Finally had someone 'freak out' over a knife.

T

ThePharce

Joined
Sep 16, 2010
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I was in Target and noticed an employee struggling with the shrink wrap surrounding a pallet of shipment. I walked over and asked "May I cut that off for you?". She said yes and I pulled out my edc today; a Boker Action 2. Truth be told, it is partially serrated and a nasty looking blade, but shorter than , say, an Endura or Griptilian. She actually jumped back a bit and said , LOUDLY, "Why would you carry such a dangerous weapon?!" I actually started laughing. I couldn't help myself. I carry outside the waistband and the barrel of my pistol had been sticking out from under my shirt the entire time. I said "Ma'am, you've seen my pistol the entire time I've stood here and you're worried about my pocket knife? Ma'am, this knife is simply a tool. My PISTOL is a weapon. I'm sorry if I scared you, but this knife is no more dangerous than what you sell in your sporting goods section. Now, would you still like help with this shrinkwrap?"


Wow, sheeple sheeple sheeple.
 
I did that at a costco once the clerk was like wow what do you need to carry a knife for? (spyderco endura 4)

A customer who was waiting for whatever she was trying to un-wrap spoke up - its pretty handy at cutting this wrap isn't it?

the bad thing about sheeple is they get to vote.
 
Peeps at work used to kind of look at me weird...

We get Ozarka cases in, wrapped in plastic.

I CANNOT STAND when people punch their fist through to get a bottle. It leaves an unsightly, terribly annoying blah looking hole.

Therefore, I take it upon myself, every week, when the water arrives...to head in the breakroom with the blade I happen to be carrying that day and slice a nice neat flap into the top of the plastic, allowing for access to all the bottles while remaining pleasing to the eyes.

Co-workers have gotten used to it...but it was a bit "threatening", I suppose...at first...
We're all office, all office attire...slacks, dress shirts, dress shoes...dresses, skirts, heels...even suits for meetings.
Then all of a sudden, a stiletto snaps open in the break room.

At first it was all, Um...what? Huh? Why?

Now they only look at me weird when I happen to be carrying my Krieger straight razor. THAT still gets the creeped out looks.
 
That's funny. Good thing she didn't drop dead, of a heart attack, right there when you mentioned the WMD (pistol).

This is why I don't offer to cut things for people. When I see someone struggling with something, I just think to myself "I wonder if they'll ever figure out there's a tool perfect for that task" then go on my merry way while they keep looking stupid :-)
 
Also...Texas is conceal carry only...I guess unless you're a cop...

But if someone can SEE your pistol, they can easily have you arrested. And telling someone, like you did...in a department store environment, that you have a pistol, is almost along the lines of threatening someone with it.

I dunno what state you're in, but they're alot more relaxed than Texas.

A buddy of mine recently went and got his CHL and that was one of the biggest priorities preached...CONCEAL CARRY ONLY!
It's not concealed if it's AT ALL visible or if you tell someone you have it.
Then you're illegally carrying a weapon and can have your CHL revoked.

At least that's what they scared into my buddy at this particular Texas class.
 
ThePharce, I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience. That Target employee was being completely unreasonable. Just out of curiosity what state was this Target in? Also, was this a young girl?
 
This was in Memphis. The employee was a middle aged woman. We do have open carry here. My carry permit doesn't say 'concealed' anywhere on it. It simply says "Handgun Carry Permit". I wasn't upset by it. I just got a kick out of the fact that there's no way she didn't see my pistol and a 3" blade still freaked her out that much.

Weird that we have looser gun laws than Texas. The stereotype of Texas would make one think that pistol carry is required by law there!
 
Yeah, your escapade of pointing out to a scared store employee that you were carrying a pistol, while brandishing a knife would get you arrested where I live.
And right about the time you argue your point that "sheeple" shouldn't fear a citizen like yourself, the Philadelphia police would be stomping a mudhole out of you, then walking it dry.

I managed to get a CCW in a very left wing "city of the first class" in a blue state, and don't need the stress of people trying to educate the masses.
I carry a ZT 550 in one pocket and a Glock 27 on my other hip, and the thing they both have in common is, nobody other than my wife sees them.
 
meanoldbobber said:
Yeah, your escapade of pointing out to a scared store employee that you were carrying a pistol, while brandishing a knife would get you arrested where I live.
And right about the time you argue your point that "sheeple" shouldn't fear a citizen like yourself, the Philadelphia police would be stomping a mudhole out of you, then walking it dry.

I managed to get a CCW in a very left wing "city of the first class" in a blue state, and don't need the stress of people trying to educate the masses.
I carry a ZT 550 in one pocket and a Glock 27 on my other hip, and the thing they both have in common is, nobody other than my wife sees them.
Click to expand...


I am normally very discreet about my carry. However, this is definitely NOT a 'blue' state. I don't see how what I did would be categorized as an 'escapade'. Once I asked her again if she would like my help, she calmed down and said yes......and politely thanked me as I left.


If we do not exercise our rights they will be taken away. However, if we exercise them, and keep it secret, they'll still be taken away.
 
I notice that around alot of girls/women mainly. Not meant in any sort of sexist way, rather; most never really see the need for a knife at all. And almost all of the women I've dated have been outdoorsy and pretty adventurous, and still never really understood the need/desire to carry a knife of any kind. Most have said that they'd be afraid that they would cut themselves using it....Same with older folks who have question such a big and fast opening knife (mines a Benchmade 710), as its pretty scary compared to the typical traditional Case or Camillus folders of yore....

I am pretty careful in the way of offering to help cut something for somebody. Keep in mind, most people; esp women/older folks generally don't think about someone pulling out an intimidating knife. They expect something alone the lines of a penknife or box cutter.
 
ThePharce said:
I am normally very discreet about my carry. However, this is definitely NOT a 'blue' state. I don't see how what I did would be categorized as an 'escapade'. Once I asked her again if she would like my help, she calmed down and said yes......and politely thanked me as I left.


If we do not exercise our rights they will be taken away. However, if we exercise them, and keep it secret, they'll still be taken away.
Click to expand...

I agree with you - it's not an "escapade". We have concealed carry here but in the summer most people can guess you're carrying. I've had sort of the same reaction a couple of times when helping someone. I don't flick my knives or open them very fast with one hand. I don't think you were out of line at all. Maybe he will be less intimidated next time but regardless the more people see knives being used in a nonthreatening manner the better off we'll all be.
 
Silverbullet951 said:
I am pretty careful in the way of offering to help cut something for somebody. Keep in mind, most people; esp women/older folks generally don't think about someone pulling out an intimidating knife. They expect something alone the lines of a penknife or box cutter.
Click to expand...

Wonder if those people know what was used to hikack several planes ten years ago?
 
ThePharce said:
Wonder if those people know what was used to hikack several planes ten years ago?
Click to expand...

Funny, I thought that same thing right after I wrote it. It's true, people tend to not see certain things as threatening even though they can be deadly in the wrong hands.
 
People fear what the media encourage them to fear. Logic would reassure them that if they can handle an 8" chef's knife, a polite young can help with a 3" folder. But stereotypes and negative publicity rule.

All the more reason to help people out and let them see that carrying a knife is not criminal intent, and a useful tool is always good to have.
 
meanoldbobber said:
I guess I would have just offered her my knife instead of pulling it out.
Just my .02
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. Non-knife people are generally not used to scary sharp blades, so they tend to cut as they would normally with a dull instrument.
 
KNaB said:
Been there, done that. Non-knife people are generally not used to scary sharp blades, so they tend to cut as they would normally with a dull instrument.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there's the dilemma: Should I help out this poor person struggling by pulling out my knife and run the risk of scaring the sh..t outta them OR should I politely ask if they would like to use my knife to cut whatever it is they're cutting and run the risk of them f...ing up my knife...:rolleyes:

Wait....third option: Politely mention how useful having a knife would be in said situation. :D
 
We had a safety meeting about a week ago and lunch was served...over cooked grilled pork chops. Anyways there was no sawing through them with the provided plastic ware, so I opened my enlan el-02......shocked everyone, one asked why I brought a machete for lunch.

I offered it to everyone, they just went back to saw.
 
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