Office Knife Carry

Large or aggressive-looking knives WILL appear threatening to certain people and getting along with co-workers is an everyday fact of life. (Fortunately I work for an archaeological firm where most of my co-workers are outdoor-oriented.)

I would still look for a small folder with a natural material handle, like abalone, mother of pearl, or stag. Not only will it be functional enough for most applications, but it will be inconspicuous, non-threatening, and it would be classy enough for a more formal environment.

If I had to pick one of my knives to go with a pair of dress slacks, I would choose one of my Bruuckmans, a Gerber Silver Knight, or a Bear MGC with a stag handles.

Bob W

[This message has been edited by Bob W (edited 01-09-2001).]
 
At one time or another I have carried all of my folders at work, and they are all large knives. I do not have problems, but I guess it all depends on where you work.
 
I don't have any problems carrying one, two, three or more knives at work, if I wish. It's usually two. It is actually frowned upon NOT to carry a knife. Big folder, small folder, I bet I could carry a fixed blade if I wished, but never have on the job.

On my desk is usually 2-3 fixed blades, 5-10 folders and another 5-10 multi-tools.

But that's what I have endure while working for a knife manufacturing company.
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Ain't life great!

In your shoes, I would either get a small/medium sized dressy folding knife with a clip...or forget the clip and get a gentleman's-type knife for your pocket.

Just keeping a low profile regarding your knife carry will keep your blade with you for a long time on the job.

Checking your employee manual would sure help. If a manager confrontated you, you could refer them back to the manual for clarification. If your manual is vague, asking management for clarificaction would be the official method...or just keep your knife to yourself and hope to not get caught.

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Ron Andersen
Consumer Services Manager
SOG Specialty Knives, Inc.

Website: www.sogknives.com
Email: ron@sogknives.com
 
I always carry a knife and the people that work in my department all know it. I used to carry two but the 2 clips attracted too much attention.

I find the best knives to carry are those with plain edges and blade length under 4". Actually 3" would be more acceptable to the sheeple. I find my Spyderco Delica and Kershaw Whirlwind are not intimidating, but I leave the large CRKT Crawford/Kasper and the large Benchmade AFCK with BT coating at home.

The only time I was ever horribly embarrased was one night when I carried a Cold Steel Safekeeper III behind my back into a restarant. One of the patrons wanted to know what it was and I shrugged it off, but after a while a few patrons kept on nagging so I showed them. They thought it was cool, but they were all regulars. Needless to say I never carried it with the half-moon handle exposed again. Guns and knives are almost part of daily culture here.
 
How about a Delta-Z knife, the 360 knife. Looks like a pen when closed. Just an idea.\

Blades
 
I think the bottom line is discretion. If you carry a knife with a clip, and worry about getting asked about the clip, then carry inside the waistband behind a belt. Heck, if you're wearing khakis, that will work better, longer, anyway. In my office now, I'm carrying a BFC Native clipped IWB on the left side, a BM 722 clipped IWV in front, just right of the belt buckle, a BM 730 in my right front pocket, and a SAK Executive in left front pocket. Now, anyone can see the 730, but everyone that works with me knows that I carry it, and that I'm harmless. It gets used regularly here in the office. If I go to a meeting, the 730 goes down inside my pocket, or in my jacket or elsewhere. The other two stay, and the SAK Exec. gets used if needed.

Oh, and I also have a 3.5 inch fixed bladed hunter in my inside jacket pocket. Yesterday, I carried a Busse Basic 7 around most of the day inside my parka pocket. No one ever knew the difference (except the one guy that I showed it to, who is a very close friend). BTW, I don't make carrying a Basic 7 a habit... I wanted to show it to the guy.

Oh, and finally, I work in an office where, supposedly, anything longer than a 3 inch folder is very much a no-no. Hmph... sure, I guess. I've worked here over 10 years, though, so... I know what I can get by with.

discretion
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A dog at play has the mind of a wise martial arts master, a mind capable of perfect focus. - Marc Christophe

iktomi
 
Yeah, Ron, rub it in
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Must be high on every knife knuts wish list to work for a company that encourages its employees to own and use knives. And even better if the company actually makes knives. Some people have all the luck...

I usually carry a non-threatening, "cute" knife (CRKT Mirage, Small Sebenza, or BM850) at work and use it very discretely except around the people who know me well.

Red




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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
i am a student AND a budding knife collector. for me, purchasing knives requires a little understanding of human psychology. i mainly use my knives for small 'household' type jobs (ie. opening mail, cutting apple, etc.) since i live in a dorm, whipping open, even a delica, to open mail would surely send me straight to the deans office.

i have come to a few conclusions about carrying knives at school. first, serrated edges are a no-no. i guess they are too 'scary/menacing looking' for non-knife people. second, most knifes with 'radical/unusual' blade designs are unacceptable. unfortunately, this means that most spyderco knives are out of the picture. of course this doesn't mean i can't BUY them
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I just can't use them in public. i guess anything that doesn't look like a SAK blade MUST be used for nefarious purposes like stabbing people, slashing tires, or cutting apples.
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third, most things that have a harmless clip seem to be intimidating. i know this may seem strange, but this again deviates from the 'norm', so of course it terrifies everyone
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fourth, any knife that you can/do snap open quickly is a big negatory because people think that a huge amount of practice must go into learning how to snap open a delica, and therefore you must have practiced my robbing old ladies or something. the suspicious glances can be reduced if you stifle the urge to snap open your folder and instead clumsily use both hands to open your knife. (biting your tongue or lip and glaring at the knife while you open it; even letting the blade slip closed a couple of times helps)
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these guidelines unfortunately reduce my selection of 'public' knives to a select few. i recently purchased a crkt mirage ti and think that after removing the clip it would be a close to ideal folder for a corporate environment. it is small, light, sleek, a non intimidating color, and can be opened one handed (unlike an sak). i've put some pictures comparing it to my delica and sak here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1456065&a=10939011



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-me and my dislocated brain.
 
Don, you've got some really nice blades on your site, especially the Field Agent.

Our company has a "no weapons" policy, so I'm careful not to carry anything large or threatening looking. For general carry, I alternate between a Gerber E-Z Out or Spydie Calypso Jr. depending on what pants I'm wearing and what color blends with the clip best. Most of the guys hunt and talk about guns and knives anyway, so the subject isn't new to anybody. Also, I only use the knife as a tool, opening boxes and the like. I carry a SAK for most purposes though. Dress slacks call for a waistband carry instead of pocket. Besides, more often than not, I hear "Hey, find Ron and see if you can borrow one of his knives for a second."
 
My honey carries a Pro Tech runt most of the time.Works for a large insurance company.Has had to educate a few on the use of tools in the workplace.
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have a"knife"day
 
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