteous. In 60 years of carrying a knife, I've never had a bad reaction to my taking out a pocket knife to cut something. It's both the kind of knife, and how you do it. Most people can't tell you what a weapon type knife is, but they know it when they see it. And unfortunately, that's the majority of the modern so called tactical folding knives that the makers have pushed on the gullible public.

Some time ago, my wife and I were leaving the local mall. Appropriate setting. Passing by the arcade by the exit, we saw a bunch of young kids, maybe late teens. They were watching two of the little punks seeing witch one of them could get his waved knife out faster. They were being 'cool' I guess, but the people coming and going were disturbed by their behavior. It was to me the epitome of stupid, immature behavior that will do us all in. Even as a I watched while passing, I saw cell phones coming out where people were calling the police. How many of the people have maybe written their congressmen or local state senator asking for legislation of those 'dangerous knives.' And the knife people will act so shocked when a law is passed.

If you need a weapon, carry something effective. Leave the knife for the Hollywood movie idiots. When out in public, keep in mind what you do with your knife affects all of us.

Carl.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I tell folks I don't need a knife that costs this much, if all I want is to hurt folks. And I do use my large Sebenza or Umnumzaan at Outback or Logan's Steakhouse if I need to cut something tough. But not obtrusively or with a flourish. Even my wife doesn't object, so I must be doing something right.
Sonny

 

[Foilist]

Offend is perhaps too strong, but it does exasperate me. I usually just mention that I carry a knife as a tool rather than as a weapon, and then we both know where each other stands.

 

[oic0]

I have a theory on the subject.
Next time you are driving in traffic, in a grocery store, at work, etc... look around at all of the people around you. Every one you see could kill you if they set their mind to it. Humans are very fragile creatures, the smart one realize that consciously and the dim ones still know it instinctively. When you see a person with a knife your brain automatically labels them as being slightly more of a threat than all of the other people you assume are most likely unarmed. Carrying your subconscious estimation of the person further, a person with a box cutter is dangerous because they have a sharp object right now. A person with an aggressive looking combat knife gets a couple extra danger points because their weapon could more easily kill you BUT the biggest stack of extra danger points they get comes from the fact that they are drawn towards such things and carry them on their person. I have nothing against such people, but the subconscious knows they are more likely to have other weapons and more likely act violently since they have displayed an interest in such things to you. Also since they are carrying it and have it out where you can see it despite social norms, they are demonstrating a lack of restraint, another red flag. The human brain works on stereotyping, much to the annoyance of the "politically correct" crowd, we are just hardwired that way.

I, like many other males, was born with an innate interest in all things weapon-like and have a healthy shot of testosterone running through my veins. The people that know me already know I am like that. To make my own life easier I rarely carry any threatening knives or weapons and if I do, I never take them out of my pocket. No problem with others doing so, I just make my life easier by not.

 

[Thrustus]

No it doesn't offend me, because many knives are made with that in mind. (protection, against man, or beast attacking the bearer, it's a valid reason to carry) It doesn't bother me anymore than it does, handguns being made for their effectiveness in a gun battle. What would offend me is the person owning it, being irresponsible with either. That to me is the important factor.

I agree with JJ, weapons don't offend me but whacko's with them do.

 

[James Y]

I also don't care if other people carry for whatever reason, as long as they do so maturely and responsibly.

I like traditional pocketknives and one-hand opening knives. I do not see the one-hand opening feature by itself to be indicative of an irresponsible mindset; there are times when I've needed a knife to cut something, and simply could not, without difficulty, use my other hand to open it. Remember the scene in Titanic where some of the men had to pull their jackknives open with their teeth because their other hand wasn't free? I'm not about to sacrifice my teeth to get my knife open when there are better ways.

Yes, there are legitimate reasons for one-hand deployment beyond some stupid kids messing around. I am offended anytime someone is stupid with their knives because, as already mentioned, it reflects badly on everybody. Some people might say 'Too bad, I'll do what I want with my knife, and if other people have a problem with that, tough.'

As already mentioned, we only have to look to some countries where even a small pen knife is restricted. Like it or not, "sheeple" are the vast, vast majority of the population, and they complain, and they vote. They would have no problem putting an end to your right to owning and carrying a knife if it will make them feel better.

That said, sometimes even responsible use of a very sheeple-friendly knife will get some fools bent out of shape. Ironically, the only time I can think of off-hand that someone actually complained to me about a knife is when I was using the tiny scissors on a Victorinox Classic to cut some paper. This uptight woman said, "why are you carrying that thing? I hope you realize that that's a deadly weapon!". Yes, some people are really that unreasonable and dumb. Be aware of that.

Jim

 

[hardheart]

This person considers knives to be weapons, and clearly knows little of them and how to properly manage them, and will eventually get their hands on one.

eventually get their hands on one? You mean in the kitchen, or at a restaurant table, or in the checkout aisle of the hardware store? That statement there is a bit of a demonization of the tool because of the statements, not actions, of a few people. You don't eventually get your hands on a hammer or a spoon, you just get one.

It doesn't bother me, but mostly because the only people I've encountered with this outlook are martial arts instructors or law enforcement/military.

 

[1badcj_7]

I usually dont care about comments like that since its not worth my time trying to change such ignorance but, sometimes I will try to explain that criminals will always exist to commit violent crimes whether its with knives or sharpened tree branches..

Naive people need to stop being afraid of simple TOOLS and realize its the MAN wielding the tool that they should fear!

 

[jill jackson]

A hammer can be pretty darn devastating, if a person decides to attack with it. So, who cares what people have as long as they aren't criminally insane.

 

[LeonWilderness]

I have a buddy who's really into martial arts. He has an impressive knife collection, but almost everything he owns is meant for self defense. Even when we talk about camping, he insists that the number one criteria in choosing a knife is its ability to potentially fend off large predators. I think that's ridiculous, but I still consider a knife a valid weapon for self defense in certain situations. I guess what I'm saying is that there isn't a clear line dividing people who view knives and weapons and people who view them as tools. I view them as both, and treat every knife and every situation with that in mind.

 

[MadMullet]

A hammer can be pretty darn devastating, if a person decides to attack with it. So, who cares what people have as long as they aren't criminally insane.

As a Carpenter I've said that for years the amount of force you can deliver with a hammer is much more than a knife, and far more deadly.

 

[alude904]

If that's all they talk about and don't acknowledge that it can also be used as a tool then it would offend me. I would look at them as if they were arrogant and oblivious.

 

[upnorth]

That's what it inevitably leads to though. This person considers knives to be weapons, and clearly knows little of them and how to properly manage them, and will eventually get their hands on one.

I have an outdoor orientation so having people know that I have\use knives\axes is not a major concern for me. I do still keep my ownership\use low profile for the general public. I also try to use discernment when transporting cutting tools. I don't walk around on the street with a machete hanging from my n..s to my knees then jump in the car. I wrap large cutting tools up and put them in the trunk for transport. After a while the neighbours clue in to your use and that you are responsible, not a danger to the community. Being chatty and sociable goes a long way also. I do whatever seems reasonable and practical in a social context to alleviate peoples fears of my cutting tool use.

 

[NightMare Silverado]

A knife like this, isn't designed as a tool anyway. There's differences in knives, some are indeed are designed as weapons. Some more as a cutting tool. But, they still all can be used as either. I wouldn't carry this and use it freely in front of everyone for every day cutting tasks. I doubt many would. So, it begs the question, just why would you buy it?

I would and am trying to get the cash for one

Doesn't offend me in the least.

 

[BePrepared]

Nothing offends me... and i mean that literally

MANY things annoy me. This is one of them.

I generally ignore annoyances

 

[bladeboss]

It doesn't offend me but it is disappointing. I just politely humor them & their comments but keep mentioning the details that interest me. Keep bringing up the steel, ergonomics, edge geometry, weight, high-tech materials, ect. Folks with legitimate knife nerd potential will have a light go on when you talk about these things. They may have never been exposed to that side of things. The other sort shouldn't be encouraged & I tend to bring up other, more suitable kinds of weapons for their fantasy scenarios.

Yeah pretty much.

 

[oic0]

As a Carpenter I've said that for years the amount of force you can deliver with a hammer is much more than a knife, and far more deadly.

Even more common than the hammer and thought even more benign, most people drive 3000+lb vehicles capable of turning another human into a bloody smear. Also, one bump to another car can send one or many to their deaths. I ride a motorcycle to work every day. I would feel safer riding next to someone with an AK on the seat next to them than someone playing with their cell phone, but guess which one is more common lol.

 

[bdmicarta]

It offends me to interact with people who are so shortsighted or out of touch with reality as to have ideas such as that. And it doesn't matter if we are talking about knives or whatever else.