Why Do People Fear Folding Knives?

Benjamin Liu said:
If you had a machete and grew up using it daily, would you be concerned about a guy with a pocketknife?

Even if he was hostile, his knife is tiny compared to the machete, he won't be anywhere as experienced (IMO a lifetime of machete use, chopping up vegetation, trumps a few years of dojo training 3x/wk, and most people carrying knives are nowhere near that experienced,) and he won't be moving naturaly through the jungle. As a weapon, even a club would be superior.

To bring this back into reality and out of your fantasy world, I've lived in the country in the 1980s where almost all guys carried a pocketknife. It also wasn't unusual to see people whittling in public, and even some kids throwing their knives into the dirt (not that I'd do that to my knife.) These people don't panic when they see a knife in public. Now, if you were to act in a threatening manner and pull a knife, that would be a different story, but a mere display of a knife would not be unusual. When I was 11 a friend an I each bought a machete at Wal-Mart. The cashier told us to be careful with them, but she did not scream and call the police. I've sharpened pencils with my pocketknife during tests when we were not allowed to leave our desks t sharpen our pencils, and no one panicked. If a kid did that today he'd be arrested and maybe labeled a terrorist. Most adults who'd see us with our knives, BB guns, toy guns, etc. would think more along the lines as that being typical boy behavior, and the PC fanatics were far fewer than today.

Going into the city, many people eat at restraunts where they are given steak knives, many times being equal or superior to typical folders as weapons. If it was just some sort of primal instinct to fear knives rather than social conditioning, they'd panic at the sight of them. I've never seen anyone panic in any restraunt for any reason.

Seriously, are you in your 20s or younger? I find it hard to believe that anyone over 30 would not remember a time when knives were considered normal and nothign to fear.
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great post, agree 100% :thumbup:
 
Benjamin Liu said:
That still doesn't explain why most people were not paranoid around knives in the 1980s and then in the 1990s they became paranoid. The only explanation is some sort of societal conditioning. This conditiong isn't hypothetical, it could easily be seen in the media and school system.

Regarding the supposed "liberals" and "conservatives," for many those terms are just labels for their parties. Most politicians from both parties believe in the same thing, government supremacy over the individual citizen. Government supremacists, whatever they call themselves, want to control people. That is why they support gun control, knife control, property forfeiture, Big Brother cameras spying on citizens, federal ID, etc. Politicians in both parties support such assaults on liberty.
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I was not attempting to answer why the fear of knives increased in society in the 80s and 90s. (which we don't entirely agree on, as we touched on in a different thread) I was addressing the ORIGINAL question: "Why Do People Fear Folding Knives? Which of course has a number of variables. . . .
ALL people? . . . SOME people? . . . ALL of the people, SOME of the time? . . . SOME of the people ALL of the time? . . . and on and on.

And AGAIN. I NEVER excluded societal influences.

As for the second paragraph of the quote listed above; I mostly agree with everything you said. (a few small variables, as always)

Anyhow, because I am temporarily (3 months or so because of a recent surgery) a one handed typist, and also because I just started learning a little less than a year ago, very slow at this.
So I gotta go take a quick stab at stabman, and then call it a night.

Later, CM.
 
Yesterday I visited an upscale gentleman's clothier in my hometown. My mother is not expected to live out the month and I do not own a suit anymore, don't even think I own dress pants. I went in not thinking I would be measured but that was the first thing the owner of the business did. You may be thinking so what but I live in Indiana, and I carry daily. After measuring shoulders and chest he moved to my waist and of course he instantly realized I had two handguns on my belt. After trying to measure around them he simply asked me "Will you be carrying your accessories when wearing the suit?". He did not freak out, turn pale, back away...just that one simply question. I told him I would be carrying but most likely just one firearm with the suit. I stepped into the dressing room and re-arranged things to how I will carry with the suit on and he finished measured and got all the info needed to build this suit around the firearm.

I can not believe so many here have problems when people see their knives when I have results like this when I am carrying firearms. (yes I had my Mcusta clipped in my pocket as well...nothing was said about it either) I still suspect the manner in which the knife is drawn out and opened has much to do with how people react to it.
 
I understand what you're saying Absintheur, and I can only say that you are extremely blessed to live in the area you do. While you yourself may not have experienced the disdain and outright fear cast in our (knife-carrier's) directions, myself, and many other knife-carriers have. And let me be the first to tell you that I draw and use both my fixed blade and folding knives in the most discreet, non-threatning way possible, and yet still I get the nervous glances, the people stepping away, and sometimes even harrasing comments. I also look and dress like an average 20-something adult male. (Untucked t-shirt and jeans). While things like this may not happen to you, they DO happen to the majority of knife carriers in the U.S, as evidenced in the responses to threads like these. Face it, people just don't like the fact that we carry a knife. Its that simple. It has nothing to do with the way we present the knife, or the knife we carry (unless its a tiny slip-joint, its a weapon to the masses).

Edit- As a side note, the last time I went to a clothing store to get measured for a tux, the guy who measured me litterally stepped back and said, "what are you going to do with THAT!," upon seeing my sheathed Case Ridgeback on my hip. It was even in a nice looking leather pouch sheath, and only had a 3.5" blade to boot. I was truly disgusted by his attitude towards my knife carrying.:( The sad part is, he had to have been in his late 60's, early 70's, so I expected him to be a little more intelligent on the matter. Oh well, I guess not all men back then were self-reliant.
 
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People are afraid of sharp objects unless those object are seen in a familiar context that tells them not to worry.

If I eat in a restaurant and people use sharp steak knives I’m fine with that.

If I get into an argument with one of the people in the restaurant and the guy walks up to me with his steak knife in his hand, I considered that a threat and act accordingly.

Similar situation: I like dogs and I’m not afraid of being bitten. But if somebody trains his dog to be aggressive towards human beings I will look at that dog differently.

In the real world, occasionally people use knifes to intimidate and to inflict pain.

I’m not surprised that many people fear knives when they see one out of context. Explaining to those people that a knife is a tool will do more good than a lecture about how they behave like sheep, are victims of the liberal media and try to curtail freedom…

Rafael
 
I usually carry nothing more than a simple slip joint pocket knife like my 1970 Case 6232 Texas Jack so I have not noticed any fear on the people who might see it.

Absintheur's post about the tailor not batting an eye at two guns and a clipped on folder is probably an exception. If not fear I think a lot of people do not understand the why of carrying a knife and may look questioningly at those who do. It's their loss.
 
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Absintheur said:
(post 124)
I can not believe so many here have problems when people see their knives when I have results like this when I am carrying firearms. (yes I had my Mcusta clipped in my pocket as well...nothing was said about it either) I still suspect the manner in which the knife is drawn out and opened has much to do with how people react to it.
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First off let me extend my sympathies to you Abs. My mother is in her eighties now so I've realized for some time that her years are moving towards the end. And now It's almost here. Her doctor gives her another 3 to 4 months. It's not an easy thing to deal with so you have my heartfelt sympathies.


Gunfucius said:
(post 125)
I also look and dress like an average 20-something adult male. (Untucked t-shirt and jeans). While things like this may not happen to you, they DO happen to the majority of knife carriers in the U.S, as evidenced in the responses to threads like these. Face it, people just don't like the fact that we carry a knife. Its that simple. It has nothing to do with the way we present the knife, or the knife we carry (unless its a tiny slip-joint, its a weapon to the masses).


Now to Gunny. I can't help but feel that some of your problem is AGE discrimination. Not directly your fault at all. But I know that to a lot of older people,(mid 30s and past) young folks often appear to be reckless and dangerous. In large part because they remember what they were doing then. And in my experiences there is a considerable difference in the way law enforcement reacts to younger people. But no doubt that has a correlation to how younger people react to law enforcement. I'm not saying there aren't also other things going on with the reactions you get. It's just that I've seen how things change as you get older, and when I saw the contrast of age and reactions in your post right next to Abs post, I just figured I'd point it out.


Rafael said:
(pst 126)
I’m not surprised that many people fear knives when they see one out of context. Explaining to those people that a knife is a tool will do more good than a lecture about how they behave like sheep, are victims of the liberal media and try to curtail freedom…
Rafael
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WHAT HE SAID. :thumbup:
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I don't know what happened. when I finished my reply (post 128) last night, I couldn't get it to post. And then I found out that I was no longer on line. So I turned off my computer and went to sleep thinking the reply would be lost, but when I checked it today, it had DOUBLE posted! . . . ??? :confused:
 
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My reflection, from a Swedish standpoint, is that most people see knives that are not kitchen knives as weapons.
Even cheap Mora knives, the knife every swedish person know what it looks like, is nowadays seen as a weapon. Our foreign minister was stabbed and killed with one in 2003.

Back to folders: The reason for people getting so scared about them is that they often show up in normally "knife free" areas such as offices and such. Also that the fact that a folder is small and might sneak up on you are not prepared for. One person is trying to open a box and asks for help. Click! and a OHO knife emerges in front of that persons eyes. If you have a SAK the person gets time to get used to it since it takes some time to open it. A CQC7 with Wave is open in no time so the person needing help might get scared instead.

One other thing is the law 1988:254 commonly known as the "knife law" where people think that it is illegal to carry knives in public, hence they leave their tools at home.

Everyone at work knows that I am the knife guy and nowadays people dont ask IF I have a knife, they just ask for it.

One other theory is that people who buy quality knives are more caring and reliably. A thug doesnt buy a CQC7, PXL or any other high price folders, they go with the chinese copies.
 
My reflection, from a Swedish standpoint, is that most people see knives that are not kitchen knives as weapons.
Even cheap Mora knives, the knife every swedish person know what it looks like, is nowadays seen as a weapon. Our foreign minister was stabbed and killed with one in 2003.

Back to folders: The reason for people getting so scared about them is that they often show up in normally "knife free" areas such as offices and such. Also that the fact that a folder is small and might sneak up on you are not prepared for. One person is trying to open a box and asks for help. Click! and a OHO knife emerges in front of that persons eyes. If you have a SAK the person gets time to get used to it since it takes some time to open it. A CQC7 with Wave is open in no time so the person needing help might get scared instead.

One other thing is the law 1988:254 commonly known as the "knife law" where people think that it is illegal to carry knives in public, hence they leave their tools at home.

Everyone at work knows that I am the knife guy and nowadays people dont ask IF I have a knife, they just ask for it.

One other theory is that people who buy quality knives are more caring and reliably. A thug doesnt buy a CQC7, PXL or any other high price folders, they go with the chinese copies.
 
stabman said:
Okay I guess???:confused:
Anf yeah, I remeber the A-Team.:)
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I apologize if I mis-read your post to me, but the ":p stick out tongue" emoticon seemed to suggest an insult. (but I am sorta an old school fool!) :)

Sincerely, your Blade Brother, CM.
 
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Some people are scared of folders even if they're tiny, like a Victorinox SAK Classic. I was using the scissors on mine several years ago, and a woman angrily said to me, "Do you realize that you are carrying a deadly weapon?" I was cutting steno paper at the time to use in a steno machine.

There are many knives that are popular on these forums as supposedly friendly and non-threatening-looking that I know for a fact would still frighten tons of people if they saw them, such as the Benchmade 556 mini-Grip, Spyderco Delica or Dragonfly, Gerber LST, CRK small Sebenza and Mnandi, Case medium stockman, etc. Basically, some people are afraid of anything with a blade that can be carried in a pocket.

I remember as a kid in the '70s carrying a knife to school, and my typing teacher was a guy who introduced me to Buck Knives by showing me his Buck Cadet model. Boys often compared each others' pocket knives, usually scout knives, SAKs, stockmen, and even the occasional Buck 110. They were not being presented as weapons, but as something they were proud to own.

But oddly enough, our generation grew up and had children, many of which are themselves grown up and most of whom seem to fear knives, or think that carrying them is stupid. At least, the idea of proper knife use and ownership seems a long-forgotten remnant of earlier times. I often wonder, did some of those who proudly carried pocketknives back then turn around and teach a negative view of knife ownership? Or simply neglect to pass the concept down? I only wonder because back then the carrying of pocketknives was SO common.
Jim
 
One other way to respond to the "deadly weapon" thing is to ask that person has a pen. Then you describe what happens if someone shows that pen in some badguys neck, or ask them if they have a car. Car kills people, so does cigarettes, trains, swimming pools and other things also not made to kill people but can be used for that purpose.
 
Lol. In response to the "Do you realize you're carrying a deadly weapon" question, I would have used one of these four responses, depending on my mood:

1. "Do you realize that you don't have a clue what you're talking about?
2. "This, a weapon? Never thought of it that way. I just always used it as a tool to cut and fix things. You should get one, they're really handy."
3. "I suppose it COULD be used as a deadly weapon, but even a common pen would make a better weapon. At least the pen won't fold over your fingers if you stab someone with it, AND it would make a deeper hole."
4. "Yes, I realize that. What's your point? Got a problem, lady?" (Ok, I wouldn't use this one, but it would be funny to see her reaction.:D)
 
crustaceanmick said:
I apologize if I mis-read your post to me, but the ":p stick out tongue" emoticon seemed to suggest an insult. (but I am sorta an old school fool!) :)

Sincerely, your Blade Brother, CM.
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No insult intended; maybe there should be a "what different smillies mean" thread so we'd all be on the the same page.:)
Except the smilie face; we all seem to use it right.
 
James Y said:
Some people are scared of folders even if they're tiny, like a Victorinox SAK Classic. I was using the scissors on mine several years ago, and a woman angrily said to me, "Do you realize that you are carrying a deadly weapon?"
Jim
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If that woman ACTUALLY thought of it as a "deadly weapon", then wasn't she being a RETARD to angrily confront you?
The very fact that these people aren't scared to harrass someone about their "evil" knife SHOULD let them know that it really isn't so scary, or else they'd be cowering in a corner or calling a cop rather than verbally bugging you.
 
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