Watching where and how you slice in public.

cj65

cj65

Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
36,647
I thought I would share what happened to me today. I was in a rush mode to pack up a projector to my co-worker who needed me to overnight it to him for his presentation Wednesday. I went to Fedex and saw the boxes were $10 each. I knew I had one in my truck that I could trim down to fit the projector case, tape it up and send it on its way. I had a deadline that I was getting late for. I probably should not have been customizing at the Fedex table, but when I started, there was no one even close to me. I proceeded to score the outside of the box and crack the cardboard and fold it over with my Paramilitary in D2. It does need to be sharpened but I had little force behind the knife. I was cutting from right hand side to left hand side in a horizontal motion, when a guy stoops underneath my left arm to grab a shipping envelope below me. I immediately stopped, and took my box outside to finish customizing. I was going to comment to the guy that I could have cut off his nose, but I just folded up my knife, put it in my pocket, and moved way away from anyone to finish my box. The only inconvenience was that I needed the packing tape that was attached to that counter. I wish the guy would have at least said, "excuse me," but no. I am sure I would be blamed for cutting him, even though he was well within my personal space. I had only been there about 10 seconds.... The counter is designed as a workspace for packing and taping, to me cutting fits in as a shipping task. I usually enjoy custom making a box. Now, I am gonna do it at home from now on. My labrador is more predictable even when she is in spaz, "Daddy is home" mode.
 
I consider it a "win" situation. He didn't run around the room screaming "He's got a knife, he's got a knife!"
;)
 
2brothers said:
I consider it a "win" situation. He didn't run around the room screaming "He's got a knife, he's got a knife!"
;)
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Pretty much my thoughts. I'm fortunate enough to have never experienced someone freaking out about me cutting something in public, even when I've been noticed by folks I would have figured to freak (like in my elementary education courses at college when I've taken out a slippy to trim some threads). I guess it's just the Maine attitude. :)

I always try to just act relaxed--folks don't freak out when a relaxed dude is cutting something. They DO freak out if you keep darting your eyes around looking all nervous. :p
 
Yes. You are correct that you did nothing wrong and that common sense seems fairly uncommon these days (you implied that). You were wise to pack up and move too.

I always cringe a bit when I need to work with a blade in public. As the owner of the edge I have a greater responsibility in public. Not only do I need to stay legal and not cut myself, but I must also be wary that no one else figures out how to get near my edge.

Regardless of how right the guy with the knife is, it makes for a very long day if someone else gets cut.

Great story. You have a lot of tact and common sense. I bet you suffer far fewer headaches than the other guy that seems to lack both.
 
unit said:
Yes. You are correct that you did nothing wrong and that common sense seems fairly uncommon these days (you implied that). You were wise to pack up and move too.

I always cringe a bit when I need to work with a blade in public. As the owner of the edge I have a greater responsibility in public. Not only do I need to stay legal and not cut myself, but I must also be wary that no one else figures out how to get near my edge.

Regardless of how right the guy with the knife is, it makes for a very long day if someone else gets cut.

Great story. You have a lot of tact and common sense. I bet you suffer far fewer headaches than the other guy that seems to lack both.
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Thanks for the compliments. I feel any and all knife knuts need to protect our hobby, and freedoms. I am not going to be shy about my carry, but I will be careful, if not overly cautious. The stain of bad publicity runs fast in regards to knives for regular lawfull use.
 
2brothers said:
I consider it a "win" situation. He didn't run around the room screaming "He's got a knife, he's got a knife!"
;)
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Sonny,
That would have been funny! I actually would have shouted, "I DO NOT HAVE A KNIFE! I HAVE 2 KNIVES AND A MULTI TOOL!"

:D:D
 
He wasn't polite enough to say "excuse me"? Invading your private space alone is reason enough to get cut. You did the right thing though.
 
Unfortunately, being in a United States Post Office is considered a Government building, so, even though it's a technicality, you would have been in-the-wrong. I believe it's at minimum, a 2.5in limit on Gov't property for employees, or if you're a visitor, you can't have anything, unless you are performing a contracted service, e.g. a tech guy doing a job for the gov't.

Still, I bring my knives with me to the post office without even thinking about it, as I don't believe anyone will call me on it. As well, they shouldn't.

It's unfortunate that we have to be so aware of how and when we use our tools, but if you're within your legal rights, I say Go for it!

Daniel
 
cj65 said:
Thanks for the compliments. I feel any and all knife knuts need to protect our hobby, and freedoms. I am not going to be shy about my carry, but I will be careful, if not overly cautious. The stain of bad publicity runs fast in regards to knives for regular lawfull use.
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Amen. With liberty comes personal responsibility, which you obviously take seriously.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Unfortunately, being in a United States Post Office is considered a Government building, so, even though it's a technicality, you would have been in-the-wrong. I believe it's at minimum, a 2.5in limit on Gov't property for employees, or if you're a visitor, you can't have anything, unless you are performing a contracted service, e.g. a tech guy doing a job for the gov't.
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FedEx not post office.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Unfortunately, being in a United States Post Office is considered a Government building, so, even though it's a technicality, you would have been in-the-wrong.
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I belive that PO have an exemption from the normal restrictions on federal properties. Someone here on the forum quoted the relevent law once. In any case, normal federal buildings post the relevent federal law at the front door, and there is no such notice posted at my local PO.

I believe it's at minimum, a 2.5in limit on Gov't property for employees, or if you're a visitor, you can't have anything, unless you are performing a contracted service, e.g. a tech guy doing a job for the gov't.
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Actually, the law is a limitation is against bringing "weapons" onto federal property. The law specifically exempts pocket knives of 2.5 in or smaller as not being weapons. The law is not specific to employees or visitors. IIRC, the ability to bring larger blades is based on engaging in a legitimate activity requireing a larger blade (i.e. hunting on federal property or your tech guy doing a job). Now, that's the general law, there is nothing that prevents individual facilities from enforcing more stringent conditions (ex. Typically federal court houses allow any blades, no matter how small).

Still, I'm no expert so take this all with a grain of salt!

Of course, the OP was in a FedEx facility, not a Post Office, so the point is moot. ;)
 
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Hi cj65 -

Wow - the ignorance of the general population never fails to amaze.

Thank you for being aware enough to avoid incident.

Imagine the cable news blurbs for the next week about the man with the knife who cut the innocent.......

I still believe that most people are good and the human spirit is alive and well, but I also am sure that people in our country are careless and typically unaware of events around them until it is too late.

I never pull out my larger edc around people who I am not sure are ok with it, like my buddy at work who always carries his own blade.

Around most people I'll just use my SAK.

You did the right thing - thanks for the story.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Amazing how oblivious some people are. Anybody remember the "blood circle" from Boy Scouts? Even a 12 yr old knows not to get within reach of someone working with a blade.
 
cj65 said:
My labrador is more predictable even when she is in spaz, "Daddy is home" mode.
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Chris,
Sorry to delete and not even comment on the vast majority of your post:D, but this line is what struck a chord with me!! "Spaz Daddy is home" mode is a very real condition that many retrievers suffer from severely, including my golden!! When I get home from work, this normally mild mannered beast has a fit like you wouldn't believe! The drooling, the wimpering, the jumping, the panting!.......and that's after he's calmed down:p It's good to be loved ain't it brotha?:)
 
jonnymac44 said:
Chris,
Sorry to delete and not even comment on the vast majority of your post:D, but this line is what struck a chord with me!! "Spaz Daddy is home" mode is a very real condition that many retrievers suffer from severely, including my golden!! When I get home from work, this normally mild mannered beast has a fit like you wouldn't believe! The drooling, the wimpering, the jumping, the panting!.......and that's after he's calmed down:p It's good to be loved ain't it brotha?:)
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Jonny,
You know how it is with those beloved animals. I love my dog like she is one of our children. Sometimes, she is my favorite child. :p Once Gracie is let inside the house, she hits the hardwood floors burning rubber til she hits the carpet on the stairs, she bounds up both flights and then back down, ricochets off the stair rail or wall, only to do some donuts on the kitchen rug, and/or jump over the sofa and do another lap. She is unpredictably predictable. Once I am home and working in the home office, she is very calm, and pretty much watches me work.

Yes, my brother, it is good to be loved!
 
I need to trim something in the post office 3 weeks ago and asked the Postmaster if he had a knife. He said no he didn't have one and wasn't allowed to.

I told him "I have one in my pocket but I didn't want to take it out." He said no problem, you can have a knife - "I'm the one who is forbidden from having a knife."

I whipped out my old Izula and carved up part of a shipping box w/o further conversation.

I think too many of those guys "went Postal" so to speak, and now they're not allowed to have a sharp or pointed object.
 
cziv said:
I think too many of those guys "went Postal" so to speak, and now they're not allowed to have a sharp or pointed object.
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Careful Ziv,

Statements like that are a bit dogmatic. I am not sure about the post office policy in Simi, but I keep my knife on the down low there since it is a Federal bldg. I was under the assumption that I am not supposed to have a knife there.

I had to stop by the Police station yesterday. I walked up and grabbed the doors, started in and there it was, "No weapons in the lobby" posted boldly. I thought, my knives are tools, not weapons. Then I thought, yeah right CJ, go back to the truck and de-knife.
 
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