Would you ever walk up to a total stranger and ask about the knife they are carrying?

Strangers usually have junk.

On the other hand, in most of the social circles I frequent there's already a few people carrying Kershaw or similar. I guess being around a lot of machinists and gun nuts might do that.
 
if i talked to everyone with a knife clip showing here in SC, i wouldn't have time to do anything else! i do it frequently when i see a high end clip though. if someone is willing to spend $100+ on a knife, they are usually willing to talk about it. i certainly am. :thumbup:
 
Joshua J. said:
Strangers usually have junk.

On the other hand, in most of the social circles I frequent there's already a few people carrying Kershaw or similar. I guess being around a lot of machinists and gun nuts might do that.
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Nah, most of the gun nuts I've seen have either junk, or at best a Leek.
I saw one guy with a Emerson CQC-7, but that was the "best" knife I saw a gun nut have.
They tended to have nicer guns than me, but their knives were nowhere near the same realm.
 
kniferbro said:
But if you had ~8000 posts on a sock forum, I don't think it would be weird at all.
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Nope not weird, cause the membership would be focused. I don't know of forums specific to socks, but I do know of clothing forums where they can post for days about length, weave, weight, material, color coordination, etc for socks along with what shoes are appropriate. And this is men's wear, no girls allowed.

The commonality of knife carry that I see in my area just means to me that most of the people I talk to who have knives know very little about the ones they own, and have no desire to chat about it. And these are people I know and who know I am into knives. A complete stranger with a paraframe or CRKT in their pocket probably isn't looking to get into a convo about the $20 tool in their pocket. I'd be a little weirded out if someone came up and asked if my socks were cotton or wool and if they were mid or full calf.
 
hardheart said:
Nope not weird, cause the membership would be focused. I don't know of forums specific to socks, but I do know of clothing forums where they can post for days about length, weave, weight, material, color coordination, etc for socks along with what shoes are appropriate. And this is men's wear, no girls allowed.

The commonality of knife carry that I see in my area just means to me that most of the people I talk to who have knives know very little about the ones they own, and have no desire to chat about it. And these are people I know and who know I am into knives. A complete stranger with a paraframe or CRKT in their pocket probably isn't looking to get into a convo about the $20 tool in their pocket. I'd be a little weirded out if someone came up and asked if my socks were cotton or wool and if they were mid or full calf.
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I see what you mean. I live in TX, so I too see a plethora of knife clips daily and most of the time they are cheap knives and the owners probably know little about blades. All that being said if I see a Spyderco clip and the situation presents itself I'll complement them or inquire about their knife. If I can talk to strangers on here about knives I think I could do the same with a member of my community :o
 
I've done it a few times. While working i've come across people carrying emerson, benchmade, and spydies. One time in REI i asked an older gentleman what he might be carrying in his leather sheath, turns out it was a leatherman(was hoping it was some nice old slip joint or something)

There's never any harm in asking. For the people who don't think it's appropriate, they're probably just not the friendly type. I've had young and old ask me about my shoes, or just comment on the nice day when out running. Or when standing in line, and striking up conversation. If someones not interested, they'll let you know. But then there are those friendly folk out there. Growing up in a small town everyone always said hi to each other passing by, even if you didn't know each other.
 
I have before several times. Usually if it's a knife I recognize, I'll ask or compliment the blade. A few years ago I was sitting in my doctors office and noticed the doc had a Benchmade clip sticking out of his pocket. I asked him what kind of Benchmade it was and he didn't know, so he pulled it out and handed it over to me. It was an AFCK liner lock he got for Christmas years before.
 
I have asked customers several times. The one and only time it turned out bad was when a guy showed my his older Gerber knife. I asked how he sharpened it out of curiosity and he told me. With a pull through sharpener!!! I literally, visually cringed. The rest of the conversation went as follows: Him: You don't like that kind of sharpener? Me: (Small headshake of horror).
Other than that one have found the following knives:
Kershaw: Drone, Volt II, and a Tanto Blur (By a UPS guy no less!)
Gerber: one of the Paraframe family
I have seen some SOG pocket clips but haven't had the interest to ask about them.

I have probably seen a few other but they escape my memory
 
Knowing myself and my shyness I personal might not even though I would want to. However most people who own and carry a good knife they most likely would be more than happy to share their interests with an fellow knife nut.

And what's the worst that can happen the don't have the time to talk or aren't all that interested, but they would not be scared of or totally dismissive of knives.
 
ConBon said:
Urban areas like mine feel that knives are not helpful to carry unless you are a murderer :rolleyes:
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Ugg, agreed...even here in what once was the capital of the Confederacy, most folks this city are visibly nervous when I use my para2 in public. Seems like urban areas are ghost towns when it comes to pocket knives :).
 
I do it all the time. If I see someone sporting a pocket clip, I'll introduce myself as a cutlery enthusiast, and ask if I can see their knife. I pull mine as well, and we exchange folders. It has been a good conversation, every time.
 
If I see someone using one on the job site I might ask what kind of knife is that. Usually a S&W or Gerber. Other than that I don't really look down at other men's pockets.
 
newknife said:
Why would you stop? If someone is carrying a Sebenza they are probably "into" knives and would enjoy the conversation.
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I totally agree with this. And you might end up making a new friend as well. Never hurts to talk with someone you don't know who seems to share a common interest with you.
 
I'm a few days late.
But yes, I would, and have.

I ran into an older man that worked at Walmart and he works in sporting goods. He's about 70-something and he used to substitute teach at my old Junior High(that's not even in Columbus but about an hour away.) He always seemed like a cool laid back guy and very friendly(like a big teddy bear really). Well I was looking at the knives at walmart because even though they carry mostly crap they do carry some(very few) decent knives. He realized I knew about knives as I knew names without even reading or asking what they were. So we started a conversation about it and I've showed him I don't know how many knives just because he loves to hear about them and carries a knife when he's not at work(I presume a tanto blur as that seems to be his favorite. It's really cool how you can meet people and share an interest, even when it's unexpected.

Next time, you should definitely start a conversation, even if the person doesn't seem to be completely into knives like you are... they may surprise you.

I've had many encounters but the Walmart man was my favorite. I also have a knife shop near by and I'll just stop in there and talk about knives for hours, with the workers and customers. I even help people pick out their knives sometimes when they ask questions.

I love being able to talk about something I really like. Now I need to find other coin collectors lol.
 
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I & have if I recognize (Or think I do) the knife. I'm sure I would if I saw a guy carrying a Sebenza in a sheath.
 
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