Why Do You Carry A Knife?

J

JDBLADE

Joined
Dec 8, 2003
Messages
1,373
For what main purpose do you carry a knife in your day to day activities?

For me the main purpose, now, is to open boxes, cut leather, string and rope.
 
I have carried a knife ever since I was about 10 yrs old. I feel naked without one. You never know when you might have the need for one, and that is my main reason. Opening packages, cutting 550 cord, rope, or whatever the task is at that point. Self defense is a reason some people carry one, but that is not one of mine. I always have my SAK and S2K with me. The tools on the SAK are indespensable to me and the S2K does most of the cutting that may cross my path. While I will be deployed to Iraq, the S2K and SAK will be most usefull I know.
 
Boxes, plastic bags, CD case wrapping, letter opening, cutting the Family Circus out of the comics and shredding it so I don't accidentally read it, etc, etc, etc. Plus, since I often carry a balisong, I've got instant entertainment when I get bored at work.
 
I've carried a knife since the 1st grade. I use it for all those little daily cutting tasks like opening mail and packaging, snipping strings, whittling, etc.

Paul
 
I have carried a knife from the age of 5 or so. I was required to carry one when I went to th Maritime Academy and still do to this day. It's one of those I'd rather have it an not need it then need it and not have it.
Chuck
 
CJ1999 said:
I have carried a knife ever since I was about 10 yrs old. I feel naked without one.
Click to expand...

Ditto!
I use it for everything from mail to food . . . I even wash it sometimes! ;)
 
Simply, to cut things. If I think something needs to be cut or seperated I use my knife. It works better than my hands or teeth and since I need to cut something a couple times a day I will keep using one until a better device is invented.
 
Jason Burns said:
Ditto!
I use it for everything from mail to food . . . I even wash it sometimes! ;)
Click to expand...

Same with me. It's just something useful to have. Also, if you were in an accident and had to cut the seatbelt, would you rather have a knife or not? ;)
 
Yep, bundle up all of those things above and the same package applies to me.

One thing not mentioned above is that I live on a farm, there seem to be a never ending series of things that a knife or multitool comes in handy for.
 
Carrying a knife is part of my basic identity. Everyone who knows me, knows that I will always have at least a couple very sharp knives on me. For at least 44 years I have been known as a "knife guy" and/or a "sharpening guy". To many people at my church I am known only as "The Knife Guy".

Having a knife on me is an extension of my basic dexterity, like having opposable thumbs. I reach for my knife with no more thought than extending my hand to grasp something. It is my first method of choice for doing anything. Yes I consider my knife as part of my defense strategy, but it is a much more general part of my life than just a weapon. Sure I cut paper, rope, cardboard, paper, cloth, leather, plastic, etc with my knife, but I also use it for minor surgery and paint removal.
 
You know the feeling you get when you instinctively reach for your
knife to do something and it's not there? I really hate that feeling
so I always carry a knife to avoid that "IT'S NOT THERE" frantic
feeling. :D
 
Have been carrying since I was 13. :D




Ok, thats really only 5 years! :o :rolleyes:

I use my knives for anything that needs cutting, but probably the main thing I cut is string and whittle wood. Wouldn't be caught without one. People expect it of me. :)
-Kevin
 
TheSkinwalkeR said:
soley for the purpose of defending myself against alien and/or zombie attack.
Click to expand...

Oh duh, that too. I'll corkscrew them to death if they come within five feet!
:rolleyes: :p
-Kevin
 
I have carried some sort of knife since I was 6 years old-52 years ago.

As to why, I would paraphrase Texas John Slaughter in the late 19th century when a reporter asked why he carried a shotgun. He said "Why, to kill people with, you damned fool". I would say: "Why, to cut things with..."etc.
 
Morgoth412 said:
Oh duh, that too. I'll corkscrew them to death if they come within five feet!
:rolleyes: :p
-Kevin
Click to expand...

You really should use the "hook" impliment on the SAK

That IS after all what it was designed for.
 
TheSkinwalkeR said:
You really should use the "hook" impliment on the SAK

That IS after all what it was designed for.
Click to expand...

I thought that was to pick lint out of... NEVERMIND!

;) -Kevin
 
Honestly, my friend, I could give u a long list of "legitimate" reasons on why I like carrying a knife, be it open up envelopes, boxes, peeling apples, a good substitute for a cigar-cutter, etc. etc. But u know, deep in my heart, it's nothing but that good feeling of the idea of having oneself "armed" that makes ppl like carrying a knife. :) And to me all those uses for a knife are simply the icing of the cake. Just can't deny on that. :) Let me ask u all this: if one day (I surely wish) there is no legal limitation whatsoever on what u can carry around anymore, then would u be happier to carry a SAK/Leatherman or a nice fixed blade? Which one is actually more useful and which one will make u feel happier just to carry it around? U be the judge. :)
To me this is just a human nature for us to like the feeling of being armed. Nothing to be ashamed of it. I believe that we wouldn't even be able to exist till today if our ancestors were so "peace" loving and wouldn't use any sharp tools for hunting and self-defense in the past.
 
shgeo said:
I have carried some sort of knife since I was 6 years old-52 years ago.

As to why, I would paraphrase Texas John Slaughter in the late 19th century when a reporter asked why he carried a shotgun. He said "Why, to kill people with, you damned fool". I would say: "Why, to cut things with..."etc.
Click to expand...

Bravo. That's *exactly* why I carry a knife. The cutting things, I mean. Not the killing people.

James
 
I totally agree with the many sentiments regarding carrying a knife because it seems the natural thing to do. I too started carrying a knife when I was about 10 years old and since then have always had at least 1 knife on me. It is interesting in the previous posts that not many people mentioned that the knife was for work eg butcher etc and that most people have the knife "just to cut things". Could it be that many people who carry a knife for work really can't be bothered with knives in other contexts - maybe its like taking your work home with you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top