Why we should all be joining Ed Fowler's Little Revolution

Keep the Faith,you know as knife users, we are right.
Knives are tools meant for cutting of the everyday things that require a sharp blade.
It annoys me ,when a person complains that they can not open a parcel or a box,you offer a pocket-knife and you are made out to be a criminal for carrying the said knife.
How they survive in the "real" world ,I do not understand.
They are lacking a good proportion of "brain-power" to hold such thoughts.
It is a fact that 98% of the injuries or assaults are caused by kitchen knives.
My little Fallkniven U2 is a part of my working life and will NOT cease to use it.
 
I forgot to mention, the suggestions listed here from Ed are excellent.

I love to whittle, but I usually do it at home. Now, I think the next time we have a nice day, I'll bring a piece of wood to work with me, and sit out front whittling over lunch. The relaxation from whittling would probably be good for me, too. ;-)

And on giving a knife for a gift. . . I don't know why I haven't thought of that before. I feel like an idiot for this one. I've got lots of old knives laying around, many of them inexpensive and gathering dust in boxes (from my early collecting days). They'd make excellent gifts for friends, family, and co-workers.

Thanks again for posting this, Dave. There's no time like the present to get started. ;-)
 
dave_last said:
*snip*
the real question *snip*
is whether there is a way to encourage those who are reluctant, to go the full way and carry.

I am wondering whether the answer for those people on the gift-list who won't carry pure knives, even SAKs, is multi-tools. After all multi-tools are really just like a miniature box of tools which happen to include a knife. They don't have the stigma that knives do and aren't looked at as weapons.

*snip*

Could multi-tools be the secret weapon of Ed's revolution?

Any thoughts anyone?
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Dave,

I wish that I could believe that this would work. It doesn't seem to be 'weapons' that people don't/won't carry, it is anything they only 'might' need.

With the exception of 'knife-knuts' I suspect the main reason for carrying a knife is to be prepared, and most people aren't pro-active enough to be prepared. Few people I know carry an umbrella in the car unless it's raining when they get in.

Most of those I know who carry a multi-tool already have a knife as well! So I don't think multi-tools will do it.

HOWEVER, I have given small knives that fit on keychains to a number of women, and they all find them useful. Women seem to be used to carrying a bunch of keys that would choke a horse, and a small SAK is only a small addition. They seem to like ones with a nail file and screwdriver as well.

I do need to 'call the knives in' for sharpening periodically, and they nearly always need it, so these knives are being used.

I think I'll step up my giving as a further contribution to the revolution!

Greg
 
topher said:
And on giving a knife for a gift. . . I don't know why I haven't thought of that before. I feel like an idiot for this one. I've got lots of old knives laying around, many of them inexpensive and gathering dust in boxes (from my early collecting days). They'd make excellent gifts for friends, family, and co-workers.
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topher, 'tis the season...

Greg said:
I have given small knives that fit on keychains to a number of women, and they all find them useful. Women seem to be used to carrying a bunch of keys that would choke a horse, and a small SAK is only a small addition. They seem to like ones with a nail file and screwdriver as well.

I do need to 'call the knives in' for sharpening periodically, and they nearly always need it, so these knives are being used.

I think I'll step up my giving as a further contribution to the revolution!
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That's the spirit, Greg!!!

We can win this, one knife at a time... anyone else stepping up their giving to further Ed's revolution?
 
SAKs are a good place to start if you don't feel comfortable whipping out a knife in public. I live in a major city, and wouldn't get much notice if I pulled out a Classic at the bus stop to clean my nails or peel a piece of fruit. It's small and non-tactical. The bottle opener on larger Vics is great - perfect thing to pass around at a party for people to open their beers.

I really like non-black handles, too. The blue Spyderco Dodo and silver Dragonfly get lots of carry, and I've been meaning to get a jigged-bone slippie. At work, the bigger more "tactical" blades can get used.
 
OK, I’ll admit that this might sound like a commercial for the SAK, but here goes…. In the past few years, I have given many SAKs out as gifts – wife, three sons, brother, sister, 3 brother in laws, my Dad, my Mom, about half dozen close friends. Some were full size ones, some the smaller “Classic” size. I gave a full size one to the security guard in my office building – he has been carrying it every day since. Sometimes I gave a little aaa led flashlight or “fauxton” light along with the knives on a carabiner as sort of a “kit”..

I usually carry an extra Vic Classic - picked up a bunch of used ones in a large lot about a year for $2 each – as give-aways. I had two dozen and only have a few left, so have been busy giving them to people that “needed to cut something”.

In the office, I will have to say at least one person’s perception has really changed from “OH! He’s got a KNIFE” to “Can you open my soup can with the Swiss Army thing?” I am often asked if i have a tool that can "do XYZ function".

I’ll keep doing it as long as I am able. :)

Peace. Out.
 
I cut some bagels in class with my LM Wave today. Only one person referred to it as a "shank", everyone else seemed appreciative.
 
A SHANK? That made me laugh. The wave is a brick by knife standards. I haven't given any knives away as gifts, but I do offer to sharpen. There's rarely anything I can do for them (I have a Lansky Standard kit, ) the bevels are usually long gone and I just don't have the patience. Still People are always appreciative of me having it.:cool:
 
Since I was old enough to appreciate a good folding knife I have been spreading the gospel everywhere I go. I give knives as gifts a lot and get a lot in return, it's a nice cycle.

Helping to elevate the public opinion of knives is something I never really thought about but when I think back to the first day at my job three years ago and the comments at that time (Wow, you could really f- someone up with this! / Scary!) compared to today (Nice ergos, how much? They have these at Wal-Mart?) I suppose making a difference is fairly easy since I never really did anything to promote knifelove other than use my knife and offer it's use to others.
 
I don't see any sense in making a revolution thing out of it and pestering everyone you know with more and more unwanted knives, or whipping out knives in public for no better reason than to make people get more used to what they find scare.
The right way to 'serve' the 'cause' of knives (all misleadingly propagandist terms) is to have useful, beautiful, well-constructed knives when may be wanted, and make nimble and sensible, yet unobtrusive and circumspect use of them they're needed.
consider that knowing the difference between an enthusiastic 'revolutionary' and a mall ninja or worse are not obvious to the public; and the more we get used to hearing of knife abuse, the less we're entitled to make take their presence for granted in the post-industrial cityscape in the name of some nostalgic idea of old country ways.
 
One aspect we have not considered is the discriminatory nature of knife legislation. Some cannot afford a beautiful well constructed knife, the elite of our society feel knife legislation is for 'those people' not them.

They are usually surprised when they find themselves included in the 'criminal element', then you may hear their protest unless they can fix it on the sly.
 
I have always used my pocketknife, usually some type of SAK, to slice up my apples or peel my oranges for lunch, simply because I prefer my fruit sliced, and it tastes better freshly sliced. Sometimes people see even a little knife, like my Soldier or even my Executive SAK, and say something like, "Whoa! Watch it with that thing!" They get esp. nervous when I use the blade to eat off of. I know what I'm doing, but they think I'm so inept as to cut my own mouth.

On a positive note, I have had a female colleague who wanted to slice her apple and asked if she could borrow my knife. She has seen me slice mine and surprised how nicely the slices were. She treated the knife respectfully and when done, wiped off the blade and handed it back properly. She is not a knife person, so IMO that could be one tiny little, possible(?) victory. In fact, I've found it's more of the guys who feel threatened by the presence of a little pocketknife and will say Whoa! or something.

Our society now is ruled by fear, and too many people have fallen for that old scam that Big Brother will protect them and all we have to do is get rid of all those evil knives that get up and attack people. Rationality is useless with the fearful majority, so maybe if we could very gently, and not obviously, influence someone that knives themselves are not evil, perhaps we can hope for a ripple effect off of them. It's a hope, anyway.
Jim
 
tristram said:
I don't see any sense in making a revolution thing out of it and pestering everyone you know with more and more unwanted knives, or whipping out knives in public for no better reason than to make people get more used to what they find scare... consider that knowing the difference between an enthusiastic 'revolutionary' and a mall ninja or worse are not obvious to the public
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tristram,
As far as pestering people with unwanted knives and whipping out knives that scare the living daylights out of them, I suggest that you read the thoughtful comments of many of the contributors to this thread. The people posting to this thread don't come across, to me at least, as mall ninjas, dressed head to toe in black, decked out like knife stores, whipping out 18" machetes to cut a hanging fingernail. I think that we can assume a little more common sense from and cut a little more slack for our fellow BFC members. I personally don't think that any of them would be mistaken by anyone for a mall ninja.

tristram said:
The right way to 'serve' the 'cause' of knives (all misleadingly propagandist terms)...
Click to expand...

Yes, the revolution thing may sound propagandist but more important than the names we use, more important than whether or not we call it a "revolution", "cause" or whatever, is the central message. Knives are increasingly being portrayed as weapons and not as the tools they really are. And yes, even in our post-industrial world, we have boxes to open, wires to cut and packages to pry. And we should be entitled to use whatever knives work for those tasks, beautiful or not.

I really believe that Ed is right. And I believe that you are right too. There is no contradiction. We need to appropriately and respectfully, keep the long history of "knives as tools" alive. And judging by the comments on this thread that seems to be the feeling of many others here at BFC.
 
I agree with Ed's general concept "people become what they observe". If, people see others use a knife they may be more apt to use a knife ++++ IF THEY NEED ONE.

I think the issue is that people in today's URBAN society don't need a knife for their daily tasks +++ except for normal eating.

What does the average Joe or Jill need to carry a knife to do in their daily life?

Some of the things people might mention don't really apply.

Whittling - in a urban area? How do you casually find a good piece of wood; place to sit have the time and clean up after yourself?

Peeling fruit - except for a personal preference; it is not needed. It was recommended in the past due to the potential of it being dirty or have ferterlizer on it
 
I was in a sports chain last month when a fellow looked at their Kershaw Leeks, wondering if they had a different blade material. I offered - the salesman and customer gladly accepted - so I retrieved the Damascus Leek from my back pocket, as they were still 'available' then. I pulled out my wallet to look for a business card to write the web site on for both of them when the salesman made a less than kind remark about my carrying a knife 'in his store'. I pulled out my CCL and showed it to him - and said, "How many good and safe Alabamians are in 'your' store now with such a license - and are carrying something potentially a bit more dangerous than a pocket knife?" His reply was just to me "Are YOU packing now?". "I don't have to answer that... unless my life is threatened.". Their store has no signs re firearms. If you want even a SAK, they still have to 'walk it to the customer service desk' for your purchase - supposedly to lessen theft - but also for their 'safety', which would be improved drastically by hiring more friendly sales folk.

Yes, I have used my S30V Spydie Native at a restaurunt to cut meat. I once thought it normal to pull out my SAK for the toothpick, too. Times are different, that's for sure. Let's leave the Rambo/Croc Dundee-specials out of this, however. A friend saw me whittling behind our building years ago, a great tension reliever, and suggested "Don't cut yourself... we only get disability benefits if a student cuts us!". Sad but true.

Stainz
 
If someone produced a knife at my job they would be instantly arrested by the police or guards at the door. Federal facility and possession of a reasonable blade is simply prohibited for those not found in exemption (c). I'm afraid it will all be about population. If the number is large public safety will win over those who wish to carry (and later own) guns, swords and knives. England has already started it's confiscation program. We can also blame those who market knives and the media also, but the real enemy is a growing population.

Forty years ago in a NYC public High School there was no good purpose for a knife beyond self defense and 'being cool,' and the only time I saw one out was when there was fighting going on. Yes students stabbed students. Sometimes even a teacher got cut. The school was a rough place. Back in those days we all carried K55s or similar in our pockets for protection, even many of the girls. We all were willing to risk suspension, expulsion or a JD record. I would presume not much has changed there, except for society growing even less tolerant, prosecuted as an adult (a term that didn't exist back in those days) comes to mind.

Media perception of knives (and guns) hasn't helped matters either. These days I risk being thrown out of the local shopping mall if I forget where I am and leave a leatherman on my belt when going to shop. Failure to comply with orders to leave when spotted by the mall guards results in the mall guards charging one with trespassing. Lord knows how they would freak at someone was to wear a 'real knife' on their belt. Something in the legal code involving daggers, dirks and similar blades comes to mind.

You want to reverse this, bring it all back to the 1800s when everyone but the elite of society carried a knife openly? Hmmm, might want to start with the legislative lobbying process, but rest assured lots of media attention (mostly negative, as the media would select the craziest person they could find (the one wearing the T-shirt with a skull in the front waving a scimitar in his front yard) as our alleged spokesman and give the airtime to him/her) would be involved.

As our 'rural' (where is it still rural?) population swells we can reasonably expect big city attitudes towards safety and convenience and more laws banning this and that to come with the larger population. I live in the mountains far from a major city (although the nearby town is becoming one) and already citified people call law enforcement whenever they hear a shot, even during deer season. [Less than 5% of the US population still hunts. As that number continues to shrink more restrictive laws will follow.] Yes a few people still wear a Buck folder when going to the supermarket, but I have noticed the number doing so is much smaller than it was a decade ago. I think I have seen maybe one sheath knife being worn in 10 years outside of during hunting season. Fixing the problem may be impossible.

I would start with those who make and market knifes. Stop making small swords labeled as a knife. Stop making combat knives if you lack a contract to do so. Stop producing magazine ads that only show a knife in a combative killing light. When was the last time we saw a knife ad showing whittling and a whittling knife in a mainstream publication? How about some good family movies where someone like Bullock, Denzel, Berry, or whoever is hot this week carries and uses repeatedly a small folder in a non combative way" Maybe a "Bridges of Madison County" type movie where the girl whittles, or some such. You will get much more support for your proposal than making another Rambo type flick where some guy (or gal) waves a small sword around and kills people with it. Point being, currently to the general populace, the uses of a knife are small.

Believe it or not many people (mostly holders of 'white collar' jobs (a growing trend)) don't carry one and some don't even own one outside of the kitchen. However the vote of that 'slice' of the population is bigger than yours. If you want their vote of pro-knife support, you need to change the perception of the knife as something only for fighting and killing because they don't like either. Find a use for a knife that doesn't involve intimidation, dead animals, or blood, then let the propaganda flow, before starting the lobbying..
 
avoid making your knife like somit from Mad Max whith OD or black cord and ofcourse ... the wee skull thingy.
i have a little home made white glowcord fob on it and sometimes add some funny/silly thing like a colored sodacan clip or other sillyness. people smirk or grin when i take out the knife.
the bright colors or silly pendants take away the attention from "the knife". add a mickey mouse or somit.

maybe show our sheeple knife more often, just a wee glimps and back in the pocket :
conditionment : see knife = nothing bad happened.
now you only see knives when someone's been hurt.
 
As has been well noted, this is a very broad issue. The article addressed only one arena, one that we as individuals can influence. It begins with you and I, and continues one small step at a time.
There is much more to be done, I intend to continue to address our opportunities in Blade in future articles.
 
I gave all of my groomsmen the small SAK and at least 3 out of the 5 have told me how much it came in handy. I don't think there is anything less threatening as a SAK. In contemplating this thread, I have realized that all 3 of my grandfathers carry different models of a SAK. I like my BUCK 110 for work and such but will carry my CASE jigged bone trapper in uniform or suit. I am glad to be a part of this 'revolution' -or regression (to a simpler time) =)
 
Troop said:
All this "Politically Correct" BS is because of the damned Liberals in this country...You can't even pull out a small fixed blade from your hip without getting stares from the Sheeple! Ed is right, we've got to do something about this nonsense. :grumpy:
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Not to derail this thread, but the biggest problem I see is knee-jerk demonizing of anyone who holds a differing opinion. I support gay rights, gay marriage, and publicly funded health care. This makes me a damned liberal. I also support the right to bear arms, have had a CCW (though not in Canadia), and realize that if corporations aren't able to make a profit, they won't exist to provide goods and/or services. This would tend to put me in the conservative camp. It's not a black-and-white world, folks.

Now, on-topic.

I carry a knife every day, skirting the edge of my workplace's "No weapons" policy in that the policy assumes knives are weapons unless they are necessary for your work. As I have to occasionally open boxes at work, I feel that I'm justified, and my boss (a liberal woman, fwiw) knows that I have a small, respectable knife with me. (Bark River Mikro Canadian in a pocket sheath, these days). Several of the women I work with (I'm the only male in my department) have expressed fear of knives in the past, and I've done my bit to allay those fears. When I get new knives, I often bring them in to show them off, making sure I don't show the "bigger scarier" knives to those that might not like them. Just about everyone likes my little BRKT. The most common comment I got was that it's "cute". As a semi-voluntary safety presentation, I put together a PowerPoint presentation on knife safety in the kitchen, and did my best to impart some basic knife safety tips as well as proper selection, a bit on sharpening, etc. One of the slides I added had pictures of various non-kitchen knives along with a comment that in addition to knives designed for kitchen use, there are many other designs for the many uses to which knives can be put. I received a lot of positive feedback on the presentation, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

I agree with what seems to be the central thrust of Ed's article; "culture" is made up of the collective opinions of individuals, and although there are forces at work trying to get the masses to see knives as dangerous weapons, we can all work at an individual level to try to change that culture. Whether it's whittling at a public bench in a more open area, or taking small inroads like I have in my stodgy corporate environment, it all helps. Honda helped change the image of motorcycling with their "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign. Let's show people that can meet the nicest people who carry knives every day.
 
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