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

[Todd21969]

My better half likes to shop at trendy stores so I am used to weird looks. Like when we were killing time waiting for a movie to start last night. And I used my knife to cut off a tag at the register.

Not sure if it is because of my knife , or my boots, Wranglers, Carhartt sweatshirt, and Mossy Oak ballcap.

Doesn't really matter much in the grand scheme of things though. I stopped caring about what strangers think of me a long time ago.

 

[The Zieg]

That said, the only knife that is guaranteed to not get a bad reaction is a red swiss army knife. People are so conditioned to think of them as tools rather than knives that it never provokes a negative response.

For this reason I'm considering putting red scales on my Vic GAK/Trekker. And also so I can spot it more easily if it's not in my pocket.

Zieg

 

[Converge]

I've never really gotten any resentment from people in real life. However on the internet and comment sections of numerous left/right articles its quite obvious that some people are seriously sheltered and brain washed to the point of being mentally ill. Like looking at a leatherman as a "weapon" because it has a small blade on it. Like.... are you kidding me? A tool with 10 other tools happens to have a blade, and all of a sudden its a weapon? Those people make no freaking sense. Do they not understand someone could pick up a pencil or a pen, a screw driver or a shard of wood, and stab them in the neck or eye just as easily as a "blade"? Some parts of our society are becoming a complete disaster.

There is this insane thought that people shouldn't be able to defend themselves in the work place as well, even though that is where a lot of shootings happen... in the work place. Take for instance the recent crap with Uber. An Uber driver who was legally carrying a concealed firearm PREVENTED a mass shooting by shooting a man who started shooting into a crowd of people. A week or two later Uber says their drivers aren't allowed to carry their legally owned firearms inside their own vehicle if they drive for Uber, because of "SAFETY". Makes no freaking sense. Just like pizza delivery drivers that defend their life with a firearm and then are FIRED the next day. So what.... should they have just let the criminal possibly kill them for their money?

It is becoming ridiculous. A freaking knife is not a weapon until someone makes it a weapon. It is a tool. The exact same philosophy applies to a screw driver. It isn't a weapon, it is a tool, however I can just as easily deploy a screw driver as a weapon as I can a knife.

People are becoming way too overly sensitive and they are being brainwashed by the media and their stupid unintelligent peers. Thankfully, there is a lot of evidence that different outlets are turning this around. With knives especially. Many articles I've read in the past few months have talked about how handy it is to carry a small folder.

The past 20-30 years or so there has been a hell of a lot of indoctrination and brain washing going on regarding things like this. Turning people into little sissys who think they'll never be in a situation where they will need anything more then their cell phone and their thumb. Get in a car accident and end up upside down in a river bed, stuck from the seat belt? Oh well, no knife to cut you free because a knife is just a dangerous weapon. Walking down the city street at night looking for your family member that broke down and needed a ride when two guys pull out some type of weapon and threaten to kill you and try to rape your wife? Oh well, you don't need a gun to protect yourself, there are police... right? Yep, don't worry about! Just go with it! Right....?

WRONG!

 

[James Y]

I once had a woman tell me, "I hope you realize that's a deadly weapon!" I was using the tiny scissors on my little SAK Classic to snip some paper.

When I was a kid (1970s), lots of boys carried their pocketknives at school with no problems. Nobody ever pulled one on anybody, either, except one punk kid who pulled a Buck 110 on one occasion.

It's a different world. You can't let other people rule your life, BUT...you do have to be mindful. As others have mentioned, it may be their problem if they fear knives, but "they" are the majority, and "they" can make their problem yours by lobbying and voting for more anti-knife measures. It is imperative to know this, and not to think, "I'll just do whatever and if they don't like it, that's their problem." (I'm aware the OP was not doing that, just saying this in general).

Jim

 

[PURPLEDC]

Honestly no one ever notices my knife. When I do have to use it I make sure to do it discreetly. I have found that when I make a effort to use that discretion even when I am spotted by a sheeple they notice that I am trying to respect their boundaries. Especially when they see I am not using it in a way that threatens anyone.

 

[marcinek]

Here's something you can do...toughen up and ignore them. For Scagel's sakes, if I had a nickel for all the excuses in here blaming rainbow flags, or "the government," or "society."

Crimoney. "Wah! Somebody looked at me funny!" And the "sheeple" are the ones who reflect the softening of society?!?! Please.

 

[22-rimfire]

I once had a woman tell me, "I hope you realize that's a deadly weapon!" I was using the tiny scissors on my little SAK Classic to snip some paper.

I would have just laughed and then maybe showed her my concealed handgun and said, "This is a deadly weapon." But then again, probably not as I know how the lady would have reacted to that as well. Better to just smile and move on or say it is certainly deadly to zip ties and packaging.

 

[Ankerson]

I found that if one actually uses their knife in a manner that resembles common since they won't usually have a problem.

That doesn't mean going to a restaurant loaded with people and whipping out their tactical folder, flipping it open .... CLACK!!!!!!........ Then complaining when someone calls the police.

The interesting thing was when I was at Blade Show this year I didn't notice anyone acting like a moron with a knife, and I mean nobody that I saw.

I still believe most people create their own problems by doing stupid crap or acting like idiots when in public places.

The problem with that and all of that combined with the negative press, how knives are used on TV and in the Movies does have a large influence on people, that's negative influence.

 

[marcinek]

I found that if one actually uses their knife in a manner that resembles common since they won't usually have a problem.

That doesn't mean going to a restaurant loaded with people and whipping out their tactical folder, flipping it open .... CLACK!!!!!!........ Then complaining when someone calls the police.

The interesting thing was when I was at Blade Show this year I didn't notice anyone acting like a moron with a knife, and I mean nobody that I saw.

I still believe most people create their own problems by doing stupid crap or acting like idiots when in public places.

The problem with that and all of that combined with the negative press, how knives are used on TV and in the Movies does have a large influence on people, that's negative influence.

Somebody make this post a stickie. Well put. :thumbup:

 

[Jesse B.]

I have a pet alligator. Ever since I started taking him for walks, people seem less bothered by my pocketknife.

 

[mnblade]

Q

Hell, guys, it's obvious none of you has stayed in Europe long enough. Hell, I've been looked at that way four or fivetimes this year alone. And, hell, I was either using a Dragonfly to cut some problematic zip-ties from an electricity pole or opening some plastic packages with my Dozier to get some Coke while camping. It's a hell to be a knife nut here (Spain). :grumpy:

Interesting. I've spent most of the past 22 years in Europe and never got that reaction.

 

[PURPLEDC]

I found that if one actually uses their knife in a manner that resembles common since they won't usually have a problem.

That doesn't mean going to a restaurant loaded with people and whipping out their tactical folder, flipping it open .... CLACK!!!!!!........ Then complaining when someone calls the police.

The interesting thing was when I was at Blade Show this year I didn't notice anyone acting like a moron with a knife, and I mean nobody that I saw.

I still believe most people create their own problems by doing stupid crap or acting like idiots when in public places.

The problem with that and all of that combined with the negative press, how knives are used on TV and in the Movies does have a large influence on people, that's negative influence.

Totally agree. I dont get spotted with my knife much. But I have seen guys whip out these ridiculously huge folders with serrations and just huge sweeping recurves in public and no they are doing anything with it that in and of itself is wrong but they often open said knife with bravado and gusto as if wanting others to notice their folding sword. Its almost as if their sense of entitlement to what they feel the should be able to do overrides their common sense and they in fact create a situation they can complain about at a later date. "man I was in walmart today and got an itch on my left arse cheek so I did what any other tactically gifted individual would do and I pulled out my XL espada making sure to give it an extra good wrist flick and took care of business. Do you believe a 90 year old woman with a walker actually flinched at 7 and a half inches of steel?"

 

[Aias]

I found that if one actually uses their knife in a manner that resembles common since they won't usually have a problem.

That doesn't mean going to a restaurant loaded with people and whipping out their tactical folder, flipping it open .... CLACK!!!!!!........ Then complaining when someone calls the police.

The interesting thing was when I was at Blade Show this year I didn't notice anyone acting like a moron with a knife, and I mean nobody that I saw.

I still believe most people create their own problems by doing stupid crap or acting like idiots when in public places.

The problem with that and all of that combined with the negative press, how knives are used on TV and in the Movies does have a large influence on people, that's negative influence.

Very well said.

 

[marcinek]

Do you believe a 90 year old woman with a walker actually flinched at 7 and a half inches of steel?"

The kicker, and its what the "ridiculously huge folder" crowd often doesn't get, is that that 90 year old lady may not be flinching in disgust/terror. More than likely she's snickering.

 

[Dcaggie06]

I found a relatively neat solution to remedy this. I keep my desk at work stocked with several opinels, mini Saks and other assorted "cheap" blades. I also always keep a cheap Sak on me at all times. I whip out my main blade for a task, if someone freaks out I give them a blade of their own to join the cause. It's amazing how many ppl have come back to me telling me of their newfound appreciation for the pocket knife.

 

[Ankerson]

The kicker, and its what the "ridiculously huge folder" crowd often doesn't get, is that that 90 year old lady may not be flinching in disgust/terror. More than likely she's snickering.

Yeah really.

Not long ago I was in a store and someone asked me if I had a knife to open something, I knew the guy so he knew I had a knife on me.

Anyway I took out my knife and opened it up, it was a rather large cardboard type display and his box cutter would have sucked for that.

There was a few people walking by and they stopped and said something like WOW that's nice and asked to see it.

I handed it to the 1st person and they were very impressed with it, they handed to the 2nd person and so on, there was 4 of them.

I got it back and they asked a bunch of questions about it etc.

All of them were women and the knife was a LG Sebenza.

 

[marcinek]

Anyway I took out my knife and opened it up, it was a rather large cardboard type display and his box cutter would have sucked for that.

There was a few people walking by and they stopped and said something like WOW that's nice and asked to see it.

I handed it to the 1st person and they were very impressed with it, they handed to the 2nd person and so on, there was 4 of them.

I got it back and they asked a bunch of questions about it etc.

All of them were women and the knife was a LG Sebenza.

Well, one, you "took" out your knife instead of whipping it out or deploying it, and, two, that Sebenza is a classy, understated knife with no, ahem, overcompensation.

You know, I have never had people look at me funny when I use my knife. I live in a large city (one of the ones mentioned below), I work in an office, I've even used my knives in front of some of the "rainbow flag" folks people seem to be so bent outta shape about.

Nobody cared. So I'm not sure who these sheeple are. Must be rural, blue collar, straight folk.

 

[Etna]

The kicker, and its what the "ridiculously huge folder" crowd often doesn't get, is that that 90 year old lady may not be flinching in disgust/terror. More than likely she's snickering.

Well, I have a 10" folder (S&W Border Guard with 4.3" blade) and I can assure you that nothing short of a camping trip will convince me to bring this blade out of my home.

I love humongous folders myself, but everyday tools they are definitely not. Might I also add that, where I live, if you are going to carry a blade > 3" or so, you'd better have a very good explanation or lawful use for it or else you're spending the night in a police lockup and looking at criminal proceedings for weapon possession. And "I like large knives" is not an acceptable reason.

 

[Ferahgo]

I carry a small fixed blade wherever I go. I get the occasional odd look, but it seems most people are too busy to notice it even.

Although, I did catch the attention of some old men at a deli when I was using my JK friction folder to work on some overly tough sausage. They seemed more interested then alarmed.

 

[Mike45ACP]

Very good post and I couldn't agree more!
I myself have never had a bad reaction that I can remember in at least 40 years of carrying a knife. I live in upstate NY in a liberal college town and usually carry a 3-4" folder. Use it whenever I need it and I can't for the life of me ever remember a negative reaction. On the contrary I've gotten many a thank you. When I see threads like this I can't help but wonder what's going on.

Mike

I've never really gotten any resentment from people in real life. However on the internet and comment sections of numerous left/right articles its quite obvious that some people are seriously sheltered and brain washed to the point of being mentally ill. Like looking at a leatherman as a "weapon" because it has a small blade on it. Like.... are you kidding me? A tool with 10 other tools happens to have a blade, and all of a sudden its a weapon? Those people make no freaking sense. Do they not understand someone could pick up a pencil or a pen, a screw driver or a shard of wood, and stab them in the neck or eye just as easily as a "blade"? Some parts of our society are becoming a complete disaster.

There is this insane thought that people shouldn't be able to defend themselves in the work place as well, even though that is where a lot of shootings happen... in the work place. Take for instance the recent crap with Uber. An Uber driver who was legally carrying a concealed firearm PREVENTED a mass shooting by shooting a man who started shooting into a crowd of people. A week or two later Uber says their drivers aren't allowed to carry their legally owned firearms inside their own vehicle if they drive for Uber, because of "SAFETY". Makes no freaking sense. Just like pizza delivery drivers that defend their life with a firearm and then are FIRED the next day. So what.... should they have just let the criminal possibly kill them for their money?

It is becoming ridiculous. A freaking knife is not a weapon until someone makes it a weapon. It is a tool. The exact same philosophy applies to a screw driver. It isn't a weapon, it is a tool, however I can just as easily deploy a screw driver as a weapon as I can a knife.

People are becoming way too overly sensitive and they are being brainwashed by the media and their stupid unintelligent peers. Thankfully, there is a lot of evidence that different outlets are turning this around. With knives especially. Many articles I've read in the past few months have talked about how handy it is to carry a small folder.

The past 20-30 years or so there has been a hell of a lot of indoctrination and brain washing going on regarding things like this. Turning people into little sissys who think they'll never be in a situation where they will need anything more then their cell phone and their thumb. Get in a car accident and end up upside down in a river bed, stuck from the seat belt? Oh well, no knife to cut you free because a knife is just a dangerous weapon. Walking down the city street at night looking for your family member that broke down and needed a ride when two guys pull out some type of weapon and threaten to kill you and try to rape your wife? Oh well, you don't need a gun to protect yourself, there are police... right? Yep, don't worry about! Just go with it! Right....?

WRONG!