EDC scenario: should I have helped her?

Lennyo3034 said:
So I was at a wedding this past weekend and was unsure whether or not to use my knife to help someone. I was waiting in line at the bar when one of two girls in front of me noticed a stand of fiber coming from her dress. She needed something to cut it off, wishing for someone with scissors. Her friend responded with something like "good luck finding someone with scissors or anything sharp at a wedding", to which the girl agreed it was highly unlikely. At this point, I decided these two were clearly sheeple, and I wasn't sure if they would be greatful for the help, or scared that I had a knife. This is compounded by my carry choice that day as I had my Benchmade 810 contego clipped to my suit. I had just sharpened it that day on the edge pro to a hair whittling edge. No way was I going to give it to them to cut it themselves, she'd end up with a strandless but red stained dress. I decided to keep quiet and let them figure it out themselves.
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Sounds like you need to rethink your EDC set-up, Lenny. I have found that my smaller folders see far more use than my larger clipped one-handers, but I suppose YMMV. As others have mentioned, pick up a small SAK and put it on your keychain (I can't recommend the Victorinox Rambler enough :thumbup:)--perfect for situations like the one you've described. I use my Rambler all the time (rarely for the blade.)

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Good luck! :)

-Timber
 
It's all in presentation, if you pull a knife and act like a mad man, you'll be looked at like a mad man. My edc rotation is on average 6", they're not very aggressive looking. Act chivalrous and "hide" the bulk of the knife, and you'll be fine. And it doesn't matter what they look like, every one sees the gentleman.
 
I would have offered them my help. I doubt much would've happened since they were actually looking for someone with a knife etc.
 
timberweasel said:
Sounds like you need to rethink your EDC set-up, Lenny. I have found that my smaller folders see far more use than my larger clipped one-handers, but I suppose YMMV. As others have mentioned, pick up a small SAK and put it on your keychain (I can't recommend the Victorinox Rambler enough :thumbup:)--perfect for situations like the one you've described. I use my Rambler all the time (rarely for the blade.)

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Good luck! :)

-Timber
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Ha, I have 4 of those on me daily as well. BIC (plus Zippo) Fenix E01, Vic Pioneer and some small Victorinox with pen and scissors.
Those keychain Victorinox are brilliant.
 
My Vic Classic lives on my keychain. I literally don't leave home without it. For convenience, I carry it in a Kydex sheath, so I just pull it from the sheath and don't have to fumble it off the chain. Much more practical than tactical. :)
 
Esav Benyamin said:
My Vic Classic lives on my keychain. I literally don't leave home without it. For convenience, I carry it in a Kydex sheath, so I just pull it from the sheath and don't have to fumble it off the chain. Much more practical than tactical. :)
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Got a picture?
 
I actually have a small SAK on my keychain. Unfortunately, my keychain was not on me at the moment. I already admitted it was the wrong knife for the occasion, but how many of us have brought the wrong knife to something? I'd imagine I'm not the only one. I actually didn't think I would need the knife when I brought it. I only brought it to admire the edge I had just put on it while on the way there. The poster that mentioned the wedding go-ers having the same social leanings as me made a very good assumption. However it was wrong, as these were my wife's coworker's friends. They are extremely liberal, whereas I'm more conservative.

james terrio said:
Me neither. So I openly carry a fixed-blade custom with a slightly-under 4" blade :D

Never had a single issue with "sheeple". Granted, I live in East TN and used to live in Central WI. YMMV elsewhere.
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I grew up in Knoxville. I never had an issue until I was stationed in Maryland. Night and day difference with the mentality from east Tennessee. Maybe I'll get to go to the pacific next. Not sure how much better that will be people-wise, but it'll at least be prettier.
 
dress for the occasion, including your EDC blade. For weddings & dress occasions I either bring a Boker anti grav (CF handle, ceramic blade) or my gold kershaw leek. Most sh-eople are so taken aback by their elegance, they forget its an edged tool:-)

Living in wisconsin though if you ask for a knife you'll probably have your choice!
 
I know how you feel, I too live in Maryland currently. and alot of places seems to be very detached from bladed tools.
 
Cynic2701 said:
In such a situation I would have asked if they wanted help, mentioned that I had a knife, and offered to cut the string for her if she would have wanted me to. Whether they were attractive or not shouldn't alter my interactions with them.
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Yep, that's the way it's done. :)
 
It because if these scenarios that i carry a larger ans a smaller knife. Larger one, like your contego, for harder work 7 a smaller one, like a opinel #2 or pocket SAK, for scenarios such as yours haha
 
K0W said:
I know how you feel, I too live in Maryland currently. and alot of places seems to be very detached from bladed tools.
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I've noticed this too & I find this very odd considering they are very farm ship based for work.
I'm Originally from PA & have family that live just out of Baltimore
 
Short answer. No.
In my opinion I think you called it right.
You were carrying a bit of a beast for a wedding, so in your mind you went with 'the odds' By that, I feel that the brain does a quick calculation on, where am I? Who is around? How many people really get knives? and within a second or so, your gut reaction kicks in.
I always go with the odds, and try to fall on the side of caution.
Cheers
 
I've found that it helps if, after they agree to help, you show the knife in its closed position first, rather than flinging it open immediately.
Being a helpful person makes us all look good. :)
Acting like a ninja makes us all look crazy. :(
 
I carry a Leatherman Style CS on my keychain for uncountable times where a small scissors comes in so handy. Also we have kids. I can hand this off without fear of anyone hurting themselves.

But I only help unattractive people. The beautiful people are made to suffer by my apathy towards them....just kidding around.
 
Lennyo3034 said:
I was waiting in line at the bar when one of two girls in front of me noticed a stand of fiber coming from her dress.
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This reminds me of a post I made some time ago in which I tried to describe what a gentleman's knife was. I wrote:


"It is early Spring, and you are at a social gathering on the veranda of a Victorian mansion situated on 700 acres just outside of Charleston, SC. A cool spring breeze is bringing the smell of ribs from the grill. An intoxicating aroma of charcoal and sizzling meat.

The estate's owner, a very attractive young widow who recently inherited a shipping fortune of almost $800M, is clearly captivated by your charm and good humor. She approaches, accompanied by her twin sister who has returned just this morning from boarding school in Switzerland. After a shy giggle and a bit of conversation, the young widow flings her long, brown hair away from her face and asks if you might slice a lime for her Gin and Tonic. As she does so, you sense the slightest whiff of her scent, which is quickly replaced by that of the grill. You find yourself suddenly hungry, though for what you know not.

You:

a) remove your Spyderco Camo Military with black blade from your pocket, and it snaps open with a satisfying clunk. The young widow retracts in fear and drop her Gin and Tonic. Her security personnel wrestle you to the ground and remove you from the estate; or,

b) you casually remove a small, finely crafted folder hand-made of exquisite and costly materials. You expertly slice the lime with its razor edge, and place a slice in the widow's drink. As you do so, your hand casually touches hers, precipitating her to blush. But the blush is accompanied by an unblinking stare into your own eyes, and you see her pupils dilate ever so slightly. After an embarrassed pause, she asks if you might accompany her and her sister on a private walking tour of the riding stables. You accept, and begin your stroll as the sun begins to set behind the adjacent hills.

If your answer is b), you were carrying a gentleman's knife."

So you see, if you had helped the young lady with the stray thread on her dress who knows how it might have ended.

Of course, if she was a dog face, you made the right move by walking away. Well done.
 
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