Sheeple freindly knives and self protection carry.

[yog]

Just wondered if this had been covered before, or if any thought had been given to it.



Increasingly I find myself working in an office which has a very high sheeple content, 99.9%. Because of this I have been carrying the Spyderco Standard for some time, because of it's small size and plain black clip which blends well with the black trousers I wear, but even this has too much of a dangerous look for me to bring it out openly.



Because my main use is utility, and my working day is unlikely to bring me into violent confrontations, I'm thinking of switching over to a PE Cricket in the hope that it's small quirky shape will be seen more as a curiosity than a cutting tool.



I'm not naive enough to think that even with several years of unarmed training behind me my chances are good going unarmed against a knife wielding BG, but I do know my chances increase significantly if I have any sort of an edged weapon, even if it is a Cricket.



Just wondered if anyone else had any thoughts on the use of "inoffensive" knives for self protection, or had any other recommendations for EXTREME sheeple friendly knives other than the Cricket.



"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[hy]

Yog, I've found that the Viele works well in a sheeple setting despite the fact that its over 3 inches. It might have something to do with the fact that its not tactical looking on the traditional sense. I have a serrated viele and even the sheeple seem to think its a beautiful knife. Another option might be a dragonfly. Before the September 11 incidents, I used to carry the Dragonfly on flights and the female guards manning the xray baggage scanners would always comment on how cute it was. Hope this helps.

Edited by - hy on 1/2/2002 9:15:43 AM

[yog]

Hi Hy (echo ? <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> )

I've got a plain edged Viele (beautiful knife), but even this would send my fellow office workers screaming to the nearest Police station, I said they were extreme sheeple. It's an odd set up, if you trip over your own feet in the corridor they make you fill out an acident report book, even if you don't want to.

Good thought on the Dragonfly though. I'm currently on the lookout for a carbon fiber plain edged one (amongst many others <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> )

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[hy]

Yog, if they are THAT extreme, you might want to consider a ladybug as your main carry, either frn or carbon fiber (I've got a cf one and its really nice)OR the upcoming jester, especially if you're only going to be doing things like opening envelopes. You could then carry a cricket or dragonfly in your pocket, and only use the larger knife out of the office.

Option 2 - Get a mouse,a meerkat or a toad (sounds weird when you put it that way doesnt it...3 animals<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>)....all three are under 2 inches and I would cringe at the thought that anyone could find either of these offensive.

Edited by - hy on 1/2/2002 9:57:28 AM

Edited by - hy on 1/2/2002 9:58:30 AM

[sks]

My "Sheeple" knife is a PE Delica. Try to get a blue or pink one to make it look less weapon like if you wish.

Steve

[Mr Blonde]

I second the suggestion for a Blue Delica with the plain edge. It has worked great for me as a sheeple friendly knife. If you like smaller, you may want to try the Blue navigator. Its design is both cute and you can get a good grip on it. The almite can be bit slippery for you, I guess the Meerkat fixes that better with its FRN handle. Good luck,

Wouter

[Steve Drayton]

Hi Yog

I empathise with you, these same people are quite happy for a 9-10 inch kitchen knife to be used in their presence but let the see a small pocket knife and they all start bleating. I have a Delica with spydie edge as my EDC and some reactions to it have been less than favourable. So small is best for the sheeple and forget the serrations. Don’t underestimate the self-defence usefulness of the small knives. Keep it sharp, keep it handy and defang the snake or Biomechanical cutting. Training is the key, there are some great videos on the market if you can’t get to an instructor. Choice of knives is such a personal thing.

[Mattress]

Yog,

I guess there are more sheeple here in the UK perhaps where having an EDC is considered odd. I'm a teacher and my EDC is a cricket PE, I've got by with no problems tho' obviously I'm discrete and don't wave it about. I wouldn't carry anything bigger for work.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Yog:

One common approach is to reserve a small inoffensive knife for utility work and carry something serious fully concealed for MBC use. In this way, you carry what you want and feel you'd really need for defensive use, you don't dull it on boxes and string, and you still satisfy all the kinder, gentler folk around you. Neck carry and waistband carry (with the clip concealed behind your belt) work well for full concealment. You might also consider purchasing a multitool that comes in a pouch, keeping the tool in your desk and your real knife in the pouch on your belt. It's basically urban sheeple camouflage for your MBC knife.

Food for thought...

Stay safe (and sneaky),

mike j

[Carlos]

Hi Yog,

How about one of the brightly coloured aluminum handled Salsas (blue or green)?

Also there is the Ulu, but that won't be out for months yet.

[judge]

I´d be with Michael Janich on this one. I use a Victorinox Mini Champ as a sheeple friendly tool, a large Sebenza or a large Kit Carson M4 and often various Spydies as a backup weapon, and a Matt Lamey Concealment Bowie 7,5" as my main defensive blade (not very sheeple friendly ;-), plus some other surprises for attackers.
But as yog is posting from the UK with its seriously ****** knife and weapon laws (if you don´t know them, get to know them NOW, knives and all other tools as defensive weapons are a big no-no) consider getting training with all environmental tools/weapons you can get your hands on. Scissors, Maglites, pens, canes, padlocks etc come to mind.

Edited by - judge on 1/15/2002 1:43:01 PM

[yog]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I especially like the idea of urban comouflage <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Funny enough the topic of Spyderco sheaths and pouches reciently resurfaced on the general forum, and I made just this point about them helping to remain discreet.

I had thought of a neck knife and had already made enquires over at Blade Art about the Ronin (I notice another thread here just mentioned the waiting time), but as Judge points out concealed carry of a fixed blade knife over here is a major no-no.

When I settle on a main MBC knife I might contact Skunkworks about a pocket sheath.

Thanks again for the good ideas.

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[zatoichi]

Urban Camoflage....Why didn't I think of that?!? I love this forum....Now all I need is a multi-tool....

[Michael Janich]

Dear Yog:

If you're considering neck carry, you might also want to check out Mike Sastre's River City Sheaths -- very cool ways of carrying closed or open Spydercos in kydex neck sheaths. The closed ones position the knife perfectly for an immediate handle-drop opening upon drawing.

Stay safe,

mike j

[bell]

Get a Meerkat, it is "cute". I would wait for the SE version.

[Mancer]

Yeah I agree wih Mr J on this one, even though South African law is nothing like kinife law in UK or USA (thank gawd) I carry a G10 Civilain 24/7 for backup, and my lill FRN Native for work, the sheeples around dont react badly to the Native (except my mom,lol), so it works out well.

Cheers n goodluck

MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum

[revolvergeek]

Boy I am glad that I live in Louisiana for a change. No state knife laws here except the usual prohibition against automatics. I used to fly out of the airport here with a Delica PS clipped in the buttons of my polo shirt!

I think I would look at the Pro-grip LW PE (C13pbk), and if that was to big then I would go with a PE Dragonfly, a Meerkat, or a Navigator, and if they were too big then the new Jester seems like the best bet.

The Wegner Mouse is a great knife in this general size range also but a bit more expensive. Well worth the price though IMHO.

[vampyrewolf]

Even the sheeple at school love my SS Dragonfly, PE... It's just a clean design...

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[revolvergeek]

Just picked up a knife CHEAP that might be an interesting idea. The original owner broke the tip off of his delica and then reground the blade back shorter. By the time I end of redoing the tip and thinning the edge I will have a Delica with a blade roughly 2 3/8" inches long with a little more belly to the edge than a standard Delica. Plenty of handle, short/legal blade.