Should We Be Carrying TWO EDCs?

C

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A few years ago I was called in by my female boss and questioned on my use of a pocket knife to open a box for one of the secretaries. Apparently, it had spooked a few of the ladies. And bein' a federal office, she wanted to know why I felt a need to carry such a knife.

I told her that federal guidelines stipulate that a pocket knife carried in federal buildings have a blade no more than two-point-five inches and asked her if she'd like to inspect my knife. No, she said quickly when I produced it, it was that certain "people" in the office were "concerned" about it, and had spoken to her. When she realized that I was totally confused by the meeting, she put it this way: "Your duties in this office do not require you to carry a pocket knife of any size and, as your supervisor, I'm asking that you leave any knives you have at home." Then, to my complete surprise, she produced a signed letter documenting the meeting which she said would only remain in her less official files.

Since the letter didn't threaten any action, but only expressed what we'd discussed, I only told her that I would be sure to remain in compliance with federal law, which caused some consternation but, alas, was all she could legally expect.

So I went back to my office, shut the door and pulled out the small knife. Then I reached in my other pocket and pulled out my Cold Steel Gunsite with a 5-inch partially serrated blade. "Hmmm," I thought. "Good thing they didn't know about this!"

Which got me to thinking: we often talk about what our EDC is, but do we, or should we, carry two or more knives depending on what we're cutting and around whom? I then pulled out a pair of 11-inch scissors from my drawer, government issue, and compared them to my Gunsite. Those women out front had certainly used these vicious weapons in front of me numerous times without even pausing their conversations. And rather than having one blade, this thing had two! :eek:

What kind of society do we live in where we're limited to the blade size of our knives, only to be given these lethal scissors that can have but one intended purpose: murdering our fellow human beings in a moment of passion?

That day I was glad to have both EDCs on me. And if the woman had bothered to check my CRKT M21-12, she would have found it to be much closer to three inches than two-point-five. But with all those scissors out there, do you think I'm going to let them know that? :cool:
 
Yes. The good quality pocket knife, which is reserved for, uh, cutting more important stuff. And the cheap SAK, for non-knife "people", everyday cutting jobs, and high profile cutting jobs where sheeple are gawping.

D@mn them.

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Loved how you put quotes around the word people, like it was in doubt!
 
I always carry two knives when I'm at work or out and about. I usually have a larger one, like a BM 710 or Spyderco Para Military in my right front pocket, but I also always have something a bit more "civilized" like a Kershaw Leek in my left rear pocket or coat pocket. I have noticed that which one gets brought out and used depends on the present company at the time.

The Leek comes out when I'm around guys who know about my knives and I have no need to impress, and the full size models come whippin' out when I'm in a room full of ladies who are in need of a good fainting! (Just kidding, it's actually the opposite:D)

Cheers,
Jon
 
I am a federale. For a while, I carried a 710 and a 705 or 707. At work, I carried a Queen small stockman. One of my friends saw it, and said I should keep it at home. The same friend who is a big gun and knife collector. The same friend who had put in 30 years by then, and new the games. Even though there is a 2.5" blade rule, my contractor security staff and FOP's have decreed that no knives are allowed. I was going to start carrying a SAK, but decided against it. I normally walk out the door with either my SNG (thats in for a little RNR right now), SMF, or Sebenza, been carrying my Ritter Grip, in addition to my small Camillus demo folder, and my Farmer EDC sheath knife. I don't carry a knife into work, and while it still makes me feel naked, I am used to it. What really surprised me, is that guys on the work crews, both agency and contractor, can't even carry a utility knife on the job. One guy I know, who had been there for a long time, and is a boss of one of the crews, asked a guard one day what he should use to cut something, his teeth? The guard promptly asked what he needed cut, and produced his folder (no idea what it was). Another guy got a boatload of crap for bringing in his bread knife. My sections break room however looks like a chefs kitchen, with all of the knives used at parties.

Bottom line, if you're a federale, don't risk bringing a knife in the building.
 
I do. One for utility chores, one for more...urgent needs.

I don't want to be worried about how many cardboard boxes I've opened since the last time I sharpened the utility knife (a SAK Pioneer, btw).
 
Only two? I can't leave the house without at least three! SAK Explorer,Swisstool and a Spyderco(various models)
 
Precisely why I carry a smaller slipjoint and use it for 99% of my knife chores at work.
 
I ALWAYS carry these 3:

Zero Tolerance ZT 0200.
Kershaw Mini-Cyclone.
Victorinox Deluxe Tinker.

I only pull out the ZT 0200 when I want to make the "sheeple" around me to worry alittle bit.:D.:D.
 
Normally I abide by company rules. No blade more than 2". On occasion I will bring a larger blade to show to other knife folk in private. I am too senior in my profession and have too many years with the company to take any risks. Changing jobs at this point in my carreer would be difficult.
 
Federal here as well, and that's exactly what I do...
My "real" knife (Mini-Manix, Military, Cara-cara, slippies) and my tiny SAK, when I want to avoid any comments and strange look...
Here what I had today at work...

017.jpg
 
Never heard of the 2.5" thing. Is this federal, and would it apply to someone walking into a post office for example???

Calif. has a 4" folder rule in government buildings and assemblies, and fortunately a 4" folder is my prefered knife.
 
I've got to say i'm really surprised at people reacting this way.

I carry one knife on me at all times, but it ranges from a Leek on the small side up to a full sized partially serrated Commander. Never once have i received any weird looks or negative/sheeple comments.

Actually, the attention it usually garners is a "hey, i didn't know you were into knives, man! Can i check that out?" I guess i'm lucky.

Oh, and i work in a hospital, which typically is a very regulated/uptight workplace.
 
No, post offices are okay for almost any weapon. (I have problems finding employees who even notice me, so what the hey?) I'm talking about the federal workplace. Postal employees have to carry 2.5 and below, but people off the street shouldn't worry unless metal detectors are employed.

When I go to D.C., I used to carry an illegal .38 Rossi. Now there are so many metal detectors around the museums and such that I don't even feel secure carrying a knife.

The big thing in the U.K. now, I'm told, is knives with rounded points. Scissors will even have rounded points in this country, I'm afraid, in a few years. When I see History Channel doomsday flicks on asteroids, I now find myself thinking, "As long as it gets them (the policy makers), I can go in peace."
 
reconranger said:
Never heard of the 2.5" thing. Is this federal, and would it apply to someone walking into a post office for example???

Calif. has a 4" folder rule in government buildings and assemblies, and fortunately a 4" folder is my prefered knife.
Click to expand...

As long as you keep it in your pocket, it should be okay. I've walked in with my SMF in my coat pocket, before I wised up, I used to wear a neck knife under my coat. It all depends on the building.
 
I guess I'm lucky in that I can carry whatever I want at work, from a 2" SAK to a 7.5" Steel Heart. What do I use? I carry a Kershaw Blackout (I'm trying to kill this knife. it's been 4 years and still going strong.) I use an Opinel for finer work, like slicing off sheets of kraft paper for wrapping packages and such things. Both of these knives see lots of use and are stropped daily and sharpened weekly. My weekend knife is a small Sebenza, or a Rat3 if I want to carry a fixed blade.
 
I was helping a nun open some boxes and I had to hand her my Endura with the scary spyderedge, she snatched it and started ripping cardboard without a second thought. Don't be self-conscience, if someone has a problem make them say it, and then make them defend thier misconception. I think it's good to be conciderated of people's feelings but we shouldn't let a scaredee cat stop us from getting the job done.
 
Is this blade length regulation for Federal facilities relatively new? I was a "Fed" back in 1989-1991, and I was unaware (perhaps ignorant) of any such regulations. Given that my agency's regional office was in San Francisco, I suspect I would have taken a lot more crap over my knives than I did if that rule had been in effect then.

Back then I always had a Spyderco Police Model plus several smaller knives on my person. There were few people who did not have at least a Swiss Army Knife, including the most liberal of the libtards (which is saying a LOT in San Francisco). I even sharpened them for coworkers in the office during my breaks when they asked. I did several in one day when we were relocating to a new building in 1990.
 
Sometimes even if the knife is small, it can cause problems...

I always carry two as well, and I got out my tiny Camillus Sizzle to open a box since my boss was with me. Never mind that it had a teeny blade...the assisted opening and the black blade was all it took and she said "wow...that's kind of intimidating isn't it?" This is the same person who never said a thing or looked twice when I used my CRKT edgie on boxes a few times earlier...which is a much larger blade...but it is not assisted opening, a sheepsfoot, and not black. Any more, I always carry my CRKT PECK in rainbow to use around the ladies in the office and they never seem to mind...lol...hopefully they won't notice my M-16 riding in my other pocket.
 
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