Why do YOU care what OTHER PEOPLE think of your knife?

[killgar]

For the most part I carry what I want regardless of what others might think (my daily carry pictured below). Although I will occasionally change what I carry based on where I'm going (bank, movies). If I want to ensure that I won't be asked to leave (private property, business) I won't carry my fixed-blade. And while I find it curious when other people choose knives based on how others might react I wouldn't judge or criticize them for it.

It's really none of my business, nor my place to judge why or how other people choose their knives. Even if I disagree with their reasoning I say "More power to them. To each their own".

Of course in some situations, like ones work environment, I can totally understand why someone would choose a knife based on how others around them might react (boss, supervisor, co-workers, customers). Because their job might depend on it.

On the other hand, what I find truly disagreeable is when one person tries to tell others "You shouldn't carry THAT. It might scare people. It might cause new knife laws to be passed. Your going to give knife enthusiasts a bad name". I wish those people would shut the hell up, mind their own business, and stop acting like the boss of the knife world.

 

[bld522]

I doubt any of us own knives we truly dislike, so its not being forced to carry something you dont like, but maybe second guessing your own preference for the day because of whatever perceptive bs you might be subjected to.

So keeping my job is BS? You just don't get it, do you?

 

[fetzer85]

Valid point. Text is bad for conveying tone tho.

You have mad skillz then.

 

[Danke42]

I'm gonna hazard a guess that the folks who pick knives that "no one else cares about" aren't on this website talking about knives, looking at other peoples knives, and posting pictures of our own knives.

One way or another we're all subject to normal human principles. Than includes for most following the written and unwritten rules of society.

 

[Murindo]

I'm fortunate to live in an area where people don't really give a second glance to knives.

...I am careful, however, not to go out of my way to shock folks with some of my larger knives. Mostly because I'm not socially retarded.

People vote.

+1 for Texans. I do carry more than one knife and use the smaller when appropriate.

 

[Steve in SoCal]

The whole premise of this thread is so narrow minded and negative that it is sad. Mostly good thoughtful responses though.

 

[palonej]

This thread got me thinking....yeah, my head hurts.....about non knife knuts reactions to blades. I am in HVAC and need to cut into sheet rock quite often.
If I pull out a keyhole saw, middle blade, no eye brows are raised. Pull out either of the other 2 and home owners will literally back up.
Which looks more menacing??
I will continue to think through my blade choices each morning.
Joe

 

[gonebad395]

Op the matter of this post is very subjective. You are going to have views going in each direction which is great if the conversation can stay civil. Then you are going to have the few that love a argument in every thread they post in. Just weed through it and there are people that are engaging this as a valid thread. Hell I think this is a great subject and I'm learning a lot on how my fellow knife owners perceive their daily carry. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

A true Gentleman has a knife for every occasion of his desecration.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Psychopath, he says... Do you judge folks' mental stability by what knife they carry, or how they act? How would the safe, casual use of your large assisted folder make you look like a psychopath moreso than if you whipped out your SAK and started chewing on it mumbling how it tastes like squirrel blood still?

If my boss or my client is willing to make that perception call on what knife they see me cutting something with, then they are the LAST people's perceptive judgement I should worry about. They have problems, and I wont work for the one, and the other isnt welcome in my store.

If you're comfortable losing money because you want to carry X knife so badly, that's all good. Me? Comfortable with knives or not, their money spends just the same. Frankly, it raises more questions about someone when they would lose income because they HAVE to carry X knife.

 

[22-rimfire]

Personally, I think a person shows their ignorance if they don't take into consideration what other people are likely to think when it comes to carrying knives or any weapon. You obviously don't care. So, there is no reasoning with you. Your employer or a future employer may do the reasoning for you eventually.

 

[Cobalt]

Well, first off, I don't like other people knowing what I carry, so no one ever sees my knife unless I use it. Thus your question's answer is no I do not care since I do not want them to know what I have. Now if I encounter a knife nut, then we talk. But unless I know that, no one knows what I have.

 

[craytab]

Who says I do?

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

I don't see any "alarming phenomenon", as the OP puts it. People by what they want to buy. Big knives, small knives, folders, fixed blades, whatever suits them and the area they live or work in. It all depends on the intended use and what the knife user likes. Me? I could care less what people think of the knives I carry. I don't go around waving them in public either, but on the few occasions where I have had to use my knife in public, I've never had anyone comment on the knife I was carrying. As long as you are abiding by the knife carry laws of your community, why should you care what anyone else thinks?

 

[brancron]

Part of living a well-adjusted, normal, happy life involves caring about what other people think of you and your behavior.

 

[footballplayerchris]

I could care less.....BUT......I live in NJ.....the land that is ruled by soccer moms. If anything but a SAK is removed from a pocket in public you'll see them pull their kids in closer and reach for a phone.
No joke.
Joe

Joe Palone? As in, THE Joe Palone? We miss you over on GTA brother!

I find that people are less scared of my artsy type knives (think exotic customs) vs something like my tiger-striped tanto Blur.

 

[palonej]

Joe Palone? As in, THE Joe Palone? We miss you over on GTA brother!

I find that people are less scared of my artsy type knives (think exotic customs) vs something like my tiger-striped tanto Blur.

Yo Chris!!
Can't shoot in my yard anymore due to miserable soccer moms swearing I'm shooting 'high powered' rifles. Frigging miserable no life witches!
Joe

 

[killgar]

Part of living a well-adjusted, normal, happy life involves caring about what other people think of you and your behavior.

I disagree. I don't care what total strangers think of me, and I live "a well-adjusted, normal, happy life". I can't imagine, nor would I want to imagine, what it would be like to go through life always worrying about what other people are thinking about me, much less trying to make them all happy.

The only time I alter my behavior around others is when it serves MY purposes (like not carrying my fixed-blade into the bank). But I don't alter my behavior because I care about what other people think. I do it so they won't insist that I leave before conducting my business. If the same people who work in the bank saw me on the street carrying my knife I couldn't care less what they might think.

I conduct myself in a polite and respectful manner when I interact with people, because that's how I was raised, and because that's how I want to be treated. But I don't conduct myself in that way because I care what people might think of me or say about me.

Growing up my parents taught me - No matter what you do you can't control what other people are going to think about you. So don't even bother caring what other people think about you. And besides, who are they that you should care what they think.

Like I said, I disagree. But that's ok, we just have different philosophies. I'm not saying my philosophy is right and your philosophy is wrong, just that they're different. And there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[BASguy]

Was at a grocery store and a dad pulled out (what looked to be like) maybe a 4" folder to trim a thread off his kids coat. A lady by him literally yelled out 'HE HAS A KNIFE!' as she ran down the aisle.

OK, my first thought over this idiotic overreaction is this would have been a great opportunity to trip her and then laugh....because it's funny when people fall.

 

[BASguy]

Part of living a well-adjusted, normal, happy life involves caring about what other people think of you and your behavior.

Perhaps..... But it's equally important that one doesn't conform to idiocy to reinforce that negative behavior. I get the OP's position on this. A tool is a tool. Showing them it can be used in an appropriate manner is likely the lesson they may need as opposed to the perception you are being respectful by not displaying a scary tool. That actually strikes me as very counter productive. Just MHO