Friendly folder for VERY liberal academic office?

A SAK (my field master never scared anyone), a small/ medium sized traditional (a nice congress), and the more edgy contender the new Emerson EDC 2... just knives, no politics.
 
In retirement, I work part-time for a regional home improvement store chain. I do a lot of stocking of building materials. Every day I openly carry a medium-
sized Leatherman folding knife. In over a year I have never had a comment or strange look from any management employee, other employees, or our customers.
In fact, customers often ask me if I have knife, so that I can cut banding on pallets of lumber or insulation. Other employees also carry knifes, but most just use a box cutter or utility knife. I doubt a 14" bushcrafter-style knife would go over big, but I am pleased to work in this environment where employees and customers in this large metro area, have wide-ranging views from all sides of the spectrum.
 
If you think the knife is borderline, you could make it a point to always open it with two hands. It would be perceived as less threatening if someone does see it.
 
You're just going to have to look around pay attention.

Start smallish and work your way up.

I live in Portland Oregon. Extremely liberal but very knife friendly. If no one has commented poorly on your dragonfly than it's probably fine.
 
If you have had no issues with your Dragonfly, I doubt a small seb would raise any more eyebrows. But I would chime in one vote for a nice slipjoint. I recently converted from one handers and got a GEC 92 wharncliffe. A really nice 3 inch blade with micarta; simple and small, but able to do almost anything my sage 2 can at the same length. Very practical, and workplace friendly. Then again, I don't own a CRK (yet) and if that is what you want, I would satisfy that particular urge. Good luck in whatever you choose.
 
After perusing through my employer's handbook, pocket knives are permitted. Again, as I stated, I dont think the small Sebenza will cause any issues at all, I was just looking for other's thoughts.
 
I used to carry carry a couple knives at work; a folder and my company-provided "blue knife" (electrician's knife). when I moved into an office job, the folder had to go, but I kept the blue knife...until that was perceived as a potentially dangerous weapon (although the snips were fine). I tried to argue that it was a company-issued tool and infinitely more safe than using snips/scissors to open boxes.


in a different office and get by with an R.U.T., now.
 
Aren't some of the smaller SAK's about as friendly as you can get?

Someday a manufacturer will put a big happy face on a knife to assuage the sensitive. Or maybe Oprah's mugshot.
 
First, one thing I love about knives is they are fundamentally apolitical. Like almost everything, they can be politicized, but I'm racking my brain to come up with a single constructive conversation I've ever witnessed or participated in where the injection of politics (into an apolitical subject, such as nature) led to a more productive discourse. Bottom line: Knives are an ancient tool which transcend the boundaries we love to create between one another based on race, creed, sex, age, ideology, or whatever. And they cut right through the "us vs. them" paradigm, since everyone uses them.

Second (on topic), I work in a small law office and carry a small CF Sebenza. That's not exactly the same situation as the OP, but this particular knife is pretty non-threatening and fairly elegant. I use it (with a fair amount of discretion,) when I need to. It's a tool, and when reasonable people see you using a tool as a tool, there's no cause for alarm, discomfort, or intolerance.
 
If you are looking for alternatives, then I highly recommend a nice slip joint. You can get a tremendously well-made custom slip joint for the same cost as a Sebenza. They are fun to handle, classy as hell, and a joy to use. Pop over to the traditionals forum for ideas--I have a Davison that is dressy and sweet, better made than a Sebenza and easily up to anything one would do with a Seb. And then there are others that are less dressy, more outdoorsy in my pocket--a Keith Johnson Sodbuster, Joel Chamblin Hiker--or anything GEC would be awesome too.

DJK
 
No matter where I have worked I always thought it best to not allow others to see me with knives. Even as a cop I didn't because someone tried to borrow it and you know how that can end up.

If you carry one openly make sure it's the same exact model Albert Einstein carried. How could anyone complain about that where you work?
 
I've gotten "weapon" remarks about my Dragonfly, yet an Alox Soldier (longer blade), is OK. The Soldier has gotten "nice knife, and "it's so cool that you eat with your pocket knife" comments. SAKs get a pass just about everywhere but the TSA.
 
SAKs, traditionals, or a multi-tools seem to be the most generally accepted (ie. they go unnoticed) in my experience. Modern style knives, regardless of size, are going to sand out to someone.

You could also look at some that are sort of crossovers between traditional and modern, like the Kershaw DoubleCross, Case TrapperLock/CopperLock, or others.

Here's a pic of my DoubleCross:
DoubleCross_800x420.jpg
 
If you are legitimately concerned a small Victorinox folder is about the least intimidating you can get...
 
Small Sebenza is not a "friendly folder". It's pointy, it opens with one hand and it makes a click when it does so. Not unfriendly, but not friendly. SAK is friendly.

If they are concerned about you having a knife, they will probably be concerned about a small Sebenza... half an inch larger or smaller doesn't matter, neither does G10 vs titanium... just the way it goes.
 
An imperial ireland 1095 carbon steel slip joint seems like a pretty harmless looking knife to me. I even edc it to.my college. People don't mind even when.they see.it out of my pocket. But then again they do know.that l.am a pretty disciplined student.
in my opinion slip joints with 3 inch blades are probably the.most.office friendly.knives you could find
 
Consider also a Spyderco Leafstorm, it's out of production but it's not difficult to find one.

It's small, light and well built, perfect for light tasks and not much intimidating.

Otherwise, if you want to be 100% sure, just take a Mnandi....
 
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