Top 10 rules for carrying pocket knives

[Liquid Cobra]

I got to thinking it would be fun to hear everyone's thoughts on what could/should be included in a top 10 list for carrying pocket knives. After I get some feed back maybe we could make an official list. Could look good on a t shirt or something someday, who know. Some of mine include

Always keep it sharp
Never carry anything else in the same pocket as your knife
Maintain your knife (could go with sharpening)
No prying

Etc.

Thoughts?

[SG89]

Dont cut towards you.
Dont be a show off mall ninja.
Dont let anyone use your knife.

[holeshot]

Your knife is a tool, not a toy. :)

[yablanowitz]

1) Always carry a knife.
2) If you have more than one pocket, carry more than one knife.
3) A pocket is worthless unless it contains a pocket knife.
4) Treat every folding knife as if it had no lock. Your digits will thank you one day.
5) Hammers, crowbars, screwdrivers, axes, cold chisels and knives are different tools, and are not universally interchangeable.
6) If your knife is sharp, carry Band Aids for others. If it isn't, carry them for yourself.
7) A knife is an instrument for separating matter, not beating it into submission.
8) THINK before you cut. Your brain should always be your sharpest tool.

[Water Bug]

Nice thread...!

1. Keep a knife on you at ALL TIMES!!!

2. The Number One item on your list of survival items is a KNIFE!!!

3. Keep your knife sharp... PERIOD!!!

4. Know how to sharpen your own knife.

5. Have the means available to keep your knife sharp.

6. Treat ALL knives as if they are SHARP!!! (A lot like treat all firearms as if they are loaded)

7. NEVER loan your knife to anyone you don't know or trust.

8. If someone ask you to let them borrow your knife, ask them WHY and offer to do the cutting yourself... if they refuse, walk away.

9. To quote Chris Reeve (of Chris Reeve Knives), "Think Twice, Cut Once."

10. Unless it's an absolute emergency to do otherwise, a knife is a tool designed ONLY FOR CUTTING!

11. A knife is man's and woman's best friend.

12. Know the knife laws of your area... ignorance of the law is no excuse.

[harronek]

Don't tell your wife how much it cost :eek:

Ken

[Bloke]

1. Ensure your attire does indeed have at least one pocket! :)

[TheRaven]

Carry a second knife for lending (if possible a small/very small fixed blade because if you have the sheath, the lendee likely won't put the knife in their pocket and walk off).

[Evil D]

1. A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp knife. Keep it sharp.
2. Learn to sharpen it yourself.
3. Never lend a knife to someone if you expect to get the knife back in the same condition you gave it.

[valenciamanu]

Never leave your knife.

[Echo63]

1) Always carry a knife.
2) If you have more than one pocket, carry more than one knife.
3) A pocket is worthless unless it contains a pocket knife.
4) Treat every folding knife as if it had no lock. Your digits will thank you one day.
5) Hammers, crowbars, screwdrivers, axes, cold chisels and knives are different tools, and are not universally interchangeable.
6) If your knife is sharp, carry Band Aids for others. If it isn't, carry them for yourself.
7) A knife is an instrument for separating matter, not beating it into submission.
8) THINK before you cut. Your brain should always be your sharpest tool.

Isn't this already Rule #9 ?

[yablanowitz]

1) Always carry a knife.
2) If you have more than one pocket, carry more than one knife.
3) A pocket is worthless unless it contains a pocket knife.
4) Treat every folding knife as if it had no lock. Your digits will thank you one day.
5) Hammers, crowbars, screwdrivers, axes, cold chisels and knives are different tools, and are not universally interchangeable.
6) If your knife is sharp, carry Band Aids for others. If it isn't, carry them for yourself.
7) A knife is an instrument for separating matter, not beating it into submission.
8) THINK before you cut. Your brain should always be your sharpest tool.

Isn't this already Rule #9 ?

I'm not Gibbs, so it has a higher priority for me.

[MichaelScott]

The post presupposed one has a pocket (most likely folding) knife and is carrying it in a pocket.

1. Carry the best knife you can afford.
2. Keep it sharp.
3. After using it, if you are not at home, put it back in your pocket.
4. Don't put all of your trust in the clip should it have one or if you use it.

[murphjd25]

Don't tell your wife how much it cost :eek:

Ken

:D haha

[paladin]

1. Ensure your attire does indeed have at least one pocket! :)

I've carried Spyderco's plenty with no pockets clipped IWB :)

[demoncase]

1. Sharpen your knife before you think you need to. Check the tightness of pocket clip screws when you do.
2. Clean your knife when you finish your day- pocket lint and other crud can disable locks. Coins can end up wedging blades shut. Mank on the blade can give you food poisoning.
3. Carry the knife that makes the most sense for environment you are going to be in- and the environments you are going to pass through.
4. If you swap out a knife you've been carrying for a few days, take 5 minutes to get the muscle memory back of how this one opens or closes- Especially if you've changed lock type
5. Keep your knife in the same place in your pocket regardless of the knife so your hand drops to it naturally....Having to frisk yourself to find a knife looks hilarious. It also means you are less likely to lose it.
6. Carry 2 knives if you can- of different sizes and specialisms., if your day is going to warrant it.
7. Do not loan, lend or hand your knife to anyone. Ever.
8. Do not leave your knife anywhere- it's in your hand or in your pocket at any given point in the day.
9. The public are frightened of knives. They are frightened more by people doing knife tricks or practicing opening flicks. Keep it out of sight unless you need to do something.
10. Balance your load- Dropping your wallet or phone in the direct opposite pocket to your large or heavy knife will counteract much of the complaining that folks do about weight

11- BONUS RULE: If heading for the airport- turn out EVERY pocket of EVERY garment you are wearing to check for 'that' Delica you've always got clipped to your pocket. Better to do it at home than watch the TSA throw your cherished EDC in the crusher

[Doc Dan]

1. Always have a knife, period.
2. Keep said knife sharp.
3. Carry more than one knife if possible.
4. A small fixed blade trumps a larger folder in many cases.
5. A small folder trumps a small fixed blade in some scenarios.
6. Do not buy junk knives.
7. Knife quality is not based upon price.
8. Give your wife as good a knife as you carry.
9. Do not pry with your knife.
10. Keep your back locks clean.

[Bloke]

1. Ensure your attire does indeed have at least one pocket! :)

I've carried Spyderco's plenty with no pockets clipped IWB :)

Ah, ... I never thought of a waist band! Ah, hahaha! :cool:

[demoncase]

1.
9. Do not pry with your knife.

I can't recall which maker used to put it on their warranty sheet- but it went "The knife you have just purchased is the most expensive and least efficient prybar in the world. Please use it for cutting instead" :)

[TomAiello]

My top rule is "verify local regulations". I travel to California to visit family, and spend about a month working in Europe every year, so I have to swap out knives when I travel.