Dumb Neophyte Question: What is a knife for?

H

HorseloverFat

Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
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Other than general cutting such as opening boxes and so forth . Seriously, I'm not accustomed to carrying a knife, so I'm curious if there happens to be a list here on the fora with suggestions for using an EDC/tactical knife. Image that you were trying to convince someone of the reasons why they should carry a knife. (Yes, I've been questioned as to why I would need to carry one.) Thanks in advance...
 
Uses for a knife really depend on your lifestyle. Many people find a blade indespindable in their day to day life. For me, at work, a day without a knife is misery. I constantly open sealed bags and boxes and other things. At home otoh, I don't have much use for a knife other than the occasional small thing that needs cutting. But I like knives and you just never know when one will come in handy. For instance- my brother-in-law was at the fair a couple weeks back and a lady saw the pocket clip of his knife and asked if he would mind cutting her little girls jeans into shorts because it was so hot (she took the girl in the restroom and came back with just the pants to be cut). The womans husband just stood there looking sheepish because he couldn't do it himslef. You just never know.
 
It seems that Bigfatts has answered the question quite well and gave a family a lesson: "be prepared". Next time, the sheepish husband might bring long his old Scouting knife :D
We can only hope that Bigfatts did not contribute to marital disharmony in this particular family. Is lack of a pocketknife sufficient cause to sue for divorce? Will the alimony include a knife for the wife and annual sharpening fees? :D I suppose I am one of those who is not accustomed to NOT carrying a knife, even if it is only my MacGyver survival SAK.









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Knives are for cutting stuff. People carry them if they want to. Lots of people don't, and life goes on.

I enjoy having a knife handy when I want to cut stuff, like taped up boxes, zip ties, apples, oranges, cardboard, blister packs, plastic bags, etc. My boss opens stuff with pens, keys, anything that can be used to gouge. I think he looks like a fool when he does that.
 
I grew up on a farm in the Northwoods of Minnesota and everyone carried a knife. "Hand me your knife, would ya?" was the statement, not "Who's got a knife?" so I don't understand the concept of NOT carrying a knife. I've lost numerous knives to security and safety laws across the country because it's just second nature to have one in my pocket. (FYI, they don't let you take a SAK into the Capital building in DC.)

I use my knife every day for anything from opening packages, trimming loose threads, cleaning my nails, sharpening a pencil, stripping wires, scraping labels, cutting a sandwich, fixing a hose, trimming flashing, and numerous other minor tasks. It's a tool that is a part of who I am.

And don't forget whittling. You always need a knife so you have something to do with your hands while you're just sitting around. Yep, that's what we did before we had our smart phones to fiddle with.
 
bronyblacksmith said:
I use my friction folder for cutting just about everything and use the nub at the end for undoing knots.
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great idea, never thought of that one before

we're tool using apes, it's just about the most basic tool you can have. it's harder than your nails and sharper than your teeth. perhaps it's another conversation, but that's why i'm into the knife as a prybar thing, I like going at the world with a short heavy piece of steel that can also open boxes and stuff. sort of force equalizer for reality.
 
^
+1
Excellent point! (Pun intended.) One would look foolish using the wrong tool for the job such as a pen to open a box. Thanks.
 
HomeBru said:
I grew up on a farm in the Northwoods of Minnesota and everyone carried a knife. "Hand me your knife, would ya?" was the statement, not "Who's got a knife?" so I don't understand the concept of NOT carrying a knife. I've lost numerous knives to security and safety laws across the country because it's just second nature to have one in my pocket. (FYI, they don't let you take a SAK into the Capital building in DC.)

I use my knife every day for anything from opening packages, trimming loose threads, cleaning my nails, sharpening a pencil, stripping wires, scraping labels, cutting a sandwich, fixing a hose, trimming flashing, and numerous other minor tasks. It's a tool that is a part of who I am.

And don't forget whittling. You always need a knife so you have something to do with your hands while you're just sitting around. Yep, that's what we did before we had our smart phones to fiddle with.
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Good advice here excepting the bit about cleaning nails. Please use nail clippers. Thanks.
 
I could find a zillion uses for a knife, they are wonderfully useful in our everyday lives. Lets start the list:

1. Opening Boxes and cardboard
2. Opening Mail
3. Opening plastic strapping on pallets
4. Opening food bags
5. Cutting zip ties
6. Cutting stickers / paper / decals
7. Cutting fruits / veggies / foods
8. Cutting the cheese
9. Trimming branches, making feathersticks
10. And last, but not least - being prepared to do any of these things.

I've had people ask me why I carry a knife. Very simple answer: "Why don't you carry one?"
 
I grew up with my dad and other relatives all carrying knives. Was taught I wasn't a real gentleman unless you had a knife in your pocket, watch on your left hand and an under shirt lol.
 
dishcore said:
I could find a zillion uses for a knife, they are wonderfully useful in our everyday lives. Lets start the list:

1. Opening Boxes and cardboard
2. Opening Mail
3. Opening plastic strapping on pallets
4. Opening food bags
5. Cutting zip ties
6. Cutting stickers / paper / decals
7. Cutting fruits / veggies / foods
8. Cutting the cheese
9. Trimming branches, making feathersticks
10. And last, but not least - being prepared to do any of these things.

I've had people ask me why I carry a knife. Very simple answer: "Why don't you carry one?"
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Well done, sir. Now, do you mind offering your list of what a knife *should not* be use for such as a screwdriver? Thanks. I think that list such as yours are of value to a new knife carrier.
 
ericzhao517 said:
I grew up with my dad and other relatives all carrying knives. Was taught I wasn't a real gentleman unless you had a knife in your pocket, watch on your left hand and an under shirt lol.
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Don't you get funny looks with your knife in places such as Reston? Thanks for responding.
 
HorseloverFat said:
Don't you get funny looks with your knife in places such as Reston? Thanks for responding.
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Lol not at all. Ive never had any crazy incident where my knife was the center of attention in NOVA. I go to Reston town center all the time and I work at Dulles Town Center Mall. From my CQC8 to my Skyline no one has ever had a problem. My co workers (mostly women) really appreciate me having a blade and multitool on my persons.
 
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