Open carry: A right, a statement, or an indiscretion?

A

AlexSchira

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May 12, 2007
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Keeping as much politics out of this as I can, I'm holed up for the night and wondering about my carry habits over the years. Then compared them to which culture I was living in during each time period, and how I viewed my habits during each time. When I say open carry, this can vary from a pocket clip visible under your shirt to a neck knife worn out in the open, or more commonly a belt mounted fixed blade. I prefer fixed blades, so my experiences are biased. Obviously I'm not carrying a Becker in a scabbard to the movies, but if you look directly around my person you would notice a necker or belt-knife among the odds and ends. That's my definition of open carry.

Back in the suburban area I grew up in, I could openly have any folder clipped anywhere, and coming back to visit I could have a smaller necker hanging like a medallion and no one bats an eye, even going out on the town for the night. In the city, I have mildly more discretion because of the tense atmosphere, but for the most part this just means openly necking it with an open jacket where it's not center stage, or moving towards more low-line carry. Currently, while there's no legislation or rulings about it, my work environment demands I look as domestic and intellectual as possible. I don't bother with my neck rigs anymore, can't reach them under a shirt, so I stick to low-line carry with color-matched handles to blend in. Going from an area where people would bat an eye if I DIDN'T have my neck knife on to an environment where the coworkers are very well meaning and educated but not used to blades, I'm starting to reflect on it all.

Is openly carrying a knife as casually as one would wear a watch a statement about your lifestyle and values...a right that you feel shouldn't be scoffed at...or is it a casual habit that you don't mind leaving behind for the sake of others? These are three theoretical approaches to an end goal I assume we all can agree on, making knives more accepted and trusted in the eyes of the wary public. Throughout my short knife-life, I've been in all three positions.

'The Constitution Quoter'. I have the right to carry a knife, and I'll carry it in the most convenient manner possible, in whatever style or build I find functional or fashionable. If you don't like this, I don't really care. I'll be polite about it, but even being asked why I have it is a bit of a sting I don't like very much. I'm not exactly fond of the bans and legislations going around, and will say as much.

'The Activist'. Why yes, I happen to carry a knife, an essential tool I believe is very handy. I know everything about this one from the shape of the edge to the steel it's made of, I know the man who made it for me, it's a functional piece of art. It's not an evil thing, it's just a sharp edge that you can use to make your life easier. If you like this one, how about this little one to try out? Keep it if you like it. It's the person holding it that matters, it's why I don't mind talking about it.

'The Gray Man'. If the situation arises, I will as discretely as possible use my knife without alerting anyone or having it seen. As often as possible I'll use a friendly slipjoint SAK so even if spotted, it doesn't draw attention or worry anyone. I'll relax around friends and those who I know appreciate the hobby, but that thing in my waistband may as well signify a secret society it's kept so guarded. I'm not promoting the hobby, but I'm not going to add hot water to the pot right in my daily life. Concealment is an integral part of the hobby, if not a responsibility.

Obviously, I hit each extreme a bit too hard. No one's really that single-minded, but over time I've been in each state of mind and had different reactions over time. Even back when I was colder about it I still had my fuzzy personality showing through, I was about as intimidating as a ferret in sunglasses. If I had the choice I'd be out in the open again and playing off my Knife Rights agenda with social marketing and personal acts of kindness so people associate it with knives in the future. Now? Standing out and having unusual features in today's world isn't going to get you up the ladder very fast, and all it takes is one raised eyebrow from a boss to start up very subtle hesitation whether it's intentional or subliminal. Am I hollowed out and dead inside? Comes with the dress shirt. But the professional world currently doesn't take kindly to tools with that fabled secondary use to them. I could start arguing about how anything in the office is a weapon...That would mark me off as the new 'Dwight' if they don't try and diagnose a full-on disorder.

When it comes to carrying a knife in plain sight around the public, where do you stand? Is it a right and who cares who doesn't like it? Are you setting an example that breaks the stereotype? Or is it not worth the convenience in today's world?
 
Here in Oregon, I don't give a dang. Office setting? I'll pick a thiner knife that matches the slacks color--usually a Kershaw leek/damascus shallot.
 
I can imagine some old pilgrim reading this from the 1700's and thinking, WTF? Why do people have to be so conscious of how the public views them -just for carrying a knife? -just an interesting thought of where we have come from.

I too have experienced all of those point of view.

^+1 to Oregon. That is where I grew up. No one really cares about knives over there and you can belt carry whatever you want.
 
I try to stay sensitive to others who aren't used to people carrying knives. I wouldn't play with my knife in front of people I don't know, but I won't hide it too much if there's a legitimate reason for using the knife. If anything, using a blade for a reasonable task in a responsible manner in front of folks is probably the best approach for those who aren't used to pocket knives.

There are certain things that most normal people do that is some kind of a compromise to get along in a society and that's ok. It's the acknowledgment that I am not the only person in existence. It doesn't have to mean that I'm a pushover or anything like that. The key is in finding a balance where I can live my life and enjoy the things that I enjoy so long as it doesn't violate anyone else's rights and being mature enough to recognize that there are other people that may be ignorant of the fact that there are responsible adults that carry knives.

If someone is highly irrational about me carrying a knife, then the irrationality is their problem and not mine. Any reasoning adult can have a civil and logical discussion with me about it. I will keep it hidden if a job frowns on it. It's not my company and I've agreed to come on board, so I've also agreed to follow their rules. If I really don't like the way the company operates, I can work elsewhere.
 
I think that one "problem" (If I can call it that) is that we never really know how others feel about our knives or how they view them. There is a lot of talk about "sheeple" and about them being "freaked out by knives," but we dont really know that for sure -at least not about all of them. Sure there are some who will freak out, but they are rare in most parts. I think that sometimes we are the paranoid ones, not the sheeple. Maybe it is not as bad as we make it out to be? As long as you are not carrying a rambo mall ninja knife in a city/ urban setting I dont think that people get that worked up (generally)
 
I openly carry a SAK and a LM Wave. I have a folder in an inside jacket pocket - and I would be careful where I used that. I DON'T walk around with a fixed blade in a holster - I would probably get arrested! I can get away with justifying a SAK or multitool but not what others would consider a weapon - our laws are a bit strict on carrying weapons here.

But if I head into the bush to do some camping or hunting or anything similar then I can happily carry almost any knife I like. It is only in the urban environment I need to restrict what I carry.
 
If it suits my purposes and benefits me to keep it hidden I do. If it does not benefit me, and working to conceal is just for the benefit of others and their irrational fears then I don't bother. If they have a problem with it they can go DIAF for all I care.
 
Is openly carrying a knife as casually as one would wear a watch a statement about your lifestyle and values...a right that you feel shouldn't be scoffed at...or is it a casual habit that you don't mind leaving behind for the sake of others?
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In an office setting, with typical office work, I don't see much need for a fixed blade hanging from a sheath, and wearing such IMO is definitely making a statement that is just asking for attention. It's sort of like wearing striped pants with a differently striped shirt and a plaid tie. In a perfect world, no one would scoff at your choice of clothing. But it's not a perfect world, is it?

In the summer, I like to wear shorts, but I would never do so in the office. I am my own boss, which means that the dress code in the office is what I say it is. But I don't wear shorts in the office to abide by certain unstated (but well understood) social conventions.

In terms of a pocket knife, the smaller and lighter, the better for me. I just don't want something bulky in my pocket.

I carry the Ultimate Pen Knife that I bought from A.G. Russell. It has a very thin 1-1/2" blade of VG-10 steel and titanium handles. It weighs 0.2 ounces. Yes, that's one-fifth of an ounce. Overall length closed is 2 inches (not counting a tiny bail). I use it openly all the time and show it off at appropriate junctures.

I love my JYD II with composite blade, but I don't consider it appropriate for office use. If I worked on a loading dock, sure, but my principal use for a knife in the office is opening envelopes and packages. My Ultimate Pen Knife is perfect. For heavier duty work, I have in my drawer an all SS Spyderco Ladybug3 with serrated edge. Bigger than that I don't need.
 
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sizzler said:
If it suits my purposes and benefits me to keep it hidden I do. If it does not benefit me, and working to conceal is just for the benefit of others and their irrational fears then I don't bother. If they have a problem with it they can go DIAF for all I care.
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DIAF? Give me a clue. I'm not asking you to spell it out because I am sure it would be inappropriate to spell out here...
 
Everyone seems to be becoming sissyfied and when they see even a small blade they freak. My mom carries a spyderco dragonfly, one day while at work she had to use her knife to open a plastic bag, another woman (not a co-worker) said why do you carry a weapon?

My mom being a very practical person was almost insulted by this comment and simply told this woman its not a weapon its a pocket knife, with one of those your a dumbass looks. When she told me this story she could not believe someone would consider such a small knife a weapon. I told her of the way people are now and how we like to call them sheeple, she laughed and said its sad what this world is coming to be.

Unfortunately we live in a world of law makers that have no idea what they are doing and a gullable public that believes everything they hear on the news.

In Michigan I could carry up to a 6 inch FB open carry but I don't because it would cause nothing but trouble with the sheeple and LEO alike. Most LEO's in MI think a 3in folder is the max you can carry, my guess, its because they have a a reading compression problem and forgot what it actually says.

I carry a spyderco military every day, not because I'm proving a point but because I can and its a tool that works well for my needs. I'm not going to change my ways because some people have a hard time accepting reallity.
 
I've been carrying a knife since I was a kid, am not particularly discreet, and lived in big bad cities full of sheeple for most of that time.

I can't recall anyone ever giving me a hassle about carrying or using a knife. If someone was bothered by it, they sure never let me know. To the contrary, I find that nobody really cares when you use the appropriate tool for the job.

If you're sitting on the bus, and you take out a Buck 119 to clean your nails, I suspect you'll get some stares, mostly because that would be kind of a weird thing to do, even if you have completely benign intentions. Knife nuts are simply never going to be granted much leeway when doing goofy things like that. Some folks may be frightened. Some may simply roll their eyes. We cannot expect the general population to indulge us in our knife fetish. We knife nuts need to get over this fact of life. We are the weirdos here. Acting indignant, or being particularly offensive over the issue just makes us appear like even bigger freaks. And then we have the gall to come here and complain when regular folks treat us like nuts...
 
For me, it try to keep them out of sight as possible, even though the last thing i wanna do with my knife is use it as a weapon, i think the best way to handle a threat on my life is by surprise and you cant do that if its out in the open..

Also i dont like drawing attention to myself and knives tend to draw attention, out of sight, out of mind...

In case your wondering what i carry, usually a emerson cqc-8, why? cause i think its cool, and i can, but usually my shirt covers it up in my jeans pocket.. if i really dont want a bigger knife, then i go with a case mini trapper..it just depends...
 
The Government said:
I can imagine some old pilgrim reading this from the 1700's and thinking, WTF? Why do people have to be so conscious of how the public views them -just for carrying a knife? -just an interesting thought of where we have come from.

I too have experienced all of those point of view.

^+1 to Oregon. That is where I grew up. No one really cares about knives over there and you can belt carry whatever you want.
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The past is not what you think, That pilgrim could be flogged for transgressing the dress code for his station in life.
 
shecky said:
I've been carrying a knife since I was a kid, am not particularly discreet, and lived in big bad cities full of sheeple for most of that time.

I can't recall anyone ever giving me a hassle about carrying or using a knife. If someone was bothered by it, they sure never let me know. To the contrary, I find that nobody really cares when you use the appropriate tool for the job.

If you're sitting on the bus, and you take out a Buck 119 to clean your nails, I suspect you'll get some stares, mostly because that would be kind of a weird thing to do, even if you have completely benign intentions. Knife nuts are simply never going to be granted much leeway when doing goofy things like that. Some folks may be frightened. Some may simply roll their eyes. We cannot expect the general population to indulge us in our knife fetish. We knife nuts need to get over this fact of life. We are the weirdos here. Acting indignant, or being particularly offensive over the issue just makes us appear like even bigger freaks. And then we have the gall to come here and complain when regular folks treat us like nuts...
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+1. We are the freaks. And on a side note, I like being a freak:).
 
I EDC a SAK, a RAT Izula, a folder on my belt, and a Boker subcom in my LF pocket as the blade kit to my system. All of these can be plainly seen, but the biggest (the folder usually an ontario rat 1) is alway contained in what I like to call "fancy pants", a leather horizontal belt sheath. People usually comment on the sheath, and don't notice the other 3 blades about my person. Works well for me.
 
In Sweden the "knife law" lets you carry whatever that is considered justifiable. There are no regulation on blade size or type, except for obvious "street weapons" such as stilletoes, balis and other knives that are more weapons than tools.
The Average Joe guy can carry a SAK or multitool without being harassed by anyone, as long as he isnt drunk or gets into a fight at the bar etc.
Bigger knives might require proper attire. Hunting clothes + 4" fixed + saturday morning = OK. Questionable place, time, person etc + more or less any knife = no no.

If you plan on visit Sweden and want to carry around a folder, pick one that doesnt look too "scary". The average person accepts a small folder that someone slowly opens but gets a bit scared if someone flicks open a big black scary knife.

Can anyone explain the clip requirement on knives in some states in the US? Is a folder deep in your pocket a concealed weapon? I would think that a knife that you can not see and do not know about causes less concern than one that you can see, even though you just see a clip.
 
I too prefer fixed blades, live where it is legal to open carry a fixed blade of any length, but I still conceal it. I don't like to stick out or be conspicuous, that's just me. When running errands or going into a bar I imagine I would often be denied entry if I had a large FB visible on my hip.
 
Interesting topic. I don't think there is a 'right' answer. Really, it depends on the situation and the person. Like so many things in life, it all boils down to common sense, and 'extremes' are best avoided.

Yes, I have the right to carry it, but is it practical in certain settings? (I have the right to go to college and get a PhD, but is that practical in my life right now?)

Personally, I prefer not to bring attention to myself, whether with a knife, flashy clothes, or flamboyant behavior. So, I try to be discreet when carrying. I will take it out and use it, but I don't really want to advertise that I am carrying a knife (or an expensive phone, or a marijuana pipe, or a cock-ring, even though I have the right to carry all of those, and usually do:)).

Having said that, I have never gotten any 'off' comments when I have used my knife in public. In fact, because I carry a rainbow leek, the only comments I have gotten are ones of interest or admiration. I'm telling you, that rainbow gimmick is the best 'camouflage' for using a knife in public! Even the girls dig it!
 
Nodh, we have wide state and local variations. In general, a knife in plain sight is legal, hence the clips. Clipped to the outside of the pocket or onto the belt, a large folder is legal in most places. Clipped to the inside of the pocket with much of the knife showing, it's legal in somewhat fewer places. Dropped into the pocket and out of sight, it's subject to blade length restrictions, often 3". We do have some truly insane jurisdictions with bizarre laws, so caution is in order.

In practice, in most places, we are much like you. The letter of the law is less important than what is reasonable. Cops do not usually go around with rulers to see if a knife is a quarter inch over the legal limit. If I go into town in my gardening clothes with sizeable belt knife, I'm not going to get hassled. A teen might, but I'm past sixty.
 
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