Professional Reaction...

Well, I work in an office environment also. My employer is probably a lot more relaxed about knives in the workplace than a bank manager probably would be (I see him with a full-size leatherman all the time). I carry my 3" folder clipped to the inside of my pocket with the clip visible and a SAK in my pocket EVERYDAY now. My experience is, people who mostly view a knife as a weapon WILL be spooked until one day comes when they need something cut or a bolt tightened/loosed with my SAK. Then they see me as the most handy guy to have around and that is a pretty good feeling, being the "go-to" guy.
 
I’m an accountant and I carry a Benchmade 440 or a Buck 503 daily. Both are small and light enough to put in the pocket of dress pants and not print the outline of the knife for the whole world to see. They are also not likely to scare anyone if I do pull it out to use for some reason. I would not think about clipping a knife to my pocket at work, but that’s just me.

I also envy guys that get to work with tools for a living.

Scott
 
FisherBBC said:
I just wanted to get some insight from those of you that carry your knives daily into a professional business environment. I envy the guys that are out there working with their hands and doing work that readily requires the use of a knife. However, I work in the banking industry.

I love collecting knives, and I love carrying one with me. Regardless, people always seem to freak out when I pull my knife from my pocket. Whether it be to open a package, or open an envelope, I always get comments. By the way, the knives I carry are folders with blades less than 3 in. I honestly grow tired of the comments. It seems like my co-workers are truly nervous about me using such a knife in their presence. How do some of you other guys handle like situations. Also, I have ordered a Benchmade Snody Activator that I should receive tomorrow. Do you professionals think that carrying a small fixed blade knife on my belt would be even more of an issue???
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if they start freaking out because you have a knife to open packages just ask them how they would feel if you started using a gun to open packages instead
 
If the folks where you work are already that sensitive I think the answer to your question has already presented itself to you. Being in the field you are in (white collar) I can tell you that the sheath knife is not a part of the "dress for success" clothing selection you should be wearing. They do not go with a tie well. I'd opt for something more discreet in your work environment. Try something in a trendy colored handle that is more cute to onlookers like a Dodo or maybe something like an all stainless Poliwog even if you just have to have a bigger knife on you. I would think a Spyderco Kiwi or something like the Buck 501 would be a good choice in sheeple friendly knives but in todays world who knows. Things have gotten worse since my white collar days. You may have to opt for a small pen knife slip joint to get by without notice in an ultra sensitive environment. I would stay discreet if I were you. If you try the sheath knife someone you have to answer to may make it so the pen knife is not even acceptable anymore and you will end up using a car key to replace your knife altogether.

STR
 
Yep, if you want a fixed blade keep it concealed. Use something like a Swiss Army Knife or a slipjoint to open the mail at work. ...Or a letter opener.

That kind of BS is a major downside to working for corporate america. You will always get some pussy bitching about it because in reality they know they are "weak and helpless sheep" and they want you to be one too or else they are confronted with their own impotence.

Screw 'em. Be a "sheepdog" anyway - but like your namesake, stay in camoflage so you look like the rest of the sheep on the outside :thumbup:
 
What the heck is wrong with using a folder at work?!?!!? I know, I know, some people are just freaked out with knives because they equate knives as weapons of mass destruction. Well if you have a sweet looking folder like a small Sebenza or a small SAK maybe the sheeples would be more at ease about being around it. For me, I have always carried a Leatherman in an office setting with both males and females around when I use it including the manager and supervisor. In fact, some of my coworkers actually ask me to borrow it to either tighten a screw or bolt that came loose on some equipment or I use it to cut a large cardboard box up so that the box would fit in the trash a bit more easier. Recently, I've also carried a folder with me (large Sebenza) in a belt sheath. Outside of work, I carry a fixed blade (Shadow III) which is hanging off my belt. The Shadow III pancake belt sheath is quite unique and the handle of the knife looks like a knurled handle of a screwdriver.

BTW, I do look quite intimidating being a large guy with long hair and goatee but because I've been at my office for a long time and I carry myself as a professional, no one is really concerned that I am a miscreant or a mass murder - or at least that is what I think:D.
 
I work in a dual enviroment , both in the office and out in the field (retail point of sale systems to be exact).
I have used my EDC (CRKT S-2) countless times in the last six months , the S-2 is not a small knife either , so far I havent really gotten a comment , negative or other.

Maybe I've just lucked out... An old co-worker said something I thought was damn amusing once , he said that my knife was too sharp and therefore dangerous to use , I didnt bother contradicting him. :rolleyes:

Face it , many people these days are just uninformed dorks that live in a bubblegum world of Disney and Cat in the Hat.

Let 'em rot there for all I care.
 
I would keep what is in my pocket or clipped IWB to myself. It's nobody's business what you carry and like a previous poster said, a knife is not consistent with today's politally correct dress code.
 
I am a Veterinarian in Massachusetts. I carry a Leatherman Wave, a Gerber left front, and a Benchmade right front. I also have a Surefire 6P right hip (and a gun on the left hip). I use the Leatherman, Gerber and Surefire countless times every day.

New people at my job sometimes are startled when I whip out a knife to cut something, but they get used to it. My boss actually thought I carried a switchblade because I open them so fast. :rolleyes: One day I actually showed her the knife to prove it wasn't (not that she really cared).

They jokingly call me MacGuyver (sp?), but they all run to me when they need something. Many of the people know I also carry a gun, but they never see it. I have it pretty good, especially considering I'm in MA. ;)
 
try carrying a larger box knife, and see if they get upset over that; you might want to find out what the company policy is reguarding this issue first; if it mirrors local ords, then you may push back(so to speak).if not than a large box cutter will put their panties in a bind.
 
This is a good topic. In a few weeks I will be making a big career change and will be going from a private sector maufacturing environment (production floor) to a government white collar office environment. It is a government office in a government building which brings a whole new set of rules into play. I have always favored small knives. Most of my collection is within the 2.5" limit most government buildings enforce. But at this point I don't know if I will be able to carry a knife at all. As a new employee I have no desire to rock the boat. I'll likely leave the knives at home until I can confirm the knife regs at my new job. If I am allowed to carry a knife, I still want to guage the general knife vibe of the office before pulling out any knife. If I do decide to carry a knife to work, it will be something small, simple, and discreet.
 
I work in a law office, where I always have at least one folder on me, another clipped to an outside pocket of my briefcase and a SAk on my keychain. I use a knife at work about once or twice a day. I don't think anyone at the office has ever seen my knives or seen me use a knife in about 6 years though, since I don't whip it out and make a big show of how I have a knife to open envelopes. In fact, once when our office manager was supervising an admin who was trying to open a banker's box, she remarked "Brew has a knife . . we can use that" . . I was surprised that she knew I had a knife on me. But then she's a friend who has seen my knives at my home, so I think she was just guessing.

If you work at a bank or a securities firm and you say "people always seem to freak out when I pull my knife from my pocket", then it's my guess that you are intentionally using your knives in an ostenatious manner. It sounds like you're trying to freak them out a little on purpose. So it's up to you - you can use you knife in a way where no one every has to see it. All it takes is turning away when you whip out a blade to open something. And even if people see you use the knife, they probably won't freak out since it doesn't look like you're flipping your knife out at them.
 
I've found that you just can't "please" everybody.

I got the eye-brows and comments over the Dodo, so switched to the U2. Still, I get the stupid people.

Sheesh.

Me, I just worry about those who directly affect my paycheck and blow-off (nicely and politely) the rest.
 
FisherBBC said:
How do some of you other guys handle like situations.
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As mentioned earlier, stick with a swiss army knife. The Classic is a well-known, non-threatening model.

FisherBBC said:
Do you professionals think that carrying a small fixed blade knife on my belt would be even more of an issue???
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Yes. I am one of those lucky people that get to work outdoors. I carry a Buck 112 on my belt, and no one says boo. But, that's the nature of my job. I am expected to carry a knife of some sort. You, in your profession, are not expected to carry a fixed blade. A letter opener, maybe. A fixed blade, no.

Andy
 
I would go with a "classic" pattern like a congress or a small stockman. I've always been a fan of a good two blade canoe pattern. Something that their dad or granddad may have carried may put them more at ease. A slipjoint will also tend to negate the "that's a weapon!" reaction. I'd also suggest against wearing on the belt in a bank, or anywhere else in corporate america. I work in a lab and no one seems to mind my "grip," but then again you can't turn around without finding a razor blade.
 
Pin up a poster of the self defence uses for a knecktie. Next to that, pin up a poster of the combat capabilities of a ball point pen. Maybe put a graphic photo of a viscious paper cut or staple impaled eyeball on your desk.
Instead of push pins, use poisous paper clip blow gun darts to attach notes to cork boards. List all the cleaning chemicals the janitor uses in your building with the possible deadly reactions when they are mixed. Then put a sign on your desk that says "Ban pocket knives".
 
I am a Account Executive out in the field (the kind of field with streets and office buildings :( ) and I have run into the same situation some of the time when someone needs something cut or dealt with.

Honestly, an upscale small folder is the way to go. If you get something with nice scales and a Damascus blade, you take away the tactical/weapon first impression/feel of the knife.

It actually becomes a "ooh, that's nice looking" as opposed to "what does he need that knife for?"

This is a good example, but this one is a bit big for me.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Benchmade-710-C...ryZ73531QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
I work at an investment/banking firm, but I'm "that cranky mailroom guy". All my coworkers are suit-and-tie types and I try to never use my Byrd Meadowlark in front of them. I mainly have that clipped to my pocket or my Benchmade Mini Ambush (also smallish), and use those for bigger cutting jobs in the back part of the mailroom. I also carry a SAK, and use that if there are coworkers around that may be put-off by a locking folder.
 
My work environment would consider you out of place if you did NOT have a knife on you, and you would be equally out of place if you didn't have at least one firearm on your person, or at least within arms reach.

I pity the fool who decides to come try to shoot up the place because he/she is a disgruntled former employee.
 
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