"What do you need that weapon for?"

[Esav Benyamin]

I saw one like that KAI where a guy had been swept into a concrete drain canal during a flood. [ ... ]

People... carry the G****m latest iPhone and headset but too helpless to carry a knife shows the de-evolution of man.

I've mentioned this on the forums before, but years ago a woman noticed me using the tiny scissors on my Victorinox Classic SD to snip some paper. She said, "I hope you realize that's a deadly weapon you're carrying." She was serious, and her tone was obnoxious.

I had just gotten my Umfaan and went out for a walk. I passed a woman I knew and showed her the knife. She was not young, distinctly conservative, and her brother was a police officer. She asked if this miniature knife was legal. (Her tone was not obnoxious! )

 

[PURPLEDC]

And you only get ONE chance at that first impression.

Dont say that man. Next you will have some smarty pants say if you hit her hard enough she wont remember you the next time you see her.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Yeah well, I'm one of the ones not on the constant defense worrying if my knife is OK.
Knife acceptance is only an issue if you worry about it.

I still heed to my Boy Scout credo of a prepared Scout always has his knife on him. If the public has decomposed away from that moral like all the other once accepted standards of being a good American then they need to stay away from me.

Knife acceptance is only and issue TO YOU If you worry about it. You are not society. And unfortunately for you we dont live in a state of anarchy. And honestly given your last response about slapping the lady silly? It only reaffirms that 1. Not everyone should have knives. And 2. Not everyone should be a boy scout. You justify carrying knives for their potential to save lives two posts after promoting violence. It makes me wonder what your true intentions are when carrying a knife. Because EVERYONE calls it a tool when questioned by a cop. Given your demeanor I suspect you have other motives.

I think that, to some degree, one has to differentiate between a common perception and an unreasonable person. I once had a guy tell me to "not f[***]ing look at [him] like that or [he is] going to f[***] [me] up."

Granted, this guy was about three times my age and gangly, so I told him "I wasn't looking at you, and, even if I was, I can look anywhere I damned well please in any fashion for as long as I wish. Go f[***} yourself, buddy." He kept yelling threats and I kept walking with a firm middle finger aimed directly behind me.

I'm not some snappy punk kid, but, I don't feel that it's wise to sheepishly react to the unreasonably angry or dumb unless you or someone else is at real physical risk. If I think their actions are uncalled for, I won't reward them by letting them win.

In the situation of being criticized for a SAK being a "deadly weapon", I would probably remind her that her definition of a deadly weapon makes almost everyone around her an armed psychopath (keys, toothpicks, keychains with any kind of heft, earrings, etc), and ask how she managed to not panic all the time.

Actually, that's pretty idealistic. In the heat of the moment, I'd probably just say "Yes, I shall slay thousands of corrugated boxes with this knife without mercy, pity, or remorse."

Why is it unwise to walk away from a random stranger who thinks you looked at him wrong? Reduce your street cred? Does it look poorly with your friends? I'm sorry I just dont understand how it smarter to engage in an argument over something like that. You your self must have felt his actions were stupid and unreasonable so why entertain his attempts to aggravate you with a response? Some might think you gave him exactly what he was seeking. And honestly looks can be deceiving. One day you could say that to the wrong person and they may make you regret it. There is a huge difference between defending life and limb and defending pride. There are a lot of guys who have gone to jail for "defending" themselves. They are reminded that its not really defense if you had and alternative to violence and confrontation.

 

[Blackie Scantling]

Knife acceptance is only and issue TO YOU If you worry about it. You are not society. And unfortunately for you we dont live in a state of anarchy. And honestly given your last response about slapping the lady silly? It only reaffirms that 1. Not everyone should have knives. And 2. Not everyone should be a boy scout. You justify carrying knives for their potential to save lives two posts after promoting violence. It makes me wonder what your true intentions are when carrying a knife. Because EVERYONE calls it a tool when questioned by a cop. Given your demeanor I suspect you have other motives.

Well given your response I suspect you don't have a sense of humor.

 

[Comeuppance]

Why is it unwise to walk away from a random stranger who thinks you looked at him wrong? Reduce your street cred? Does it look poorly with your friends? I'm sorry I just dont understand how it smarter to engage in an argument over something like that. You your self must have felt his actions were stupid and unreasonable so why entertain his attempts to aggravate you with a response? Some might think you gave him exactly what he was seeking. And honestly looks can be deceiving. One day you could say that to the wrong person and they may make you regret it. There is a huge difference between defending life and limb and defending pride. There are a lot of guys who have gone to jail for "defending" themselves. They are reminded that its not really defense if you had and alternative to violence and confrontation.

It's a case-by-case thing, clearly. I don't want assholes to feel that they can impose their unpleasantness randomly and willfully without getting the same treatment in return. If they want me to respond and call them out on how unreasonable they are being, then I'm glad to satisfy their desire to find someone with a backbone. However, I am careful to make sure I am out of reach and can make a run for it if they prove to be crazy enough to brandish a weapon.

I'm not going to physically engage anyone over something they say, but I will do my best to verbally shut a person down if they're stepping way out of line. It works about 40% of the time, with the remaining 60% ending in me walking away as they continue to yell/talk.

It may not be wise, but I'll be damned if some person is going to berate me and have the satisfaction of me picking up my pace or dishonestly agreeing with them.

 

[Comeuppance]

Also, I'm a pasty white guy with a backpack and a snarky t-shirt. I have no street cred to defend, and my friends are usually at work if I'm out walking around like that.

I think you might want to calm down a little, anyway, based on the last few responses to this thread. You seem to be getting a little heated over what some kid does when he's at a safe distance and what an unapologetic racist internet-tough-guy says on the internet.

 

[Caleb M.]

Damn, Blackie's not even denying it.

So Caleb, what version of the mini-Grip do you have?

I don't remember the number but it's black with the thumb hole. The 550?

 

[PURPLEDC]

Well given your response I suspect you don't have a sense of humor.

I have a sense of humor. But this is yet again an example of the generation gap. And your sense of humor to some would be described as less than tasteful. If violent nature to you is funny, It makes me wonder of you serious side.

 

[Kai Winters]

I was a martial arts student and instructor for years, a long time ago. The instructors, shodan...me...beginner...,up to fifth dan had the opportunity to receive instruction from a guest, also a fifth dan, who was in town visiting family and a member of our international group...Kokan Ryu Bujutsu Renmei...
He was an elderly man and a bit pudgy but he threw us around...Jui Jitsu...like we were dolls. Afterwards we all sat down for a question/answer session and during it he told us of his WWII service as an "information gatherer" in enemy held cities and towns.
During this period he was describing what he carried for defense...we were expecting James Bond stuff...boy were we surprised when he said his best weapons were a newspaper, his keys and pen...nothing obvious or suspicious if police, etc. became nosy...He went on to demonstrate how he used these items...very dangerous when used in such a manner.

I also remember women being told to carry a "rat tail" comb to use as a weapon in case of attack, also a large hat pin...are these "dangerous weapons"???

I carry a knife as a tool. I don't put myself in "situations" and prefer to either walk away, if able, or talk my way out of a difficult situation. A knife is a weapon of last resort and if used...boy oh boy has the crap hit the fan.

However I do carry two knives every day...my SAK super Tinker and lately my ZT566...if someone says they are "dangerous" weapons I'd say mind your own business...f' em...

 

[James Y]

These days, at my present workplace (a massage and wellness center), I am the only person who carries a knife at all. But because I use my knife for cutting plastic strapping holding the sheets, breaking down big boxes and other chores, and I've always done that, nobody minds and, in fact, they like that I do it. Because if I don't, nobody will. It makes things easier for everybody else. The knife I mostly use is a Spyderco Tasman Salt SE; sometimes my Pacific Salt SE or other knives. Only one person ever asked if it's legal; she works behind the desk and hadn't seen me using it before and spotted me cutting with it. Once I showed her what I use it for, she hasn't thought about it again.

Jim

 

[Zemapeli]

People is dumb

THis. :thumbup: :thumbup: