HELP; I've lost all perspective; Sheeple Friendly ?

Wowbagger

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Sep 20, 2015
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You've all seen my Sparxx Case Trapper (maybe too much). Well here it is coming at you again.

I was cutting up an apple this morning (no action shots of that;saving those for another post . . . let the anticipation build . . .) . . . so I was marveling at it's perfectness and reflecting back to when I got my first Case Trapper (genuine stag) . . .



Back then this was quite a large knife for me. Mostly I carried medium stockmen and the Cold Steel Tuff Lite . . . Mini no less. Lots of SAKs . . . you get the picture . . . total knife wimp.

That was when I first heard the term Sheeple. Very confused people but I guess I get it. Quick example : My significant other . . . we call her The Chef here because professionally that is what she did and still is at heart. Anyway take out about any pocket knife and you can feel her flinch from across the room and get a slightly concerned look creeping slowly across her face until the dreaded instrument of mayhem and death is safely stowed away in it's iron clad and time locked cell.

Next moment she gets up and goes over to her cutting board smiling and whistling while she uses this
The top knife


Anyway she is one of if not THEE best people I have ever met.
To be fair and to quote her : "I just like to be in control".

I'm feeling a little sheepish . . .

Getting back to the point of this post. Once I got used to using the trapper and got larger knives (not including kitchen knives some how those don’t count) . . . now the Trapper seems pretty normal or small ish. Now it’s like “Well all I have on me is this little Military but I suppose it will work . . .” (hahaha think Holdout I). I’m kidding of course but you know/see how it is



Got that little excursion out of the way.

Bottom line : Do you find the Case Trapper to be Sheeple friendly ? ? ?

Does it matter that it is white ? hahahahah (stupid question right ??? . . . but . . . most all the Case knives with Christian symbols/quotes on them are white . . . so . . . it just follows . . .

heck I DON’T KNOW ! . . . like I said I have lost all perspective.

The last comment I got was when I took out a Manix LW and the guy said I didn’t realize the BOWIE was a standard tool for a job like this.

Would the Trapper have helped to calm his panic or just profiled me as an old fart terrorist ?
 
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People like that typically find anything other than a tiny SAK "scary". For some reason folks think knives are weapons when, in fact, for 99% of us it is a tool.
 
People's reactions to pocket knives are subjective and significantly depend on venue and usage.

A Case Trapper is a big pocket knife in an indoors urban setting. The white handles on yours just make it more noticeable.
 
A Case Trapper is a big pocket knife in an indoors urban setting.
I agree

The white handles on yours just make it more noticeable.
I agree

The Case Trapper is in no way a big knife. If you let other people's reactions determine what you carry, you'll probably wind up not carrying anything at all.
I agree

crap
 
Considering all the recent tragic news from across the pond whereby evil people have used and continue using knives to inflict severe injuries / cause deaths, those none-knife affectionados aka "sheeple" have a cause, albeit benign in 99.9% of cases, to become nervous around sharp and shiny blades. Not trying to make this into a political discussion, but just saying that the current popular news is not the most favorable toward us the knife nutz!
 
Look - the only time it is an issue is if you are using a pocket knife in someone's sight and there is some sort of prohibition in place that you are violating. A law or workplace rule, for example.

Otherwise just use your knife for whatever you need it for and put it away when done.

If someone says something just ignore the comment and finish your cutting task and put the knife up as usual.
 
Transference and counter transference - We all carry associations to our own past interactions. Those thoughts are subjective and limited.

I can't smell Jack Daniels without thinking of all the hangovers. Maybe she can't see a knife further than her own understanding.

Either way, if it is legal enjoy it but I warn you, these post turn quickly into "I know more than you" threads. There was one that went on and on on cutting food in public a while back.

Just saying, do you really care of the opinions here on this topic? Or are you just wanting to feel safe with your trapper?
 
Considering all the recent tragic news from across the pond whereby evil people have used and continue using knives to inflict severe injuries / cause deaths, those none-knife affectionados aka "sheeple" have a cause, albeit benign in 99.9% of cases, to become nervous around sharp and shiny blades. Not trying to make this into a political discussion, but just saying that the current popular news is not the most favorable toward us the knife nutz!

Perhaps my post is in bad taste. I apologize if it is. Didn't realize people had been hurt that way.
I did not read the news about the bridge. I just couldn't yet. Too close to home; a lot of my recent customers are from England and many from London. I just assumed it was more yo-yos who wished they had been born a fire work. (explosives).
Sorry can't give up the dark humor. It's the only way I can cope.
 
In my opinion (this just might be because of my location) it is sheeple friendly, to some degree. Granted, the white is more noticeable. However, the white has an advantage, which is not looking ''tactical'' like a black colored knife might. It is also a slipjoint, so you use two hands to open it, slowly. It isn't a knife you can flick open making a loud click, earning a lot of attention. It doesn't have a sharp point, and to me reminds of a harmless butter knife. It's grandpa's knife, a none threatening thing he cut his apples with. That is way I think it is sheeple friendly.

I do see how people would fear a knife regardless of how it looks.
 
Had the words "dangerous weapon" used to describe my Boker Nano.

Echoing what others have said, you can change the perception of your cutting instrument by choices of size, color, blade shape (ie, karambits have a better chance of being perceived in a negative fashion [citation needed]), and blade finish. Apparently, the speed with which you deploy your knife also goes a long way toward changing other people's feelings (slow is "safe").

But there will always be at least one who thinks "knife is bad".

Kitchen knives, SAKs, and multi-tools seem largely exempt from this, although I suppose that a kitchen knife which has left the kitchen may also get some sideways looks.
 
No need to apologize OP! It didn't bother me as I was merely drawing your attention to as to why some people feel uncomfortable. I can't fathom that there are too many mall ninja type of knife users around here on the BFC, so like everyone else says, know your laws and use your tools like they are supposed to be used and if someone asks, just give them the honest and true answer in a matter-of-fact manner and you should be fine.
 
Just saying, do you really care of the opinions here on this topic? Or are you just wanting to feel safe with your trapper?

Mostly I'm blabbing about pocket knives in a knife forum on a Sunday.
Translation doing nothing . . . consciously . . .

Yes I like to hear views from across the country and around the world.
Truth be told I would't carry the Holdout to work without a smaller knife with me.
and . . . it wouldn't be as interesting if there weren't people who disagreed with me or commented on my knife when I took it out to use. (not the Holdout; would only use that behind the scenes; talking Trapper length only),

Heck I comment on the Brits accents when they take them out to use and try to place them.
They don't hear it and comment on my accent. Being born in Colorado I feel I have about the least accent an American can have but they say nah you just don't hear it.

yes if this thread gets all out of control lets lock it I say.
 
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If I need a knife I'm going to use it discreetly as possible. But I'm still going to use it. I find the ones that carry nowadays have a little bit of color in the handles. Like the blue paramilitary 2. The benchmade 940-1501 with a little bit of blue in it. The seb 21 is just classy.

If someone pulls out a cold steel talwar to open up some mail in the office. I think the shock response from colleagues is justified.

To answer your question, I don't think any traditionals really have a threatening feel about them.

ALso,
The whole black handles, black blade tactical etc. has just been done to death. In other words, so many cheap companies have marketed this style of knives as commando, get em', shoot em', hide in jungle, style knives that the average citizen basically associates one handed folders with a threat of violence.

It's our job as members here, to reinforce The handiness of the knife and show people how much of a valuable tool these things can be .
 
Boker Nano

Whoa !
I don't see any buffalo around here that needs skinin' !
What do you need THAT for ? ? ? ?
:) :) :)
 
Size doesn't matter as much as the way a knife looks. I've had people ask me stupid questions like, "Who you going to murder with that thing?" when I pulled out my Dragonfly because of the big scary spydie hole. In front of one of those very same people I pulled out a much larger fixed blade with dyed burl scales and they were absolutely gushing over, "what a pretty knife" it was.

Sak's and traditionals get a pass from most people, they're even more likely to get a pass if they have something like stag scales or a damascus blade. Aesthetics are important.
 
Where I live in a suburban setting in So. Cali, I can still open carry what I want to without any prohibitions by the local laws outside of schools, Gov. offices, courts, yada, yada. That said, I am sure that 99.9% of the civvies plus a few good folks at our local sheriffs dept are oblivious to those laws which are on the books and are to my favor! That said, I have no need to carry whatever it is which I own on my on a daily basis. A lot of what I own are wickedly sharp and some are large blades which only serve their full intended utilitarian purposes while hunting, fishing, camping, wood prep, outdoors type of activities.

I also own CRKs, Spyderco Millies and I tend to carry some of these larger EDC folders on me very discreetly when out and about in the back trails with my dog, as at times we have brazen coyotes lurking around who can become aggressive if in a gaggle. Having something on me despite that German Shepherd is better than none! As for coffee shop duties and cutting apples, I only use my SAK trusted 20 something year old serrated Delica 1. Never, ever had an issue with those but if the more "tactical" knives were being used as tools of the trade (I am not a tradesman) then I would have no issues carrying / using them in my daily life. Other than that, I happily devour cardboard boxes, compressed wood at home without raising the hair on the back of my neighbors :D
 
Size doesn't matter as much as the way a knife looks. I've had people ask me stupid questions like, "Who you going to murder with that thing?" when I pulled out my Dragonfly because of the big scary spydie hole. In front of one of those very same people I pulled out a much larger fixed blade with dyed burl scales and they were absolutely gushing over, "what a pretty knife" it was.

Sak's and traditionals get a pass from most people, they're even more likely to get a pass if they have something like stag scales or a damascus blade. Aesthetics are important.

Spydie hole . . . intersting.

yes I agree about how quick it is opened and how certain shapes can trigger negative reaction.
 
Sorry I'm still getting used to the new forum formats.
I guess I've been lucky to grow up in the Midwest where most men and many women carry a kinfe and to us they are tools. And even those who don't carry accept they are useful tools. I've never had anyone give me funny looks or make comments about carrying or using a knife in public. But I'm sure if I carried a huge "tacticool" knife that may change.
I think the only thing we can do is carry and use within our lawful regulations and simply explain its a tool if the situation arises.
I understand some fears as there are alot of crazy things happening in our world nowdays ... but I think most reasonable people can understand use of a tool ... as long as we are respectful and use a bit of common sense.
 
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