what to do when people freak out about your knife

[CriTiCiZe]

"What do you use to cut things then?"

(Usual answer) "Scissors."

"You use scissors to cut a [whatever] ?"

"Yes."

And what do you think scissors are? Two opposing.......................


I don't get angry or ticked, I just get annoyed. When I have the chance I usually explain why it's not a weapon in terms they can understand, usually scissors.

 

[redhawk44p]

I understand the feeling of aggravation when someone gets flaky when they see a knife but some of these post make me worry that the NKPs are justified in being worried. I can see a legislator reading these post and saying yes we must ban knives these guys are dangerous.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, and when I eat in public, I only open my mouth a little bit and take small bites and chew quietly so I don't offend some twerp with my gleaming sharp fangs.

It's true, though, you're right. We don't have to be demonstrative about waving a big blade around when a small blade, carefully handled, will actually do the job better.

Still, there are some people out there with their wimpier-than-thou attitude.

 

[uncleknife]

At work, there was a company discount for candy for Christmas & the day they were to distribute the orders, I saw the ladies struggling with opening boxes with opened scissors. I lent the ladies my Leatherman Micra, they were happy.

I did not get back to collect the mutil-tool for a few days & then when I did I got a mild verbal rebuke from the HR lady. (Nothing official).

She handed back the Micra & mildly said "this company does not allow you to carry weapons".
I gave her a ridiculing look & said nicely, " come on, if I wanted to use this as a weapon, I would have to ask my potential victim to hold still while I unfold the handle, find the blade, open it, then close the handle.

By that time they would have had time to walk away.
I also pointed out that, per the "company policy", they were encouraging the employees to use the wrong tool for the job, in this case, a pair of scissors, opened up with a point both facing the user and away - either one could hurt someone more than the Micra, or use the "proper tool" which would have been a box cutter, which by the way, was blamed for the 911 hijackings.

I also pointed out that almost anything on her desk could be miss-used as a improvised weapon, her scissors, letter opener, she could hit some one with her stapler, the handset or base of her phone, the cords could choke someone, a rolled up magazine or report could be used on someone's thought, etc. that does not make the object a weapon.

She agreed that the scissors were more dangerous, & let it go at that.

I wanted her to ban the phones, it would have made for a quieter day.

I told my co-workers & they rolled their eyes, the paper pushers can be so easily manipulated by the sheeple press.

I thought about sending her the news clipping that the TSA was now allowing scissors & multi-tools back on flights ( as of 12-22-05) as they have better things to worry about - but I did not want to piss her off. Some day she might see my spidercos, or the buck mayo I carry & do not want her "out-to-get-me" for rubbing her nose in it.

They say it's easier to forgive someone else’s mistakes, than to have someone else show you your own mistakes.

 

[joncevans]

Never had a lot of trouble with people freaking out about my knives, although discreet when I need to be. The thing I hate most is the people who want to borrow my knife to do something stupid with. I have worked construction most of my life, and the things that the people Im around want to use them for are any thing from a pry bar, to amputating warts <---( not kidding )..no more peeling apples with that one..

 

[V-1]

I laugh. Then I repeat the mantra, "It's only a tool created by civilized man." Then I laugh again.

Sheeple are so funny.

Could you imagine going through life so confused, dependent and totally removed from reality? Sad really.

 

[ASP]

I understand the feeling of aggravation when someone gets flaky when they see a knife but some of these post make me worry that the NKPs are justified in being worried. I can see a legislator reading these post and saying yes we must ban knives these guys are dangerous.

I see your point and agree that some posts taken at face value might lead those 'legislators' to draw that conclusion. But I believe the spirit of most posts in this thread is fairly tongue in cheek (at least mine was). So, to give an honest answer (as opposed to my earlier frivolous one), I usually opt for discretion by using a smaller knife around non-knife folks.

 

[Zwaplat]

I've had a few people react on my knife. Even when I was working on a cork with the file on my Leatherman, someone said "That's a dangerous weapon!".
Most of the times, my reaction is something like "Knives are about the first tools man ever made" or "What do you think scissors are ? (and then walk away)".

 

[Vess]

I understand the feeling of aggravation when someone gets flaky when they see a knife but some of these post make me worry that the NKPs are justified in being worried. I can see a legislator reading these post and saying yes we must ban knives these guys are dangerous.

Yeap, a legislator might feel this way, but someone with an IQ higher than that of a raccoon will see that banning knives in this situation won't work. It'll just make these same people to use axes->hammers->screwdrivers->sharpened spoons, etc. Banning an inanimate object is useless, best case scenario will be the dangerous individials switching to other tools. But yes, I see what you're saying, it makes a lot of sense, a sheep reading all the talk about knives will bleat its head off. But knives are tools. If we could convince people of that fact, it would have been much simpler. Look, when I was a kid, maybe 8y/o, taking out a knife on a school picnic resulted in calls "good thinking, well done" when something had to be opened. But now? Whoa! Immediate expulsion or worse. What changed the knife? Not a thing, just human mentality changed.

What gets me the most is when people call my knife "vicious". As soon as someone says "vicious" I have to combat a sudden urge to drive my size 12 steel toe boot into a conveniently angled part of their anatomy. PEOPLE are vicious, knives aren't. A knife wouldn't give a flying squirrel if I cut an apple or my arm with it, the knife will do its job, which is to CUT. Now, WHAT I cut is my responsibility.

Oh, and I love the "what do you use to cut things? Scissors. Okay, can I borrow yours? Uhhhh..." thing, it is totally adorable and will work with 99.9% of the sheep. I cannot believe it didn't occur to me before.

Usually this happens where there IS something I need to cut, so the answer was fairly natural. Someone asks you, and you stop. Then you look at the knife, the thing you need cut, the person, back on the thing you need to cut, back on the knife, back on the person. Make an effort to look like you can't decide whether they are a complete cretin or just plain crazy. Actually look cautious. Then ask, "do you have a better idea on how to open this?"

Lately, there's been a new step in sheeple though. Now they say that there isn't a "good reason" for me to carry it. They can't really define a "good reason", but this came up a few times now. Usually I ask what the good reason is for that sculpture on the shelf, because I could *easily* eliminate someone from 10 yards just by tossing it, a hit anywhere on the torso will break plenty of bones.

 

[Krull]

I solve 99% of my problems by carrying a smallish knife for "city use" i.e. a Ladybug;SLB;or my new Benchmite...if someone bitches at THAT I'll just tell them it's a bloody pocket knife not an axe;and besides I use them most for day-to-day stuff.

If they say I don't "need" it I'll just say I use it all the friggin' time OK?

Geeezus people nowadays!

 

[redhawk44p]

Yeap, a legislator might feel this way, but someone with an IQ higher than that of a raccoon will see that banning knives in this situation won't work. .

From what I see going on in the world I think having an IQ lower than a raccoon is a qualification for public office.

We all carried knives in school and no one was ever hurt except on the tricky mumbly peg tricks or playing stretch. Now I am scared to drive by a school with a knife. Legislators seem determined to lock us all in rubber rooms so we can't hurt ourselves.

I see your point and agree that some posts taken at face value might lead those 'legislators' to draw that conclusion. But I believe the spirit of most posts in this thread is fairly tongue in cheek (at least mine was) .

I agree it was just in fun and venting a little frustration. We know that but I hate to scare visitors..

 

[WarRaven]

Hmm is a good thread.

Myself, i am a mechanic, no-one questions my usage of a kinfe at work or around people that know me personally.
Abroad however, i do carry a min of 2 knives 24/7, sometimes 3.(One cheap one for crappy work), and i have had looks an questions too from the lemmings around.

The answers i have given have varied over the years depending on whom ask's me why i have or carry a knife.Usually i just retort that i have carried one since i was 8-9 years of age and have not stopped.
Others i have outright ignored, and let my actions speak of my intentions, withdraw,open, severe the item/object at hand and return to pocket as gracefully as i can,others like LEO's i tell the truth, i use it (Them) as tools and would rather beat the living crap out of someone then cut em up.

Sometimes, you get a curious one that seems interested an i do my best to learn them of it an the bueaty of it, instead of the warrior side of things, and some others i have said,in a tribute to the movie Gangs of new york,
"Ears and Noses shall be the trophies of the day gentlemen", and smile and sparkle my eyes at them.

Just kidding, but i do find, your intentions and actions in using a knife around sheeple speak louder then any words, example, if your waving it and flicking and looking like you want trouble, you have been branded badly, If, you draw it, use it for a sensible application and return it gracefully to pocket, you get branded as being handy and or even perhaps old school.

I believe in the saying of, Use it, or lose it, This can and does include your rights to life and liberties, so i say boys, Use it, And use it responcibly for us all.

O/T, seen an add for the new movie, V-For vendetta, a cool looking knife flick, may be a carp, we will see.

Peace out all

WR

 

[V-1]

Look, when I was a kid, maybe 8y/o, taking out a knife on a school picnic resulted in calls "good thinking, well done" when something had to be opened. But now? Whoa! Immediate expulsion or worse. What changed the knife? Not a thing, just human mentality changed.

"vicious" social commentary. Well done Sir!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

From what I see going on in the world I think having an IQ lower than a raccoon is a qualification for public office.

From what I see, raccoons are WAY more clever than politicians.

 

[wquiles]

I find that being discrete is the best "weapon" in the office, as most are trully clueless and think of any pocket knife as a weapon

Still, I have not had any problems "yet"

Will

 

[88M SOLDIER]

I encountered this situation the other day, I was using my spyderco harpy to open packages when the guy I had been working with pulled out some junk knife he had bought earlier that day at Kmart because it was A little longer than my harpy, thus began the pissing contest. I pulled out my Emerson commander, He told me about his smith and wesson knife out in his car:jerkit:,I showed him my 2 1/2' children of the corn pumpkin carver that I keep under my seat, And the pissing contest ended (I won). You can't argue blade steels,locking mechanisms and materials in general with sheeple, All they understand is size,If it's a large knife then suddenly you could kill them(I've only stabbed one person ) but what they don't understand is that I spent far too much money to have my knife end up in some evidence locker......... I would just use a brick.

 

[7k7k99]

"OMG a nail clipper!!!"

you be right on, a very scary implement indeed!

 

[Hateman]

I tend to carry a SAK for those sheeple situations. If I have to use a larger blade, I try to be discreet. However, when people say 'THAT'S A WEAPON!' (even with a SAK) I'll try some humor to lighten the atmosphere or, depending on how I feel, sarcasm.

sheeple: "THAT'S A WEAPON"
Me: Weapons are illegal in this facility according to section 2, paragaph 6 of the OSHA manual, fifth edition. I keep the weapons in my car.

sheeple: "THAT'S A WEAPON"
Me: (looking confused) That's not a weapon (pulls out Manix, Skirmish, etc and holds it high) THIS is a weapon.

sheeple: "THAT'S A WEAPON"
Me: You're right. I'm sorry to carry it. I'll just carry these 4 inch blade scissors around. I couldn't possible hurt anyone with these. Thank you so much for setting me on the straight and narrow.

sheeple: "THAT'S A WEAPON"
Me: (glares in their eyes with a hateful look and says) Yep. They walk away after a few seconds of staring.

Strangely enough, few people, especially at work, even ask me about my knives.

 

[7k7k99]

I got a mild verbal rebuke from the HR lady. (Nothing official).

I also pointed out that almost anything on her desk could be miss-used as a improvised weapon, her scissors, letter opener, she could hit some one with her stapler, the handset or base of her phone, the cords could choke someone, a rolled up magazine or report could be used on someone's thought, etc. that does not make the object a weapon.

I had almost the same experience being turned in to h.r. for having a swiss tool in a pouch on my belt, not even having the tool out!
Just having it on my person got me accused of being a 'threatening' person.
I made the same arguments as you, didn't get me anywhere, had to promise not to bring the "weapon" back and got off with a warning. Obviously sheeple don't even need to see the item to be afraid of it! It is best to be very covert if you wish to carry a knife in the white collar world. Let them struggle with scissors and plastic knives.

 

[V-1]

I got a mild verbal rebuke from the HR lady. (Nothing official).

I had almost the same experience being turned in to h.r. for having a swiss tool in a pouch on my belt, not even having the tool out!

Damn, that sucks. I got my HR lady carrying a Spyderco.