Knife - More weapon or tool?

I consider mine a tool and find it increasingly usefull because of the clambshell packs everything comes in now adays that said if i had to use it as a last ditch weapon i might
 
Totally tool.

Since I carry a slip joint pocket knife, it's not able to deploy as a weapon anyways. I'm in the Peoples Republik Of Maryland, and a CCW is not available, so I carry a stout blackthorn walking stick when I'm out and about, with some Fox pepper spray.

If I can't have a firearm, I preffer any blunt object. Stick, chair leg, ash tray, large adjustable wrench, entrenching tool...
 
Tool

I tried dicing an onion with a weapon, the cutting board just splintered. Funny, I thought hollow-points would give me a finer dice.

The mind is the best weapon we have.

A knife was first a tool, it remains a tool.
 
My pocket knives are tools. Opening boxes, DVD and CD wrappers, piercing tv dinner plastic and other mundane tasks. When I lived in the country my Spyderco pocket knife cut baling twin on Hay, and even was used to saw through pvc pipe.

My pistols and CCW permit are for protection.
 
my knifes are tools... my kimber's a weapon and livin' here in a sensable state I don't need a permit to carry either on me :D:D
 
My knife is a tool - I use it to cut things. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My pen is a tool - I use it to write with. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My hammer is a tool - I use it to nail things together. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My hands are tools - I use them for eveything. If I'm attacked and they're the most fearsome objects within my reach, they become weapons.


My P226 and H&K .40 are weapons - I carry them in my line of work for defense of self and innocent others. If I'm attacked, they become very fearsome, deadly, weapons.
 
StretchNM said:
My knife is a tool - I use it to cut things. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My pen is a tool - I use it to write with. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My hammer is a tool - I use it to nail things together. If I'm attacked and it's the most fearsome object within my reach, it becomes a weapon.

My hands are tools - I use them for eveything. If I'm attacked and they're the most fearsome objects within my reach, they become weapons.


My P226 and H&K .40 are weapons - I carry them in my line of work for defense of self and innocent others. If I'm attacked, they become very fearsome, deadly, weapons.
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Well Said!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
southbeachlaw said:
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?
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This question could very well be about a hammer or a screwdriver.Truth is just about any tool could be used as a weapon.It's just a matter of the situation..FIGHT OR FLIGHT
 
Let's see the number times I have used a knife as a weapon...Zero.

The number of times I have used a knife as a tool...more than I can count or remember.

Empirical evidence would seem to indicate that my knives are tools.

The number of times you used a knife as a weapon verses the number of times that you have used one as a tool would seem to indicate which one you are carrying.
 
Tool. Nearly anything can be used as a weapon, even a "blunt instrument" or a length of wire. Otherwise, my kitchen would be a weapons cache. I use a utility knife quite often, but there are many times the blade is much too short and the hande too big for pocket carry. I also use many other cutting tools such as saws, planes, hatchets, and chisels that are not nearly so versatile as a good knife. A proper knife is just another good tool more versatile and more portable than most. I can honestly say I've never bought a knife for it's suitability as a weapon. :) ss.
 
As of late my pocket EDC has been one of those little single blade slippies that no one would call a weapon but if someone took me to the ground and I could manage to get it out of my pocket I could really hurt him. In my coat pocket I carry a Buck 110. I use this as a tool most of the time from open packages to cutting boxes, eating apples and cooking dinner when I get home. I use it almost all the time. When it is in my pocket I hold it like a Kubotan. I would first use it as an impact weapon, then if I cannot see an easy escape I would use it as a self defense weapon. So I do use it as a weapon but not in the form of a knife. Does that make any sense? Now when I am riding my mountain bike to work everyday, even in the snow, if someone were to approach me in a hostile manner I would use my bike as a defense weapon.
 
Its a tool for killing! x)

I'm pretty sure that most people out there are not going around stabbing people.. having a knife is handy, whatever obscure thing that you have to do with it
 
southbeachlaw said:
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.
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The thing is, most people don't want to carry a utility knife or a disposable blade because they're limited, uncomfortable, and only useful in a specific set of uses. As for a Victorinox. . . well, a lot of people EDC those. They're great little knives. ;-)

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).
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Anyone who does a lot of cutting as part of their job is almost certainly going to be using a specialized tool to do their cutting. The point of an EDC pocket knife is for all the miscellaneous stuff. I do use mine daily for: opening boxes, cutting cable ties, opening mail, stripping wire sheathing, plastic packaging, tape, and a bunch of other random things. Could I carry a utility knife for that? Sure. But I might go all day without cutting anything, or I might be cutting things all day. I never know. And if I carried a utility knife, then I'd just be EDCing a utility knife. And I'm not going to just carry it at work, because I frequently need a knife outside of work, too.

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.
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Answer me this question: When was the last time you used your knife for "protection"?

Never?

The vast majority of people will use a knife almost every day, for eating with, for random cutting of things, for utility purposes, etc. And the vast majority of people will never, ever, use a knife in any sort of combative way, nor will they ever be in a situation where they need to use a knife as a weapon. In fact, most people will never see a knife used as a weapon "for real" (only on TV, movies, etc.)

The whole "knife is a weapon" and "knife is for protection" bit is almost entirely a fiction blown up by the media, political overreaction, TV/Movies, and fantasy. Unless you're in a war zone, or a jungle infested with dangerous wild animals, the chances of you ever using a knife for self defense is negligible (and even in those situations, a knife would almost certainly be not just a backup, but used much more for other purposes).

I don't just think of a knife primarily as a tool, I think of it solely as a tool. It's intended purpose is for cutting things as needed through my daily life. I never put it in my pocket with any thought of using it as a weapon, and never select a knife for it's ability to act as a weapon.

I tend to EDC a small knife. I can't remember the last time I carried something with a blade over 3.5". The vast majority of the time it's less than 3" (usually a Spyderco Salt 1 (which, with it's rounded tip would make a very poor weapon anyway) and a Victorinox classic).

Does anyone feel this way as well?
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I think I've pretty clearly stated my position, and outlined my reasons. Now, this is not to say that I would never use a knife I was carrying as a weapon in an emergency. I sincerely doubt that I ever will, but in an emergency I will make use of any and every tool at my disposal in whatever way I can to assist. If I were being attacked, and my knife was the best available weapon, yes I'd use it. However, if I had a baseball bat, I'd use that first. And if I had a pen in my hand, I might use that. StretchNM did an excellent job of of illustrating the proper attitude toward a knife as a tool, and any tool as a potential device for defense in an emergency.

Also, something that everyone carrying a knife for protection should know, if you're in a situation that is not life or death, and you pull a knife, you've just screwed yourself. If you're in a bar fight, or someone pushes you, or anything else that is not truly life or death, and you pull a knife, chances are very good that you're going to be the one in in jail and facing the worst penalties. Real life is not the movies, and our legal system is not always fair.
 
Knives are mostly tools. I use mine for any and everything. I'm a tool kinda guy so I always have the right tool for the job so I don't have to abuse my knife too much. I also carry a Gerber multi tool. As most everybody says they could be a last choice weapon. Just remember, Never take a knife to a gunfight. If you pull a knife on a bad guy he may pull a gun on you. You never know. Its better to get the hell away from trouble. Now if they come to my house or threaten my family there's always a .45 handy!
 
I carry a Colt for a reason, if my life or anyone else's comes in danger, they're going to get a clip of .45 ACP JHP to the chest, head, and stomach. It would be rather foolish of me (not being a master knife fighter) to actually believe that a 4 inch blade could kill a determined attacker. Yeah, it could do the job if required, but I'd rather not.

Now, if I were a soldier in war, or there was a war in the South and I were a civilian, sure, I would carry a Ka-Bar and a tomahawk for killing beyotches that got out of line when I was out of bullets. BUT, I'm no soldier and there is currently peace in the great state of alabama.

Now then, if I encounter a deadly letter, it will find it's opening cut out and it's contents spilled across a desk. While I happily clean the paper pieces from my blade.
 
"Weapons" are tools designed with a specific application in mind, same as a computer, car, blender, electric drill, toothbrush etc..
They all have their place.
 
I use a knife as a tool.Why use a POS box cutter when I can use my Manix or Ritter Grip. I like to use nice stuff.
 
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