Have people reacted to your knife with shock or fear?

[Ankerson]

Uh, what?

I think they ment it's better to be more conservative than to throw it in peoples faces.

If people throw things in others faces the reactions won't usually be very positive...

Sometimes it's better to think of others before we think of ourselves.

 

[stabman]

I think they ment it's better to be more conservative than to throw it in peoples faces.

Maybe.
But I've found that those who are so concerned that no one sees them use their knife end up looking way more suspicious.
I know a guy who looks all around furtively the whole time he has the knife out of the pocket...and it looks weird.
I pull it out, use it, and put it away like a normal fellow. It gets no odd reactions pretty much ever, because I'm not acting all squirrely.

On the other hand, those who brandish their knife like they're going to destroy the attacking ninja-zombie hordes make every knife owner look like a dork...on that I'll always agree.

 

[davek14]

I just think it is easier to duck than to fight. And, in the long run, that may have the most positive impact.

Uh, what?

I probably did not put that well.

I love my tactical knives, and they are a joy to toy with. When I have to work the warehouse at work I have a one-hand opening (and closing) knife on my belt and it is a great asset in the job.

Still, if I am going to a more general public event I might choose a slipjoint or an Opinel. I don't hide its use. I just pick a more non-threatening knife.

I'm saying that more harmless appearing use of more traditional looking knives may acclimate the public to them and kind of counteract the "9-11" stigma.

It's anyones right to use any knife allowed by law. There is no argument there. I used to carry my liner lock in a belt pouch most places.

 

[glockednlocked]

I had a funny one the other day. Went to pick up feed at the local feed mill(ofcourse truth is they have not run the mill in years all the feed comes in bagged on pallets) I was helping the kid load my feed and rather than drop the pallet in the truck I said "lets throw the bags off into the truck that pallet looks kinda top heavy". After a sour look from the kid for having to do manual labor he said he had to go get scissors to cut the shrink rap. I said no problem I got it and waved out my Emerson roadhouse and started cutting the wrap. This kid about wet himself and just whimpers "what is that a bowie knife" I about fell over laughing. This was a feed mill for God sake. That kid was a grain packer not a starbucks barrista

 

[Ankerson]

I had a funny one the other day. Went to pick up feed at the local feed mill(ofcourse truth is they have not run the mill in years all the feed comes in bagged on pallets) I was helping the kid load my feed and rather than drop the pallet in the truck I said "lets throw the bags off into the truck that pallet looks kinda top heavy". After a sour look from the kid for having to do manual labor he said he had to go get scissors to cut the shrink rap. I said no problem I got it and waved out my Emerson roadhouse and started cutting the wrap. This kid about wet himself and just whimpers "what is that a bowie knife" I about fell over laughing. This was a feed mill for God sake. That kid was a grain packer not a starbucks barrista

That kid should have had some kind of knife or even a utility knife on him working there, interesting that he didn't have anything.

 

[Phydeaux]

I was at a swim meet and saw a girl (mid teens) with her dad. She was having problems getting a tag off a sweatshirt she had just gotten. Plastic connector wasn't breaking very easily. I was afraid that the fabric would get ripped or damaged.

I said "Here, let me cut off the tag for you so you don't rip your swear shirt." They said "OK." Opened my Tenacious with two hands, held it by the blade so it looked like a smaller knife and cut the tag. I got a thank you and they were on their way. Neither the girl or her father looked at me funny of appeared frightened. i was wearing flip-flops (can't call 'em thongs anymore), a T shirt and a pair of old faded camo pants.

Ric

 

[Hacked]

If one wouldn't pull out a gun in the situations then they should leave that knife in their pocket also because most people view them as the same thing in today's society.

Hard to believe you have that view as a knife user a knife is a TOOL that can be used as a weapon a gun is a WEAPON that can NOT be used as a tool. I don't carry for SD so if I went by this rule there would be no point in me owning a knife.
*

People dress like crap around my area, look like complete bums, cargo shorts and flip flops just about every place I look, look like a bum and people will think you are a bum and then pull out a knife and they get what they get......

What's wrong with flip flops and cargo shorts? Maybe it's because I live near the beach but never seen a problem with either. Can't stand kids with their pants around their ankles though.

 

[NJWHN95]

Not to long ago I was at the dentist and my edc, nothing more than a swiss army knife (hardly to be considered a weapon since it dosen't even have a locking blade) fell out of my pocket. The lady cleaning my teeth said "Oh! Your, ummm, jack-knife feel out of your pocket." She stared at it and seemed very scared of it.

I'm very careful to not to let people see my knife. I hate this because quite honestly if people didn't frown upon it I would feel much more prepared if I could carry a esee on my belt, and maybe a couple other smaller blades as well. But of course thats a little like carrying a pistol on your side. It's sad so many people neglect the importance of knives.

 

[Ankerson]

Hard to believe you have that view as a knife user a knife is a TOOL that can be used as a weapon a gun is a WEAPON that can NOT be used as a tool. I don't carry for SD so if I went by this rule there would be no point in me owning a knife.
*


What's wrong with flip flops and cargo shorts? Maybe it's because I live near the beach but never seen a problem with either. Can't stand kids with their pants around their ankles though.

You have to think about how OTHERS SEE THE KNIFE....... Not how YOU SEE IT...


On the beach I have no problem, other than that it's total scum bum.. People too lazy to put some real clothes on or shoes for that matter...

I have seen people dress better out of thrift shops for less than $10...

 

[Bo T]

I had a funny one the other day. Went to pick up feed at the local feed mill(ofcourse truth is they have not run the mill in years all the feed comes in bagged on pallets) I was helping the kid load my feed and rather than drop the pallet in the truck I said "lets throw the bags off into the truck that pallet looks kinda top heavy". After a sour look from the kid for having to do manual labor he said he had to go get scissors to cut the shrink rap. I said no problem I got it and waved out my Emerson roadhouse and started cutting the wrap. This kid about wet himself and just whimpers "what is that a bowie knife" I about fell over laughing. This was a feed mill for God sake. That kid was a grain packer not a starbucks barrista

When kids get suspended for taking a plastic butter knifes to school it helps to foster an unhealthy fear of knives in them. I've seen this in kids and young adults before.

 

[Dragan]

I tend to carry a FB more often than a folder...most often a Spydie Street Beat in a pocket sheath in my right rear pocket. There's no "Ninja" flipping involved, and I never draw it unless there is something that immediately needs cutting. I've had people react curiously, and have been asked more than once where I was carrying that "huge knife", since it's VERY inconspiuous. I've never had anyone recoil in fear from it, although I've seen that reaction many times with a smaller folder that was opened with a snap and brandished like World War III was about to break out.
I agree, it's all in the presentation. The fact that I'm a Grandfather probably has something to do with it too ;^)

 

[jimnolimit]

i very rarely get negative feedback when i use my knife but i did a few days ago. i was at variety store and i saw they had a bicycle taillight, so i bought one and a pack of batteries. i wanted to test out the light at the store just in case it didn't work. you have to pop the cover off the light to install the batteries and i was having trouble (i have very short nails). the woman behind the counter tried and couldn't open it either, so i take the light back and tell her to hold on "i'll do it". i take out my M4 manix2 and use the knife to pop the cover off. the woman makes a gasp sound and says "what a dangerous knife", without skipping a beat i reply "you sell bigger knives right there" (pointing to the showcase with kitchen knives and cleavers, 10 feet from the counter). she says "but those are for the house" and i say "my knife is for everywhere" with a smile. i tested the light and as i was leaving, i told her "thanks, have a goodnight".

 

[salguod]

Good story and I have to agree with you. On the other hand, you have to admit that my Dragonfly would have handled the task nicely. So would a Ladybug or a small SAK. Just saying, you rarely NEED a large blade in town. I keep my EDC under 2 1/2 inches just in case I enter a federal building (my wife is a fed) or a school (I have two kids). Granted, it is unlikely that anyone would challenge my blade. But why carry more than I need? I save my bigger knives for the trail.

 

[Poez]

Not to long ago I was at the dentist and my edc, nothing more than a swiss army knife (hardly to be considered a weapon since it dosen't even have a locking blade) fell out of my pocket. The lady cleaning my teeth said "Oh! Your, ummm, jack-knife feel out of your pocket." She stared at it and seemed very scared of it...

Well, some people are just sarcastic, or seeing you having a knife instantly believe that you are sort of mentally challenged and get patronizing - like you are 10 year old: "O what a big scary knife you have! boy..." and look appropriately scared.
That is why I am always quite cautious using a knife in public and do not carry nice big knives - for I will not be able to use them around people without feeling absolutely stupid and people laughing at me. Yea I am a "city boy" and do not have some grizzly to fight every day - so with big knife I would really feel like a grown-up boy who refuses to leave his favorite toy home amusing people around and making his parents feel funny...

 

[Spongebobby]

Nope. Here in Missouri you can walk into your VFW and whip out a knife to cut a burger in half ( Not that reall men need to unless sharing with their honeys) and anywhere from an 80 year old man, to a 14 year old girl will whip hers out and start comparing pocket knives.

 

[jimnolimit]

Also, something I think that is very important is how the person with the knife handles the situation. I always act calm and respectful, trying to leave a positive impression with the other person. People who act fearful or negatively toward knives got that point of view somewhere. If i can make that short interaction positive they might start viewing knives as useful tools and knife carriers as nice people.

 

[jimnolimit]

Good story and I have to agree with you. On the other hand, you have to admit that my Dragonfly would have handled the task nicely. So would a Ladybug or a small SAK. Just saying, you rarely NEED a large blade in town. I keep my EDC under 2 1/2 inches just in case I enter a federal building (my wife is a fed) or a school (I have two kids). Granted, it is unlikely that anyone would challenge my blade. But why carry more than I need? I save my bigger knives for the trail.

In that instance a small knife or even a screwdriver would have worked, but those options weren't avaliable at the time. most of my EDC knives are bigger (3.0"-3.75" blades). Not only do find blades in the 3.5" range more useful (overall), I also have fairly large hands and smaller knives aren't that comfortable for me to use.

 

[Spydiefan04]

^^ I just noticed you're in Raleigh. Man I love that place. Anyway, I really think it would help the situation at least a little bit, if everyone cut the tactical crap. And also, I can't see why carrying a highly tactical knife is any more useful than a SAK, Opinel, or Stockman. Many people have fond memories of these knives and some people even complement them, even if they aren't knife people.

Excellent point. I used to alternate my EDC between a FRN Spyderco Endura serrated and a plain edged stainless handled Spyderco Police. My "small" non-tactical pocket knife was a large 4 1/4" Case CV Stockman. No one ever said a word to me, but I got a lot of funny looks, especially for the Police. As I have aged a bit I now usually carry either a Victorinox Spartan or most often a small 3 1/4" stockman. I have been able to do anything I really need to do with my new smaller EDC knives and I get complements and questions about where to buy such a knife instead of dirty looks.

 

[ineptspelr]

I was outside a UPS store and a lady outside was trying to open a package with her fingernails and was having trouble due to the tape being reinforced with string. I was on my way to drop off a package and stopped to open a very small knife, offered it to her hilt first and said something like "Here, use this."

She gave me an abject look of disgust and incomprehension and sneered "Why do you carry a... KNIFE?!?" and then just continued to give me the evil eye until I put my keychain knife away, picked my package back up, and walked into the UPS store.

This incident may be one of the most surreal I've had as an illustration of the a fundamental difference between the hick and country folk I grew up with and the suburban flatlanders that I now associate with.

 

[jimnolimit]

a lady outside was trying to open a package with her fingernails and was having trouble due to the tape being reinforced with string.

She gave me an abject look of disgust and incomprehension and sneered "Why do you carry a... KNIFE?!?"

my polite answer for that is "because using fingernails to open a package doesn't seem to work very well". if the person acts like an ass after i was polite, then they get the impolite answer .