Ever been confronted about having a knife on you?

[HusslinHoosier]

I got stopped going into a concert by a uptight kid security guard for a little Leatherman Micra on my key chain that I had walked around with for months without anyone batting an eye. I had taken this thing into a federal building, courthouse, so many places that I really forgot it was there unless I was using it. This little dweeb decides it is a weapon and even follows me when I move to go through a separate line since I wouldn't throw it away or give it to the security guard. I was not about to walk back to my car since it was a half mile away and the situation was ridiculous so I put the Leatherman in my sock and went in. Amazingly, no one was stabbed :jerk it:

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Back in the good old days, I carried knives, plural, in New York City. I walked home through Central Park. If I saw a broken branch, out came the Victorinox Ranger, and the saw cleaned off the broken end. I had police stop by and admire my work.

Times change. Grrr.

 

[foilboy]

I got my knife confiscated when I went to the Empire State Building observatory deck. I won't say which knife, cause that could potentially get me into trouble but it played out like so:

My girlfriend and I went to the Empire State Building observatory at around 11pm on a weekday. There were absolutely no lines on the way to the deck and I saw no security checkpoints or anything that would indicate that we would have to go through a checkpoint. We turned a corner and the first thing I saw was a set of metal detectors. My first thought was now I gotta go all the way back to the apartment or try to discretely hide this." I decided to take my chances and talk to one of the security guards about leaving it with them. I approached the desk and explained that I had accidentally brought a knife in with me and that I would like to check it with them. They said it was fine so I slowly removed it from my pocket. When I handed it to the guard their reactions were priceless. They were like "damn son, who were you planning on killing with this thing?!" We had a good laugh and I got a claim ticket to get my knife back. My girlfriend and I continued on to the observation deck without incident.

When I came back for my knife, the guard I handed it over to said to his co-worker "Rambo is back! Get the scariest looking weapon we have!" (I thought I was getting an upgrade). He then told me that he didn't want to see me on the 6 o'-clock news and to have a nice evening. It was definitely my best security experience ever, especially considering I could have been in some trouble had I not had some really good luck

 

[nbrown_303]

when i was 17 i was in Boston to go see a Red Sox game. Not having any knowledge of Bostons rediculous knife laws, i had a CS Scimitar in my pocket. I took the T all the way to Fenway and had no problems. I walked up to the gate to enter into Fenway and as im passing through i feel someones hand in my pocket and i quickly reach down and grab the persons wrist. A securit guard had his hand on my Scimitar and clearly did not like the looks of it. He told me i could not take it into Fenway and he was going to confiscate it, so I told him I would rather not see the game then forfeit a $90 knife. So i walked across the street into a store and explained the situation to the woman behind the counter and asked her if she would mind holding it for me. She had less to say about my knife then the security guard did! She was very nice about it and after the game i went back to the store and she had it waiting for me.

Another time when i was probably 13-14 i was in D.C. with my family on vacation and went into one of the monuments with a SOG Flash II. I got wanded by security and they took it but they held it for me and i got it back when i left.

Other than those two times when it was really just bad judgement on my part, no one ever says anything to me about the knvies i carry even though the pocket clips are pretty visible

 

[Poez]

I have had a number of situations when I had a knife on me while entering places where no knives were allowed. But I think I have never had to explain anything. And nobody would ever ask why I have a knife on me. Could that be because these knives happened to be quite "reasonable", or because nobody would give a damn about the purpose. People just do their job - why should they be curious about some folder. Of course if somebody had a kitchen knife up his sleeve, or carried some ESEE 6 while being in black tire attire entering some opera house... That question could be expected - sort of surprise...

 

[TacticalBlade]

Ain't that the truth.
She never heard a word you said.

My LT. said afterwards that I handled the situation perfectly and that she obviously doesnt realize what kind of work we actually do.

The funny part is even if you wanted too, it would be very hard to use the 915 as a weapon, its impossible to stab with it!

It might work for slashing cuts, but your victim would probably see the orange coming a mile away.

 

[TOM1960]

Today, while at a 9/11 memorial service, I had a citizen ask me why I had a knife on me. I explained that I was a fire fighter - Paramedic and that I carried my knife in case I needed to help someone out of an accident etc. I then explained to her that it had three main features (BM Triage) that there was the knife, a strap/seatbelt cutter, and a glass breaker and that I had used all 3 of the features at least 5 times since I've had the knife for 3 months on duty. Explained how it worked and how the seat belt cutter was pretty safe and the blade sheilded from the victims skin and after I got done, her response was "I dont see the need to carry a weapon like that, you should be arrested for that." Politely said that "My knife was used to help citizens like herself and that I would never threaten anybody with it." Then placed my BRIGHT ORANGE triage back in my pocket and bid her farewell. people need to lighten up.

Why did you waste your time trying to educate an ignoramus like her? I would just have smiled at her and walked away without a word being spoken. Sheeple don't get it; never did, never will.

 

[Christian]

Yep. At a KOTC event(King of the Cage). Security was scanning people at the gate. Confiscated my Spyderco Native. Wouldn't have given it up if my car hadn't been 1/2 mile away in downtown Sacramento. Still pissed about it.

No offense, but I would of made the hike. I usually leave my knives in the car if I even have an inkling that I will be subjected to patdowns/ other security measures.
P.S. a maker in Sac? Too Cool.

 

[Rudeco]

Recommendation - If you are goingto an event with security or police - LEAVE YOUR KNIFE AT HOME!!!! Geez!

i would leave it in the car, but hey sometimes security or police are not helpful enough, if your not some terrorist or some thug breaking the law i see no problem carrying a blade, but to leave it home, no way.

 

[Dave Behrens]

Looking back I probably would make the hike, but too late now. Truth, I totally forgot I even had it on me. I've had a knife on my person since I was 6, oh well easy come easy go.
And yes I am a maker, in Citrus Heights.

 

[MH13750]

Several years before 9/11/01, I was visiting someone at the Veterans Admin. Hospital in NYC on E23 Street. Was carrying my Victorinox Swisschamp that day and didnt know they had installed metal detectors. They were manned by Federal VA Police Officers. I decided to ask one before I went through about my knife. He looked at it,smiled as he pulled a Swisschamp from his pocket too! I put it in the basket,walked thru and he handed it back to me and said, "Just keep it in your pocket,I know how attached you can get to these lil red knives" I thanked him and went about my business,and it had never occured to me until then that my Swisschamp might be considered dangerous by anyone. I doubt I would even try that now.

 

[w.t. anderson]

I always carry a Victorinox Huntman at work and around town and have never had a problem here in the DC area - fortunately most of my office coworkers are former/retired military like myself and understand completely the need for an EDC multi-tool/knife. Like MH13750 experienced, very few feel threatened by a non-tactical "colorful" SAK.

 

[c.joe]

Today, while at a 9/11 memorial service, I had a citizen ask me why I had a knife on me. I explained that I was a fire fighter - Paramedic and that I carried my knife in case I needed to help someone out of an accident etc. I then explained to her that it had three main features (BM Triage) that there was the knife, a strap/seatbelt cutter, and a glass breaker and that I had used all 3 of the features at least 5 times since I've had the knife for 3 months on duty. Explained how it worked and how the seat belt cutter was pretty safe and the blade sheilded from the victims skin and after I got done, her response was "I dont see the need to carry a weapon like that, you should be arrested for that." Politely said that "My knife was used to help citizens like herself and that I would never threaten anybody with it." Then placed my BRIGHT ORANGE triage back in my pocket and bid her farewell. people need to lighten up.

Oh.. man that makes my blood boil. Kudos for holding your composure so well.