Is and Is not

Y

YaArArYa

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What is a Knife?:thumbsup:

A knife is many things. What comes to mind first is a knife is a tool, like a Swiss Army Knife, it has multiple functions for use (non locking).
A knife that locks and unlocks i would call a mechanism. With these moving parts would it be such a stretch to call it a machine? As in a frame lock the lock actuates on its own when moved open. This machine idea could also apply to autos and assisted opening knives. These autos i would call Trinkets. As for fixed blades, these i would class also as plain tools. Moving on to Neck carry, these knives are jewelry, wearing them for cosmetic...... usefulness.

What a knife is not.:thumbsdown:

The thing that stands out to me as to what a knife isn't, a knife is not a Toy. They may be fun and are astronomically pleasant to use, i would never class them in the toy category. Even Swiss Army Knives that are the friendliest knives overall, some being colorful ...NO not toys. ( not pry bars as well). This roll that comes to mind is a little more controversial. In my mind an EDC blade is not a weapon for the general public, though pressing it in to a tactical roll or that mind set is for others.

these are just some of my thoughts on what a knife is and is not.

Lets Discuss!!!

Pic for the pic

 
*Places soapbox dramatically*

First, remember that My Opinions are worth exactly nothing.

A knife is a cutting tool.

A knife represents a "Dumbo feather", if you will. A small insurance against the randomness of the world around us, whether by itself or as part of a larger tool kit.

A knife can represent us in certain ways to other people. I'm a town boy, and I have to deal with NKP's. When the subject comes up, I try to get people to understand that it's the user, not the tool, making the decisions.
 
a knife is a tool that has a blade to cut with. Pretty plain and simple.

A machine requires some sort of energy source such as gas/electricity.

Toys are anything you play with, so technically a knife could be a toy if you’re playing with it.

Just my opinions of course and they’re not free. Anyone who reads this owes me $5!
 
An inclined plane is a simple machine. A knife blade is 2 inclined planes that meet at the edge also known as a wedge. Which is another simple machine.

A knife is definitely a machine. A machine doesn’t need to have moving parts or an energy source.

I agree it’s not a toy. People overuse the word toy. It is also not a trinket or jewelry.
 
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Something we take for granted is after belonging so long in a community you get a bit desensitized that sharpened and pointy bits, are indeed not toys, and are dangerous if not handed correctly, especially more for the knives that are as much as a tool and art piece.

Case in point, I get the deer on headlights look from people while using at work, haven't met a single knife bro yet, well maybe a half one? dude knew just enough that a benchmade is different from a gas station knife, that was it and he was more into guns which sadly, I'm too poor and lazy to get one.
 
While everyone is welcome to their own opinions, only my opinion is the correct one. That being said, I mostly agree with the OP.

What a knife is tends to be a very subjective question. Here is my interpretation.

I've carried a knife since I was a boy. It started life as an SAK, a tool. It has become far more. Besides being a useful tool that I use pretty much daily, the advent of quick one hand opening and closing knives was a Godsend for my mental health. The action and sound of my knife opening and closing relaxes me. Suffering from anxiety, ADHD, and something similar to bipolar, the calming effect helps keep me off of a lot of medication.

A pocket knife has never been a weapon to me. I carry a gun for that purpose.

They also serve as functional art. My Tasca 2 puts a smile on my face every time I look at it and especially open it. Odin's eye damasteel is something else. It was a cool process to pick out the blade steel and handles.
 
In regards to form, I define a knife as a piece of hardened, sharpened steel (or ceramic, or titanium) with a handle attached.

In regards to function, I define a knife as something that can cut, pierce, or otherwise alter the structure or condition of material.

In regards to purpose, I will use a knife for anything I feel the need to use it for based on the circumstances I'm faced with, the limitations of the knife, and the items available to me at any given moment.

I regard a knife as a means to solve problems.


But I also define some knives in a way that has very little, or nothing to do with function or purpose. I call those knives treasures.

I have knives that I value for reasons other than what tasks they can perform, I value them for what they mean to me (in my case, the work I put into them). I appreciate the mere existence of these treasures.

I also have a nostalgic appreciation for some knives. There are knives that I wanted as a child, or throughout my life that I could not obtain. Now that I have such knives I appreciate them for the simple joy of possessing them, even if I never use them for anything.


Now as far as what a knife is not to me, that would be a long list. But here are a few off the top of my head-

A knife is not an extension, or representation, or measure of my manhood.

A knife is not a "security blanket" or magic talisman. I don't own or carry them to feel safe.

A knife is not a status symbol. I don't own, use, or carry them to impress others or to gain acceptance or approval.

A knife is not a sacred object that must be revered through the adherence to strict rules of usage.

Knives are not a defining element of who I am. I own knives, I use knives, I carry knives, but I'm the same person with or without a knife.

A knife is not a living thing. It doesn't have a soul, it doesn't have feelings. It isn't going to be upset or bothered if I leave it sitting in a drawer, or if I abuse it.

Just to name a few.


But that's me. To each their own.
 
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killgar said:
In regards to form, I define a knife as a piece of hardened, sharpened steel (or ceramic, or titanium) with a handle attached.

In regards to function, I define a knife as something that can cut, pierce, or otherwise alter the structure or condition of material.

In regards to purpose, I will use a knife for anything I feel the need to use it for based on the circumstances I'm faced with, the limitations of the knife, and the items available to me at any given moment.

I regard a knife as a means to solve problems.


But I also define some knives in a way that has very little, or nothing to do with function or purpose. I call those knives treasures.

I have knives that I value for reasons other than what tasks they can perform, I value them for what they mean to me (in my case, the work I put into them). I appreciate the mere existence of these treasures.

I also have a nostalgic appreciation for some knives. There are knives that I wanted as a child, or throughout my life that I could not obtain. Now that I have such knives I appreciate them for the simple joy of possessing them, even if I never use them for anything.


Now as far as what a knife is not to me, that would be a long list. But here are a few off the top of my head-

A knife is not an extension, or representation, or measure of my manhood.

A knife is not a "security blanket" or magic talisman. I don't own or carry them to feel safe.

A knife is not a status symbol. I don't own, use, or carry them to impress others or to gain acceptance or approval.

A knife is not a sacred object that must be revered through the adherence to strict rules of usage.

Knives are not a defining element of who I am. I own knives, I use knives, I carry knives, but I'm the same person with or without a knife.

A knife is not a living thing. It doesn't have a soul, it doesn't have feelings. It isn't going to be upset or bothered if I leave it sitting in a drawer, or if I abuse it.

Just to name a few.


But that's me. To each their own.
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I would venture to say a knife has a soul figuratively as it is imparted to the knife by the maker.
 
Welp , there are actual toy knives for kids , wooden knives , plastic knives , butter knives , prop knives , "cop knives" made for prying , display knives , costume knives , cosplay , fantasy , joke , novelty , rubber practice knives ....etc etc . 🤔
 
Yes but is a toy or pretend knife really a knife at all? If it doesn’t cut stuff it is not a knife.

Just food for thought. Not to be a nit picker.
 
DocJD said:
So then ...once your knife becomes really dull , it's no longer a knife ?
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No longer functions as a knife it is no longer a knife.
DocJD said:
A replaceable blade type box cutter or knife , with no blade inserted , is not really a ...? 🤨
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No it would be a handle or a housing or a frame. Lol.

It is all just semantics. Like most issues I can see both sides. It can be frustrating. Lol.
 
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