Why Are Some Folks Scared of Choppers?

[Toucan Oasis]

Two nights ago my daughter and her friends were going camping. As I was loading them up with firewood and provisions, I saw my Condor golok nearby and asked them if they wanted to use it for splitting and chopping. The adult lady who was with them recoiled in horror. I said ok and then reminded her that a golok was easier to use than a small axe which requires greater skill and precision. My daughter uses the goloks and machetes safely. But she said it looked scary. I blame hollywood for this. People see a big blade and they think "weapon". Around my yard, machetes and goloks see a lot of action, and my girls are familiar with them. Sure, any of them could be used as a weapon. So could a pipe wrench. I guess it's the age we live in.

Well. That's one of the reasons I escaped the Idiocracy. If you own a TV throw it out the window and get the yunguns a library card.
It's nothing to see a six year old boy OR girl here, helping the parents cut grass or trim bushes with a 18 to 24 inch machete.
My buddy Caldo's kid is THE GUY you want to have with you when you kill a hog.
He's 9 years old.

Different times up there for sure. Very very sad.
A damn boy scout knife gets you suspended from school and if the kid were to complain vocally ? There is always a brainwashed steroid monkey with a badge and a tazer to fix the problem.

http://www.mahalo.com/10-year-old-girl-tasered

 

[Mentor]

The government makes laws against things like carrying guns or knives in public, the media creates the illusion of public consent, and like sheep people believe that the laws are right and just and guns and knives are bad, because they believe they are going along with the crowd....like sheep. Instead of fearing guns and knives and learning to distrust their fellow man, people should be fearing the government and the media.
Read history, it's happened before.
Off my soapbox now.

If the prevailing public attitude towards knives is a problem, as you suggest (and I happen to agree), it seems like it would be a good idea to work to educate our fellow citizens, rather than dismiss them as 'sheep people'. This attitude is discouraging, and it works to cement divisions rather than dissolve them. Honestly, one camping trip where an inexperienced person is taught to chop and split wood, build a fire, whittle a stick, and catch a fish can undo years of ingrained fear of knives (even choppers!). Let's be proactive.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[shecky]

I have to say this would freak me out a bit as well. I don't see to many guys carrying a hawk on the trails I hike. On the pack, I probably wouldn't notice, but if you're truckin along with a hawk in hand, I'm thinking you're looking to chop something!

An axe or even a hatchet probably wouldn't get a second glance from me, btw, but out here in the central plains, my first association with a hawk is as a weapon.

This is interesting. I think most average folk wouldn't know the difference between a hatchet and a tomahawk. Hell, I don't think most of us could make a meaningful distinction. The line between the two can be pretty fuzzy.

Some forum members insist that a tomahawk is a weapon first. Does this mean that an average person would be justified in being concerned seeing Bushman5 wandering around 'hawk in hand?

 

[Switchblade61]

Maybe someone should come up with a "Bushcrafting" video game... That would change a lot of people's view on tool vs. weapon...

 

[chopchop]

This is interesting. I think most average folk wouldn't know the difference between a hatchet and a tomahawk. Hell, I don't think most of us could make a meaningful distinction. The line between the two can be pretty fuzzy.

Some forum members insist that a tomahawk is a weapon first. Does this mean that an average person would be justified in being concerned seeing Bushman5 wandering around 'hawk in hand?

Well, to be fair, the rifleman hawk really is one of the least weapony looking hawks out there that I've seen... it's certainly not a tacticool skull crusher or anything. Maybe I couldn't tell in a lot of cases, but still. It's one of those situational things.

A guy processing wood, setting up camp, or axe on the belt/pack, & I wouldn't bat an eye. But a guy just hiking up a trail with hawk in hand sets off a bell in my head, especially if he's carrying it like he's ready to swing it. Just sayin...

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

I find a pair of nice fancy pants makes any knife acceptable to the REI trail runner types round 'here:jerkit:. They only seem to see the sweet leather. Same goes for sidearms, auto in kydex=scary:, sixgun in cowback=country cool.

 

[wolfenhawk]

If the prevailing public attitude towards knives is a problem, as you suggest (and I happen to agree), it seems like it would be a good idea to work to educate our fellow citizens, rather than dismiss them as 'sheep people'. This attitude is discouraging, and it works to cement divisions rather than dissolve them. Honestly, one camping trip where an inexperienced person is taught to chop and split wood, build a fire, whittle a stick, and catch a fish can undo years of ingrained fear of knives (even choppers!). Let's be proactive.

All the best,

- Mike

I'm not intending to dismiss people as "sheep people". I'm simple pointing out the problem; and people DO tend to follow the crowd. But the first step to keep from being manipulated is to know that it's occurring, and how. Which is why I said what I did.

 

[dl351]

I find a pair of nice fancy pants makes any knife acceptable to the REI trail runner types round 'here:jerkit:. They only seem to see the sweet leather. Same goes for sidearms, auto in kydex=scary:, sixgun in cowback=country cool.

What the heck?! Don't these "REI trail runner types" ever notice that REI sells knives?!

I'll say, society and especially the media are darn good at getting things all backwards. We're the nuts? Hardly. The knife is one of mans oldest tools. If the shtf, who will the "nuts" be then? When do you think the media will demonize rocks? After all, weren't those used as weapons before knives?

I always find great pleasure in friends asking to use my knives. My friends all know that I carry a folder just about all the time, so they know where to turn if something needs to be cut. I always point out that the knife sure is useful to have whenever they ask for it!

As for whoever mentioned the story about "does your mom stab you," I'll have to remember that if anyone ever gives me crap for the knives I carry.

 

[wolfenhawk]

If the prevailing public attitude towards knives is a problem, as you suggest (and I happen to agree), it seems like it would be a good idea to work to educate our fellow citizens, rather than dismiss them as 'sheep people'. This attitude is discouraging, and it works to cement divisions rather than dissolve them. Honestly, one camping trip where an inexperienced person is taught to chop and split wood, build a fire, whittle a stick, and catch a fish can undo years of ingrained fear of knives (even choppers!). Let's be proactive.

All the best,

- Mike

Also I see a failed to put a coma between sheep and people. My mistake. I wouldn't want to appear to be saying something I'm not because two words I said are quoted out of context.

 

[Bushman5]

This is interesting. I think most average folk wouldn't know the difference between a hatchet and a tomahawk. Hell, I don't think most of us could make a meaningful distinction. The line between the two can be pretty fuzzy.

Some forum members insist that a tomahawk is a weapon first. Does this mean that an average person would be justified in being concerned seeing Bushman5 wandering around 'hawk in hand?

even without the hawk in hand i make people very nervous.

 

[August West]

I think that the media has played a role, I also think that the American rural population declining and people becoming increasingly unfamiliar with knives, and large knives in particular, makes them "SCARY". People naturally fear things that they are ignorant about, just like guns, knives will become increasingly unfamiliar.

It is also a bit of common sense, I would much rather see someone acting irrationally with a SAK than, you pick the model, 18" of razor sharp steel, the same goes for hatchets, hawks and axes. Chris

 

[angle iron]

When I walk for exercise in my neighborhood I carry a GB SFA sheathed and held by the head just in case of probs with irresponsible dog owners letting theirs run loose. Part of the problem may be that I look like the last of the Visigoths but it is very irritating to me that I walk regularly and the neighborhood is not that large and the axe is totally legal to carry, but when I take my wife or wife and daughter, no problem. When I go alone, someone calls the cops. Each time, the cops who now know me, try to talk me into carrying something else because "You're scaring the neighbors dude." "I'd carry a big stick instead." Despite the axe's total legality. After the first "Drop it, hands behind your head, kneel" and a bit of a hassle about a May handy scandi in my pocket (also legal) it is now just a drive by with a pause to shake the head and again ask "I can't convince you to carry a stick instead?" but still annoying. With family in tow, never a call despite exactly the same kit. I refuse to stop carrying a legal tool because of neighbors' or anyone elses irrational fear. On EDC forums I got a ration for this attitude and was repeatedly chastised for exercising my legal rights(haven;t and won't be back there) The Randall #14 on me belt never gets mentioned.

Would anyone here even consider leaving the axe home? My attitude is that even if I ever got tired or carrying it I would force myself to do so just on principle. Opinions? (And please, I'm not trying to turn this into another "I'm Rambo when it comes to dogs" thread. I hope to never use the axe on these walks.

 

[August West]

Would anyone here even consider leaving the axe home? My attitude is that even if I ever got tired or carrying it I would force myself to do so just on principle. Opinions? (And please, I'm not trying to turn this into another "I'm Rambo when it comes to dogs" thread. I hope to never use the axe on these walks.

Yeah man, not to fan the flames but when you start carrying a large chopper specifically for a weapon, there might be a line crossed. Maybe I have a bit of sheeple in me but someone I don't know regularly walking around my neighborhood with an axe would make me a bit nervous. Also an axe for defense against dogs is bit over the top IMHO, pepper spray or a nice walking stick would do the trick. Chris


EDIT: To answer the OPs question "Why Are Some Folks Scared of Choppers?" Because they are fearsome weapons and have been used as such for thousands of years. Because we look at them as tools and treat them as such, does not change them into a "pipe wrench".

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I'm sticking to the "it's brainwashing by the idiocracy" story.

Just got back from my morning 4 miler in the park.
Met a nice (single) lady there who had a pretty cool walking stick and shoulder bag. I struck up a conversation about how I was thinking of maybe getting a walking stick because people tell me they get better mileage and seem to be able to walk faster with one, and what did she think. Yeah, sneaky devil, ain't I? She didn't think it made a difference, and said she carries it because of feral dogs (this is, unfortunately, a popular area to drop off unwanted pets by moronic ingrates). I said, "Yeah, that's why I carry this." 'This' being a Busse Hellrazor. If you don't know what it looks like, here's a pic:

She thought it was cool, and asked where to get one.

Keep in mind, this is a paved walkway in a public park, not the woods.

I've often carried this and an HI Kerambit:

on my morning jaunts. I've had kids come up to me, playing, their parents never said a word, no one was scared. All this in a state where open carrying even large blades is legal. People are used to knives, it's not a problem. Only when something is forbidden and demonized to those too ignorant to know better, does fear enter the equation.

 

[Mentor]

I'm not intending to dismiss people as "sheep people". I'm simple pointing out the problem; and people DO tend to follow the crowd. But the first step to keep from being manipulated is to know that it's occurring, and how. Which is why I said what I did.

I agree on all points. I'm just suggesting that it is important to go beyond diagnosing the problem.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Joezilla]

That is one thing I love about latin america. Walking around with a machete is like walking about with a leaf blower. No one bats an eye. I wish I could do that (and I do occasionally) without scaring people round these parts.


[youtube]O4LKoOqFy8E[/youtube]

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That is one thing I love about latin america. Walking around with a machete is like walking about with a leaf blower. No one bats an eye. I wish I could do that (and I do occasionally) without scaring people round these parts.


[youtube]O4LKoOqFy8E[/youtube]

Cute video!

 

[MrCoffee]

Ok, well IMHO the fear of big blades has been around a lot longer then movies or TV and even the written word. Swords are big choppers, and a lot of people equate anything over a 4" blade with a sword. But large blades have always instilled fear into those that 1) didn't have one, or 2) didn't know how to use one.

Roll around to today when Machete's hacking people up is common place in movies and video games, and people can't see the Machete as a useful tool, only as a means of cutting someones arms and legs off, in gruesome fashion.

Not long ago I purchased a number of machete's to do a "cold weather" test on them, mostly because of Joe's, Fortytwo's and Jeff Randall's love of the Machete, and I had always felt like they would be a little to frail for really cold weather. (Since I had never used one in cold weather, this was just an impression, and I wanted to see for myself).

Anyways, a few days later this article hit locally: http://www.wptz.com/news/21216546/detail.html

Needless to say, locally the fear factor about big choppers it pretty strong at the moment. It is one thing to see it in a movie, it is something very different to have a neighbor hacked up with a Machete. I can walk around all day with an axe, and I don't get a second glance, but if I try to go to my local state park with a Machete, I get the third degree from the local Rangers. For the most part, when I have talked to people about it, they can't see why anyone would NEED such a big knife, when to them a simple folder is all use need.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Your original example was when someone was afraid to use a big knife. Often this does not come so much from fear of weapons as from fear of big sharp things like kitchen knives. People learn that they are more likely to cut themselves with the big kitchen knife than with the little paring knives. I often direct teams of amateurs helping to prepare food at the local soup kitchen. The women who have experience in kitchens always pick knives that are like the one that they use at home or a smaller knife. The guys are more likely to pick larger knives and are more likely to cut themselves. A classic case was a guy who used the tip of a 10 inch chefs knife to try and open a 10 pound tube of ground beef. He went through the tube and into his hand and we sent him off to the emergency room. The job should have been done with a paring knife--that's how any woman in the kitchen would have done it. I brought my own sharp knives to the soup kitchen and after a couple cases like this I stopped bringing knives over 8 inches long with points.

I probably wouldn't offer a big chopper to an amateur. It has a lot of excess sharp blade edge for them to bump into and a point to accidentally stick something. A hatchet with a nice hammer poll seems more tailored to the job and safer for a novice.

 

[Bushman5]

to those who feel that we should be discrete with how we carry our knives, i say BOLLOCKS! People are not used to knives because hardly anyone is seen with one anymore. Wear your knife, wear it proudly, use it responsibly, and gift lots of knives and information to non knife people.