My job is in retail.  I work for a reptile specific pet store.  I carry an Uncle Henry 153 UH by Schrade.  I am often asked by some of the youngsters that see my knife hanging on my belt "Why do you have that?" or "What is that?".  I tell them that it's a knife and I use it for work.  "Just in case an animal attacks you?". No. I don't use it on animals.  I'm an animal lover of all kinds and won't kill anything unless it was a life or death situation.  Even then I'm likely to kill.  (I realize that many of you on here are probably hunters and may see me as a weenie but I'm okay with that, it's just my belief in all life is worthy).  So what do I use it for?  Boxes mainly, opening and breaking them down.  But also I use it to prep food for some of the critters I look after.  But that's only at work.  I carry my knife all the time and have many times needed it where most people wouldn't have thought to bring one or have one on them.  I often tell these youngsters that I've carried a knife most of my life because it's a useful tool to have.  I've been asked so often in the last two months since I've started carrying this knife it's got me thinking.  What happened to the days when every boy got a pocket knife from their father or grandfather?  I mean, sure it's maybe not safe for them to have one at school these days but after school and weekends should be fine as long as they are taught right and wrong with them.

Has anyone else been asked what they use their knife for?  And have you had an answer that didn't sound lame when you carry such a nice knife for no real reason except you've always carried one?  I know one thing for sure.  I'm only 32 and I have no kids yet but when I do have kids they will get a pocket knife from me when they are old enough to know how to be responsible with it.  That being said I plan on actually teaching my kids first hand and not relying on some dummy with a degree to follow an underfunded and outdated guideline from a broken system.

I long to see a change to simpler times.  I'd like to see those times brought about by a new generation of kids that will step outside the technology and go outside and see the world around them.

I just don't understand when it became socially unacceptable to carry a knife.  And why everyone became afraid to offend anyone by stepping out of the ordinary to live the way they feel is right for them.

Anyway, this is just a rambling from a mind living in a time that has long past.