Excellent. My bad for not reading the preceding 58 posts.
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Post your "sheeple" freakout experience here
- Thread starter singularity35
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That happened to me once. Working in a restaurant (just a sports bar&grill type of place), I brought out my little Kershaw Leek to break down some cardboard boxes. One of the other guys on line came outside to have a smoke, saw the knife, and said something to the effect of, "Woah, there, buddy. What the hell are you carrying a switchblade for??". He didn't pitch a fit or anything, but he was pretty shocked that I had a knife in my pocket.
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Exactly, Ankerson. You've hit on a point that has driven me nuts for years. How the heck do these people eat without knives? Either they're hypocrites, or they're demented.
The 14" Chef's knife that you're talking about is just fine, but put a simple Vic Farmer, or other harmless tool, in someone else's hand, and they freak out.
I fail to understand their logic ... or lack thereof.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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I have a funny one.
I used to be in Management in the Grocery Business when one time while back in the produce Department making my rounds there was a box that was left on the floor by the stockers. I pulled out my knife I had at the time (Recon 1) to cut the plastic and the Produce girl who was nearby slicing up Watermelons jumped back behind her cart. She was holding a 12" Produce Knife at the time.
I asked her what was the problem, she simply stated that my knife was a weapon and it scared her. I simply walked over and asked her to hand me the Produce knife, she did and I laid that and my Recon 1 on the counter next to each other. After that I simply said see the difference, it was huge, she started laughing and said yeah. She said she felt kinda stupid after I pointed it out to her and the difference was right in front of her eyes.
It was out little inside joke after that.
Everytime I would see he cutting something I would jump and put my hands up, we would laugh about it.
I used to be in Management in the Grocery Business when one time while back in the produce Department making my rounds there was a box that was left on the floor by the stockers. I pulled out my knife I had at the time (Recon 1) to cut the plastic and the Produce girl who was nearby slicing up Watermelons jumped back behind her cart. She was holding a 12" Produce Knife at the time.
I asked her what was the problem, she simply stated that my knife was a weapon and it scared her. I simply walked over and asked her to hand me the Produce knife, she did and I laid that and my Recon 1 on the counter next to each other. After that I simply said see the difference, it was huge, she started laughing and said yeah. She said she felt kinda stupid after I pointed it out to her and the difference was right in front of her eyes.
It was out little inside joke after that.
Everytime I would see he cutting something I would jump and put my hands up, we would laugh about it.
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Three cheers:thumbup: OK to call me a gun nut or a knife nut, but shame on me for calling someone the s word.
So mustardman is it right to label someone who carries or likes a particular style of cutlery a psycho and have him/her arrested and/or fired from their job given a felony record and hindered from providing for themselves or their family.
Sorry but I can think of a lot worse things to call aggressively intrusive knife phobics than sheeple.
Sheeple is being nice as far as I am concerned, and on top of that it happens to be very descriptive of their personality.
I don't appreciate anyone attempting to deprive me of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. To some these words are the butt of jokes, laughter, and mockery but you wait until you lose all of it then maybe your mind will suddenly flood with far worse words than the term sheeple.
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- Nov 21, 2008
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- 241
I share popcorn at the movies so the popcorn bag was half full. Standing by the popcorn prep area way to the left of the concession counter I pull out my caly 3 and cut the bag to size. After walking back to my seat in the theater a manager approached me and said someone complained that I scared them because I was using a large knife. S he said they don't allow weapons in the theater and asked me to show her my knife. I produced the caly 3 and she apologized and said the person over reacted. I had my BM710 in my other pocket...can't imagine what would have happened if I had used it to trim the bag. lol Swat would have been called.
That hit me like a shot to the gut and made me realize I need to be more discrete in public as much as I hate the thought.
That hit me like a shot to the gut and made me realize I need to be more discrete in public as much as I hate the thought.
Yeah..no you don't have to be discreet...thing is people in the world have gotten soft and out of touch with the term liberty...
Ugh...all they know is people with guns are crazy and people with knives are crazy..I'm damn glad to live in Kentucky, with our castle doctrine and what not. I've never had any of these experiences yet. Probably b/c I don't live around a bunch of sheeple, and yes I will use the term sheeple, if you are ignorant and scared by a 3 inch pocket knife you are a sheeple and need to get a live, or not be so emotionally frail.
/end rant
Ugh...all they know is people with guns are crazy and people with knives are crazy..I'm damn glad to live in Kentucky, with our castle doctrine and what not. I've never had any of these experiences yet. Probably b/c I don't live around a bunch of sheeple, and yes I will use the term sheeple, if you are ignorant and scared by a 3 inch pocket knife you are a sheeple and need to get a live, or not be so emotionally frail.
/end rant
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I know I've posted this before, but it seems relevant to the discussion (as opposed to getting my panties in a bunch over the term "sheeple" ). I've carried a knife in office settings for years. Over this time I've assembled my own list of common sense guidelines I use. I know we're talking more broadly than just carrying a knife in an office setting, but they are general principles. I don't know if you'll find them helpful, but they've worked for me...
1. Keep the knife appropriate to the setting. For an office, I always keep the blade <3 inches, sometimes even smaller. No uber-tactical knives. Try and avoid assisted opening knives. Knives with damascus, embellishments, etc. are more likely to be seen in a positive light than a black coated blade with "Commando Death Dealer" emblazoned on the knife.
2. Use the knife to help others. When someone is struggling with opening something, I make a point of using my knife to help, so that they can see the utility of having one and so that they associate a "warm fuzzy feeling" with the use of a knife. They've always been very courteous and thankful for the help. I've also offered to sharpen kitchen knives for folks -- something that is really appreciated.
3. Be careful how you deploy the knife. While we don't think twice about unclipping a knife, opening the blade with the thumbstud, cutting the intended item, and returning the knife to our pocket all in a few seconds, I've noticed that the speed of this event can freak people out. If you do it more slowly, they tend to react more positively to the whole experience. Their brain has time to process the event and the knife didn't "come out of nowhere" and surprise them. It also sometimes helps to deploy it two-handed, like you would with a knife without a thumbstud.
4. Let them handle the knife. When someone starts to freak out, I make a point of handing the knife to them and letting them hold it. This takes away some of their fear, and it subconsciously turns them into the knife person. It changes the perceived balance of power between the two of you. They find that they can hold the knife and amazingly it doesn't hurt them. It also gives you a chance to explain how the lock works (a huge mystery to most of them), that the frame is made of titanium (very cool to most people), the type of scale material, and other neat features.
5. Choose your knife terminology carefully. When I tell someone that I collect knives, I always use the term "pocket knives." It is more readily accepted by others, since I think it conjures up images of Grandpa's slipjoint, instead of the more "deadly" knives they fear. Also, NEVER tell them how many knives you have, unless you want to immediately be labeled a nut job.
6. Give knives to others. I make a habit that when someone expresses interest in my knives, I often will give them a small SAK to keep. I have a few on hand for these times, and it officially makes them one of us.
7. Be discreet. Never flaunt the knife or randomly play with it, even if you are by yourself in your cubical/office. Leave it in your pocket until it's needed, then use it, and put it away. You have lots of time to play with your knives at home, on the trail, and in other more appropriate places.
We should never be ashamed of carrying a knife, but a little common sense goes a long way in portraying our community as rationale, thoughtful people who mean no harm, but simply choose to carry this tool.
- Mark
). I've carried a knife in office settings for years. Over this time I've assembled my own list of common sense guidelines I use. I know we're talking more broadly than just carrying a knife in an office setting, but they are general principles. I don't know if you'll find them helpful, but they've worked for me...1. Keep the knife appropriate to the setting. For an office, I always keep the blade <3 inches, sometimes even smaller. No uber-tactical knives. Try and avoid assisted opening knives. Knives with damascus, embellishments, etc. are more likely to be seen in a positive light than a black coated blade with "Commando Death Dealer" emblazoned on the knife.
2. Use the knife to help others. When someone is struggling with opening something, I make a point of using my knife to help, so that they can see the utility of having one and so that they associate a "warm fuzzy feeling" with the use of a knife. They've always been very courteous and thankful for the help. I've also offered to sharpen kitchen knives for folks -- something that is really appreciated.
3. Be careful how you deploy the knife. While we don't think twice about unclipping a knife, opening the blade with the thumbstud, cutting the intended item, and returning the knife to our pocket all in a few seconds, I've noticed that the speed of this event can freak people out. If you do it more slowly, they tend to react more positively to the whole experience. Their brain has time to process the event and the knife didn't "come out of nowhere" and surprise them. It also sometimes helps to deploy it two-handed, like you would with a knife without a thumbstud.
4. Let them handle the knife. When someone starts to freak out, I make a point of handing the knife to them and letting them hold it. This takes away some of their fear, and it subconsciously turns them into the knife person. It changes the perceived balance of power between the two of you. They find that they can hold the knife and amazingly it doesn't hurt them. It also gives you a chance to explain how the lock works (a huge mystery to most of them), that the frame is made of titanium (very cool to most people), the type of scale material, and other neat features.
5. Choose your knife terminology carefully. When I tell someone that I collect knives, I always use the term "pocket knives." It is more readily accepted by others, since I think it conjures up images of Grandpa's slipjoint, instead of the more "deadly" knives they fear. Also, NEVER tell them how many knives you have, unless you want to immediately be labeled a nut job.
6. Give knives to others. I make a habit that when someone expresses interest in my knives, I often will give them a small SAK to keep. I have a few on hand for these times, and it officially makes them one of us.
7. Be discreet. Never flaunt the knife or randomly play with it, even if you are by yourself in your cubical/office. Leave it in your pocket until it's needed, then use it, and put it away. You have lots of time to play with your knives at home, on the trail, and in other more appropriate places.
We should never be ashamed of carrying a knife, but a little common sense goes a long way in portraying our community as rationale, thoughtful people who mean no harm, but simply choose to carry this tool.
- Mark
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Not really a freak out - not sure I've had a good one of those yet - but a response anyway. In high school, in the 80s, one of our teachers asked if any of the guys had a knife - he needed to open a box or something. About 75% of us raised hands but I whipped mine out first. I just happened to be carrying some new piece of junk folder from Pakistan but it was about 5" long.
He took it, said "dang Jim!" and opened his box. When he finished, he laughed and shook his head and handed it back with no further comment.
Glad I didn't go to a public school - don't think I could have stood the brain washing. :-D
He took it, said "dang Jim!" and opened his box. When he finished, he laughed and shook his head and handed it back with no further comment.
Glad I didn't go to a public school - don't think I could have stood the brain washing. :-D
Thank you, Mark, for that excellent post. I do this also and have had no problems with my knives and non-knife people.I know I've posted this before, but it seems relevant to the discussion (as opposed to getting my panties in a bunch over the term "sheeple"
1. Keep the knife appropriate to the setting. For an office, I always keep the blade <3 inches, sometimes even smaller. No uber-tactical knives. Try and avoid assisted opening knives. Knives with damascus, embellishments, etc. are more likely to be seen in a positive light than a black coated blade with "Commando Death Dealer" emblazoned on the knife.
2. Use the knife to help others. When someone is struggling with opening something, I make a point of using my knife to help, so that they can see the utility of having one and so that they associate a "warm fuzzy feeling" with the use of a knife. They've always been very courteous and thankful for the help. I've also offered to sharpen kitchen knives for folks -- something that is really appreciated.
3. Be careful how you deploy the knife. While we don't think twice about unclipping a knife, opening the blade with the thumbstud, cutting the intended item, and returning the knife to our pocket all in a few seconds, I've noticed that the speed of this event can freak people out. If you do it more slowly, they tend to react more positively to the whole experience. Their brain has time to process the event and the knife didn't "come out of nowhere" and surprise them. It also sometimes helps to deploy it two-handed, like you would with a knife without a thumbstud.
4. Let them handle the knife. When someone starts to freak out, I make a point of handing the knife to them and letting them hold it. This takes away some of their fear, and it subconsciously turns them into the knife person. It changes the perceived balance of power between the two of you. They find that they can hold the knife and amazingly it doesn't hurt them. It also gives you a chance to explain how the lock works (a huge mystery to most of them), that the frame is made of titanium (very cool to most people), the type of scale material, and other neat features.
5. Choose your knife terminology carefully. When I tell someone that I collect knives, I always use the term "pocket knives." It is more readily accepted by others, since I think it conjures up images of Grandpa's slipjoint, instead of the more "deadly" knives they fear. Also, NEVER tell them how many knives you have, unless you want to immediately be labeled a nut job.
6. Give knives to others. I make a habit that when someone expresses interest in my knives, I often will give them a small SAK to keep. I have a few on hand for these times, and it officially makes them one of us.
7. Be discreet. Never flaunt the knife or randomly play with it, even if you are by yourself in your cubical/office. Leave it in your pocket until it's needed, then use it, and put it away. You have lots of time to play with your knives at home, on the trail, and in other more appropriate places.
We should never be ashamed of carrying a knife, but a little common sense goes a long way in portraying our community as rationale, thoughtful people who mean no harm, but simply choose to carry this tool.
- Mark
I think that one reason Sal Glesser prefers the latter term to the term "sheeple" is that it leaves our mind open to the possibility of respecting them, liking them, educating them about tools if they are at all receptive. I agree with this philosophy.
Bill
I think this is probably the greatest help in easing peoples 'worry' as it were about knives. A simple "Hey, let me help you out with that" before cutting something for someone or a good smile and a joke about how difficult they make boxes to open (the more lame the better I think) will go a long way into putting people at ease when you suddenly put out a knife. It's amazing the difference kind eyes and a good smile can change the perception of people with something as innocuous as a good intention.
Sharpening kitchen knives is great is a great idea, particularly since a sharp kitchen knife is a safe kitchen knife.
JohnTheTexican
Gold Member
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- Jul 1, 2006
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Not exactly a "sheeple" story; sort of the opposite, really. Combined with a digression and a rant.
A long time back when I was working as a law clerk for a federal judge (who was a Democrat appointed first by Carter and then elevated to the court of appeals by Clinton), the UPS man dropped off a bunch of boxes. I started to look for something to open the boxes with, and the judge says, "where's your knife?" Being a proper East Texan, I guess he just figured everyone with a y-chromosome carried a knife. It's a tool every man should have with him at all times. Needless to say, that was the last time I showed up at work knifeless.
Flash forward 15 years. All the courts where I live--state and federal--are dominated by Republicans, and yet I can't even take the freakin' Leatherman Micra on my keyring into the federal courthouse.
Some scumbags used a box-cutter to hijack some airplanes, and in response we allow the government to impose the stupidest restrictions on our perosnal liberties, make people submit to virtual strip-searches as a precondition for getting on an airplane, go through metal detectors to get into a football game, and submit to endless other indignities all in the name of "security." The terrorists have well and truly kicked our asses, and we're too stupid to see that we've let them win.
A long time back when I was working as a law clerk for a federal judge (who was a Democrat appointed first by Carter and then elevated to the court of appeals by Clinton), the UPS man dropped off a bunch of boxes. I started to look for something to open the boxes with, and the judge says, "where's your knife?" Being a proper East Texan, I guess he just figured everyone with a y-chromosome carried a knife. It's a tool every man should have with him at all times. Needless to say, that was the last time I showed up at work knifeless.
Flash forward 15 years. All the courts where I live--state and federal--are dominated by Republicans, and yet I can't even take the freakin' Leatherman Micra on my keyring into the federal courthouse.
Some scumbags used a box-cutter to hijack some airplanes, and in response we allow the government to impose the stupidest restrictions on our perosnal liberties, make people submit to virtual strip-searches as a precondition for getting on an airplane, go through metal detectors to get into a football game, and submit to endless other indignities all in the name of "security." The terrorists have well and truly kicked our asses, and we're too stupid to see that we've let them win.
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My wife and I ate dinner in a little barbecue restaurant Tuesday evening, I had my ESEE-4 on my belt since we had been hiking and fishing. We came out and she looked at me with the most horrible look and asked "What if they had called the cops on you for carrying that big ole knife?" I had to explain to her that it's perfectly legal to carry a knife on your belt, and it the mountains of NC, it surely isn't out of the ordinary. I thought my wife would have known better....
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pot, kettle.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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Let me check ... is this in the General Knife Discussion? Yes, it is.
Should I move it to Whine & Cheese or close it?
Close it.
Should I move it to Whine & Cheese or close it?
Close it.
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