I've carried a knife in office settings for years. Over this time I've assembled my own list of common sense guidelines I use. I don't know if you'll find them useful, but they've worked for me...
1. Keep the knife appropriate to the setting. For an office, I always keep the blade <3 inches, sometimes even smaller. No uber-tactical knives. Try and avoid assisted opening knives. Knives with damascus, embellishments, etc. are more likely to be seen in a positive light than a black coated blade with "Commando Death Dealer" emblazoned on the knife.
2. Use the knife to help others. When someone is struggling with opening something, I make a point of using my knife to help, so that they can see the utility of having one and so that they associate a "warm fuzzy feeling" with the use of a knife. They've always been very courteous and thankful for the help. I've also offered to sharpen kitchen knives for folks -- something that is really appreciated.
3. Be careful how you deploy the knife. While we don't think twice about unclipping a knife, opening the blade with the thumbstud, cutting the intended item, and returning the knife to our pocket all in a few seconds, I've noticed that the speed of this event can freak people out. If you do it more slowly, they tend to react more positively to the whole experience. Their brain has time to process the event and the knife didn't "come out of nowhere" and surprise them. It also sometimes helps to deploy it two-handed, like you would with a knife without a thumbstud.
4. Let them handle the knife. When someone starts to freak out, I make a point of handing the knife to them and letting them hold it. This takes away some of their fear, and it subconsciously turns them into the knife person. It changes the perceived balance of power between the two of you. They find that they can hold the knife and amazingly it doesn't hurt them. It also gives you a chance to explain how the lock works (a huge mystery to most of them), that the frame is made of titanium (very cool to most people), the type of scale material, and other neat features.
5. Choose your knife terminology carefully. When I tell someone that I collect knives, I always use the term "pocket knives." It is more readily accepted by others, since I think it conjures up images of Grandpa's slipjoint, instead of the more "deadly" knives they fear. Also, NEVER tell them how many knives you have, unless you want to immediately be labeled a nut job.
6. Give knives to others. I make a habit that when someone expresses interest in my knife, I often will give them a small SAK to keep. I have a few on hand for these times, and it officially makes them one of us.
7. Be discreet. Never flaunt the knife or randomly play with it, even if you are by yourself in your cubical/office. Leave it in your pocket until it's needed, then use it, and put it away. You have lots of time to play with your knives at home, on the trail, and in other more appropriate places.
We should never be ashamed of carrying a knife, but a little common sense goes a long way in portraying knifeknuts as rationale, thoughtful people who mean no harm, but simply choose to carry this tool.
- Mark
