How can we promote a positive image of knives?

What is wrong with weapons? What's wrong with defending your self when threatened? Too many sheeple too scared and ignorant to defend them self and their right to do so. I am tired bending over backwards for these people worried about offending their narrow minded sensibilities.:barf: Tolerance works both ways.
 
mystro said:
What is wrong with weapons? What's wrong with defending your self when threatened? Too many sheeple too scared and ignorant to defend them self and their right to do so.
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Nothing is wrong with weapons.
BUT, many of us carry our knives primarily as tools.
And when people start denigrating everyone who doesn't agree with them with terms such as "sheeple", is it any wonder those people would consider one a dick?
 
ono724 said:
If that is indeed the case, then having tactical looking knives shouldn't matter, but it does.
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No, it generally doesn't matter.
Just about ALL my knives would get classified as "tactical", but no one gets freaked out about me using them.
Because, regardless of my humourous screen-name, I don't go around stabbing people or acting like a dick.:)
 
mystro said:
What is wrong with weapons? What's wrong with defending your self when threatened? Too many sheeple too scared and ignorant to defend them self and their right to do so. I am tired bending over backwards for these people worried about offending their narrow minded sensibilities.:barf: Tolerance works both ways.
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I personally think carrying weapons for the expressed purpose of defending oneself should be allowed. If anything, it would make the ones up to no good easier to pick out. By outlawing the carrying of weapons, you merely force the criminal population to carry concealed or makeshift weapons. If I were to notice a gun/knuckle/dagger openly carried, I would be aware of it and watch the person for suspicious behavior. If he was carrying one anyways, but concealed, I would have no warning until said weapon is pointed at my throat.
 
stabman said:
Nothing is wrong with weapons.
BUT, many of us carry our knives primarily as tools.
And when people start denigrating everyone who doesn't agree with them with terms such as "sheeple", is it any wonder those people would consider one a dick?
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Thats o.k, I'm a big boy and can "tolerate" a few childish name calling for standing up for a basic right to be armed with a knife or side arm. I use both as a tool and a weapon when the situation calls for it. If a few squeamish people get bent out of shape if they see my pocket knife, they would loose their mind seeing my 1911 in my shoulder holster. We all need to respect our choice on the matter. The problem is society is swinging away from this mutual respect concept and forcing rules and laws on what I can or can't carry or what blade length I may carry in certain cities.


By the way.... The definition of Sheeple. I think it fits perfectly to the matter at hand.


Sheeple (a portmanteau of "sheep" and "people") is a term of disparagement, in which people are likened to sheep.
The term is often used to denote persons who voluntarily acquiesce to a perceived authority figure's suggestion without critical analysis or sufficient research to understand the ramifications of that decision. By doing so, Sheeple undermine their own individuality and may willingly give up their rights. The implication of the term is that people fallaciously appeal to authority and believe or do what they are told by perceived authority figures who they view as trustworthy. The term is generally used in a political, social, and sometimes religious sense.
 
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mystro said:
By the way.... The definition of Sheeple. I think it fits perfectly to the matter at hand.


Sheeple (a portmanteau of "sheep" and "people") is a term of disparagement,
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Which is why it has no place in constructive discussions.
 
mystro said:
What is wrong with weapons? What's wrong with defending your self when threatened? Too many sheeple too scared and ignorant to defend them self and their right to do so. I am tired bending over backwards for these people worried about offending their narrow minded sensibilities.:barf: Tolerance works both ways.
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Nothing is wrong with having or carrying weapons; it is the person that counts. Our discussion here is on how to position knives so as to make them more attractive to uninitiated. It is hard to have a dialog of any kind while there is fear. It is about how to get the message across that "I am not here to kill you, I am here to help you to open that darn box." That should come with the general understanding that there are numerous reasons to carry a knife to resolve many of the little cutting tasks that confront us evey day. The challenge for us is how to develop and promote that level of understanding.

n2s
 
mystro said:
Thats o.k, I'm a big boy and can "tolerate" a few childish name calling for standing up for a basic right to be armed with a knife or side arm. I use both as a tool and a weapon when the situation calls for it. If a few squeamish people get bent out of shape if they see my pocket knife, they would loose their mind seeing my 1911 in my shoulder holster. We all need to respect our choice on the matter. The problem is society is swinging away from this mutual respect concept and forcing rules and laws on what I can or can't carry or what blade length I may carry in certain cities.


By the way.... The definition of Sheeple. I think it fits perfectly to the matter at hand.


Sheeple (a portmanteau of "sheep" and "people") is a term of disparagement, in which people are likened to sheep.
The term is often used to denote persons who voluntarily acquiesce to a perceived authority figure's suggestion without critical analysis or sufficient research to understand the ramifications of that decision. By doing so, Sheeple undermine their own individuality and may willingly give up their rights. The implication of the term is that people fallaciously appeal to authority and believe or do what they are told by perceived authority figures who they view as trustworthy. The term is generally used in a political, social, and sometimes religious sense.
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In reality people are in general like sheep as hard as that is to except it is really fact.

We see these things in everyday life, in almost everything that people do.

Very few people can truly break out of the mold and go against the grain and when they do it's NOT very popular in many ways.

Many people believe they are different or individuals, but they really aren't because they are followers just like the majority of the population.

Most people aren't really individuals because everything they do, everything they say, the way they say it and the way they think or even ideas they think they have are just like Millions of other people in the World.

We see these things in all aspects of our daily lives if the blinders really come off and the mind is really opened up, it's all there all we have to do is really pay attention and recognize what we are really seeing.

Like the old saying goes when asked why someone did something and they say well they all did it or so in so did it or has one ect....

So that means if they all jump off the cliff then that means you would jump off the cliff too.... ;)
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Sheep or Lemmings, take your pick...
 
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Exactly - I think that many of us knife knuts carry waaaaay more knife than we need for our day-to-day lives. Try just carrying a simple SAK or a Stockman for a week or two. Our fathers and grandfathers got by without one-hand-opening-super-steel-black-coated-tacticol-looking-folders. They were fine. You'll be fine too.
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I disagree with you on this one. Sure we knife nuts carry more knife then we need. My friends that are car nuts drive way more car then they need. Another friend has a few $2K watches. I know a guy who's wife has 5,362 pairs of shoes (ok, poor example). I carry a nice 'modern' knife because I like it. I did carry a SAK from 8th grade until I was about 25 years old. Now I can afford a XM-18. Yes, it looks cool.
I'll agree that it's a good idea not to flash it or wave it around. Open it up and cut what you need (usually my kids food at resturaunts as Japanese restuaraunts often do not have knives) and then put it away. If someone gets freaked out because it makes an 'click' sound, well, that's their problem. I don't make a production of it, but if they happen to be looking at my table when I open it then they need to deal with it.
 
corwise said:
If someone gets freaked out because it makes an 'click' sound, well, that's their problem. I don't make a production of it, but if they happen to be looking at my table when I open it then they need to deal with it.
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Wrong.....

It's not their problem, it's yours and all of ours in the end or it could be...
 
Wow so much to say, some great points made by lots of wise people. Too stabman taking the higher road by trying to have a constructive dialogue while admirable doesn't work the antis among us have grown too large and too powerful. Besides those who oppose knives don't care how nice, respectful and reasonable you are or appear, their views can not and will not be changed. By and large these individuals are operating off of pure emotion with the main one being fear. Fear is a very powerful emotion which can destroy whatever is its path with reckless abandon and utter ruthlessness.

Combine this with the mind boggling ignorance of the masses today, tv, social media, speacial interest groups, political whores, lobbyist , LAWYERS, etc., and the fact that everyday I meet fewer and fewer people who are capable of analytical thought, critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Were screwed sorry.

The knife issue like the gun issue are both just microcosms based on the same underlying serious problems that have our nation in a cold civil war right now. So not to be a downer but when you look at your question from a macro perspective the awnser is profoundly disturbing. We have to reboot entire generations of people across multiple levels. Is it possible yep anything is possible but the real question is it probable, absolutely not.

One thing I need to mention. We have huge portions of entire generations of bots across all races being raised only by women. Daddy is an unknown or MIA or, well you get the point. A lot of these problems with fear and misconception begin at home. If there is no daddy there to teach the boy how to be a man, well just take a look around.

Sorry for being long winded but the op asked asked a seemingly easy straight forward question, that in reality was a very complex multiple layered issue with no easy straight forward awnser.
 
MikeC said:
Wow so much to say, some great points made by lots of wise people. Too stabman taking the higher road by trying to have a constructive dialogue while admirable doesn't work the antis among us have grown too large and too powerful. Besides those who oppose knives don't care how nice, respectful and reasonable you are or appear, their views can not and will not be changed. By and large these individuals are operating off of pure emotion with the main one being fear. Fear is a very powerful emotion which can destroy whatever is its path with reckless abandon and utter ruthlessness.

Combine this with the mind boggling ignorance of the masses today, tv, social media, speacial interest groups, political whores, lobbyist , LAWYERS, etc., and the fact that everyday I meet fewer and fewer people who are capable of analytical thought, critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Were screwed sorry.

The knife issue like the gun issue are both just microcosms based on the same underlying serious problems that have our nation in a cold civil war right now. So not to be a downer but when you look at your question from a macro perspective the awnser is profoundly disturbing. We have to reboot entire generations of people across multiple levels. Is it possible yep anything is possible but the real question is it probable, absolutely not.

One thing I need to mention. We have huge portions of entire generations of bots across all races being raised only by women. Daddy is an unknown or MIA or, well you get the point. A lot of these problems with fear and misconception begin at home. If there is no daddy there to teach the boy how to be a man, well just take a look around.

Sorry for being long winded but the op asked asked a seemingly easy straight forward question, that in reality was a very complex multiple layered issue with no easy straight forward awnser.
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A lot of very good points. :thumbup:

Things, good and bad start in the home and at a very young age, combine that with friends, relatives and other types of people like at work, teachers etc and you can see how things can get very complicated in a real hurry.

Society is something we all have to live with like it in general or not.

Life is one big gray area at best...

In the end I believe that the break down of the basic family unit is the root cause of MOST of the issues of Society, the divorce rates are around 50%.... I don't think I really need to go into all the issues that can and do happen because of that.
 
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Here we are.
I am quite sure that many people with knives are in fact dangerous. Or at least have very little regard for people around - just arrogant. So, actually not a nice people to deal with...
So telling people that any knife is first of all a tool, that they should feel safe around people drawing small or big knife for no clear reason - would it be a honest and responsible thing to do? Or we should rather educate them. Tell them that there are a lot of people with some ideas about knife purpose - from movies, TV series, from Internet after all. That it is not just a tool anymore, as it was a few generations ago. Times have changed. People are not that innocent anymore!
So that if they see somebody with a knife they should be careful. They better try not to look at such people directly but should keep them observed as long as they are around. And certainly not to come close and not to make any negative comments. That is just a common sense! And it would be wrong to say anything differently!

By the way, I have actually witnessed a man being stabbed by some punk. That was about 20 years ago...
That stabber was a shait of a man and was disarmed by couple of men who were there on the spot. Then he was handed over to the police when it arrived on site.
It all started as an insignificant argument, the stabber went away and returned shortly with some kitchen knife and stabbed the man - just without saying a word. Fortunately that was not too bad - but quite educating for all the parties involved or just being around...
 
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Some others may have already mentioned this in this thread; it has certainly been mentioned in countless other threads.

I am of the opinion that if we use knives as tools, they will be increasingly seen as such. (Conversely, flicking knives open as quickly as possible, or any other action that scares the general public, will decrease their positive image.) I have a friend who is not the most supportive of the fact that I carry a knife, but he has used it on occasion because he knows that it is sharp and will cut whatever needs to be cut. By watching me open packages and cut strings (like loose threads on clothes, but also when lent to another friend to open the pockets on his new suit), he knows that the primary use of my knives is as a tool. So he has followed my example and asked to borrow my knife to cut foam packaging material to create a windscreen for a mic; just a couple of days ago he borrowed my knife to cut the insulation off a mic cable. (The wire strippers were too dull, which I found funny.)

In short, I say lead by example and use the knives calmly and responsibly as the tools that they are.
 
Some people just cant change they see knives as scary weapons for the bad guys and refuse to believe in a practical aspect, but others can be swayed. What matters and what i think will do the most to sway opinion is how you carry yourself. Granted I am a bigish guy, who also happens to be a bit of a metal head, so my appearance can at times be threatening. I wear black shirts with occasionally threatening designs and band names that people associate with violence and anger. With that said I go out of my way to be polite to every one I meet, even with my skull shirts and such, I hold doors for people, give change to charity, say my please and thank yous and show respect. When i use my knife, I hold it low and mainly out of sight but I dont try to hide it. I open it, cut what I need to cut, return any stares with a friendly smile, and then put it back and go on my way without making a big deal out of anything. When people ask why i carry it/them, "I say to be prepared in case I need to cut things, like clamshell packages or seatbelts in an accident. It is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." I dont mention the weapon aspect at all. Will I use my knife to defend my life or someone else's if it comes to that? Of course, but I'd also use my keys, a stick on the side of the road, my boots, a rock, my fists, and whatever I have at my disposal. My knives have never tasted anyone else's blood and hopefully they never will. It also helps that I stoped carrying uber tactical knives and cary knives that look good.

Basically what i'm saying is have a good attitude, use your knife without brandishing or trying to hide it because those both imply that you have the knife for not so good intentions, and ignore the weapon factor completely when people ask even if it is a primary reason for carrying it in your mind. Saying the stuff about preparation and how it is better to have something you dont need than to need it and not have it works very well.
 
ncbcymtechie said:
Some others may have already mentioned this in this thread; it has certainly been mentioned in countless other threads.

I am of the opinion that if we use knives as tools, they will be increasingly seen as such. (Conversely, flicking knives open as quickly as possible, or any other action that scares the general public, will decrease their positive image.) I have a friend who is not the most supportive of the fact that I carry a knife, but he has used it on occasion because he knows that it is sharp and will cut whatever needs to be cut. By watching me open packages and cut strings (like loose threads on clothes, but also when lent to another friend to open the pockets on his new suit), he knows that the primary use of my knives is as a tool. So he has followed my example and asked to borrow my knife to cut foam packaging material to create a windscreen for a mic; just a couple of days ago he borrowed my knife to cut the insulation off a mic cable. (The wire strippers were too dull, which I found funny.)

In short, I say lead by example and use the knives calmly and responsibly as the tools that they are.
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Yup, that pretty much sums up my methodology as well. We would all do well to remember that we are ambassadors of our lifestyle and as such, should always be aware and diplomatic. As Jim has suggested, never underestimate the 'sheeple', as they can outlaw your knife toting arse whenever they want.
 
A.P.F. said:
Yup, that pretty much sums up my methodology as well. We would all do well to remember that we are ambassadors of our lifestyle and as such, should always be aware and diplomatic. As Jim has suggested, never underestimate the 'sheeple', as they can outlaw your knife toting arse whenever they want.
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In which case, I point to the UK and say, "look how that turned out":D.
 
Some people have good reason to carry a tactical, and some people need to use choppers, I have no problems with those uses or needs. Those uses are very bit as valid as cutting strings and apples or opening mail.

I carry a knife or knives every single day. I also have a use for my knives just about every single day. A tiny peanut will not suffice; I make no apologies for my use of large folders or choppers.

I use my knives when I need them. I don't play with them. I show family members, friends and strangers how to use knives responsibly by example, and I have noticed how knife possession and use has increased in my little circle of humanity.

When my children, nieces and nephews age and begin having their own off-spring, they will know how to use knives for their own purposes, and they will pass on those rational uses.

And that's how knife ownership and fancy can be spread. Use the damned knives, stop apologizing for them, and lead by example. There is nothing wrong with knife ownership, so stop constantly apologizing for using an item which has been with us since the beginning.

Andy
 
This is a good thread. The conversation has many points of views from different parts of the country.
When your from a more gun friendly State, I see the positions tend to be more bold rather than a highly restricted State where a more conservative. :thumbup:
 
Wrong.....

It's not their problem, it's yours and all of ours in the end or it could be...
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No, it's not. I understand where you're coming from and you are right, if people get freaked it leads to a bad image for knife users. But I think Andrew said it better then I when he said:

I use my knives when I need them. I don't play with them. I show family members, friends and strangers how to use knives responsibly by example, and I have noticed how knife possession and use has increased in my little circle of humanity.
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Telling me not to use a modern locking knife because it might scare people is like telling my friend he can't have his BMW because its fast and might scare people as he drives by. As long as he's doing the speed limit, no one has a reason to tell him what to drive. I think he was nuts to pay that much for a used M5, but that's what he wanted. Or telling someone in Arizona that they shouldn't open carry firearms because it freaks people out. Maybe it does, but it's legal to do so and as long as you're doing in a responsible manner then its your business.

I use it responsibly, don't flash it around. But it works great to cut things so that's what I use it for.
 
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