Why doesn't anyone carry a knife?

[mikepapa1]

Very interesting topic, sadly in no part due to or increased dependence on the Government whether it be local, State or the Feds. We are becoming a society of dependents instead of independence. We increasingly rely on others. Carrying a pocket knife is just one small example of this. I remember not that long ago, ok it was long ago.. but as a kid in my early teens I received my first shotgun for Christmas when I was twelve years old. I don't even recall the first pocket knife I had although I know it was a "BUCK" actually I think I still have it somewhere. My dad always carried a pocket knife as did all my Uncles and my Grandpa never went anywhere without his pocket knife. And you no what they used them!!. Them same thing used to be true of firearms, hell my Dad never went "out" without his S&W, he never had to use it, but it got him out of a few jams because he had it on him. I can recall one time when I was with my Dad and one of my Uncles and we were pulled over by the Highway Patrol. They of course were both armed and before the Officer got to the front door of the Pickup they had taken out the revolvers, opened the cylinder's and placed them on the Dashboard so the officer could see them. After a short conversation about the reason they were stopped (something about our load) we were soon on our way. I can't imagine how different 9-11 might have turned out if more people did something as simple as us on this forum, and carry a pocket knife...or God forbid a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver. (Old School)

“Don’t pick a fight, but if you find yourself in one I suggest you make damn sure you win.”
-John Wayne

 

[J_Curd]

Reminds me of my buddy telling me the other day that he wanted to find a woman like his grandmother; good at cooking, cleaning, laundry, sewing, crafting, being stern, conservative...I told him good luck. Some skills and traits have diminishing value in current times.

If this life of convenience ever becomes less convenient a few of us will have the skills to survive.

 

[will62]

A friend of mine was a stocker in a grocery store in high school and used a box cutter 90 percent of the time and carried a Swiss Army Knife for plastic strapping. Thirty years later he still carries a box cutter and a small folder. I guess it is all what you get used to.

 

[dogstar]

They invented these things called scissors, which is like two knives joined at a pivot. It eliminates the need for a cutting board, and provides more control when cutting, which is why it is the preferred cutting tool for people doing light cutting. At the construction site, farm, or woods, a knife can do heavier tasks. There is a reason why the knife is a less commonly used tool, other than nefarious government brainwashing.

 

[mikepapa1]

Amen Brothers!! "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition"

"WHEN THE ROAD LOOKS ROUGH AHEAD, REMEMBER THE 'MAN UPSTAIRS' AND THE WORD H-O-P-E. HANG ONTO BOTH AND 'TOUGH IT OUT'."
-John Wayne

 

[Thalestin]

I like my knife and I use it. In all honesty though life would go on without it. The knife is a great tool and is important for a few jobs but for most people it just isn't really needed outside of the kitchen. Most people I know still have a knife or two in their kitchen or workshop where they are used. Outside in the rest of life, not so much

 

[jimh0220]

Or a comb, or a handkerchief or know how to tie a tie.

Got me on the comb (not since the 80's when it was actually cool to), and the hanky (carrying a hunk o fabric with your booger and snot on them all day, not for me), but been able to tie a tie since 8 yrs old.

You might be aging yourself a bit.

 

[AF]

It probably depends on what area of the country you live in. I'm in northern WV and it's pretty common for a guy to carry a folding knife around here. (granted they usually aren't as nice or expensive as mine...)

Same here

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Or a comb, or a handkerchief or know how to tie a tie.

Well, I quit carrying a comb after I joined the Corps of Cadets at Aggieland in 1973 - a buzz cut was too long a phrase for what we wore then. Shifted to a flattop in 1977. Since about 1995, haven't needed one even if I wanted one. Hankies went out with kleenex. And my preferred tie has been for several years the "Official Tie of Texas", the bolo tie, very versatile, easily worn in any conditions and I have NEVER, EVER ruined one with spaghetti sauce.

But no knife on me? Never voluntarily since dirt was clean. Heck, I've left home without a wallet, pocket change, house keys, cell phone and a pen (not ALL at the same time).

I've even specified in my funeral arrangements (have had the hymns and verses picked out for 20 years since you never know when "Recall" will be sounded) which knife is to be buried with me.

 

[Styg]

Maybe it is a pacific northwest thing but I'm actually noticing a lot more people carrying knives. Hipster influence maybe?

Those that don't normally aren't too judgmental either unless the knife is just stupid big. I have not had very many incidences with people objecting to me carrying a knife. There is sometimes that shocked "why do you have a knife" when I pull out my rift but that usually stems from genuine curiosity and simply not being accustomed to seeing a knife being used to solve a problem.

The few times people have truly reacted negatively they have all been transplants from cali or somewhere else.

I'm 24 now so I graduated high school in 2007. I had a leathermen in my bag 3 out of my 4 years of school. I never had a problem and some kids carried them on their belts in plain view. In elementary school or middle school this would have been a problem but for high school it was fine as long as you were low key. It was a tech/vocational school though so maybe the normal high schools were a bit different.

 

[not2sharp]

Original caption: Tom Zekos of Newbury, N.H., searched tubs of confiscated pocket knives for sale at the surplus property store. (Boston Globe, November 2012)

Here is plenty of evidence that a lot of people used to carry knives - until they were forceably taken away.

I used to work for a very large and well known company during the 90s, and as all large companies use to do, we would have frequent misc. management training/teambuilding exercises. About a dozen of us were sitting at a table doing some exercise and I was reading our instructions out loud as we identified and collected the required materials...I remember saying, oh yes and we will need a knife, as I put the paper down I reached for my own. But, I was too late, there were already a dozen knives on the table. Guys, gals, old and young, everybody had one and we were all office dwellers and frequent air travelers.

n2s

 

[Moosez45]

I can tie a Double Windsor.

I carry a knife.

I hunt and fish.

I cook just about every meal my family eats.

And I carry a gun.
Somethings just never go outta style.

Moose

 

[cchu518]

Styg my brother in law is hardcore hipster out of Boston. He loves to go lightweight camping and is a gear hound. Recently on a trip I gifted a cryo to him and he loved it! There's hope yet we just need a renaissance of renaissance to happen.

 

[jbmonkey]

They invented these things called scissors, which is like two knives joined at a pivot. It eliminates the need for a cutting board, and provides more control when cutting, which is why it is the preferred cutting tool for people doing light cutting. At the construction site, farm, or woods, a knife can do heavier tasks. There is a reason why the knife is a less commonly used tool, other than nefarious government brainwashing.

and yet no one carries scissors with them? Its the zero tolerance more than modern cutting instruments.

 

[northwalesBill]

and yet no one carries scissors with them? Its the zero tolerance more than modern cutting instruments.

I always carry scissors on me! Hehe

 

[Styg]

and yet no one carries scissors with them? Its the zero tolerance more than modern cutting instruments.

I'd guess that near half of all soccer moms carry scissors in their gigantic purses.

 

[jbmonkey]

^ really. Never seen that myself. Guess them Oregon moms come prepared.

 

[dogstar]

and yet no one carries scissors with them? Its the zero tolerance more than modern cutting instruments.

From TSA website: Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed, but blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited.

Knives are not allowed in government buildings and airplanes. Unless you work in one of those, these laws will hardly stifle your desire to carry a knife.

 

[Ankerson]

I got my 1st knife when I was 8 and have been carrying one ever since, I am 48 now.

Not really sure what is going on with today's newer generations, but they seem to be for lack of a better word whimpified...

It's the age of cell phones, hipsters (whatever the heck that is), flip flops and those shorts that make people look like they are cut off below the knees and the men act more like women as time goes by...

The men are more like women and the women act more like men....... Interesting really..... And sad at the same time.....

I would guess before long the men will be wearing dresses if it continues.... I mean they are already shaving their legs, chests etc.....

So much for progress..

 

[B.F.U]

I think a big reason most people dont carry knives is because of the fear culture that has been developed from movies and tv mostly (im sure theres alot of other stuff too). Most of my generation (I was born 1994) cant seem to fathom anything beyond cell phones, tv and all this protectionist "safe" environment crap, so naturally most of them are scared to death of knives, so many times have I pulled out a knife in public to use it when somebody gets nervous looking and steps further away. Anything can be safe if handled properly, so why are they afraid when the knowledge and skill is out there to learn? Ive carried a knife since my dad gave me my first one at 6 and there are very few days that I havent used one for something, like he always says, use the right tool for the job.

I agree entirely, and am encouraged that there are other responsible knife enthusiasts my age on here.