Every once and a while, I'll get people staring when I go into a Walmart or what-have-you. Most of the time however, people hardly notice. I feel the reason that they hardly notice, is because I don't give them a reason to. That said, I feel I should mention that I carry a 5.5" cutting surface FB for SD. I realize that this is a big taboo to some people, but before you start throwing the "you're ruining our ability to carry knives!" argument, let me explain:
Here in Oregon, you're legally allowed to open-carry any length knife. You cannot conceal carry any kind of blade, and we don't have a Concealed Weapons License, only a Concealed Handgun License. That said, I choose not to carry a handgun for my own reasons, that I don't feel I should have to explain here. Also, I don't carry any-kind of folding assisted opening blade for other reasons, again, that I don't feel I should have to explain. So my alternative, was a fixed blade for SD (which I happen to prefer to folders anyway, but that's a different topic).
At this point, I feel I should mention that I just ordered 2 SAKs for my everyday knife needs. One tiny one for the keychain, and one for my pocket that's a little larger. So I carry two totally different styles of knives, each suited for their respective tasks. I'm not about to pull my 5.5" blade from it's sheath on my belt to open a box, it's just unnecessary. If I need to do this task or something simliar, my SAK will work just fine. However, if I need to defend either myself or my loved ones, the SAK most likely isn't going to do the job I need in that situation, hence the FB.
The rule that I operate by for my FB, is that unless I see a gun or a knife in the hands of my assailant, my own knife isn't going to leave it's sheath. I have no training in terms of firing a handgun, nor have I taken any classes, but I treat my knife like I'd imagine anyone who carries a handgun treats their weapon. If it's got to leave it's holster/sheath, it's because the situation has become such that I am fearing for my life enough to take another human beings' life to survive. I've had a few people ask if they can see my knife and my answer is always a polite "no". When they ask me "why not?", I ask them if they'd be asking to see my .45 if I were carrying one of those instead. I've yet to have a person say that they would.
I've read through this entire thread and the few things I've noticed that I think bear repeating are thus:
-Keep in mind your appearance when you're deciding what blades to carry for the day. If you look scary, suddenly any tool you're using is going to look scary
-Don't use too much knife for the task. If you're opening boxes, cutting string, repairing things, ect.; chances are, a SAK or similar length blade could do the job.
-Keep in mind the type of knife that you have. If you're using an assisted opening folder and it's not necessary for the cool sounding "flick" noise, or you can use both hands to open it, why not do so? I'm not saying hide it under the table and open it, but at the same time, there's no reason to make a big elaborate motion and sound when all you're doing is cutting some tape.
-Exercise common courtesy when you've got a weapon or even a potential weapon (in the case of SAKs, for example) that can take a human life. This is quite possibly the most important thing I feel should be relayed to anyone considering carrying a knife. It's probably the reason that it was possible for people to carry knives as much as they did "back in the day" without an issue, as well as the reason we have such problems with them now. I'm not saying that you need to cater to anyone's fears, or ignorance at all. I'm saying be courteous to the fact that they have the right to react however they want, just as much as you have the right to carry said weapon. The best you can do is like someone else already mentioned in this thread, have a response ready in case people give you that classic "Why do you carry a knife!?" line. Wether that's a witty one-liner, or something to educate them further, probably the worst thing you can do is react to their negativity, with your own brand. It doesn't do anyone any good in the long or the short term, so why do it?
