Knives at work

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Feb 3, 2001
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A previous reply to a post started me wondering, see I've always carried a knife at work, but then again I'm a Mechanic, even when I had a management job as a Technical Trainer I always carried a knife or 5.

Who out there has a job that prohibits you from carrying a knife, like a School Teacher,(but don't the maintenance guys at schools carry knives, so why can't teachers?), and who/what kind of job do you have that requires a knife,(L.E.O., E.M.T.).

I can't imagine not being able to carry a knife, it's like an inalienable right or something like that,(imagine the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background), the right to keep and bear arms, or at the very least one of mans oldest tools.:(
 
I do landscaping, and carry a knife or two with me. It comes in very handy, just the other day I used a Buck Strider tanto to cut sod. Killed the edge faster than anything, but came back shaving sharp no problems. I find all kinds of uses for my knife while working.

One interesting thing that happened today, I pulled out my Micra to remove a splinter with the tweezers, and a guy I was working with said "Who are you gonna kill". But when I whipped out the Buck/Strider no comments other than "Can I borrow that?".:D


Erik
 
It's funny how people have been successfully brainwashed to look at a knife, even a small utility knife, and simply think "weapon!!!".
Hell these wacked libs are even pushing to ban screwdrivers now!!!! don't believe me? check it out...un F'ng believable.(just a joke)

http://www.banscrewdrivers.com/
 
I love the bumper sticker that says My knife/gun isn't the weapon--I am.

I'm not supposed to have a knife with a blade longer than 3" at work. I don't know how long the blade of the Benchmade 806D2 in my pocket is--I've never measured :D
 
I work in the ER at a hospital and I always carry a knife.
I've used it countless times to open packages (mostly boxes of film and chemicals because I'm a Rad Tech).
I also use it to cut tape and clothing.
Why not use scissors?
I do, whenever they are available. Scissors are like gold in the ER and it's hard to keep a pair around. People are always borrowing them (and keeping them) and they don't fit in my pockets like my pocket-knives do.

Surprisingly, I have never had a patient make any negative remark about me using a knife (usually it's a Swiss Army Knife).

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I heard a post office worker at a gun shop once say that he was not allowed to carry a pocket knife visibly at work. Just what I heard, not able to back it up with anything concrete. Anyone care to elaborate?
Kev
 
I work on a university campus so I'm "technically" not supposed to carry a knife. But I say the hell with them. I'm constantly opening boxes/packages, stripping cable, etc. and I can't be hunting for scissors all the time. I usually carry either my M18 or Boa, my Chive and I just bought a brand new Victorinox Cybertool which will also be joining me at work (once I finally wake up enough to leave for work). Actually, even my boss carries around a keychain knife with him that he uses and he's seen my blade(s) so I don't worry about it.
 
I work in the prosecutor's office of a major southwestern city. I carry a Spyderco Native in the office and in the courthouse and courtrooms (we are exempt from having to pass thru the metal detectors entering the courthouse).

The knife laws in this state are about as liberal as I have heard about anywhere else in the U.S. About the only way to get into trouble is carrying a concealed automatic knife.
 
I am a 7th grade science teacher at a large middle school in a semi rural area of western N.C. I have always carried a knife to work and more often than not it is a couple of knives. I have not run into any problems with this and I am sure the administration is aware of it. The kids are and it doesn't seem to faze them. It might be because it is a large Classic Sebenza and is not as "threatning" looking as some other knives might be.

I even used it to dissect a frog this year and let one of my more responsible studentd finish up her frog with it. Man did she think she was cool!:D :cool: :D
 
I am a police officer. I am expected to carry a knife, and I do, Several in fact. I don't think of them as weapons, and I have used them (especially my multi tools) more times than I can count. From cutting down suicide attempts to emergency surgery (a really dark story), there have been times that I really, really needed a knife.
Just one benefit of a life dedicated to public service :) :)
There was a thread a while back on this subject, great posts there.

Chad
 
Some teachers at my school carry knives.....one has a multitool on his belt that I've used several times.
 
I'm an IT consultant, and at the dozens of client sites (corporate environments) I've visited all over the country, I've always carried a folder of some sort, although the larger ones in my collection tend to stay at home. I'm sure I have broken some corporate policies along the way, but as long as I don't have to go through a metal detector, the knives come with me :)

I really don't think most folks have an issue with knives in the workplace, as long as your not flailing about with one, flicking it open and closed, etc., or pulling a 5" folder out during a meeting to cut a thread on your jacket :eek:
 
Don: I too live in CA, and would like to know more about our laws here regarding knives, esp. since you say they are so liberal. Could you please elaborate??? Email if you want!

thanks!
drjones
evourakis@csus.edu
 
My wife is a 5th grade teacher and she has always had a knife in her purse at school. She uses them quite often for simple tasks, mostly heard her talk about using them to set up bulletin boards which they have to do often. The only time anyone said anything was once a kid made reference to a Cold Steel small puch dagger on her key chain and the only thing he said was that he knew what it was. She now carries a pink Delica SE, a pink Jester PE and she has a leatherman PST II in her filing cabinet. Guess where she got them, she loves me........
 
In my situation, I have to have knives at work. Without them there isn't any work to do. Yes, that is the sound of me gloating that you here!
 
This is a tough one for me. I'm in chemical sales, and I call on literally hundreds of different people in many different companies. I always carry a knife, but I try to be careful with it. You never know who may be against something like that, and I don't feel like costing myself a sale/business over a blade. You'd be surprised how easily someone can be prejudiced against you for something like that. I only mention guns/knives if I am 100% sure the person is into them, as then it usually helps develop some rapport. So, I usually carry something small in my pocket (I don't use a clip because its visible). I usually carry a BM 705 or a Kershaw Chive. I also have a small SAK on my keychain. On the street off hours I usually carry a SERE 2000.
 
I'm an in-house security officer at a gated community in Az. I could make it without a knife, but only by borrowing someone elses. As it is I usually carry at least four knives with me and sometimes more, especially when I get a new one. Just got my first Sebenza today and that will definitely be with me daily. Although as impressed as I am with it, still not convinced that it will replace my BM 940 and my serrated knives (Auto Vector, Colt Fireman or Spydie Police) that I carry for emergency cutting of seatbelts.
 
I work at a Government building, and we go through metal detectors everytime we walk in the building. There is a big sign before you enter that says, "No person may enter the building with a knife that has a blade over 3". " Once I saw that sign, I obtained a Chris Reeve Umfaam to carry at work. This little knife is pointy, sharp and very high quality. The guards mentioned one time that the sign is going to be updated to show that a person cannot carry a knife with a blade over 2.5". Ok, I am still cool with the Umfaam, since the blade is barely over 2.25". I use it for all kinds of stuff, but mainly for sharpening my pencils and opening envelopes.
 
Fortunately, I have never worked anywhere where a knife was not allowed. Fortunate, because I would have carried any way. Too many uses to not have one. Where I currently work (as a chemical engineer) knives don't get much notice, since several in the office carry guns. Since I work in an office, my knives seem to get the most use during a boring teleconference.
 
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