Ever stopped someone and asked what they're carrying?

I'm in North-East Illinois, so anyone carrying a knife or says that they have a gun is automatically treated like a serial killer, mass murderer or something of the like, so I typically keep quiet unless I'm in a gun shop or something. I tend to do the same thing and kind of analyze an environment that I'm in and scope for knives or other things that could possibly be a weapon in the room. Every now and then if I see a pocket clip I can't recognize, I'll ask someone about it. Always sparks a good conversation when I break out the Strider or a ZT of some kind.
 
evancamp13 said:
I'm in North-East Illinois, so anyone carrying a knife or says that they have a gun is automatically treated like a serial killer, mass murderer or something of the like, so I typically keep quiet unless I'm in a gun shop or something. I tend to do the same thing and kind of analyze an environment that I'm in and scope for knives or other things that could possibly be a weapon in the room. Every now and then if I see a pocket clip I can't recognize, I'll ask someone about it. Always sparks a good conversation when I break out the Strider or a ZT of some kind.
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Damn. I can't stand that kind of profiling/stereotyping.

And what makes a better icebreaker than one of those tanks? One day I will own an 0550
 
I was at my local Five Guys and I saw a Benchmade clip on a guy's pocket. I asked him if it's a Benchmade and he pulled it out and showed it to me. The guy said he doesn't collect them, but he wanted a good knife because he is an EMT/Fireman. It looked like a Benchmade Reflex, and it was beat to hell. That's the only time I've asked someone what was in their pocket.

I see many Kershaw clips, a few Spyderco, and a few Benchmade clips where I live, but I've never asked someone what knife they have on them.
 
Once in a while I see a clip in someone's pocket at work, but I can usually identify it without having to ask. ;) I've seen a couple Kershaw Leeks, Blur, and a couple Buck vantages.

I dont know that carrying a pocket knife is illegal at my office, but I'm sure it's frowned upon.
 
If i recognize it sometimes I'll inquire about the knife. Most of the folks have been cool about it and we chatted for a minute. I've only had one or two people inquire about mine, not even an open carried fixed blade, they were folders in the pocket.
 
knife2Agunfight said:
I was at my local Five Guys and I saw a Benchmade clip on a guy's pocket. I asked him if it's a Benchmade and he pulled it out and showed it to me. The guy said he doesn't collect them, but he wanted a good knife because he is an EMT/Fireman. It looked like a Benchmade Reflex, and it was beat to hell. That's the only time I've asked someone what was in their pocket.

I see many Kershaw clips, a few Spyderco, and a few Benchmade clips where I live, but I've never asked someone what knife they have on them.
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I know it wasn't your intention, but you just made me hungry...

NikkiR said:
You haven't bumped into me yet. :)
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Haha I'm sure I'll be intimidated if I do. That 0561 is a beast!
 
Actually, I just remembered a great story. I was on the train a few weeks back, I had a couple knives on me, but my SMF was in my main carry position. A marine that was on leave was on the train a few seats down, he looked over and saw it and asked if he could see my Strider and then whipped out his SnG. We had a good chat about it. Only time I've met another knife person outside of a forum. lol
 
Yup,
I do it all the time. So far everyone has been quite accommodating, I am just a curious guy.
 
If the blade is in their pocket, I'm not going to ask. If they take it out, then I might ask, if it looks interesting.
 
d0nut said:
Once in a while I see a clip in someone's pocket at work, but I can usually identify it without having to ask. ;) I've seen a couple Kershaw Leeks, Blur, and a couple Buck vantages.

I dont know that carrying a pocket knife is illegal at my office, but I'm sure it's frowned upon.
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If it's legal to carry a knife in your jurisdiction, how would it be illegal at the office? Just curious btw...
 
Czechmate said:
If it's legal to carry a knife in your jurisdiction, how would it be illegal at the office? Just curious btw...
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I work for the state, in a government office.

There might be different "weapons" rules, but nobody has said anything yet. :o
 
d0nut said:
I work for the state, in a government office.

There might be different "weapons" rules, but nobody has said anything yet. :o
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Ah, gotcha. That does change things a bit. I'm lucky in that I work in a private office (small business) so I can carry what I want!
 
I carry a Reeves Nyala on my belt and a beater Kershaw 1620 in my pocket. A cop inquired "why two knives?" I responsed "two uses." He was cool. I made fun of the hand grenade he kept in his holster (glock 22.) Carried a Spydie.

I've asked several folks to check out their blades, it's a good icebreaker.

My ex girlfriend always got hit up by dudes when she carried one of my bigger folders, or any of the various fixed blades I cycled out of rotation. She was a convert, actually. Got sick of her asking to borrow my shit, so I got her a couple of her own.
 
Like a lot of people I'll mention it to someone if I see a clip [or the whole knife] that I reconize as something decent. When I'm carrying $300+ worth of knives on a daily basis I try to avoide knife convo's with people who I'm not sure are into knives themselves, I don't want to look like the crazy guy with 3-4 knives on him walking around talking to random people about knives.
 
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Cereal_killer said:
Like a lot of people I'll mention it to someone if I see a clip [or the whole knife] that I reconize as something decent. When I'm carrying $300+ worth of knives on a daily basis I try to avoide knife convo's with people who I'm not sure are into knivesthem, I don't want to look like the crazy guy with 3-4 knives on him walking around talking to random people about knives.
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Makes sense. I suppose it COULD look like overkill when I've got a BK11 on my hip, the Utilitac in my right front pocket, and a Cryo in the back pocket :D
 
I've asked a couple of people. One guy had a Gerber, one guy was carrying a CRKT M16, and another guy was ex-law enforcement, carrying a Benchmade auto, a Case Peanut, and some small A.G. Russell knife that I can't recall the name of.
 
I ask strangers when I recognize the knife. I once asked this man at a flea market about his mini-grip that was sticking out of his pocket. He told me that it was just his off days and he would normally only carry large BM autos. He asked if I had a BM on me. I just so happened to have my 710 in M390. He looked so jealous. Apparently he has never seen a M390 steel blade.
 
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