Number in US of pocket knife carriers?

MikeC · Oct 12, 2009

I read an article in the back of one of my American Hunter magazines (NRA monthly periodical) yesterday that talked about the ongoing efforts to thwart the customs assisted opening ban. Anyway in the article is says that 30 million U.S. citizens carry pocket knives. The United States population is estimated to be about 330 million or so, so that equates to only 9%. I would have assumed it to be higher than that say somewhere in the 20% to 30% I mean that is only 2 to 3 out of ten.

Anyway does anyone know if this number is accurate and is so where did come from? If not does someone else have a different number and if so what is its source.

It would be nice to have a recent scientific poll.

dsmegst · Oct 12, 2009

I think that's an accurate number. Out of the 30 people I know well at work, only 2 people EDC knives, myself included. My dad carries a small folder I gave him, but he's a computer tech so he uses it as part his tool kit, I'm not sure if I consider that EDC. So 2 or 3 out of 50+ people.

effer · Oct 12, 2009

I don't know any statistics, but I think 9% is a very good number. Take out children under 18 (25%). You will have 75%. Women rarely carry knives, so say another half is out (or a bit less). You will have 40% left. Taking that into consideration it comes out that 1 out of 4 men (ages 18 to whatever) carry a knife.

effer · Oct 12, 2009

As a matter of fact 1 out of 4 men is a very big number. Definitely more than what I would estimate. But I think NRA counts not just EDC people, but also people who carry knives sometimes (say once a week). In that case, this number might be close to reality.

KnifeTurtle · Oct 12, 2009

i think that number was only of knivs that would be banned, ie assisting opening/one hand opening not slipjoints or multi tools or fixd blades

indian4 · Oct 12, 2009

It really surprises me anyone would allow themselves to venture out into the world without a blade of some kind. You'd think it would be in the man code somewhere. If I dont have some sort of knife in my pocket or on my belt, I'm not wearing pants. In which case, I have it in my hand, or I have other priorities....

puukkoman · Oct 12, 2009

indian4 said:
It really surprises me anyone would allow themselves to venture out into the world without a blade of some kind. You'd think it would be in the man code somewhere. If I dont have some sort of knife in my pocket or on my belt, I'm not wearing pants. In which case, I have it in my hand, or I have other priorities....

It is in the man code. Did you lose your copy? I have a spare I can send you...

Edit: Shoot, I was just down in WV over the weekend. I'd'a brought it with me if I had known....

The Government · Oct 12, 2009

effer said:
As a matter of fact 1 out of 4 men is a very big number. Definitely more than what I would estimate. But I think NRA counts not just EDC people, but also people who carry knives sometimes (say once a week). In that case, this number might be close to reality.

Great job interpreting the numbers!

They may also base the estimate off of people who simply buy or own knives. I dont know how they would estimate who actually carries other than by collecting data from a small sample. If that is the case, then how many people of that 1:4 are actually carrying and not just leaving them at home and saying "oh ya I carry all the time' -maybe harder to estimate? Especially if they used NRA members as their base for sampling.

I would love it if 1:4 was the truth.