A rather annoying exchange about carrying a knife

[flipe8]

I'm also of the "don't bring attention to myself" school of thought. I've got no real use for a knife around my neck, eventhough I don't see a problem with them. If I did decide to wear one, it wouldn't be on the outside of my clothing, though. Like it or not, it's how the world is ,and we're all judged based on how we present ourselves', wrong as it might be.

[jujigatame]

Another oddity we are only supposed to use a Stanley push utility blade , in other words we are only supposed to cut ourselves with company property !

One particular time at work I had to move a pallet of copy paper and the boss said she then wanted all the reams out of the boxes and moved somewhere else, so I had to cut those reinforced plastic straps off of 50 boxes. I had my SE Endura on me and that's what I used. Boss walked by where I was doing this work, saw the knife and said "You can't use that!" I asked what else she would have me use and she said "I'll get something from my desk." She came back a minute later with a box cutter just like the one shown below. I said "That thing is cheaply made and dangerous, I absolutely will not use it when I have a stronger, safer tool at my disposal." She gave me a bit of an odd look, then said "Alright" and walked off.

[coffeeman]

The best solution to problems with knives, join me in Georgia.
The only problem I have had in years was from a coworker that was also from Massachusetts. In casual situations if you do not have some type of cutting tool you seem out of place.

To me it really comes down to the local sentiment.
My thing is once they see you have one they will remember and want to use it at some point.

[The Deacon]

Location does play a major role, as does the knife itself, and the method of carry. Walk into any store in my area and among the folks who have their shirttails tucked in, a fair percentage of the guys and even a few of the ladies will have some type of leather or nylon sheath on their belt which contains a folding knife or multi-tool. Others will have a knife clipped in one front pocket or the other. None of that raises any eyebrows. Even taking a knife out and using it inside the store, when the need to do so is readily apparent, is generally ignored But, a 6.5" long (total) fixed blade knife in a sheath that clearly shows the outline of the blade, dangling around someone's neck in plain sight probably would be considering "inappropriate" by many and raise the question of its bearer's potential for anti-social behavior in the minds of more than a few.

I suppose the lady in the store could have phrased her displeasure/discomfort more politely as in "I find your choice of fashion accessories to be in extremely poor taste". That's what I might have said under similar circumstances. Or she could have put it more bluntly, as in "If you're trying to look like a potential psychopath, you've succeeded". Or, she could have just hit the silent alarm out of fear you were planning to rob the place at knifepoint and given you the chance to explain your philosophy of personal freedom to Mr. Policeman.

Or she could have refrained from letting you know what she thought, but instead gone home and emailed her county/state/ and federal representatives urging them to ban knives and sent copies to 100 of her friends and relatives urging them to do likewise, then posted the story of her encounter on a couple non-knife forums. Then again, who knows, she may have done that anyway. So might twenty other people who saw you that day.

Can't recall the last time I saw an MD shopping with a stethoscope dangling around his neck. Rationale that explains doing or wearing something while at work does not wash when "off duty" for items that are easy to either remove or conceal at quitting time. That's even more true when the item in question is one which many people would categorize as a weapon. Sorry, but I can't see any chance of someone who observes a knife being carried in that manner being converted over to "our side", but can definitely see its potential for convincing some of the "fence sitters" that "we" are all irresponsible.

[Stenny]

I carry an Endura 4W and it is almost universally - even when I don't use the wave and thumb it open - perceived as a weapon. Even when I am cutting something requiring use of a relatively long blade (loaf of bread, for example), it is frowned upon. Smallish fixed blades, even HAK and LDK like, are bad juju too.
I just tend to ignore what people have to say about things I carry. If I want to carry X in a Z way, I will and sod everybody's opinions. People that know me also know that I am no psycho, and I really can't care less about people that don't know me...

[jujigatame]

I suppose the lady in the store could have phrased her displeasure/discomfort more politely as in "I find your choice of fashion accessories to be in extremely poor taste". That's what I might have said under similar circumstances.

Frankly, I could take it one of two ways.

If you were a complete stranger, I could take it to mean you honestly and strongly dislike the particular knife I had around my neck for some reason, aesthetic or otherwise.

Alternately, if I knew it was you, The Deacon, I'd take that comment as being rather disingenuous or, at the least, sarcastically put. I say that because it would be my belief, based on knowing that you collect and carry knives and frequent this and other forums to discuss them, that you would not consider the knife itself as a "fashion accessory." Whether or not that belief was accurate, I could only know by engaging in further discussion with you. Perhaps this is just semantics, but that particular choice of words conveys to me that an item has no purpose other than complimentary decorative looks. I don't believe that's what a knife is, nor do I believe carrying it in a certain location imparts that status. I feel whether or not one finds an openly carried neck knife to be "appropriate" is a separate matter, which you addressed quite nicely in your first paragraph.

To me, it didn't come across as uneasiness on the woman's part, but as a seemingly earnest initial question followed by an insulting one.

[dete]

I think you know that people are very insecure.

threatened very easily.
some people decide to buy a self-defense tool and train hard,
others want to take away all "weapons" from everyone.

if I saw a person with a knife, I would simply take note of it.
I've seen people walk around with combat knives.

I don't think it's a smart thing to do where I am, but it doesn't
bother me unless they misbehave

[Agent Starling]

I read in my local paper today that some guy was walking down the street of a residential neighborhood with a rifle over his shoulder...duh...someone called the cops and when they came he pointed the rifle at them :eek: ...needless to say he wound up in the slammer, after being shot a couple times...open carry is legal in this state...but I guess not THAT open! :D

And even thought open carry is legal here...as in, you can walk around in public with a holstered pistol in view...non gun folks may not know this, do freak out and call the cops anyway... :)

Agent Starling

[Fred Sanford]

I often wonder if carrying a neck knife outside of your shirt wouldn't invite "a bad guy" to come yank it out of the sheath and use it on you. That's the only reason I wouldn't want to wear a neck knife outside my shirt.

I wouldn't care about displaying it at all.

[ghostrider]

I read in my local paper today that some guy was walking down the street of a residential neighborhood with a rifle over his shoulder...duh...someone called the cops and when they came he pointed the rifle at them :eek: ...needless to say he wound up in the slammer, after being shot a couple times...open carry is legal in this state...but I guess not THAT open! :D

And even thought open carry is legal here...as in, you can walk around in public with a holstered pistol in view...non gun folks may not know this, do freak out and call the cops anyway... :)

Agent Starling

That's a whole different thread, and folks seem to be making fairly good headway on that issue in Virginia.

People do “freak out”. That’s often the way it is when there is a sea change to regain lost civil rights. It’s a process that can be long, and sometimes painful. It may seem like a bad thing, but the only way people are going to accept the sight of someone else openly carrying a knife (or gun, since people have brought it into the thread), or carrying one at all, is for enough people to do it to the point of frequency that it is no longer considered unusual. Rosa Parks cause quite a stir when she decided to sit at the front of the bus, now people would take little notice (if any).

[zeus]

"Walking out of the store, there were a lot of things running through my mind that I could have said, not the least of which would be "You mean to imply that the only reason I, or anyone else, would carry a knife is for stabbing someone!?!?" Then, a little voice in my head said it wasn't worth it so I continued on to my car and went home.

Still, it really bothered me.

Sorry for the venting, just had to get it off my chest."

Your reply was best. Here are a couple more:

1. "Some people wear a cross around their neck. I can't really see why they would want to wear the symbol of a Roman torture device...., But I do worship knives"

2. "I think knives are works of Art and choose to wear my Art"

3. "I am a forum member on the Internet and post topics about knives. This necklace identifies me to other Enthusiasts"

4. "This holds a special significance. I like to keep it near my Chakras"
(Chakras are a line of energy points in your body)

5. "This is a tool that I use every day. If I wear it around my neck, it will never get lost, never get left in another pair of pants, and never fall out of my pocket."

6. "No, I would NEVER stab anyone. This keeps other people from thinking of hurting ME"

7. "What kind of person would even think of stabbing another human being? Lady, you have some issues. Maybe you should seek counseling before you act on your horrific thoughts."

[Mr Blonde]

7. "What kind of person would even think of stabbing another human being? Lady, you have some issues. Maybe you should seek counseling before you act on your horrific thoughts."

I like that one best. Whenever I get a weird comment like that, in the 'oh is that for killing/stabbing?' I tend to give them a look and comment to the effect of the quote.

Wouter

[Alteran]

Woma: What, for stabbing somebody?

Me: Why, of course. There's no chance a knife has a legitimate use other than as a weapon. By the way, you know that last guy you served? Did you see if he had much money in his wallet?

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: I do carry my knives primarily as weapons so I try to carry them discretely yet accessible, usually one in either front pocket. I've yet to be asked about them. :spyder:

[doubleclaw]

My response to stupid questions is usually something like this:

Q: 'Why do you have that big scary murder knife, you horrible beast, you?"
A: "None of your f***ing business, and where did you get the idea that I have to explain ANYTHING to YOU, you nosy, obnoxious hussy? Where is your manager? WHERE?! BRING HIM FORTH TO ME NOW."

I don't have the time or inclination to cater to the superstitious, craven horsesh*t that people try to lay on me.

[cobrajoe]

This reminds me...

I have a friend with a .50cal sniper rifle. He often gets the question, "Why do you need such a big gun?" His reply? "To kill people"

It's a little harsh, but it always stops the questioning.