I recently started getting back into knives(pocket) again after years of not carrying and I don't know why I stopped. I used to carry an old knife that was given to me by my grandfather everywhere and used it almost daily and not once did I ever get a strange look( that I recall) for using it in a public place. It seems now if you even carry a pocket knife, much less use it in public, I get some looks like I have an arm growing from my forehead. Is this a common occurrence from other users here, or am I just getting older and paranoid? What say you?
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Public perception of people carrying knives
- Thread starter KBnCO
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- Feb 27, 2014
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What are you doing with your knife in public that causes them to look at you?
I've never had a legitimate use for my knife when I'm in the middle of a public space (ie Walmart, the mall, restaurant).
I've never had a legitimate use for my knife when I'm in the middle of a public space (ie Walmart, the mall, restaurant).
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- Jun 5, 2012
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Where do you live? What are you carrying? How do other people know you have a knife? Just want to figure out why your getting weird looks
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- Dec 9, 2006
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I say it's none of their business what I am carrying.I can't go through life worrying about what other people are thinking.I am respectful towards others,and if they look at me like I am from another planet that is their problem not mine.I am not breaking any laws, so they can KMA.........Usually no one even notices what I am carrying, so it has been a non-issue.
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I live in South Carolina. I'm expected to have a knife.
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Literally an hour ago we were out buying dinner for the fire house at the local grocery store. A lady walked up to my captain and asked if he had a knife and if he could help her cut something. He did, she was thankful.
Bigfattyt
Gold Member
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- Jun 23, 2007
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- 19,215
The answer is yes.
I always have a few knives, except when I am in court or in the jail.
A while ago, I bought my kids toys at the big box store. I had to immediately go back in and return one that did not work. The customer service lady told me to go grab another. When I came back, she told me to take it out of the packaging and make sure it worked before leaving, so I did not have to return a third time.
I asked if she had any scissors or a razor knife to cut the package tape, and small zip ties holding the toy in. She said no.
So I took my own knife out (small 3 inch blade). She exclaimed "WOAH, that is a weapon!"
This is in a store that sells AR15's, machete's, axes, ammo, all sorts of knives.
Customer service was looking all around trying to find anything to open the package, and cut the ties!
The knife was hidden in my hand. I had my finger along the spine, and only a hint of edge showed while I cut the package open, and severed the ties holding the toy open.
One of my favorite questions is "why do you carry a knife".
This is often asked after the person seeks you to to borrow the knife to cut something, and they come looking for you, because they know you have a knife. I like to respond in the vein of "I've carried this knife for 23 years so that when you wandered on in here asking to borrow it, I would have a knife to lend you!...... I can die happy now."
I can't count the number of times I have had to lend some one my knife, or cut something for them when asked.
I don't run around whipping my knife out in public for no reason.
Another funny experience was at a large home improvement store. My father and I were looking for a microwave.
They had them on a big pallet all boxed, and shrink wrapped. We had 4 hard ware store employees patting their pockets, getting on their radio's asking if anyone had a knife to cut the wrap.
I took my knife out and cut it at a seam, and put the knife away before the guy could make it from 200 yards away, across the store. The manager was a life long friend, and she laughed at the employees who were wide eyed at the fact that I had a knife. She gave them a hard time that the 4 of them had to call some one else over to even cut shrink wrap. I noted that she had a pocket knife and a utility razor.
I always have a few knives, except when I am in court or in the jail.
A while ago, I bought my kids toys at the big box store. I had to immediately go back in and return one that did not work. The customer service lady told me to go grab another. When I came back, she told me to take it out of the packaging and make sure it worked before leaving, so I did not have to return a third time.
I asked if she had any scissors or a razor knife to cut the package tape, and small zip ties holding the toy in. She said no.
So I took my own knife out (small 3 inch blade). She exclaimed "WOAH, that is a weapon!"
This is in a store that sells AR15's, machete's, axes, ammo, all sorts of knives.
Customer service was looking all around trying to find anything to open the package, and cut the ties!
The knife was hidden in my hand. I had my finger along the spine, and only a hint of edge showed while I cut the package open, and severed the ties holding the toy open.
One of my favorite questions is "why do you carry a knife".
This is often asked after the person seeks you to to borrow the knife to cut something, and they come looking for you, because they know you have a knife. I like to respond in the vein of "I've carried this knife for 23 years so that when you wandered on in here asking to borrow it, I would have a knife to lend you!...... I can die happy now."
I can't count the number of times I have had to lend some one my knife, or cut something for them when asked.
I don't run around whipping my knife out in public for no reason.
Another funny experience was at a large home improvement store. My father and I were looking for a microwave.
They had them on a big pallet all boxed, and shrink wrapped. We had 4 hard ware store employees patting their pockets, getting on their radio's asking if anyone had a knife to cut the wrap.
I took my knife out and cut it at a seam, and put the knife away before the guy could make it from 200 yards away, across the store. The manager was a life long friend, and she laughed at the employees who were wide eyed at the fact that I had a knife. She gave them a hard time that the 4 of them had to call some one else over to even cut shrink wrap. I noted that she had a pocket knife and a utility razor.
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- Joined
- Jul 10, 2014
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- 236
You may just be getting old and paranoid.
I feel like half a man with out at least 2 knives on me, if something needs cut, I'm that guy. No seriously, I have an 8 to 9 inch fixed blade on my side with a clip flipper in my pocket daily, even as the manager at my place of work. I think of my knives as more of a tool then anything else, I sure hope it never needs to be used as a weapon. Haven't ever noticed any weird looks having them though honestly, wouldn't worry if I did.
I feel like half a man with out at least 2 knives on me, if something needs cut, I'm that guy. No seriously, I have an 8 to 9 inch fixed blade on my side with a clip flipper in my pocket daily, even as the manager at my place of work. I think of my knives as more of a tool then anything else, I sure hope it never needs to be used as a weapon. Haven't ever noticed any weird looks having them though honestly, wouldn't worry if I did.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2012
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- 232
If carrying a knife gets you looked at funny you need to move (IMHO)
But then I live in the mountains in Montana. We have lions (not just bob cats) wolves and bears and I have a toddler. I open carry a 44mag super blackhawk and a 5inch fixed blade...only take the gun off if I'm going into a bar, knife stays on. ... only comments I have ever gotten were curiosities about gun model and holster manufacturer.
But then I live in the mountains in Montana. We have lions (not just bob cats) wolves and bears and I have a toddler. I open carry a 44mag super blackhawk and a 5inch fixed blade...only take the gun off if I'm going into a bar, knife stays on. ... only comments I have ever gotten were curiosities about gun model and holster manufacturer.
My wife and I were in Costco and she picked up our Christmas cards and wanted to look at them before we left since they were sourced out since they were custom? Anyway, whoever taped them up must have been very angry because of the sheer volume of packing tape used, so she asked me if I could use my knife to open the package. I pulled my knife from my pocket and proceeded to cut the tape so she could take a look, well when I was done I just glanced over at the 2 ladies next to us and the looks on their faces? you would have thought I was field dressing a elk in the front of the store. I just smiled and said that they sure wanted to make sure that no one opened the box but us.
I carry a Kershaw piston and a CRKT fossil. The fossil was the knife used in the above situation and I immediately put it back into my pocket when I was finished. I admit it doesn't look very delicate but that's what drew me to it initially. I live in CO and have had 3 other occurrences when people have given me a WTF look while just carrying: 1) liquor store, 2) Five Guys burgers, 3) Lowe's of all places. In all cases they appeared to see the top of the knife sticking out a little from my pocket. Maybe it's just me but all instances have occurred in the last month and a half since I started carrying the knives regularly.
My wife and I were in Costco and she picked up our Christmas cards and wanted to look at them before we left since they were sourced out since they were custom? Anyway, whoever taped them up must have been very angry because of the sheer volume of packing tape used, so she asked me if I could use my knife to open the package. I pulled my knife from my pocket and proceeded to cut the tape so she could take a look, well when I was done I just glanced over at the 2 ladies next to us and the looks on their faces? you would have thought I was field dressing a elk in the front of the store. I just smiled and said that they sure wanted to make sure that no one opened the box but us.
I carry a Kershaw piston and a CRKT fossil. The fossil was the knife used in the above situation and I immediately put it back into my pocket when I was finished. I admit it doesn't look very delicate but that's what drew me to it initially. I live in CO and have had 3 other occurrences when people have given me a WTF look while just carrying: 1) liquor store, 2) Five Guys burgers, 3) Lowe's of all places. In all cases they appeared to see the top of the knife sticking out a little from my pocket. Maybe it's just me but all instances have occurred in the last month and a half since I started carrying the knives regularly.
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- Jun 5, 2012
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- 28,912
Its not like you were whippin the knife out for fun and waving it in the air. If people give you looks ask them if they like you lol
Say, "see something you like"? Lol
Some folks are just nosey...
Say, "see something you like"? Lol
Some folks are just nosey...
Funny thing is atavist, Colorado used to be the same way. And as far as Montana goes...you're being Californicated as I type this. We were up there last summer looking at the possibility of moving and looked at Bozeman, Kalispell and Missoula and after talking with many locals who had lived there in each of the towns for years, they all agreed that there was to many people moving there from California and none of them were to pleased. I admit that your state has some incredible scenery and may still make the move if CO gets any worse than it already is.
afishhunter
Gold Member
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- Oct 21, 2014
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I wear a Schrade Uncle Henry LB7 in a belt pouch/holster, pretty much 24/7/365. (I'm a truck driver, I sleep with it - and my clothes on). Can't say as though anybody has given me the evil eye for having it on me. If they have, I did not notice.
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- Dec 9, 2006
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- 1,389
I would have said have a nice day ladys and have a Merry Christmas along with a nice warm smile and then proceeded with my business.I am of the opinion that what you are doing is none of their business.
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