Using your EDC at a restaurant

[pacificmanitou]

I used to live in a little rural town where the two restaurants didn't set knives on the tables unless you asked for them, because they just assumed you had your own. I loved that place. The main square had horse parking space. And you could carry a huge fixed blade and the only comments you'd get would be compliments.

Its like that where I live, and I couldnt be happier about that. Farm towns have lots of knives, probably because theyre full of farmers.

Anyway, I was contemplating this yesterday. I think that restaurant cutlery is awful for a number of reasons. First, it takes time to maintain knives, and a restaurant has hundreds of them. With the way non knife people abuse knives, it could take serious work to fix them. That could be a full time job for someone. Also, dishwashing is hell on knives, and health code requires it. Quality knives are also expensive, and with the number that restaurants purchase, that adds up quickly. Along with expense, silverware gets stolen quite often, if the knives cost a lot, it could really hurt the bottom line. Finally, there is a legal concern. In our society, its not too far off to think that someone would sue because the knife was too sharp.

To answer the original question: I do this regularly in my home area, the more urban my location, I tend to look at who is in the room with me beforehand.

 

[Sharp Knives 86]

I usually try to use the cutlery provided to me whenever I got out to eat but sometimes, the knives they give you wont even cut butter. I was at a restaurant a few weeks ago and the steak knives they gave me to cut my chicken with were sinfully dull (weren't even serrated) so used my Tenacious and one of the waiters noticed it while passing and gave me a little look. I was sure he was one of those anti-knife nuts and when he started heading towards me while I was cutting I was certain he was gonna ask me to put it away but instead he asked if that was a Tenacious I was using. I said yes and he told me he carries an Endura for an EDC. We chatted about knives for a few mins and it was nice to see a fellow knife enthusiast. Needless to say I left him an extra tip.

 

[DShiflet]

I've never been to a restaurant where the provided knife wasn't sufficient, but then I don't order steak very often either.

 

[stvpourciau]

Absolutely!!!!!

Same story as the 1st response, I had to whip my slippie out (not as bad as it sounds..) on a piece of meat they served me that was the best steak I've ever had in my life but what they gave it to me felt lime a butter knife of some sort.

Also avoided touching my plate with the edge.

I think that we may have all done that before.

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

I've found that people tend to STOP seeing all knives as weapons once they see them actually being used.

My pocketknives:
-Cardboard: check
-Fiberglass: check
-Wood: check
-Paper: check
-Food: check

Just use em already.

I used to work in a VERY urban/office type environment. When people first got to know me they asked about my blades. I explained and used them everyday. I could walk around the sales floor helping out my reps while cutting up an apple with my EDC fixed blade. AND NO ONE CARED...

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

I also remember back in the 50s/early 60s when, on rare occasions I'd go out to eat with my great-grandfather. He would ALWAYS use his own knife to eat with. It was a small 3 or 4 inch long 1/2 inch wide fixed blade. One of the most amazing things I ever saw him do with his "eatin' knife" was when he would eat his sweet peas with the knife. He was born in 1875 and grew up without forks. He would push the peas onto his knife with the spoon and eat the peas off the knife. Never cut his tongue or lips and that knife was SHARP and POINTY.

I always remember my Pa eating with his pocket knife. (old KA-BAR Stockman) Did not matter where he was, home or out and about. If something needed cutting he used his own blade.

 

[stvpourciau]

I also remember back in the 50s/early 60s when, on rare occasions I'd go out to eat with my great-grandfather. He would ALWAYS use his own knife to eat with. It was a small 3 or 4 inch long 1/2 inch wide fixed blade. One of the most amazing things I ever saw him do with his "eatin' knife" was when he would eat his sweet peas with the knife. He was born in 1875 and grew up without forks. He would push the peas onto his knife with the spoon and eat the peas off the knife. Never cut his tongue or lips and that knife was SHARP and POINTY.

Love that story but what does being born in the 1800's have to do with not having forks??

The reason that Americans have a different forking technique from Europeans is that the British colonist brouht the old style of forking with them to the Americas shortly before the modern European method became standard ettiquite.

Forks have been here as long as we have my friend.

Great great story though my friend, I often think of how my grandparents or great-granparets would scoff at the world around them if they saw what peoe thought of knives and guns these days, not to mention gas prices..

 

[simioh]

I worked for CUTCO when I was younger and they gave me a sheathed steak knife that I could take to restaurants to cut my food. They said it was a great conversation starter.

 

[MrBartley]

I always carry a small "old school" folder with me for the problems that arise like this. It even looks like the knives someone's grand father would carry. I've been forced on occasion to use a much larger tactical folder but that is only because I had no other option. Can someone please tell me where the sheeple are coming from? what created this phenom?

 

[simioh]

...Can someone please tell me where the sheeple are coming from? what created this phenom?

I think I first heard it from NutnFancy... the sheeple and the watch dog, or sheep dog, something like that.

 

[stabman]

I just think a whole lot of people responding in this thread just want an excuse to play with their knives in public.

So what do you actually use your knives for?
People say "Don't use it to eat!"
"Don't use it to cut tape!"
"Don't use it to open boxes!"

What an awesome tool that cannot be used for anything...

 

[Nullity]

So what do you actually use your knives for?
People say "Don't use it to eat!"
"Don't use it to cut tape!"
"Don't use it to open boxes!"

What an awesome tool that cannot be used for anything...

People who don't see the need to use a pocket knife in a restaurant = people who never use a knife for anything.
Flawless logic, sir.

 

[stabman]

People who don't see the need to use a pocket knife in a restaurant = people who never use a knife for anything.
Flawless logic, sir.

It follows a common trend.
Just read through the threads and you will see.
I'm beginning to think that many people have a knife as man jewellery rather than a tool...for anything.

 

[Nullity]

It follows a common trend.
Just read through the threads and you will see.
I'm beginning to think that many people have a knife as man jewellery rather than a tool...for anything.

Yeah... it makes sense though. Most of us have no need for a knife. Since I spend less time outside my need for a knife has definitely dropped off over the years. Soon I'll be carrying a traditional and using it only to peel apples or section a banana.

 

[orixa]

This is a knife forum, and we all like knives. Ok I get it, EDC tools and whatnot, but seriously, if I have to take my car to a garage where I have to bring my own tools, I'll go to a different garage. If I was served a stake that's so tough and would "fly across the room" I'd send it back.

 

[stabman]

Yeah... it makes sense though. Most of us have no need for a knife. Since I spend less time outside my need for a knife has definitely dropped off over the years. Soon I'll be carrying a traditional and using it only to peel apples or section a banana.

Days definitely do go by where the knife stays in the pocket the whole time.
On the few occasions I forgot it at home though, that's when someone would invariably ask for me to cut something, as they knew I always carry a knife. :foot:

 

[stvpourciau]

Min got picked up with the plate in. Restaurant tonight, must be mailed back from out of state.

 

[Deebo]

I regularly order a steak from a lot of the places I go out to eat and in the past have used anything from a Spyderco Spin up to an Emerson Super Commander to cut the steak. Most of these restaurants have absolute garbage for knives and I'd much rather actually cut than fruitlessly hack away at my food.

I remember the first few times I did it my, at the time, girlfriend looked at me and rolled her eyes because she didn't want other people to think I was an oddball but I never got a second look from anyone and she eventually got used to it, developed an interest in knives after a while actually and asked me to buy her a pink handled Spyderco and SAK.

 

[folder geek]

I agree about number 2, especially at nice restaurants or at meals with business partners. Number 3 is one of the reasons why I always carry a pack of disinfectant wipes in my briefcase or rucksack.

Sorry off topic tasteless reply deleted.

 

[OHALLUM]

The reason that the knives at a good steak house are dull, is because they are continually being drug across a ceramic or steel plate, and never sharpened. However, if I order a good rib-eye and even their knives won't cut it, then back to the kitchen it goes for a replacement that will cut effortlessly. If that doesn't work, then no repeat business from me.
I have used my Opinel #6 in carbone to cut some food at restaurants where the supplied utensils were plastic or very dull knives. (not steaks) A favorite Chinese establishment that we frequent does not supply knives unless you ask for one. (a pain to do as an afterthought) So I usually drag out the Opinel to cut my Egg roll up to bite size portions, being careful to not cut into the ceramic plate. Have never had any strange looks with the Opie.

Blessings,

Omar