Professional Reaction...

I've never had any issues , I'm a tadesman , and often work in office and institutional enviroments . I just use my stuff professionally and matter of factly . Being a tradesman in an office enviroment , they expect me to knuckle drag a bit . Then again I dont go flipping something like a Benchmade Ruckus . Multitools fall into a null zone noone notices them on a working stiff .

Chris
 
I keep a little home made knife hanging in my cubicle at work. I use a small rare earth magnet to keep it handy on the light fixture. It's 1.5" blade, 3.25" OAL, drop point, no scales, 0-1 tool steel.

Once in a while, I have to remind people that it is a real knife with a sharp edge even though it almost looks like a toy:D

Ric
 
I am convinced that a knife for that type of work environment needs to be fairly small, very shiny, and have mother-of-pearl handle scales. Some brightly colored liners or bolsters wouldn't hurt, nor would a bit of bold engraving. This seems to transform it into something beautiful enough for even (some) sheeple to appreciate.
 
STR said:
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
Click to expand...

Generally, I have to agree with STR here. BUT, here is what else you can do: get a decent folder and then have STR replace tactical looking black G10 with colored micarta… Or if you want a fixed blade, carry it upside down clipped to the inside pocket of your jacket. Nemesis arch-ally or spyderco Ronin should do… a
 
I work in a Class A corporate office building in Northern NJ. I've been carrying a small fixed blade for my entire adult career. While I'm now always in plain clothes, there is also always a Security Enforcement Agent Badge clipped somewhere in the vicinity of the knife. Looking at it in the reverse, as someone who is paid to watch what others due, I can say I've challenged knife carry on more than one occasion. These instances were all based on 'brandishing complaints' from their fellow employees. For the most part, I'd ask them to be more discreet, and leave it at that. The only time I took follow up action that I remember, was with a fixed blade that wasn't even worn, it was a war souvenir displayed in a cubical. I made him take it home because A). I didn't want it to get stolen, and B). I knew that I would continue to get complaints from sheeple in his area, and also knew management would eventually take action from the amount of administrative time to answer those complaints. Majority rules, and unfortunately, the majority are sheeple, at least in NJ that is. :(
 
I feel if you have a nice belt sheath that would help keep things calm around people who are paranoid or freaky about knives. I don't like to carry my knives in my pockets because I already have a lot in them. I don't take out my knives to flaunt either. Cleaning your fingernails with any kind of knife in the office is stupid. If I need to cut a piece of paper to size, I use a pair of scissors. I will use the small screwdriver on my Leatherman Charge to tighten a screw on my glasses though. If I need to open a box, I will use whatever knife I have handy with me. Other than that, my knives will stay tucked safely away in a sheath or clipped to my pocket until it needs to render service. As I mention before in an earlier post, I already have a reputation in carrying a multi-tool and/or a knife in the office so people will not question me about having one and I am discreet when I do use it.
 
If I worked at a job that didn't let me carry any legal knife, I would quit. If a company cannot trust me to carry a knife, they don't trust me enough to work there. If my co-workers cannot handle me carrying a knife, then I would not be able to stomach working with such ignorant fools.

I have actually quit two jobs (there were my "second jobs", not jobs I needed) because I could not carry a knife. They were shipping jobs too, and a blade of some sort was needed by everyone several times a day. We were forced to used dull, crappy box cutters. I won't lower myself to work at such places, or in a "PC" office where everyone is too much of a caveman to allow proper tools.

But on the otherhand, if I worked at a place (especially an office) where a knife is not needed, or is *RARELY* needed, then I wouldn't bother carrying a knife anyways. I do not believe in carrying a knife when the chance that I will need one is virtually zero (or no higher than the chance that I will need a hammer or a purple duck that can sing show tunes).

At my main job I carry (and use) a knife every day. I use fixed blades in Kydex sheaths. I have got some jokes about it (been called Daniel Boon a few times), but no one is afriad of knives. Most people there carry knives and understand that they are a needed tool in that workplace.

If a knife is not a needed tool in a certain job, then the carry of knives being frowned upon there becomes less of an issue. I quit those two shipping jobs because knives were a needed tool there. But for some reason they trusted us with box cutters, and not a proper knife that would less us do our job much better.
 
Working in an upscale camera store/photo lab that asks employees to wear dress shirts and ties, I carry a Griptilian with a 3" blade that is fast enough to rescue me from my tie if needed. No one seems to mind at all and then I noticed that at least half of the employees have a discreet pocket clip showing, but you never actually see the knives. Low key and respect for others counts for a lot and will lull a lot of "sheeple".
i.m.h.o.
 
FisherBBC


i think you should get a Mnandi for the office. i mean if they freak out just show it to them, its very elegant.
 
I work as a software consultant and have had no problems with my knives. I typically carry a Chinook 1 and/or a Police. More often than not the people I work with want to get a closer look or handle the knives when they see them.
Maybe it's a geek thing.
 
Pick yerself up a cute little Kershaw Chive- everyone seems to like them.

It'll help keep 'em from noticing the bowie knife or tomahawk ya' got hidden under yer sport coat.:D

More than anything your co-workers sound pretty errrrr...chicken feces-ish

break 'em in on small and cute as hell, before you start bringing in the Cold Steel Vaquero Grande:D
 
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