why am I looked at like such a weirdo for having a pocketknife

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MangoFreak

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Seriously I dont take it out and play with it in public like maniac, I only use it properly to do things like cut boxes or whatever because the tools at work are ass. In todays case I just used it to push a dented soda open without even taking the blade out. And yet other people kinda look nervous or seem uncomfortable about it. Is it that weird to have one these days? :\
 
Where do you live? Where do you work? These things have some bearing. But like wearing a hat, you must own it and not worry what others think or say or do. Make it your own and be a person with a knife.


Zieg
 
It's not weird. People will always act differently. I've used my Umnumzaan to help a mother cut a zip tie when her daughter was trying on some soccer cleats. She commented that it was a handy thing to have. A week or so ago my Leatherman charge was sitting on my desk at work, completely closed, and one of my employees said it was a weapon because it had blades on it. I opened up the pliers and said No, it's a tool.

People are weird.
 
I live in a pretty populated city and I work in a kitchen, so it honestly shouldnt be too strange.

it wont stop me but like still, its annoying sometimes man
 
I've found a solution to this problem that's so simple you're going to hate yourself for not thinking of it. I carry a handgun on my hip, and when somebody looks at me nervously because I'm playing with my knife I simply point at my gun and wink at them. :p

As others have said, you have to own it. It's not your problem, it's theirs. You can't fix their problems for them, so just go on living your life and leave them to quake in fear every time a person with a tool walks by.
 
This is why every knife lover needs to go to Blade Show. You are no longer the minority. People who are staying at the hotels walk around freaked out but you hardly notice them because you are standing around 20 other people who are all flicking their knives open and talking blades. It is especially funny when there are weddings going on at the same time. Bride and Grooms fly out and jump in the car in seconds and all the guest just scatter!
 
MangoFreak said:
A Spyderco Delica with Emerson Wave. Nothing intimidating looking.
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Spydercos (I own three) don't look like an SAK or your grandpa's Buck with a slipjoint. I was a Buck man myself until very recently, and I have to admit, before I owned a Spyderco, I found their design "exotic." Not an issue for me, but for the average non-user, they can read as pretty tactical.

I had a customer enter a knife shop last week as I was looking at a Griptillian. She was obviously distressed by me inspecting the knife by flicking out the blade and whipping it closed. "What on earth would you do with that?" she asked. I told her it was a tool and made quick work of various tasks around the house. It took a fair amount of friendliness to convince her I was not a 38-year-old street hooligan.

If you want to put people around you at ease (not your obligation, but your choice), you might try an "Oh, hey, I've got my pocket knife with me" to prep them followed by a two-handed open. Using the wave function (I've got one of those too) is surprising for someone unfamiliar with them. Someone unused to knives sees a quick motion, hears a metallic click, and suddenly sees you with a deployed exotic knife is going to raise eyebrows amongst a fair number of people.

I live in Dallas and work in Los Angeles. Guess which one of those cities this has never been a problem in. :)
 
Cory Hess said:
As others have said, you have to own it. It's not your problem, it's theirs. You can't fix their problems for them, so just go on living your life and leave them to quake in fear every time a person with a tool walks by.
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Cory makes a fine point. What he says is totally true. It's not your problem, it's theirs. HOWEVER, we live in a country where majority rules. Personally, I like to bring people over to my way of thinking and make them comfortable around things they might be strangers to. Otherwise, we risk scaring people into doing things like trying to take our rights away out of fear. Once you leave the majority quaking in fear, they'll make their problems ours.
 
Yep, I know exactly what you mean. Some of your coworkers you'd consider friends, once you pull out a knife, they get a look like your going to rob them, or they plainly say, "that's unsettling!" Even if you have worked there for years and they know you very well. It is a very good idea to prep them by saying something and a two handed open like someone just said on here. Never been to a blade show, but it would be a very cool atmosphere I bet!

I carry a knife everywhere, and probably have not been without one since I was like 10. I did grow up on a farm though, so it always was just a tool for me, a very awesome tool!
 
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Just do your own thing in a sensible manner, and let them quiver if they must...
Not much you can do for them...
 
Cory Hess said:
I've found a solution to this problem that's so simple you're going to hate yourself for not thinking of it. I carry a handgun on my hip, and when somebody looks at me nervously because I'm playing with my knife I simply point at my gun and wink at them. :p

As others have said, you have to own it. It's not your problem, it's theirs. You can't fix their problems for them, so just go on living your life and leave them to quake in fear every time a person with a tool walks by.
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:thumbup: I agree. There is no reason that you should have to conceal your pocket knife. As long as you are not intentionally trying to threaten a person, or brandish your tool intentionally to intimidate someone, you should not be afraid to carry a knife or tool in public.
 
JWheel said:
Personally, I like to bring people over to my way of thinking and make them comfortable around things they might be strangers to. Otherwise, we risk scaring people into doing things like trying to take our rights away out of fear. Once you leave the majority quaking in fear, they'll make their problems ours.
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I'm from NYC, and moved to NJ years ago. We have 2 New York knife shows a year. They hold the shows in NJ now because NYC became so unfriendly to knives. They can certainly make their problems ours.
 
The Zieg said:
Where do you live? Where do you work? These things have some bearing. But like wearing a hat, you must own it and not worry what others think or say or do. Make it your own and be a person with a knife.


Zieg
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This^^
Some people have been sheltered and conditioned to think some inanimate objects/things are bad, dangerous, and "scary". I don't like to use to the word "sheep" to describe these people, as it bestows a posture and air of doucheiness by the person saying it. I will say a lot has to do with the way we look, dress, behave, personality, and workplace environment. You can be sure that a knife being used in public will draw more negative attention in some places than others. It's just the way it is. Be responsible, be professional, and don't worry about what others think. As long as you are abiding by the rules of your workplace and laws governing your specific location you have nothing to worry about. Many more important things out there to spend your time on,
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I'm from NYC, and moved to NJ years ago. We have 2 New York knife shows a year. They hold the shows in NJ now because NYC became so unfriendly to knives. They can certainly make their problems ours.
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Esav,

If I understand what little I've read on the subject, NYC proper is a whole different anti-knife animal than the rest of the state of NY in general, no?
 
MangoFreak said:
Seriously I dont take it out and play with it in public like maniac, I only use it properly to do things like cut boxes or whatever because the tools at work are ass. In todays case I just used it to push a dented soda open without even taking the blade out. And yet other people kinda look nervous or seem uncomfortable about it. Is it that weird to have one these days? :\
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Its the sad, new America. And I believe the government and the media played a big role in it. They have done a damn good job of ripping out the ruggedness and masculinity of the general population and replacing it with a softer, more compliant citizen. Guns and knives are out, rainbow flags are in.
 
Some of the suburbs near NYC can be a problem too, but upstate tends to be more relaxed. Actually, upstate NY is basically northern Pennsylvania. NYC is a big problem, and they don't care if you know it. :)
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Some of the suburbs near NYC can be a problem too, but upstate tends to be more relaxed. Actually, upstate NY is basically northern Pennsylvania. NYC is a big problem, and they don't care if you know it. :)
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Yes, from what I understand Philly and NYC are the "big ones".
 
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