Gear Choice: "Sheeple Friendly" a Factor ?

Pointshoot777

Pointshoot777

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Joined
Feb 16, 2001
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Hi guys - - Ive been thinking about my gear & I've gotta admit that the 'political correctness' factor sometimes comes into play. :rolleyes: For example, I'm now looking at hatchets/small axes. There are large knives that can do some of the jobs that a hatchet can do, but I would be less willing to carry such a knife under many situations just because some people that I meet along the trail might be intimidated by them. I also avoid gear that looks 'tactical'. (O.K. - - I'm a single guy & I don't want to scare women hikers ! ;) ) At other times - such as when I'm in a remote area or hunting - it doesn't matter. Fewer chances of running into someone else & those I might meet likely won't care what I carry & might have the same kinda gear. Has the political correctness factor influenced some of your outdoor gear choices ? Regards, - -
 
In a sense - I am a bit of a survivalist and as such I like to have gear that blends into the background, so that I am not a noticeable target.

On the other hand, I'm also a bit of a libertarian and I can get a bit scrappy about the whole "I have a right to look however I damn well like" thing.

I carry a 4" mora on me every day. That's mildy unusual here in Vancouver. I'm also a big tattooed guy in a work clothes and a cowboy hat, which is probably equally unusual. So I guess I like the idea of the grey man system, but I'm probably too much of a show-off to ever seriously attempt it.

That's the trouble with being both misanthropic and extroverted...you only want to be left alone, but you need to interact with other people all the time!

I'll tell you what has really kept me away from a lot of "tactical" gear: it's not suited to what I want to do, and it's really expensive.

I could never bring myself to spend Strider money on a knife that's basically a stabbing stick. A slab of metal with a tanto grind, with string for a handle? I'm sure that would be just great for stabbing somebody but I'm really not a frequent stabber so I can't afford to have a dedicated killing knife.

A few weeks ago I went to check out a new backpack to carry my EDC gear. Initially I thought about a big Camelbak or Maxpedition, but man, at around $150 I really couldn't bring myself to spend the money. Then I went to MEC, and bought a cycle commuting pack. 25 liters, panel access with compression straps, super well built. Huge zippers, waterproof, comfortable as hell. I bought it for something like forty dollars, and I have no regrets. And it doesn't make me look crazy walking around with it.
 
I steer away from tactical gear, because when on public land hikes you would draw way to much attention.....all of my gear is in green,brown colors so I blend in but don't look like rambo....I enjoy meeting people on the trail and they would run the other way if I looked like I was playing army in the woods....my mora stays on my belt and big knife in my pack
 
The biggest reason to avoid "tactical" gear is to avoid getting ridiculed.

I gotta say, as a city boy, I've never had any of the so called "sheeple" (Jeesus h christ, I hate that condescending term!) reaction. I've found that nobody will give you any grief when you use an appropriate tool for a job. And if you go around carrying a ridiculous piece of gear, whether it's a kukri, sawed off shotgun, or patent leather stiletto pumps you will likely get unwanted attention. End of story.
 
If you appear to be a threat to someone, it will automatically change their posture and the way they deal w/ you. The people who have the best ability to help you will probably be the ones least likely to approve of a person playing Rambo.

Here is something. Dogs have what people call nerve. It is their ability to tolerate the stress of things around them. That is why some dogs are constantly biting and barking, and why some that are bred for protection are so quiet. Dogs w/ no nerve go on the aggresive as a first response, while those with lots of it have the time to study the situation and choose the proper response.

People, I think, are similiar. Those that walk around trying to ooze aggresion are hoping that their bluff will work. The ones that they intimidate weren't going to be much help to them, and the ones they cannot intimidate see right through them, and think less of them for it.

If it helps, realize that being PC takes strength, to change a manner of dress or action, but that you go to these lengths in order to get the most out of your dealings with others.
 
People notice far more than you think they do.
They have their prejudices and fears that come
with them on the trail or in the parking lot.
Wannabe LEO's and neighborhood-watch types
are the worst, but everyone notices these things,
it is natural.

Military or tactical gear is especially noticed.
Some people actually recoil at the sight (thought) of it.

Too much gear or a large pack on a non-camping
trail is noticed.

Dirty or greasy clothing or hair is noticed.

Occasionally, a lone woman or woman with a child,
walking on a bike path can be seen to visibly stiffen
and speed up or slow down to avoid a single man.
This happens when there is no gear or odd looking
clothing. Now add some clothing or gear that reminds
someone of military, burned out veteran, wannabe,
homeless in a field jacket, etc., they react even more.

The fact that people do notice and react, is not
always obvious, but if you have not seen any of their
reactions, you aint been watchin.

Carry large implements in your pack.
 
Your question is about gear, and I always say don;t worry about it. If you're trying to look like Rambo, then you're probably going to turn people "off". And, if you're trying to look like Rambo, then your intent is not to be prepared but, rather, impress people.

On the other hand, if you're trying to go camping, hiking, or survival practicing, and you're not trying to look like anyone but yourself, then buy what you need and you'll threaten nobody.... no matter what gear you're carrying.

"Sheeple" is a reasonable term. I wouldn;t be so brash as to imply, Shecky, that you are a sheeple (I don;t know you), but generally speaking, it shouldn;t bother anyone who isn't. It refers to those who are scared of being honest; who butter up statements with qualifiers so as to cover every base and never offend a soul; who depend on the government or someone else to take care of them; etc etc. It's not only a reasonable term, in my opinion, but it's also reasonably accurate.
 
I noticed this yesterday me and my wife took a hiking trail at a nearby state park that we have taken before. We usually go about 4 miles in build a small fire have lunch enjoy the woods and the lake for a couple of hours then head in before dark. I normally carry a RAT-3 or spyderco temperance on my belt and a becker necker around my neck, neither one got a second look. Right now Im testing new gear I have bought for an upcoming weeklong canoe trip. I had a Becker BK-7 attached to my belt and people were obviously made somewhat uncomfortable by it until we got farther down the trail away from the sheeple. The rest of the serious outdoors people farther down the trail complimented the knife and said it was a good choice. I do tend to carry more military type gear because as a veteran that is what I am most familiar with. I tend to wear more sheeple friendly clothing to make up for the foliage green pack. Some people on this very rocky trail were out there in flip flops, we stopped on the way back in to help patch up a woman's foot that she had cut on a rock. The point is the sheeple seem to look at us prepared and well equipped folks rather strangely but when something happens they like having us there.
 
Pointshoot777 said:
Has the political correctness factor influenced some of your outdoor gear choices ? Regards, - -
Click to expand...

No sir, But I dont carry a 9" knife. I've allways used an axe, and never had any one look twice, though I cant say about a large knife, I dont think there would be to much of a problem if the knife was on your pack, not your belt.
 
On a typical day, in the woods or not, I carry a becker necker, a gerber task light led flashlight, a leatherman wave, a fire kit, a Smith & Wesson 357, and 12 spare rounds in a Bianchi speed strips, all of this is concealed on my person. I don't think I am a sheeple, actually just about the opposite, but if I am on a local trail and see someone dressed tactically with a large knife strapped to his thigh I would tend to watch them more closely or give them a wider berth than someone in Columbia sportswear and no large knife displayed. I think it is a simple fact of life in the country and time we live in, openly displaying items that could be construed as weapons is not a common, or accepted behavior, regardless if those items are useful for something other than a weapon. So I for one tend to conceal my pointy or dangerous items and do not openly display them. Chris
 
Good topic. I got a big sheeple stink-eye on my morning dog walk today :grumpy: . I hapened to be murdering a tall weed( not a very sheeple friendly activity :D ) and some girl yakking on her cell phone walked by.
She stopped talking and started walking faster. I usually only do my mall ninja activities when no one is looking but I got caught off gaurd :)

:grumpy: my favorite place to walk my dog has recently been turned into a disc-golf course :eek: :barf: so now its infested with frisbee chucking hippies:mad:

....so the answer is yes. Sheeple friendliness does affect my gear, at least for my edc. on camps/hikes in less populated areas Ill carry whatever I like.
 
runningboar said:
I think it is a simple fact of life in the country and time we live in, openly displaying items that could be construed as weapons is not a common, or accepted behavior, regardless if those items are useful for something other than a weapon.
Click to expand...

And that is the unfortunate truth. Though, here in canada Its best to have what you have openly, rather then concealed. Police here frown apon anything in pockets and whatnot, Plus sense Im in northern canada, I can tell you one thing, There are alot more people carrying alot bigger knives then me :D

If I were in a "countryess" setting, I wouldn't worry about carrying things on your belt, though leaving the larger things on the pack would be a good idea. But around town, what people cant see on you, wont hurt them. (I hope)
 
Most of my gear is military, since that is what I used in the service, and that's what I'm comfortable with. I take what I feel is appropriate, and don't really care what "sheeple" or anyone else thinks. Thus far, no one has seen fit to comment yet. Not that it would matter anyway....
 
Seems to me that sensitivity to surroundings and other people is a good survival atribute. I would want to blend in well if things were really falling apart. You could carry quite an arsenal in an attache case or a gym bag and not get a second look, where a surplus pack or a Maxpedition will attract attention. I think a good civilian day pack like an REI or North Face carried casually over one shoulder blends in well. Jeans and sneakers, a decent rain parka and a ball cap will make you look like Joe Normal. Bag the NRA patches-- be generic.

More to the point of your question, I pick and use my EDC to be more sheeple friendly, but the big wilderness stuff is in my pack-- I don't want a big knife slapping me on the leg and catching brush. If I were doing something riskier, like stream crossing, I might switch things around so I'm not nekkid if I lose my pack. I think something like a 4" knife in a sheath should be reasonable when hiking.

As to the term "sheeple" it is stereotyping and condescending, but it does describe the behavior of a lot of people towards knives, guns, hunting, etc. I knew exactly what it meant the first time I saw it in print-- and I laughed too. You could say, "head in the sand" and hit the same nerve.
 
I make it a point to not wear more than one item of camouflage. :D When we're out for a hike I carry a 4" belt knife openly, and haven't gotten any dirty looks, even though you could say it's "tactical-looking" (black synthetic sheath and handle). The big stuff stays at camp if it's a couple-hours kind of stroll. I think it's a reasonable compromise. Discretion is the better part of valor; when I do carry a big knife I make sure it's out of sight, haven't had any eyebrows raised doing that, either.
 
I myself carry the Fallkniven U2 and a Leatherman Fuse all the time. Most people know that and they also know that I am a knifenut :)
Maybe its easier in a small town where everyone knows everyone than in a big city.
Here you can look like a hobo and carry gadgets back and forth and noone cares because they know the person behind that crazy look.
Well, when its hunting season or weekend about one out of ten is carrying knives at the grocery store anyway and noone cares, maybe its because its things like Fallkniven F1 and puukkus.
I guess people wouldnt care even in the big city if you look decent and behave properly.
 
yeah i would say for me it is a big factor on what i carry each day. If i am going to work(i work in a knife shop) i load up on 3-4 differnt knives (ag russel featherlight, al mar sere, kershaw scallion, camillus med boot knife) But say if im going to university or out with the fiance i might only carry the scallion as it is a very small sheeple friendly knife that is not intimidating at all...
 
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