Sheeple knife

[Ecchi-Spud]

The smaller SAK is gonna work, but you could also carry an Opinel No. 2 or 4. A lock that is extremely simple to use, the new user may even be a bit intrigued by this classy and simple knife. It is "imported from France ", so it's uniqueness to the non knife person may be an opportunity to start a discussion and give you a chance to "evangelize to the unbeliever".

Hey, Opinels got ME into this . . . The only issue that MIGHT be a problem with the "sheeple" is the locking collar (on Nos. 6 and up); if the Opinel's closed and locked, and they don't know to "rotate the collar" to open it up (and then to rotate it again to lock the blade open), . . . And then there are those occasions when it's just too stiff (maybe it got wet) -- then you can dazzle them with a "coup de savoyard."

But I agree that an Opinel shouldn't be too frightening (even the larger models) -- mainly because they AREN'T typically a fast-deploying knife ("twist the collar, grab the nail nick, maybe give it a knock, twist the collar to lock," etc.). An SAK or multi-tool (Leatherman Micra or Squirt, or maybe even a Juice) would certainly be okay.

 

[8steve88]

Have you thought about a Boker Plus Nano - it's available as a framelock or a slipjoint (Nano 42), good looking and sheeple friendly. Small but very capable.

 

[hatch]

I won't loan a knife to anybody at work again. Lost two good ones that way. Loaned them to guys who never carried knives but needed them for certain jobs. When I asked for them they said, "Oh, crap! I left it lying on the job!" People who don't carry them on the job are simply too stupid to put them in their pockets, something they have never done and don't want to start. Another guy asked to use my knife to scrape wire. I knew he had a bunch of knives and told him to use his own. He said, "Those knives are for sellin', not for usin'. Told him to get another one to use. Even an SAK, otherwise perfect, is too good to loan. People have no respect for other people's tools. I hate to be a prick, but I won't lend flashlights either. They never come back. Or tents. I've loaned 4 and never got one back. If I felt I had to loan a knife under such conditions, a RR medium stockman for $10 would be my maximum. And I wouldn't get it back.

 

[Dry-cell]

My thoughts... If a person has a job that requires having tools, or knows life would be a little easier having said tools. It's not your responsibility to provide for them, they're making money like you are, and can go out and buy the necessary tools that they will need, or may need. Hopefully they will learn to stop putting they're co-workers in awkward situations because of they're lack of preparedness.

 

[choombak]

Hi, i am looking into buying a true sheeple knife. i need a knife that i can lend out when someone needs a knife that is sheeple friendly. Because i am lending it out i need a knife that is sturdy, with no pocket clip, no lock. I wan't to carry it loose in my pocket and not overly expensive. I need it because i carry a ZT200 or Military as my primary knife and i don't want to wip it out and scare the sheeple. Any suggestion?

Why carry a knife for someone else? I don't loan my knives, sheeple or not. However, and depending on your work environment, you should decide the knife you'd want to carry for yourself (length of blade and looks being primary points).

 

[155440]

The SAK classic in a cute pattern is what I carry.

 

[jackknife]

Why carry a knife for someone else? I don't loan my knives, sheeple or not. However, and depending on your work environment, you should decide the knife you'd want to carry for yourself (length of blade and looks being primary points).

We should for a very good reason. We are the ambassadors of a hobby that makes up lees than 1% of the general population. The rest of the world see's us obsessed knife nuts as the whack jobs. The nut cases. Flicking out a nice big ZT or other large folder does nothing to convince them otherwise.

But loan them a nice small non threatening knife to use as a cutting tool, and you just may make a convert. It's happened for me. I've carried small SAK's like the classic that I bought from TSA confiscations, and carried them as a disposable knife. By disposable, I mean to give away to someone I see that needs a knife but doesn't have one. I have converted totally non knife carrying people to at least carrying and appreciating having a small sharp cutting tool on them. I know of a couple cases where I've given someone a classic, and later they forgot to take it off their keyring and had it taken by TSA. They later came back from the trip and went out and bought another SAK classic because they missed the one they had. At least that is a partial victory when it concerns someone who was previously a non knife carrier.

We are small enough in numbers that if some knife law came up on a vote, it helps to have all the allies we can get. Converting the unwashed masses is a first step. That is why I always carry a small low cost knife as a potential give away for the cause.

 

[choombak]

We should for a very good reason. We are the ambassadors of a hobby that makes up lees than 1% of the general population. The rest of the world see's us obsessed knife nuts as the whack jobs. The nut cases. Flicking out a nice big ZT or other large folder does nothing to convince them otherwise.

But loan them a nice small non threatening knife to use as a cutting tool, and you just may make a convert. It's happened for me. I've carried small SAK's like the classic that I bought from TSA confiscations, and carried them as a disposable knife. By disposable, I mean to give away to someone I see that needs a knife but doesn't have one. I have converted totally non knife carrying people to at least carrying and appreciating having a small sharp cutting tool on them. I know of a couple cases where I've given someone a classic, and later they forgot to take it off their keyring and had it taken by TSA. They later came back from the trip and went out and bought another SAK classic because they missed the one they had. At least that is a partial victory when it concerns someone who was previously a non knife carrier.

We are small enough in numbers that if some knife law came up on a vote, it helps to have all the allies we can get. Converting the unwashed masses is a first step. That is why I always carry a small low cost knife as a potential give away for the cause.

Yes, your argument is certainly convincing. One reason why I started carrying traditionals at workplace are the absolute non-threatening looks and many times "oh! my grandpa had a similar knife", which actually opens up an avenue for further conversation. I certainly did not consider this idea can be extended further by loaning them so they are actually perceived as tools. Well put, and I stand corrected.

 

[FordRanger]

We should for a very good reason. We are the ambassadors of a hobby that makes up lees than 1% of the general population. The rest of the world see's us obsessed knife nuts as the whack jobs. The nut cases. Flicking out a nice big ZT or other large folder does nothing to convince them otherwise.

But loan them a nice small non threatening knife to use as a cutting tool, and you just may make a convert. It's happened for me. I've carried small SAK's like the classic that I bought from TSA confiscations, and carried them as a disposable knife. By disposable, I mean to give away to someone I see that needs a knife but doesn't have one. I have converted totally non knife carrying people to at least carrying and appreciating having a small sharp cutting tool on them. I know of a couple cases where I've given someone a classic, and later they forgot to take it off their keyring and had it taken by TSA. They later came back from the trip and went out and bought another SAK classic because they missed the one they had. At least that is a partial victory when it concerns someone who was previously a non knife carrier.

We are small enough in numbers that if some knife law came up on a vote, it helps to have all the allies we can get. Converting the unwashed masses is a first step. That is why I always carry a small low cost knife as a potential give away for the cause.

Absolutely! I keep hearing "I don't ever loan a knife" and want to agree with that, but in all seriousness I want more people to start liking knives! Sharing in the appreciation of a knife's usefulness or even just beauty makes more people realize how important they are. I love my traditionals, so whenever a knife is needed I am usually more than happy to hand them an inexpensive traditional, one that looks good but that isn't worth enough to worry over how its used. This way they see that it is both useful and attractive, and many times I've been complimented on this.

That being said, if the same person asks to borrow a knife twice, I simply tell them where and how much I paid for said knife, so they can go get their own. Even the first time I encourage them to get their own. Ask them why they don't have a knife, and urge them to get one!

 

[jc57]

I have never had the situation arise where I needed to lend someone a pocket knife.

My suggestions of what to use for such a purpose would be:
- Any of the least expensive SAK products - Classic, Floral knife, Recruit
- Any of the imported traditional slipjoints from Buck, Rough Rider, Boker, Rite Edge, even the new Schrade.
- A Case Sod Buster Jr or any of the less expensive Case Zytel handled slipjoints like the Tan Caliber Peanut
- One of the smaller Buck MiniBucks or the similar Kershaw DWO
- Opinel #6

 

[The Zieg]

Good for you and your lucky outcomes.


not having your luck, I choose to either do the cut for a 'sheeple' or tell them 'sorry',but I carry good blades and will not take another chance [ happened too often ] .The blade was either broken or dulled to the point of ruin.


I do not carry cheap blades,and I would no sooner hand a nube a loaded gun,than a good SHARP knife.

Shalom my Brother.

Opinel and SAK cheap? Inexpensive, yeah. No sweat, though. People would bring their stuff to you to cut, you'd do it for them, all would be right with the world. That would also drive them to look into getting their own, potentially.

Zieg

 

[hatch]

I took a Case Mini-Trapper to college. Showed it to my first roommate, and he immediately threw it at the door, breaking off the tip and one of the scales. Showed one to another college friend, and he threw it at a tree and lost it. I already mentioned loaning out two to co-workers who just left them lying on the job. One offered to buy me another, but never did, but he was my boss. If I were doing outdoor work now, I would carry a Victorinox Farmer, but as a college instructor I carry a Vic Pioneer as it's more compact, and I don't need a saw indoors. On a side note, I always wondered what kind of knife it was OK to have on campus, if any, since Kentucky law prohibits weapons on campus. A few months ago there was a graffiti threat of shooting violence (just BS), and Public Safety emailed a warning, including the official weapons policy: no guns on campus (except locked in cars--a recent change) and no knives "except for an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife." The hunting knife exception surprised me. I had
been sticking to my SAKs and 3 1/2 inch stockmans and whittlers, about what I carried when I was doing outdoor and indoor maintenance. But I still maintain that, under most circumstances, loaning knives at work is asking for grief. Most people who don't own knives will throw them, break them, dull them, lose them, cut themselves, damage something, or just keep the knife, none of which will endear you to your co-workers or them to you. If I thought I must loan a knife, I would carry a medium stockman by Rough Rider for $10. It would do everything I need (except for things an SAK would do), and I could loan it without too much worry, just to see who can be trusted not to act like a jerk. In fact, I have carried an extra at times, just for that purpose. That would be my suggestion.

 

[FlameCycle]

One more thing: It's been said before, and I can attest to this myself, that lending out a small innocuous slipjoint to someone who honestly needs it is one of that best ways to act as as kind, nonjudgemental, and respectful ambassador of this hobby/lifestyle we live as knife aficionados. When I worked in an office and carried a small SAK Tinker I lent it to a younger colleague for a day. He brought it back just before the end of the day, asked me what model it was as he wanted one just like it. The next morning he came back with one still in the box, opened it at my desk, and smiled like the kid he was at that moment. I asked him, "Didn't you have a Swiss Army Knife before now?" He said he never had knives or tools or the like in the house growing up. His "dad never taught him any of that stuff." I felt like an adopted uncle. And I made a small difference in the world by helping a young man become a bit more self-sufficient. Since than, this has happened twice more, once with an older man, believe it or not, who missed out on knives somehow. Again with a woman, whose parents had had lots of knives and tools and were themselves rural folks growing up but who herself was a city girl and just never cottoned to having a small pocketknife handy. She now has an SAK Classic clipped in her briefcase all the time. She also likes her N°8 Opinel. I know because she's now my wife.

So don't listen to the "Never lend a knife out" crowd. It's not just a favor you're doing, it's a mitzvah. I suppose in Yiddish, we'd say, "Seyt a messermench! "Be a knife-carrying gentleman!"

Zieg

Bump just because this is gold.

And as an answer, buck 110 would be decently 'sheeple' proof and also a decent edc if you don't mind going without a clip.

 

[Filoso]

I carry a Victorinox classic with the keys

 

[pinnah]

Carl, your Micra is a TSA refurb. I get them bulk and hand them out like candy.

Maybe I'm the Creepy The Clown of the Leatheman set?

For all the "I carry a nice blade" types (shrug), so do I. I don't loan that. Micra in the off pocket is painless and makes life better. Honest. Try it.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I made this one specifically to be non-threatening in appearance.

 

[Dry-cell]

Thought I'd add a picture to the mix, I had taken it back in October 2014.

 

[nib2000]

Kershaw Shuffle?

 

[Boris74]

I'd love to be that guy who wants to get people enthused about knives but people who want to borrow knives aren't the type who care. They will use until done and set it down and leave it because they didn't pay for it or use it untill they break it. I get the question often and 95% of the time they need to pry, chip at, screw or wedge it into something. Rarely do they want or need one for cutting. I politely inform them to go to the store and buy one if they want to use it for them tasks and direct them to the location of the proper tool. My current EDC is a cheap Chinese Schrade and I will not loan it to anyone. When you experience reaching for your knife and it's not there then asking for it back and it was left on a stump miles back on the trail you change your mind. Even if it was a $5.00 gas station special. Sucks to need a knife and not have it. I carry one in the left and right pocket and people complain well ya got two. My reply is if I break one I still have one. One is none and two is one.

When my oldest son asked a couple months ago to use my knife I looked at him like he just fell off the potato truck. When we got in the house I promptly ordered him his first knife. Just a few days ago working with the pigs one of his friends asked if they could borrow his knife. You can guess what his response was.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Loaning a person a knife (even a cheapie, let's say) and walking away from that person, or letting them use it unsupervised, is asking to have it go lost or broken. If someone asks to borrow a knife, that person is in effect declaring they don't know knives or how to use a small folding pocket safely.

The rare couple of occasions where I've loaned a knife, I stand with the person while they use it. And in the nicest way I can, I supervise how they use it. And when the job's done, I ask for the knife back. I simply don't just hand someone a knife out of my pocket and watch them walk away with it — to do who knows what?

Loaning a knife is, as Carl said, a way to make a convert — and we can use as many converts as we can. But the conversion process should not, except under rare conditions, be a process of handing soneone a knife and letting them use it unsupervised. If I loaned a person a knife for a task, and he/she threw it into a door, that person would never touch the knife a second time. And I'd ask them to pay for its replacement.