Should "regular" people carry knives?

Shotgun

Shotgun

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Feb 3, 2006
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A while ago I read that Doug Ritter had a top ten essentials list for people but one of the things he didn't put on there was a compass. His reason was that most people don't know how to use a compass so it's essentially dead weight and the people who DO know how to use one are going to take one anyway so it doesn't need to be on the list.

This got me thinking about knives, most things get me thinking about knives:D, and how a lot of hikers don't consider a knife a necessity. This in turn got me thinking about the skill level of these people. Now I agree that when everything goes according to plan the only real need for the knives that I carry is to cut cord. Something that can be done with a SAK classic. But I carry a belt knife and usually a hatchet for those unexpected emergencies. But I know how to use them. So maybe they're right in a way to not carry knives. If they don't know how to use them maybe they aren't "needed."
 
Yes, they should be carrying a knife. They might find themselves in a unexpected situation where they need a knife.
 
I have always carried a knife since 5 years of age.

In myt opinion foks who don't carry a knife are the irregular ones. They are also anoying always asking me "why do you carry a knife? Are you afraid of something? or some such idiocy.

Then they have the gall to askme to cut something for them, or to borrow my knife.
 
Don't know how to use a compass?

Maybe not everyone knows how to use a compass and map together, but I would think that almost everyone knows that a compass will point north if you're using the right compass for specific parts of the world.... Sometimes general direction is more than enough to get out of sticky situations.

Therefore the same follows for knives. I'm sure most adults in the world and lots of kids know how to use knives. Even with no survival skills, maybe the person saw something on TV or in the movies and can emulate. Can't do that if you don't have the tools right?

I've seen some day hikers carrying nothing but a camera with them on some trails. Next thing you know, the newest fad will be to not carry water cause it weighs too much...
 
Those who do not carry knives are usually found gnawing on their packages. More proof that it is painful and inefficient to be mindless sheep.

n2s
 
Where I come from, if someone doesn't carry a knife they aren't a "regular" person.
 
I'm not one for the language of 'regular' vs 'irregular' people.

But I do believe that a pocket knife is a real must-have EDC item, that it has a wide range of everyday uses, and that it allows people to handle tasks that would otherwise require additional assistance - which is a good thing, in my humble opinion. It's true that for many, a knife would probably initially be dead weight. It takes a bit of time and some regular use before that pocket knife becomes present at the top of the mental checklist of 'tools I can use in a given situation'. I have seen people with SAKs in their pocket or purse gnaw on packaging in an attempt to open it, having forgotten the knife that is within arms reach. With time, though, the knife becomes both physically and mentally available.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I have mixed feelings on this subject. On one hand, I think that everyone in the world should have at the very least a small pocketknife, SAK, or multitool on them at all times, but at the same time, I think that they should develop the skills to use them without hurting themselves and practice safety with the tools. On the other hand, I watched a grown man at a wild edibles course I attended stab himself in the leg with his knife from doing something stupid and not being safe with it. This guy was an "outdoorsy person" who looked like he should at least know the basics of safety with a knife, but obviously he didn't. I've seen several people use knives in dangerous ways, not because no one taught them how to use it safely, but simply because they were goofy, clumsy, and didn't pay enough attention. So, I'd love to be able to say that everyone should have a knife, but I can't, becasue there are some goofy people out there that just can't be taught how to be safe and are going to hurt themselves. I'm sure all of us know that one guy that no one wants to sit next to at the bar because you know it's only a matter of time before he knocks that beer and spills it all over you. AND unfortunately, it would seem that said goofy people and clumsy people far outweigh the safe people. I'm going to have to say no. I don't think that everyone or "normal people" who don't have the skills should carry a knife. Maybe a small Old Timer folder or Barlowe or something, but that's it.
 
wildmike said:
I have always carried a knife since 5 years of age.

In myt opinion foks who don't carry a knife are the irregular ones. They are also anoying always asking me "why do you carry a knife? Are you afraid of something? or some such idiocy.

Then they have the gall to askme to cut something for them, or to borrow my knife.
Click to expand...

Same thought I had.
 
Funny thing is, the people who ask why you carry a knife always seem to need to borrow one. Like gee, guess you may need to cut something once in a while after all.
 
Yeah, everyone should carry a knife.
It won't take many oopses to cure the unsafe handling practices -- one way or the other.
 
I'm old.
When I was growing up everyone carried a knife.
My dad had a Case XX in one pocket and a Hamilton pocket watch in the other.He was a railroader.
All us kids were in scouts and proudly carried our scout knives everywhere, including school..
About JR High most of the guys toted a 110 on their belt.Yeah. At school, where they had smoking blocks and we used to build cannons in industrial arts class and shoot them in the field, when we weren't practicing marksmanship or archery..

Freedom got replaced...with Free Dumb.
 
I once thought everyone at least used a knife to cut food, in the kitchen etc. I was proven wrong on that. However I still think that everyone should carry a knife.
 
even if you dont have any skill with a knife you would have to be pretty stupid to not be able to use it in a way to help you in a survival situation
 
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