Why I am against carrying large knives

"Owen: Look, I carry a knife on me all the time. And please, read what I write before you respond."

I did read it. Just because I apparently didn't interpret it the way you meant it does not make me illiterate.

"Carrying a big knife because you need one for work is, as I said, inarguable."

You're right, you did.

"Its really nice that its popular to say you don't bend to anyone else's ideas, but unfortunately it just isn't true."

And it's really nice that you think that someone is lying just because they say that they don't follow the same rules that you do.

This is a forum that is filled with different opinions and viewpoints. Without them it would be useless. If you don't want to hear other viewpoints, why bother posting? Just bestowing your infinite wisdom on the rest of us? We're all grown here, but we can still learn from each other. Question my wisdom, maturity, preferences, and reasoning if you like, but leave my integrity alone if you don't mind.

 
I tend to carry smaller knives, 3" or less, not to conform to "culture", but by choice. It's what I'm most comfortable using. Yes, I use my knives. I use them to cut the things that need cut in the course of my day. If I know I will have use of a larger knife, one will be with me. If more people exercised common sense, there wouldn't be as many problems. BTW, who's "culture" are we talking about anyway? "Culture/society", who sets the standards that we live by? I've been told that carrying a knife is "offensive". I find obnoxius people offensive, do we ban them? No, they have"civil" rights. it's OK for them to be jerks but we are critcised for carrying and using a tool. The world is a messed up place.

Paul

[This message has been edited by Paul Work (edited 10-19-2000).]
 
Yeah, American "culture" is not a uniform thing. If you openly carry even a small fixed blade in downtown Denver, people will look at you funny. However, if you go camping in the mountains, you see many people openly carrying guns. Social norms change from place to place.

Hvas - I don't know what kind of large knife you're talking about; something like a fixed blade that's longer than 6"? If so, I think you're ranting about a problem that doesn't exist. It seems like I've never seen anyone openly carrying a large fixed blade in an urban area, and I don't believe I've seen anyone produce one from an IWB sheath in public. Maybe you're upset about a single incident? Or a specific person you know who irresponsibly displays a large knife?

Anyways, I have to admit that I'm starting to agree with the guys who carry the smaller 3" or so knives. I don't find a 4" to 5" blade to be uncomfortable on a folder, but those little knives sure are handy, and legal almost everywhere. Right now I've got a Native and a Calypso Jr. Ltwt. on me.
 
What is considered a big knife? I carry a 4"
folder every day, for the past three years.
 
Hvas,

I was going to post what I think on this subject, but I didn't know if that would be okay with you. So, guess I won't.

Pete
 
Well, to answer a few questions,

Big knife: ie, fixed or folding blade over 6". I wouldn't call a SOCOM large at all.

The bulk of you seem to think I'm telling you what to carry. Why? Actually, its probably instinct by now since the Clinton administration. Let me make it clear that I'm not. The base of my argument is that I saw people here complaining about "sheeple" when they toted around knives. If you get a negative reaction toting the thing around, its not only your fault and not theirs, its irresponsible to be suprised when it happens. Thats why my first impression when I see some kid in Coral Gables (rich neighborhood, Miami) toting around a Civilian is not that he must work at a commercial mushroom farm after school.
 
I don't like to carry knives with a blade much longer the 3.5 inches for practical reasons. I don't like clips so I remove them from my knives, this means they drop down to the bottom of my front pocket. Anything much larger tends to poke me when I hop on my motorcycle. I could care less how large a knife other people carry.It's none of my business what they carry in their pockets.
 
SgtMike,I'm all for staying within the law and carrying responsibly.I don't agree with alot of the laws,but we are in this situation now because we let the politicians
make laws,so that an armed man can carry only if he hides it.Alarmed from what?Thats the hysteria we all allowed them to create by hiding in the closet.I don't know what [planet anybody here lives on,but I feel safer seeing a guy walk around town with a Glock strapped to his hip
than some
woman driving a mini-van down the street weilding a cell phone.Whats to big?I can carry a blade 2 inches long to open boxes,so what if I choose to carry one with a 4 inch blade?I mean e all have our own opinion on size and practicality,but don't think for a minute that because I hide a blade from the sheeple that some ho thats going to protect my future rights to carry.Sorry,as I said before,appeasement of the sheeple will get you no where,and win you no rights.

[This message has been edited by TOMBSTONE (edited 10-19-2000).]
 
How is it your fault if someone else reacts negatively to your responsible use of a knife? There have been several occasions where I used a combo edge delica (not a big knife) in public or offered it (closed) to someone who either asked for a knife or was struggling to tear, something or cut it with their keys, and they did the normal sheeple stuff. You know, they cringe and refuse to take it, or start saying all kinds of dumb stuff about how you could kill somebody with it. I can't see how calmly opening a knife in public, cutting something and then putting the knife away is acting irresponsibly. And I don't see whats wrong with trying to hand someone a closed knife when they obviously need it or even asked for it. but in both cases I got a negative reaction, So how was it my fault? Are you saying that its ok to carry in public provided you don't use it? You don't make much sense.

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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
 
Tombstone, I hear y'all and I can't say that I totally disagree, but I look at it from a different perspective....

Let me tell y'all a true story...

Call comes in to 911, a bar fight at a local pub. Second call comes in, "Man with a gun."
Responding units are hauling butt to get there before some real damage is done. En route to the scene, a pedestrian steps out in front of a patrol unit and is struck and killed. The man with the gun ended up being
someone who carelessly let someone see his/her haphazardly concealed weapon. A citizen died for no reason.

I understand and fully support a citizen's right to carry, but we must also understand the nature of the beast...we live in a changed society. What used to be commonplace, the open carrying and display of weapons, isn't the norm anymore (in most jurisdictions.) So again, I reiterate myself, carry what you want within legal bounds, but do so discreetly. No harm, no foul. Everyone remains happy and content.
 
I love carrying big knives! Any of the NC Knife Knuts will verify my wearing an Al Mar Pathfinder as a neck knife at local gun shows. My wife says I am overcompensating for other deficiencies, but I have no idea what she is talking about
biggrin.gif

I think it has to do with the task at hand and the environment.I don't worry too much about negative public opinion with the Pathfinder(15" blade) at a gun/knife show.
It usually is good for a laugh and a conversation starter. Of course walking downtown in such a fashion is just baiting the sheeple. Can't you see old aunt Marge calling the police to ask if that big knife is legal to wear in public? She'll be calling her congressman when she finds out it is legal, to get the laws changed!
I agree that we can and should exercise our freedom, but wearing it on our sleeve(or around our neck) needs to be done with a little discernment. Better not to win the battle but lose the war. Keep the long blades under wraps until you are away from civilization a bit. Or if from SC, wear it anywhere you want
smile.gif

David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
SgtMike,thats a very tragic thing that occurred,but brandishing a firearm in the general public is totally different than wearing the firearm holstered but exposed/visible.I don't recommend taking out a pistol for show and tell at your local McDonalds,that was poor judgement on that gentlemans part.However;I don't see anything wrong with show and tell with a knife,as long as no one is handling the blade irresponsibly.
 
Hvas,

I really do not understand your arguement. I carry what I need to carry, and I carry what is most appropriate to the task. There is no one best size. The large vrs. small issue is completely irrelevant. A kid can cause as much damage with a SAK as he can with a sword. You really have to get over the your preconceived notions, and work on helping others to get over theirs.
 
These threads which eventually lead to personal politics are like passing by a bad accident. I'm always compelled to stop and look.

First, whether it be carrying big knives, or gun laws, or whether questioning Benchmade's quality control, there is no RIGHT or WRONG answer. It's just personal opinion.

That said, here's my personal opinion: There is nothing wrong with carrying big knives, or guns. On the other hand, it is a damn shame that there are a few bad eggs which spoil it for the bunch. We should be blaming the "bad eggs of society" rather than Rosie O'Donell (if you lean to the right), or the NRA or Springfield Armory (if you lean to the left).

No one wants their freedom restricted with laws, and legislation. Unfortunately, society is like a remedial 3rd grade classroom: everyone has to have a detention because one rowdy idiot was caught throwing chalk at little Susie!

OLD KNIFE GUY, JW, and a lot of others here may be responsible knife/gun owners, but not everyone is. There are idiots who spoil it for the rest. So it goes...
 
You have nothing to worry about because small knives are the majority. You have a million tiny folders to choose from. There are very few mega folders on the market. I happen to think bigger is better with folders. I am hoping that knife companies will recognize that there is a market for big folders.
 
I suppose that I should reply to this post but addressing each "catagory" that HVAS listed in his original post:

1)Overall Function: In my line of work, a large knife is NOT practical, so I use my small folder. When called upon, it performs its duty just fine, never needing to defer to a larger blade. (Although judging by the less-than-favourable reviews that my UC COLT AR-15-K folder got in the Reviews Forum, a Robertson-head screwdriver would make a better cutting tool!
frown.gif
)

2)Non-Utilitarian Use: Once again, I carry my small folder, I'm comfortable and familiar with, so it is the best candidate FOR ME to use if I every get into a situation where level-headedness and common-sense is not likely to prevail.

3)Showing Off: I prefer to show my knife only to those who I deem trustworthy .... my worst fear is that my knife is taken away from me and used against me. So what real tactical advantage (besides the "intimidation factor") does one gain by showing off his weapon(s)? The less people who know about it, the better ..... that way I'm not inundated with the usual gamut of snide comments and absurd questions. (Which I'm sure MANY of you have had to endure throughout your blade-carrying lives)

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“Belül szívem hibád az örökkévaló erõs vastartalmú sok vasaló és orvosság."


Crushing the weak since 1970 .... the Demon has spoken.

[This message has been edited by Metal-Demon (edited 10-21-2000).]
 
All very good Arguements,First Educate not Legislate,Second excercise your right to vote,I'm from Massachusetts where if you like something it's probably going to be illegal.Because of the "Wave"my Emerson Commander might be considered Illegal,I can't buy a Glock M-36 because they haven't been tested to pass the Ma.safety test in the interest of Public safety.i'm moderately
tattood so yes i'm stereotyped,no Police record,and tattooing is also illegal in Ma.
My Opinion:carry it if you can as long as it's legal to do so,because someday it just
might not be
 
Originally posted by sgtmike88:
Let me tell y'all a true story...

Call comes in to 911, a bar fight at a local pub. Second call comes in, "Man with a gun."
Responding units are hauling butt to get there before some real damage is done. En route to the scene, a pedestrian steps out in front of a patrol unit and is struck and killed. The man with the gun ended up being
someone who carelessly let someone see his/her haphazardly concealed weapon. A citizen died for no reason.
Click to expand...
Ok, SGT Mike, let me get this straight, Because a responding officer kills somebody do to lack of control of his vehicle,or the oblivious nature of the pedestrian its the carrier of the concealed weopons fault? chances are some nosy do gooder made the call why is it not their fault? Lets just everybody just be fed by uncle sam with feeding tubes and be drugged for our own good and be kept at safe house's so we can be safe.... its the same everywhere anymore, people sart out with good intentions and everytime somebody tries to protect us we all loose, for the good of yourself and others you know...
 
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