Knife - More weapon or tool?

S

southbeachlaw

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
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Ok...got to thinking about this question after someone asked my why I always carry a knife. Do you carry your knife more as a weapon or tool? Read this question also from a younger person on here and read some replies with people insisting it is more of a tool than a weapon to them. Some of the examples they gave as to how they use their knives are certainly ways to use a knife, but I don't think that I would and wonder how many people use their knives for really more than opening boxes cutting some minor string, etc.

I mean, I'm not going to use my mini-grip or kershaw scallion (my EDCs) to:

- cut hose (where am I going to cut a hose other than at home and would use something else to do that).

- clean out sprinkler heads (certainly not going to use the tip of my knife to clean out a sprinkler head).

- cut boxes so they fit in the garbage (ok..maybe...but if I was at home I think I'd still use a utility knife for that too).

- cutting rope - (I don't remember the last time I had to cut a rope, but ok).

-cutting threads off clothes (the best tool for that is the little scissors on a swiss army keychain knife).

- opening hard plastic packaging (I've used my swiss army keychain knife for that many times).

the list goes on of what people say they use their EDCs for...ok..more power to them, but when I read the list, I kept saying to myself, yes a knife could do that, but so could a utility knife with a disposable blade or some other better tool. Pretty much any cutting requirement that most people have can be accomplished with a small keychain victorinox.

I mean, unless you work in a trade where you have to do alot of cutting that only can be done with a decent knife and not a utility knife then I can see the "tool" designation more than the weapon designation. However, I think even most persons that have to cut alot of things for work (plastic, strapping, boxes, etc.) still would be better off doing that with a utility knife (razor).

The truth is, I take my EDC larger knife everywhere, probably more than anything for protection. Honestly, just feel safer having it on me. To me, it's primarily a weapon rather than a tool. To me it's a weapon that serves as a tool from time to time rather than a tool that can serve as a weapon.

Does anyone feel this way as well?
 
Truly, I'm a non-violent type. My dad gave me a knife a long time ago to cut stuff with. I'm sure that I've considered it as self-defense, but the truth is that I don't carry the kind of knives that open quick enough. That way, it makes it pretty hard for somebody to put the weapon label on me. I do use my knives for things like bushcraft, popping staples, opening envelopes, cutting apples, cleaning chicken (kind of violent).

Now, if push came to shove, I would probably use it as a weapon, but I'd probably grab whatever is at hand, be it a stapler, a rock, a pair of scissors, etc. A knife just has greater potential as a weapon than the others, but it's a tool first for me.
 
I reach for my knife even when I'm not wearing it. It is like an extension of my hand. I wouldn't even consider using it as a weapon, however I always keep it in the back of my mind that it is there and sharp if I needed it...as a last resort. That being I was forced to use it.
 
It's a tool that can become a weapon, if used against someone after the fact.

Unless it's being carried by some scumbag crackhead, then it's a weapon. ;)
 
I only carry a vic soldier most of the time and its strictly tool. I've used it for most of the things on your list, only one I havent done is the sprinkler head
 
A tool that is a weapon. I carry an ordinary pen that can also serve as a weapon.
It all depends on the persons mindset..
 
A tool absolutely first, but if the unfortunate circumstance arises, then yes, I would not hesitate to use it in self defense. My knife sharpening skills on a stone are HORRIBLE to that of my late Grandfathers, but since I bought a Smith's sharpening system (blade is held in a little clamp and then the diamond stones are at a fixed angle) I am FAR more at ease using them as a tool. I now know that I can get a blade as sharp as I want any time I want regardless of use. Since this purchase, I was like you...didn't use a knife for much of anything except for a "just in case".
 
Yes, utility knives are handy. I especially like those extendo blades that you can snap the tip off to expose a new tip. But they are not the tool to have with you 24/7. In the tool box, not your pocket. When you can't run to the tool box, what do you want in your jeans pocket? What will get the highest number of jobs done? Just like wrenches, if you had to carry one, it wouldn't be a 9/16ths, it would be a Crescent (brand too).
 
A tool only. First. Last. And always.

If I want a weapon, I'll carry a pistol. If I think I NEED a weapon, I'll reach for a shotgun.
 
I use knives every day at work. I certainly don't need to, as there are other tools that will do the same kinds of jobs. I just prefer having and using nice knives.
I guess even I would admit that it is comforting to know that I always have something on me that could be used against an aggressor, but the thing I would think to use first would be my legs- running.
To me, a knife is always a tool, even if it was designed for something...ahem, more.
 
Seeing as how I have a Concealed Weapon Permit and carry two guns pretty much every day, I do not feel the need to call the two or three kinves I carry every day weapons. I use them at work for a lot of the reasons stated. I know that one of those cheap "Utility" knives would work just as well. But those never even enter my sphere of thinking.
Just today while at work, a new "chick" asked if I had a knife, whle looking at the clip of the Kershaw Junk Yard Dog II TI SG2 hanging off of my right pocket. I said "Does a bear poo in the woods, big or small, which one you want?" She said "just cut this band, I know you have more than one from rumors that you like knives."
Here I work in a place that says no knives over 2 inch blade allowed, and rumors have it that I have at least 2, possibly 3 that are bigger than that. :eek:And someone is always asking me to cut something for them.
I would use one as a weapon if so pressed, but would rather use the .45 Kimber at my side for it's intended use, and use knives as tools.
YOU CAN KEEP YOUR "UTILITY KNIVES!" I like quality foldes, not junky JUNK.
 
Tools. Be it cutting rope, hose, or anything else. Sure when I was cutting vinyl hose today I could have gone looking for a tubing cutter, but what for when I got a knife in my pocket ;) Most anything that sends others scrambling around looking for scissors or a utility knife I just pull out my Schrade folder and get the job done in less time than it would take looking for some other cutting implement. Could it be used as a weapon, sure if it really came down to that in a dire emergency.
 
It's much, much more a tool, for me. It's not even that, really, the way I treat it. I use my knife every chance I get with glee and constantly have it out, looking at it and playing with it for no reason. Something about just holding and looking at my knife entertains or soothes me on some level. I'm not sure what to call that.

It would only be a weapon if it absolutely had to be, no different from any other object that I could use to defend myself or others if I had no other choice.
 
Tool.

When I'm 210' up in the air, working on a grain elevator tower, and I need to cut a piece of 1/2" carflex tubing, I whip out my knife and cut it. I'm not going to climb down and get the PVC cutters. I've also used it to clean out a sprinkler head that I accidently knocked dirt in. When you are on your knees, and as old as I'm getting, you don't get up and walk to the truck to get a specific tool. I just use my knife. It's a great multi-functional tool.

I guess I could use it as a weapon, but I never buy knives with that purpose in mind. It's always how it will function for me as a tool.
 
Anything can be used as a weapon, and knives are no exception.

When I first got into knives and even when i first got into BF I approached knives as weapons.

Over the last 6 months or so, I have changed my direction. Honestly, I don't carry a clipped knife anymore. I carry a slipjoint in my right hand pocket, and that's pretty much it.

I have no problem with folks seeing them as knives, but I am honest enough about my abilities to use a knife in a fight (never done it and suspect I would get my butt hurt) that I don't ever even want to approach a situation as such.

That said, if someone was trying to hurt my wife, I might whip out the SAK and do my best. Before I did that though, I would be far more likely to pick up a rock, a stick or some other object.

my humble opinion,
Brett
 
It's nothing but a tool for me. I couldn't imagine a situation I'd be in that I'd need to use a knife as a weapon. I'd turn tail from any situation that looked like using a knife would be 'reasonable' course of action. I'd venture to say that any person who wouldn't hasn't seen a victim of a knife attack.

Sure, you can use lesser cost or quality knives to cut all the day to day things and those that you listed, but a lot of folks who carry a knife like to carry a high quality one just to enjoy having a good tool.

I could get to work in a Kia, but choose to drive something nicer. Same goes for knives.
 
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