If you see a pocket clip, do you stop the guy?

I have on many occasions. Typically my approach is, "hey, I'm a knife geek. What do you have there?" with a smile. I've never had anything less than a friendly response, and yes I have asked some very sketchy looking people.

Then again, I have worked in jobs where I am meeting new people all day, every day, since I was 16 (21 years ago), so maybe I've just developed a way of greeting people that keeps them at ease.
 
RBid said:
Then again, I have worked in jobs where I am meeting new people all day, every day, since I was 16 (21 years ago), so maybe I've just developed a way of greeting people that keeps them at ease.
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You mean you don't run up, point towards their groin region and blurt out "What's that?" :D
 
That's how my girlfriend and I met, actually. She asked about my knives.

So, stop being anti-social!
 
I've learned that its best not to bring notice to the fact your checking out a guy, or a girl. You never know what someone will take exception to.
 
Kershaws said:
My job is to bag groceries at a Grocery Store, and have actually took the time to conduct some tests, this is a good time to share my results...
My register checks out on average 25 costumers per hour, on average I see 2 knives on a person every two hours. Surprisingly I see more people carrying knives on Sundays, I do not understand why that could be but it is really interesting.
So here are my results:

10 checkout lanes= 25 costumers per hour=on average 2 blades every two hours...
**So on an average 8 hour work day: We have 2,000 people check-out groceries, 80 of them have noticeable blades on them
If my calculations are correct: ≥6.25% of costumers who shop at my job are carrying knives. I thought you folks would find that interesting
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Interesting, but your results are only for *visible* knives. There are people, like me, who always carry concealed, and don't forget about the guys who carry traditionals. There are a lot more of them than you might think. Also, women tend to carry in their purses.... at least that's how my mom and wife carry, but they aren't carrying tactical blades. Still, interesting results.
 
Tasmaniac said:
I hardly ever notice anyone carrying a knife here in Dallas. I've had people eyeball my pocket clip warily more than a few times. Lots of folks are moving here from knife-unfriendly places, I'm afraid.
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I can attest to this exact reaction myself. About 3 months ago, I was grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon and had my Blur clipped on the right front pocket of my khaki shorts. I noticed some guy (and I use the male gender loosely based on his demeanor/appearance) glaring at me and the clip specifically. From his reaction and look of disgust you would have thought that I was walking around with my schlong hanging out my zipper.

Little did he know that I had my LC9 holstered in my waistband haha.
 
John_0917 said:
I can attest to this exact reaction myself. About 3 months ago, I was grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon and had my Blur clipped on the right front pocket of my khaki shorts. I noticed some guy (and I use the male gender loosely based on his demeanor/appearance) glaring at me and the clip specifically. From his reaction and look of disgust you would have thought that I was walking around with my schlong hanging out my zipper.

Little did he know that I had my LC9 holstered in my waistband haha.
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May have been a bad read. When I was in the gun business I had a regular who was a very young looking hipster. He got weird looks when he came in, but the 'kid' was a fantastic shooter whose ccw was a heavily customized M&P 9 full size with a Trijicon RMR (before the M&P Pro series), and he knew his guns very well. He worked search & rescue and carried a BM Triage and a Leatherman Wave. Great guy. Lots of people made assumptions about him.
 
RBid said:
May have been a bad read. When I was in the gun business I had a regular who was a very young looking hipster. He got weird looks when he came in, but the 'kid' was a fantastic shooter whose ccw was a heavily customized M&P 9 full size with a Trijicon RMR (before the M&P Pro series), and he knew his guns very well. He worked search & rescue and carried a BM Triage and a Leatherman Wave. Great guy. Lots of people made assumptions about him.
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I could be wrong, certainly...but I doubt it. Based on where I was and his appearance/mannerisms, he most likely was a typical Cedar Springs inhabitant (anyone from DFW will understand that, let's just say there are many establishments that cater to all all male clientele...)

Why in the world would someone carry a gun that big as a CCW? I have both a full size and compact M&P 40/357, I occasionally carry the compact and never carry the full size (fun range/HD gun though). Can't imagine carrying a full size with an RMR on it, how to even conceal it would be almost impossible. To each their own I guess.
 
draggat said:
Interesting, but your results are only for *visible* knives. There are people, like me, who always carry concealed, and don't forget about the guys who carry traditionals. There are a lot more of them than you might think. Also, women tend to carry in their purses.... at least that's how my mom and wife carry, but they aren't carrying tactical blades. Still, interesting results.
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The percentage was of people with VISIBLE blades, my fault for not making that clear, post has been edited now
 
John_0917 said:
Why in the world would someone carry a gun that big as a CCW? I have both a full size and compact M&P 40/357, I occasionally carry the compact and never carry the full size (fun range/HD gun though). Can't imagine carrying a full size with an RMR on it, how to even conceal it would be almost impossible. To each their own I guess.
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Why would you? The very short version of the answer: they are better than subcompacts for getting multiple hits, quickly. They are surprisingly comfortable and easy to conceal with the right holster and belt. I haven't carried a subcompact in 3-4 years and don't even own one anymore. I carry a G19 Gen 4 with Trijicon HDs all day, every day, all seasons.


Back on topic:

I think commenting on a pocket clip is just like any other unsolicited interaction with a stranger. Your approach and what your appearance and carriage project influence things heavily.
 
No, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm not very likely to notice it in the first place. And if you're the one looking at my pocket clip, my eyes are up here :D
 
If I have time to chat or if I know the knife by its clip, the yes. Most of the guys I've asked in the past (when I had time, but I didn't recognize the clip) were carrying some POS, whether they knew it or not.
 
If it is routine gear I would only comment if I had a reason to be talking with them in the first place. Very uncommon / custom stuff I might comment on if I could do it without drawing attention from other people. A private comment is one thing, but would would not want to make a spectacle out of someone.
 
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