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

[Danke42]

What would nutnfancy do?

 

[orca8589]

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

Two words: I don't. (Care, that is.)

I'm very careful in what I carry and in how I use it. More often than not, if I do have to use my knife in public, it's usually a situation where what I'm using it for will benefit the friends around me somehow.

~Chris

 

[SCWillson]

I care what other people think because I depend on other people.
I depend on my boss to not fire me. I could find a job working at a more knife-friendly company, but they would pay less money so I wouldn't be able to buy as many knives.
I depend on my girlfriend to not think I'm an idiot. We could break up and I could find a new girlfriend, but I like this one; she already puts up with my current weird knife habits.
I depend on the strangers around town to not be threatened and call the cops when I pull out a huge knife to cut a thread off my coat, which would result in nothing happening except a huge waste of my time and a waste of the cop's time, when he should be out catching bad guys.

Nailed it. :thumbup:

It's not about what people think, it's about what they do when they see a knife. If everyone just shrugs, you're gold. But if you're carrying a knife and repeatedly getting police called or coworker complaints to management because it's seen as dangerous by non-knife persons you've got a problem and what people think becomes important.

Are these always rational?* No, but pretending their thoughts are irrelevant is also irrational.


* I work as a bailiff and carry a firearm at all times when on duty, yet I have had more than one person ask why I carry a knife since it's a weapon. I generally point out that I carry a gun and so don't need a knife as a weapon. And I carry small, and to my mind innocuous and non-threatening, knives. I haven't carried anything with a blade larger than 2½" in years.

 

[Giant Mondo Bug]

I don't think anyone in this neck of the woods is going to freak if they catch a glimpse of what's sticking out of my pants so it comes down to how it's deployed, wielded and used-and my attitude. Just use some common sense. I'll edc any folder I want up to 3.75" blade. When it comes to people who don't know me, I can't assume what knife model might scare them (regardless of how it's used or carried). For example, some folks may think an Espada looks scary but it reminds me of a cartoon knife - or maybe my favorite 3 Stooges episode with Shemp Howard.

 

[BASguy]

BASguy,



you misspelled "Samurai" . . .
NOW I'm all offended and stuff. :grumpy:

My boss said the other day "You just can't please everyone . . . I've tried".

Actually, iPhone misspelled it and spellcheck corrected my corrections twice (which may have been incorrect also). Thanks for saving the day. Among all my other life disappointments, I've never won a spelling bee. [emoji3]

 

[BASguy]

So much energy expended on a troll thread.

I've found that lessons can be learned from events that may result from dubious origins

 

[palonej]

I guess some of our opinions are swayed by our locations.
I'm in NJ and EVERYTHING is frowned upon here. I love shooting high end air rifles in my yard. Been doing it with my boys for 15 years. New neighbor moved in, called 911 and tried to have us arrested for shooting 'high powered' rifles in the yard.
We are not able to shoot our BB guns any more. This is the norm here and there is nothing you can do about it.
If you were walking around Wally World with a visible knife here.......make plans for some serious aggravation.
Joe

 

[DeadboxHero]

Sometimes there's a great conversation to be had depending on if I bring the right knife for the day.

In the end they all cut stuff.

Its fun having a really cool one to show and share with friends, acquaintances and strangers.

 

[leghog]

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

I don't. I carry a SAK on my belt and an Ulster peanut in my pocket everyday. I really don't care what others think about it, even those here on BF who think I'm somehow "under knifed".

 

[22-rimfire]

Listen to the "cool kids" , they test lots of knives.

I have to say that is really funny. You might add listening to or observing the budding gang bangers in school do. They as a group try out lots of knives.

I don't. I carry a SAK on my belt and an Ulster peanut in my pocket everyday. I really don't care what others think about it, even those here on BF who think I'm somehow "under knifed".

I fall into this group in general as well although the peanuts were always a tad small for me. However, I am actually looking at buying a peanut to try out just to see how I like it and maybe I had gotten into a knife size rut.

I might add that this is a troll thread, but it has been fun. Sometimes it takes an extreme opinion to bring folks to the middle ground. Thank God we all don't live in NJ or have neighbors who view an air rifle as a "high powered rifle" or a 5" knife a dangerous weapon just because it is being carried.

 

[strategy9]

I guess some of our opinions are swayed by our locations.
I'm in NJ and EVERYTHING is frowned upon here. I love shooting high end air rifles in my yard. Been doing it with my boys for 15 years. New neighbor moved in, called 911 and tried to have us arrested for shooting 'high powered' rifles in the yard.
We are not able to shoot our BB guns any more. This is the norm here and there is nothing you can do about it.
If you were walking around Wally World with a visible knife here.......make plans for some serious aggravation.
Joe

I actually am a jersey boy, northern shore points, and spent my early adult years as a dock builder...

Contrary to their gun laws, NJ knife laws are actuay very unrestrictive on both concealed and open carry of Knives... It is "legal" tp carry (open or concealed) any knife that is legal to own, provided you dont intend to use it for unlawful purposes... And it is legal to owm nearly any type of knife... There are some restrictions for folks with certain criminal records and mental health issues, and sure if you're carrying a 10" kuhkri or a switch blade you may draw unwanted attention and may have to explain yourself to a police officer, even though it is technically legal provided you yourself are legal to carry, and your intent is legal... sure in certain areas the locals may have issues, but legally you are okay far more often then not.

That said, when I lived on the shore, I always carried Knives, same as now, typical folders in the 3-4" range, and fixed blades in the 4-5" range. Mostly Buck and Gerber since I had far less knowledge of Knives back then, but still never had any (legal) issues, even if I got an unwanted look or two or three some times.
http://www.knifeup.com/new-jersey-knife-laws/

 

[palonej]

We're in Central NJ....and here the soccer moms rule bro.
It's not illegal to shoot air rifles on private property either.....but they found a way to stop us.

 

[Bobby3326]

We're in Central NJ....and here the soccer moms rule bro.
It's not illegal to shoot air rifles on private property either.....but they found a way to stop us.

I've worked all over New Jersey in the past, and was never once hassled while out and about and in stores with a 5"blade hanging from my belt. Since I travel for a living I always look up the local knife laws and will print out the written code on the matter and place it in my wallet with my id. If some local leo decides they wanna hassle me specifically for something I'm legally carrying I hand em the paper along with my id and ask for a supervisor.


Once they realise I know the law and my rights they'll typically send me on my way. Sometimes they themselves weren't even fully aware of what was legal and what isn't. However in my 8 years of travels across the country I've only had this even happen a handful of times.

It's the places that have a law that's open to interpretation where you gotta be conscious of what you carry and make sure it can't be considered illegal at all. Like nyc, the laws open to interpretation at the discretion of the particular leo your dealing with.

 

[KBA]

I've noticed an alarming phenomenon among members of this forum-set.. The concept of 'sheeple friendly'... I see people not picking certain knives because of how other people might percieve the knife. I see things like 'people get nervous when I pull out x knife'.. Or 'I use this knife when people are around because its not intimidating'.. Or something along those lines..
Why would you let someone elses stupidity/fear/ignorance dictate what choice you make for a cutting tool? If you were going to do that 'for realz' you would have to forgo carrying one at all.. Because maybe someone you might see, or that might see you with your knife wouldnt be comfortable around ANY knfe.
As a knife person, I have never once given any thought to what people NOT carrying MY KNIFE might think if they see it get whipped out and used, so this concern for other people's 'comfort' is completely alien to me.

Whatchu talkin bout, Willis? How do you justify it? Why bother? Whats wrong with growing a set and carrying what you like?

A lot has to do with maturity, emotional intelligence, and common sense. I am not saying that you are lacking in any of tnese areas.

What I am saying:

This question has to do more with sociological and psychological reasoning in human behavior and values than knives. Why do we do anything based upon the the thoughts of others? I personally hold to a Robert Merton sociological perspective in answering that, but do not feel it is warranted to discuss it here in general.

One persons reasoning does not speak for all though. Enjoy the rabbit hole.

 

[Bighaze51]

For me, it boils down to the golden rule. I treat others how I want them to treat me. I try, to the best of my ability, to treat others with respect. That being said, I also live in an area where knife carry is acceptable and most times expected. I had my custom shop Buck 110 on my belt last night at church and no one said a word. I carry a 7 inch fixed blade to work everyday because it's a tool. Now, if I go to the bank or the post office, I'll take it off. I don't want to cause anyone to have concern. It's not a big deal to me to take my blade off in certain places.
I mostly deal with plumbing contractors at work and they could care less if I carry a knife, they know it's a tool and accept it. But now and again, Joe Homeowner will walk into our shop with his sweet little wife. They want to look at a faucet and I have to cut the box open. I'm very gentle with my knife and use it like its supposed to be used. Never had a problem and I don't intend to.

 

[davek14]

This question has to do more with sociological and psychological reasoning in human behavior and values than knives. Why do we do anything based upon the the thoughts of others? I personally hold to a Robert Merton sociological perspective in answering that, but do not feel it is warranted to discuss it here in general.

One persons reasoning does not speak for all though. Enjoy the rabbit hole.

Nice.

Made me read a little (but just a little) so that I have a clue (albeit not much more) as to what you are saying. Ain't the internet grand, you just open a new tab. I like to be challenged (again, just a little).

Take it easy on him though. He's young I'll bet. He's kinda right and looking for a fight over it, even though a fight can make it worse. When you get a little older you realize you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

'Course you catch the most flies with bullshit.

 

[X-tian]

I mostly care about if my knife matches my shoes.

I knew I couldn't be the only one!

 

[The Aflac Duck]

WWNNFY do?

What would nutnfancy do?

Try not to scroll-bomb this forum...That's a sure way to end up on everyone's ignore list:thumbup:

 

[Shotgun]

Because I don't live in a vacuum.

 

[Danke42]

Try not to scroll-bomb this forum...That's a sure way to end up on everyone's ignore list:thumbup:

Fixed.