Sheeple friendly EDC

Just gt back from 10-days in India where the security at the domestic airports was extreme - given the train bombing 3 days before I flew home.

My Spyderco Salt didn't raise an eyebrow on the whole trip, and even rural India isn't a knife conscious society.

It's small, harmless and goofy looking - the perfect travel EDC
 
For situations like that I always like a small Kershaw Onion like the Chive of the Scallion. Most of the people I've worked with who've seen those thought they were cool cuz of the assisted feature and because they're small enough to be non threatening.

It's always amazed me carrying my Scallion around, despite the fact that you'd think the assisted feature puts it in the same class as autos in the sheeple mind, it almost never raises eyebrows from the people around me.
 
I'm currently in the Mechanical Engineering program here in New Mexico. I have found that a small knife like my William Henry Kestrel seems to do everything I require at school without eliciting any negative comments.
 
IMO for EDC nothing beats any of the smaller (sub 3inch) spyderco knives. Even then I think blade color has a LOT to do with it. I used to carry around a spyderco native black blade, I just happened to like the way it looked. However it got reactions. I have since broken that knife (and sent it away for repair) and am using a Delica 4 with a folliage green handle. So far this has been an absolutely excellent knife that no sheeple has really even winced at. I think the green handle and shiny blade for some reason make the knife seem less menacing then it's black cousins.
 
However much (or little) a person cares about how sheeple perceive him/herself with their knives is fine. As long as we all are aware of presenting ourselves in a responsible fashion we maintain a better chance of being able to legally keep our beloved tools in the future. Great answers everyone.
 
Yeah agreed.

I generally carry as large a knife as legally and work allowed, which in TN, and my work is a good sized blade, a 4 inch blade is normal. But I use it as appropriate and pull it out and open it in a reasonable, normal manner. I have had 1 person in recent memory question it, and her boss told her to shut it cause I was fine, amusingly that one was a mid size traditional, as sheeple friendly as you get. She matched the definition of not just sheeple but anti-knife/anti-gun sheeple, afraid not cause she doesn't know, but because she doesn't WANT to know. Some you will never please. Most are fine.

Of course in an office setting, your company may well have a policy against large knives so that may all be moot, YMMV. I'd make sure to check it out.

Syn
 
SAK Waiter or Compact. Opens beer and wine, plus you can cut stuff from time-to-time too!

I wouldn't recommend any of the Spyderco's if you're really, really paranoid about someone raising hell over you pulling a knife out in front of them. Their somewhat untraditional looks may bring more attention than you're looking for.

From someone recently (she was inquisitive, and it wasn't meant as negative):

What's the hole for?

Maybe a smaller, classy looking Benchmade like the 707 Sequel? They have a limited edition version with walnut inlays and D2... probably over your $100 cap, though.
 
Depends a bit on the environment, and how you're going to carry and present it. University in Texas is going to be a lot different than Southern California. So look around and see what other people are carrying, if anything.

More unfriendly environments:

Leatherman tool - I've found these acceptable in most engineering schools. For a while, they were the de-facto accessory.

SAK - Small or regular size. The red handle is pretty well known and non-threatening.

Leatherman Micra - I EDC this everywhere

Classic multi-bladed knife, like Case

Small spyderco - jester, Ladybug


Medium paranoia:

Opinel

Spyderco Dragonfly. I like stainless better than nylon handle. Get non-serrated. This has the advantage of being a very functional knife that falls under the 2.5 inch rule for government facilities. Only think I don't like is that the clip rides a bit high. That could be a plus, because you're less likely to get nailed with a concealed weapons charge if it's hanging out there

Other small Spydercos - navigator, kiwi, Kopa, cricket


Low paranoia:

An ~3" folder, preferably with non-black blade and colored handles. Spyderco Delica, Ocelot (black handle, but cute little paw prints), Benchmade Griptillian

If you can find small university stickers - logo, mascot, etc., you could use them to pretty up a smooth handled knife, like the Dragonfly.
 
Two more options: Fallkniven U2, Victorinox Spirit. The Spirit is a very highly regarded and sheeple-friendly multitool, and can currently be had for $44 from Amazon, with a Vic Rally thrown in:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000IOG3Y0 ,
and the U2 is a a very sheeple-friendly little lockback with superb steel that can be had for ~$55 from various web dealers. So you can get both and stay within your $100 budget.
 
I go to college here in Vermont, I carry a Rukus as my primary knife, in my right pocket and a Mini Rukus in my left pocket for sheeple and any jobs that might be easier with a smaller blade. I don't believe the size of the knife is necessesarily as importiant as being smart about when you pull your knife out and use it.
 
marcinek said:
How 'bout an AG Russell Woodswalker? I'm considering it.

If a fixed blade is out, Spyderco Kiwi.
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The Woodswalker is an excellent buy. It's doing more kitchen duty than the block set, and the leather sheath is keeping my Mini Canadian. :D

As far as sheeple-friendly, think pretty or well-crafted over coolness factor. Although you can definitely find both, and the Griptilian is not a bad choice!
 
Tohatchi NM said:
Funny thing you reminded me of. I was in Post 509, the Explorer Scout troop over at Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena.

JPL is fairly medium to high security, being a Government installation and all. Anyway, to go to meetings, you had to walk past one of the Gaurd shacks at JPL, and if the gaurds were new, or had never seen you before, they had you turn out your pockets, and would confiscate certain items you could pick up as you left.

I remember some small pocket knives getting confiscated, but several of us also carried Leatherman tools or Gerber tools. Those were never confiscated, despite their 3" blades. Just goes to show how much perception can turn tools into 'weapons.'
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