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Why is carrying a knife looked down upon by those who dont?
- Thread starter darkflcn
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And then get arrested for brandishing. My G26 never comes out of it's holster unless I need it.
Please tell me you don't really do that.
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Great answer.:thumbup::thumbup:
I posted this when I read it. Now that I've read all the answers, I still think this is well within reach of the trophy.
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People today have become disconnected from the land and plugged into electricity and the urban hamsterwheel 24-7 culture.
The same people who are nervous about those who carry or use knives, are the ones who panic or freak out when the power goes out.
The same people who are nervous about those who carry or use knives, are the ones who panic or freak out when the power goes out.
I've never really noticed many people where I live having a strong aversion to knives, but at the same time I think I can understand why most people see them as weapons used by people with malicious intent. I mean, personally I see a weapon as simply a tool for self-defense, but I think that most people "today" see knives as weapons used by malevolent people only looking to hurt others. Ever notice how the action hero cop rarely uses a knife? I think the only time I've ever seen it is when Dirty Harry uses his switch-blade to stab that sniper-guy in the leg...
Anyway, I remember back when I went to kindergarten for my first day of school my grandmother or mother ( not really sure which anymore) put a little penblade in my pencil box to sharpen my pencils, saying, "Every boy should have a pocket knife." I didn't really understand what it was for, and because of all the TV I'd seen up until that point I myself saw it as a weapon and didn't think I should have it, so I asked the teacher. All she said was that I shouldn't bring it to school again. I think now days that kind of thing might end up in some kind of school lock down or a charge of negligence, but what sticks out to me is that all I saw it as was a weapon because of what I'd seen on TV. I never really went camping or anything like that as a kid, so my knowledge of what knives were used for was related to weapons for the most part. Not sure when my idea of that changed or what changed it.
Anyway, I'm glad I live where I do when it comes to carrying knives. Most people aren't concerned with them around here, whether they view them as weapons or not. It doesn't cause a scene or anything when someone's walking around with a knife on their hip, and I've used some pretty large knives that were essentially hunting and boot knives without anyone having any kind of negative reaction.. About the only comment I've ever got were from older guys say, "Do you really need a knife that big for that?" when I use to carry around a hunting knife on my hip for "self-defense" and would also use it for EDC purposes.
Anyway, that's beside my point... I think the real reason most people see knives as tools in modern times is because less people participate in activities where knives are used as tools, and more people are exposed to tall tales about knives being used as weapons. I mean, count how many times in a week a kid sees a knife being used as a tool on TV versus seeing it being used as a weapon. I think the only reason that knives are viewed in such a nonchalant disposition around here is because we have a large hunting/outdoors community. The tides are changing though, and there's been a couple of people voicing their involvement about gang members taking a liking to liner-locked knives for their ability to be "flicked open", so that they can legally carry them.
Either way, I just think it's a reflection on how society as a whole uses knives in this day in age. There were a lot more common, mundane activities that require the use of a knife 40 years ago that are not so common place anymore. A lot of farm-type work, a lot of outdoors activities, etc. are just not really as popular and common in today's society as is someone using a knife as a weapon. In other words, the gangbangers with switch blades are outweighing the farmers with stockmans--at least in the fictional representation of society that we're all exposed to. The consequences is people start to fear certain types of knives; no one fears a farmer with a stockman because they've never seen him hold up a liquor store on TV like a gangbanger with a switch blade would.
Anyway, sorry if that was long and fully of spelling errors, had a bit of hooch last night.
Anyway, I remember back when I went to kindergarten for my first day of school my grandmother or mother ( not really sure which anymore) put a little penblade in my pencil box to sharpen my pencils, saying, "Every boy should have a pocket knife." I didn't really understand what it was for, and because of all the TV I'd seen up until that point I myself saw it as a weapon and didn't think I should have it, so I asked the teacher. All she said was that I shouldn't bring it to school again. I think now days that kind of thing might end up in some kind of school lock down or a charge of negligence, but what sticks out to me is that all I saw it as was a weapon because of what I'd seen on TV. I never really went camping or anything like that as a kid, so my knowledge of what knives were used for was related to weapons for the most part. Not sure when my idea of that changed or what changed it.
Anyway, I'm glad I live where I do when it comes to carrying knives. Most people aren't concerned with them around here, whether they view them as weapons or not. It doesn't cause a scene or anything when someone's walking around with a knife on their hip, and I've used some pretty large knives that were essentially hunting and boot knives without anyone having any kind of negative reaction.. About the only comment I've ever got were from older guys say, "Do you really need a knife that big for that?" when I use to carry around a hunting knife on my hip for "self-defense" and would also use it for EDC purposes.
Anyway, that's beside my point... I think the real reason most people see knives as tools in modern times is because less people participate in activities where knives are used as tools, and more people are exposed to tall tales about knives being used as weapons. I mean, count how many times in a week a kid sees a knife being used as a tool on TV versus seeing it being used as a weapon. I think the only reason that knives are viewed in such a nonchalant disposition around here is because we have a large hunting/outdoors community. The tides are changing though, and there's been a couple of people voicing their involvement about gang members taking a liking to liner-locked knives for their ability to be "flicked open", so that they can legally carry them.
Either way, I just think it's a reflection on how society as a whole uses knives in this day in age. There were a lot more common, mundane activities that require the use of a knife 40 years ago that are not so common place anymore. A lot of farm-type work, a lot of outdoors activities, etc. are just not really as popular and common in today's society as is someone using a knife as a weapon. In other words, the gangbangers with switch blades are outweighing the farmers with stockmans--at least in the fictional representation of society that we're all exposed to. The consequences is people start to fear certain types of knives; no one fears a farmer with a stockman because they've never seen him hold up a liquor store on TV like a gangbanger with a switch blade would.
Anyway, sorry if that was long and fully of spelling errors, had a bit of hooch last night.
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I just ask people if I really just bought a $200 knife just to scalp someone with it. I then point out that a small handgun doesn't cost much more
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I'm from Florida..... and here you can carry a folder with a 4" blade or a fixed with a 3" blade open....... personally I would never need anything more than that for my EDC needs. I have seen people carry larger knives than that.... but the police in my area really don't mind. They have better things to do than bother people who are minding their own business and happen to be carrying a knife.
You call my response emotional then post one of your own containing "baby-killing tanto tips, or evil military assault knives"
No not by my reasoning, I never said a 4 inch blade is too big and nasty to open boxes. :yawn:
If people see mall ninjas running around with black tactical blades talking about fighting capabilities ( I guess your a fan?) I can not blame them for getting paranoid.
Don't forget there was a time when knives were shiny, pretty...and functional. People still managed to prep food and open boxes.
Clearly you have been drinking, so lets just end it here before everyone gets handed down infractions.
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I think this is the issue - there are lots of people that see a knife and perceive a weapon. The sight of something that they perceive as a weapon scares them and the knife wielder experiences the negative reaction. Of course there are other people that would see the same knife and perceive a cutting tool - it isn't the knife that is the problem, it is peoples perception of the knife.
For me it is different - people see the red scales of my SAK and perceive a pocketknife, a kind of multi-tool with many uses. Maybe they think I'm a former boyscout or a MacGyver fan. They don't see a weapon so they don't feel scared. I only open a blade when I need to cut something and I usually use the smaller blade, I'm not looking to show off or intimidate anyone, I just need to open the box to get at the contents and my SAK blades are plenty sharp enough to handle the task. I don't walk around armed with any weapon, I just have some multi purpose tools on my person for handling whatever tasks I need to. The SAK is a Victorinox Cybertool not a switch-blade or dagger - even non-knife people recognise it as a tool. My Leatherman Wave is a multi-tool based around a pair of pliers and I only use the blades when they are the most appropriate tool for a particular task - like cutting open tough clamshell packaging where the pointy tip is good for starting the cut. I also have a K502x tucked away in a pocket just in case I need a bigger blade - I don't get that one out in front of nervous non-knife people but I have it on me just in case I find myself in a survival situation where I need a bigger knife than my other tools have. So far I've never found an urban situation when I needed more knife than I have on me.
Around home I have many more knives and when I go camping I take some bigger ones to play with. But there is no way I would consider getting out my BK-9 in a normal urban environment - that would be a scary knife to more than 95% of the population. The last time I went camping I only saw one other person, I don't think that he was scared of my knives - he was holding a hunting rifle. Neither him nor I would be OK in the city with what we had with us - weapons are legal for hunting but illegal for carrying in town. It is a case of context, when hunting in the bush a weapon is normal but when drinking a latté in a café a .243 is not something that anyone would expect to see and nor is a huge knife with a 9" blade.
When you use a tool appropriate to the situation there just shouldn't be any problem, but some stories on these forums involve people freaking out over a small knife that is 100% appropriate to the situation - I guess some people are just too paranoid and start seeing any kind of blade outside a kitchen as a weapon.
You call my response emotional then post one of your own containing "baby-killing tanto tips, or evil military assault knives"
Sarcasm always fly over your head, or only when cowering from fear of evil tactical knives?
No not by my reasoning, I never said a 4 inch blade is too big and nasty to open boxes. :yawn:
I believe you alluded it was. Maybe you can be more specific as to what constitutes a knife that is too nasty to actually use as a tool.
If people see mall ninjas running around with black tactical blades talking about fighting capabilities ( I guess your a fan?) I can not blame them for getting paranoid.
My EDC is a Vic Huntsman, and sometimes an Opinel #10 or Sodbuster when I pack food. Is my Opinel a nasty weapon because of the dark patina and long blade? Afterall Guy Georges managed to behead several women with a #12.
Don't forget there was a time when knives were shiny, pretty...and functional. People still managed to prep food and open boxes.
And some people still thought of them as weapons. That is the whole point.
Doesn't matter what color the knife is, how quick it opens, and what shape the blade is. All knives can be tools and weapons. To assume they are only weapons is ignorant.
Clearly you have been drinking, so lets just end it here before everyone gets handed down infractions.
The quickest way to make a drunk see red is to ask if he's been drinking.
Clearly your only purpose is to inflame
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batosai117
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All of this multi-quoting is playing tricks on my eyes and eating up memory on my blackberry 
No I didn't but sure
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=748204
This is where we disagree. While all knives CAN be weapons the color and blade shape are a good predictor to knives that were purposely designed to be weapons. Our positions are not as far apart as your making them seem. Some aspects of the knife industry are moving away from function towards cool looking weapons that are easy to sell. That is the problem, and thats why some people have in issue with knives. One bad apple can truly spoil the bunch. If knives that were purposely made to be weapons never existed, I bet nobody would have a problem with a person who chooses to carry one.
The quickest way to make a drunk see red is to ask if he's been drinking.
Clearly your only purpose is to inflame
I wouldn't know but I will keep that in mind.
I'm not going to bicker back and forth, it will do nothing but make us both look bad. I think you make a decent point when your not distracted by trying so hard to take down mine.
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I live in NYC and i used to carry knives for self defense when i was younger and obviously being a teen i've had a balisong and a automatic blade just to have the cooler looking knife than everybody else until i got arrested and caught with the automatic since then i became a law abiding below 4" blade caring citizen. and found other uses for the blades to lol.
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You'd be surprised that in the military, some of the higher-ups freak out over knives, i.e. large folders, autos, fixed blades, etc. Granted most of those guys never see anything outside the wire in most instances.