Why do office people freak?

In the last office that I worked in, I slowly tested the waters by mentioning that I like high quality knives. I'd be speaking to a coworker and making sure others would hear to see their reactions. Out of curiosity, my other coworkers started asking about them. From there I explained that I liked buying and selling knives at a profit, to put a more positive capitalistic outlook on it. For the record, I don't focus solely on that, but I sure as hell won't pass up a good opportunity when I see it. This opened them way up to the idea that I knew my shit when it came to knives and that it was cool.

Eventually, I helped 2 other coworkers eventually get started in EDCing a blade. One of them actually her girlfriend a knife to EDC as a gift. I figured I did good when I showed one coworker a picture of a $3000 Marlowe and he said "I gotta have that knife!". He couldn't afford it of course, but the reaction was priceless. Most folks who realize that a pocket knife was going for that much wouldn't even think about the knife and say that it was ridiculous. Only us knife nuts react that way to the uber-expensive knives.
 
I live on the island of Kauai where we have some of the most restrictive gun laws in the US but knives are still viewed as a tool by the vast majority. The laws on knives are pretty minimal (no switchblades, butterfly knives, or dirk/dagger). A case went to court not too long ago with a man with dagger, it was a double edged dive knife. The court found him not guilty and said that if the knife had a purpose other than a weapon it was ok... score +1 for reality. Weve always been behind the mainland in trends and I hope knifephobia passes us by. Its still a pretty close to nature livin community out here and most people have the tools (knives) that are suitable for the tasks at hand. Ive been pulled over with a battle mistress on my passenger floorboard and and it didnt even get a second glance. Probably 60 to 70 percent of people out here have a machete in their vehicle (never know when you might need it). Ive never heard of someone being killed, assulted or injured intentionally with one.

As for the OP's question.
Fear propaganda has done its job. Were as a people are dangerous to ourselves and others and cant be trusted with pointy metal objects any longer.

Ive had a knife in my pocket every day since I was 10. It was a coming of age responsibility test from the parents... to see if i could keep from hurting others but myself. In the 26 year since then Ive used one every day and never as a weapon. The fear is put there by people who want a weak scared population.
 
Ankerson said:
They are pretty much wall to wall down here.........

We need to send you a bunch of them. ;)
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Hold what you got. :-) Our "little" town has grown about 150% since I moved out here in '91.

There is definitely a significant difference between suburban MD and rural OR in terms of the way weapons are viewed - especially *real* weapons. Honestly though, having worked in rural, suburban and urban office contexts in MD, CT, NY and OR, I have never run into problems with folding pocket knives.
 
Luckily I work in a kitchen so any ill-intentioned lad would swiftly meet the blade of my 10"Shun while my 3" spyderco hung out in my pocket dreaming of box breakdown duties.
 
We are not supposed to carry anything larger than a SAK at work.It's not enforced though.
 
My bro-in-law is a chemical engineer at Dow Chemical. He has access to valves which, if turned the wrong way, will blow up half of Michigan. But he cannot carry a knife at work.

:eek:
 
Ankerson said:
SNIP

They need to get back to the basics of LEARNING the 3 R's
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You do know that only one of the three R's is actually spelled with an R as the first letter?

Why should we go back to something that's 2/3 misspelled?:D
 
I always carry a SAK to work. My modified Scibeer Climber w/ alox scales is like a Soldier, but thicker for the scissors. When I need to be dressier, a Cadet II is perfect. People rarely see these knives, I only pull them out when I need a tool. I don't remember getting any negative comments. An Endura would be overkill for my office cutting needs. I do have various diagonal cutters and drivers in a tool bag to bring along on a project (IT work).
 
I was a public school science teacher for 12 years, and I was the kind who wanted my students to have hands-on experimental interaction with real science rather than just reading about it. I tried to have my classes handle some actual 'science stuff' 2-3 times a week, so I always had a knife with me for a wide variety of cutting duties.

After the Columbine shooting my principal asked me to keep my knife out of sight to prevent some sort of "but he carries a knife" argument from a student who brought one intending to use it as a weapon. The request made a lot of sense to me so I unclipped it from my pocket and kept it hidden until I actually needed it.

Now I work in a state office building. The CCW law applies to state offices. I could carry a bazooka to work if I wanted to, so my knife isn't really an issue. I carry whatever I want and I have it clipped to my pocket...but when I take out a knife it's the peanut that's down in the bottom of my pocket. Just because I CAN have a giant EDC doesn't mean everybody needs to know I have it. I don't want to be the "guy with the scary knife". Why have that hassle if you can avoid it.

Besides, if one of the ladies at the office ever goes into estrogen psychosis, I don't want her to think she needs to take me out first! :D
 
Most people are not "knife" people.

They're not used to seeing someone carry or use a common pocket knife. I'm sure some get a little startled when they see one out in public or in the work place.

I refuse to carry a knife clipped to my pocket at work [semi-professional office environment]. Instead, I use SAK's because because they have the perception of being more of a "tool" than a "weapon." Kinda like a multitool. And if anyone does ask why I have it, I can just default to the old "well, I used to be a Boy Scout.... guess it's just a habit to always have a Swiss army knife on me."

And this is in Florida, which has very lax knife laws... not to mention that the head of engineering keeps an Arkansas stone and stropping belt in his office - he collects, too. :D Showed him my D2 Paramilitary and he was impressed with the edge. Still, it stays in the backpack.

No attention is good attention. YMMV
 
I once had an altercation with a female employee where she complained that I yelled at her (true). When discussing it with HR she threw out that I carried a knife. I was banned from carrying a pocket knife. So I went with a Cuda Talon neck knife
 
Geoff said:
I once had an altercation with a female employee where she complained that I yelled at her (true). When discussing it with HR she threw out that I carried a knife. I was banned from carrying a pocket knife. So I went with a Cuda Talon neck knife
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I like your thinking!:D:thumbup:
 
Ankerson said:
They freak because most of them NEVER have been...out in the Country for that matter. They think the country is the park. Most people are raised by wimp parents, go to school with wimp Left Wing Teachers all the way through College.
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Hmm...I was raised in the country by left-wing parents who farm and hunt, and who taught me how to use knives. I'm a left-wing prospective teacher who happens to love knives, and I plan to move back to the country as soon as possible...watch the generalizations, hmm?

Ankerson said:
..play office politics (Stab you buddies in the back to get promoted)
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LOL! Nice choice of phrases! :D
 
A couple of years ago in the break room, I used my Case Peanut (2 7/8" closed) to perforate a microwave lunch before nuking. A co-worker said I was like Norman Bates in "Psycho." Really? I thought he used a big kitchen knife . . . like the one sitting right there on the counter.

I am convinced it is the notion of carrying a personal knife that scandalizes people more than the knife per se.


BTW, that job sucked and I don't work there anymore!:cool::p
 
As a teen, my employment opportunities are slim. I actually work at a frozen yogurt shop downtown. When asking the super-liberal 20 something boss about the "NO WEAPONS ALLOWED" policy on the employee contract, i asked about pocket knives, expecting the worst. "carry whatever you need! Just make sure it's legal and don't kill anyone!"

I now carry a BM 710 whenever I am not coming to work straight from school. (By the Way, if i carried a knife at school i'd totally go on a rampage...*eyeroll*)
 
First off I haven't read the whole thread but there's a reason for their their fear.With all these workplace shootings I think it might be seen as a indicator in their minds that a person is prone to carry weapons. The average person doesn't understand our love for knives as a tool and thinks we carry the so we can stab people. There has been a lot of workplace violence. I think a 4" bladed folder may be scary to a person that doesn't understand our hobby.
 
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