Met a knife person recently

phillipsted · #1

I was at a business meeting last week - everyone in the meeting was in business attire - wool slacks, dress shirts, etc. When we got into the meeting, a senior engineering manager from another Firm was sitting next to me. I noticed a clip on his right front pocket - which read "Kershaw". I didn't have time to quiz him about his EDC - or show him my ZDP DragonFly2...

We had another meeting of the same group yesterday. And what did I see hanging out of his pocket? A SOG clip! During a break I mentioned that I noticed the clips of his EDC blades in his pocket. He smiled and pulled out his SOG to show me. I'm not good on SOG models, but it looked something like a SOGZilla.

I showed him my EDC - the little black micarta Jester. I mentioned that I was a long-time Spyderco collector/user. He was impressed with the capabilities, fit, and finish of the Jester, given its size...

Anyway - it is always nice to meet another knife aficionado!

TedP

xceptnl · #2

Spotting a clip on while out at a resturant or other public place and being able to recall the blade make and manufacturer is a fun little hobby that I enjoy often. It is truly great to meet knife lovers in our everyday lives.

Pockets · #3

The only place I recall seeing a knife clip was in a mall with a "No Weapons" policy :rolleyes:

Water Bug · #4

Cool story and thread!

I recall visiting a friend, former classmate, and former military colleague at a university institution that he was in charge of in Texas. As he took me and another colleague around to see the place, you couldn't help but notice the clips of folding knives in the RBP of a majority of the employees. Even my friend sported a clipped folder in his RBP. I told him how refreshing it was to see that knives were an accepted item in his organization.

1623 · #5

I work in a very public environment and find myself continually scanning pockets for clips. More often than not when I inquire, the bearer is willing to talk shop.

As xceptnl stated, it's become a fun little hobby.

SolidState · #6

I do the same thing. What is great is that a large majority of my colleagues (also at a university) edc local brands. I'm almost a pariah because I categorically do not carry crkt, kershaw or benchmade knives. By far, the minigriptilian is the most common clipped knife I see with the ken onion knives taking a close second. I'd say somewhere around 30% of my coworkers carry knives.

My industry visits have brought me around a few engineers who carry. Most of them are former scouts, or still active in scouting and mentoring. Many of them also carry a few zip ties just in case.

SpyderNut · #7

phillipsted wrote:I was at a business meeting last week - everyone in the meeting was in business attire - wool slacks, dress shirts, etc. When we got into the meeting, a senior engineering manager from another Firm was sitting next to me. I noticed a clip on his right front pocket - which read "Kershaw". I didn't have time to quiz him about his EDC - or show him my ZDP DragonFly2...

We had another meeting of the same group yesterday. And what did I see hanging out of his pocket? A SOG clip! During a break I mentioned that I noticed the clips of his EDC blades in his pocket. He smiled and pulled out his SOG to show me. I'm not good on SOG models, but it looked something like a SOGZilla.

I showed him my EDC - the little black micarta Jester. I mentioned that I was a long-time Spyderco collector/user. He was impressed with the capabilities, fit, and finish of the Jester, given its size...

Anyway - it is always nice to meet another knife aficionado!

TedP

Amen, brother! :) It's kind of funny, but I had a somewhat similar experience Wednesday at work. I was on my way to the copier when I spied a fellow manager thumbing through a Smoky Mountain Knifeworks catalog in his office. (I *think* he was on break, but oh well). Naturally, I stopped in and asked him what he was looking at. Looking up, he sheepishly admitted that he was looking to get a small pocketknife for his son as a birthday gift. After a few moments, we were talking all things Spyderco (fit, finish, quality, pricing, materials, size etc., etc.). He sounded pretty interested, so tomorrow I’m going to bring in my new jumbo 2012 Spyderco Products Catalog and help him find a knife for his boy. I’m probably going to suggest something like the Dragonfly, Cricket, Jester, Ladybug, Balance, or Delica. Oh joy! To look at Spyderco’s while on the clock is truly a magical experience! :D

xceptnl · #8

Spydernut, you have a great point. Casting the web of education onto another seeker of sharp things! I love getting the chance to talk Spydies at work.

MsbS · #9

Pockets wrote:The only place I recall seeing a knife clip was in a mall with a "No Weapons" policy :rolleyes:

A knife's a tool, not a weapon, mind you.

:D

bh49 · #10

I am fortunate to have several knife people at my work, some of them carry knives, some keeping in toolboxes or cars

DCDesigns · #11

SpyderNut wrote:Amen, brother! :) It's kind of funny, but I had a somewhat similar experience Wednesday at work. I was on my way to the copier when I spied a fellow manager thumbing through a Smoky Mountain Knifeworks catalog in his office. (I *think* he was on break, but oh well). Naturally, I stopped in and asked him what he was looking at. Looking up, he sheepishly admitted that he was looking to get a small pocketknife for his son as a birthday gift. After a few moments, we were talking all things Spyderco (fit, finish, quality, pricing, materials, size etc., etc.). He sounded pretty interested, so tomorrow I’m going to bring in my new jumbo 2012 Spyderco Products Catalog and help him find a knife for his boy. I’m probably going to suggest something like the Dragonfly, Cricket, Jester, Ladybug, Balance, or Delica. Oh joy! To look at Spyderco’s while on the clock is truly a magical experience! :D

The dragonfly would be a great suggestion, but you might also want to suggest a Junior if hes willing to spend a little more, since that is what it is designed for. You should explain to him that the over sized choil will keep his kids hand from sliding onto the blade, should be a good selling point to him.

SpyderNut · #12

xceptnl wrote:Spydernut, you have a great point. Casting the web of education onto another seeker of sharp things! I love getting the chance to talk Spydies at work.

Well said! It just so happens that my boss wandered into the office as my co-worker and I were chatting about Spydercos. :o He said to me, "Hey, I've been thinking about getting a knife myself. What would you recommend?" Smiling to myself, I thought for a second and said, "Well, let me show you my Spyderco catalog. See, Spyderco started making great quality knives about 30 + years ago..." :)

DCDesigns wrote:The dragonfly would be a great suggestion, but you might also want to suggest a Junior if hes willing to spend a little more, since that is what it is designed for. You should explain to him that the over sized choil will keep his kids hand from sliding onto the blade, should be a good selling point to him.

I certainly agree with the Dragonfly and Junior recommendations, DC. Unfortunately, my co-worker said he's looking more at the $30 to $40 range for the knife, so that will limit what he can get. I'm thinking more like the Ladybug line, or the Tenacious, Resilience, or Persistence. I may also mention the Squeak, but I think he would feel better if his son had a locking blade vs. non-locking. If I can swing it, I'll try to encourage him to look at the FRN Delica's or Centofante III's. :)