Sheeple friendly features

[f250]

I agree with what several other people have said. Other's perception of knife use is defined largely by the user. I'd say color is a close second.

I carry many different knives at work ranging from a SAK Cadet or Opinel 6, all the way to a Spyderco Farid K2, with some small fixed blades thrown in like the becker tweeners. Most of my coworkers throw Crocodile Dundee references at me and joke about me carrying weapons. BUT, I'm not in an office environment, I'm outdoors, and we all use various tools as part of our jobs, many with sharp edges. My point is, I carry and use blades that do look scary, people around me recognize it, and they ALL know that I view knives as tools and I collect them no differently than many of my coworkers collect and use guns for hunting purposes. (It's the deep south, what can I say). Nobody complains or is scared when I use my knives, because I'm using them as the tools they are, and when questioned, I explain that. It's about context and presentation.

Also, I don't pull out my Farid while I'm sitting in church picking my nails. Common sense, don't wave the knife around stupidly, and just do what you want.

 

[Faiaoga]

Funny, I was just commenting that I saw a knife on blade HQ called the "double homicide". However cool this knife may be I would never own it due to the name.

I forgot to mention this same point, a point that was made in the article I posted about. Knives advertised as "double homicide", "super ninja" or "zombie sword" will probably be perceived differently than those advertised as "old timer", "farmer's stockman" and so on. Probably the "safest" knife to carry and to take out when needed would be a small Swiss Army knife in a bright color, with scissors and other tools and marked hiker or camper or traveler. I know I am stating the obvious, but this thread brings out some good points.

 

[Todd21969]

Knives advertised as "double homicide", "super ninja" or "zombie sword" will probably be perceived differently than those advertised as "old timer", "farmer's stockman" and so on.

I am not so sure the model name matters all that much. My fully serrated "Police" and "Matriarch 2" get far more looks and comments than my "Military" or "Paramilitary 2".

Crappy cell pic...

 

[ebidis]

I forgot to mention this same point, a point that was made in the article I posted about. Knives advertised as "double homicide", "super ninja" or "zombie sword" will probably be perceived differently than those advertised as "old timer", "farmer's stockman" and so on. Probably the "safest" knife to carry and to take out when needed would be a small Swiss Army knife in a bright color, with scissors and other tools and marked hiker or camper or traveler. I know I am stating the obvious, but this thread brings out some good points.

The Double Homicide is actually a very expensive custom by Jeff Vandermueller. Probably more of a safe queen for collectors than something to carry at the mall. Not that some people wouldn't carry it.

 

[Faiaoga]

The name of a knife and the way it is advertised could be important if a knife user is expected to justify his choice of a carry knife before a jury or or other group of people. I am not an attorney and have never appeared before a jury, but a person carrying a knife that is advertised as a "combat knife' might be perceived differently than a person carrying a "hunting knife" or "dive knife".
Of course, it is not just the name that is important. Size, color, shape and all of the factors mentioned come together to determine how a knife is perceived.