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Changes in the way folks view knives

It used to be every man, and many women, carried a knife. Now days, folks carry cell phones- we have different daily needs in many cases, plus it really isn't socially acceptable to wield a knife in public, if you can believe it. Don't have one around young kids that aren't you own without that Mom jerking those kids away from your "weapon."

So the question is this- have you been in a situation recently where you pulled out your knife, either to show it to someone or because something needed cut, only to see shock or angry on the faces of the people around you?

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Permalink Reply by Anthony (ChanceToFade) on May 8, 2009 at 7:19

Not only pulling it out causes shock and negative reactions, I've been in situations where people just looked at the pocket clip and freaked out. I'm 16, and apparently carrying knives isn't a good thing for me to do.

Although I pretty much always get this same reaction I don't think it's necessary at all for me to stop carrying it just because others think I shouldn't. I don't know if it's related to the terrorism age we are going through but people always suspect the worst in others that are carrying knives..

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Permalink Reply by Alden Rowe on May 8, 2009 at 10:52

Well I am a boy scout about to reach eagle and the senior patrol leader of my troop. I am a Big fan of large survival knives because of all of the things you can do with them. In scouts there is a rule that says you can only have a folder, no auto's, and a max of a 3.5 inch blade. One campout I took along my new SOD because we were teaching the younger scouts about knife safety. I took it as a "Machete" because that way it's aloud. We had to teach them how to properly and maintain knives, saws, hatches, ect. I got a funny look from one of the leaders because the SOD looks somewhat menacing but I explained to him how the larger 7inch+ survival knife has important tasks different from the folders he realized it was a good idea. I think its funny how when people see a large knife they think of it as a weapon even when they accept folders as tools. Larger knifes are just used for different tasks, like chopping wood and building fires.

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Permalink Reply by Keval Domain on May 9, 2009 at 1:45

I have said the same thing before myself... pens and pencils are sharp too, make them illeg

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Permalink Reply by Keval Domain on May 9, 2009 at 1:52

Hey, i'm in the same boat pal!
What is your eagle project btw?

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Permalink Reply by Salvatore V. on May 10, 2009 at 1:50

Or chopping people...

:)

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Permalink Reply by Salvatore V. on May 10, 2009 at 1:53

I'm 16 as well, I get those looks allllll the time.

I simply convey to them a calm demeanor, as a result of seeing how level-headed I am, they usually back off.

Also, as to avoid such things, whenever I carry a knife, I wear a baggy shirt, this is to conceal the knife a bit better.

I mean, let's face it, people are and always will be afraid of knives, unless you explain the the rational ones that they are tools.

Otherwise you best be careful as to who sees your knife.

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Permalink Reply by Alden Rowe on May 10, 2009 at 11:53

Well I had several plans and as I am looking into them some tend to seem more improbable, right now I am planing on making mile markers for a trail around my town.

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Permalink Reply by Wilma Slicer (Lynsie) on May 11, 2009 at 23:53

oh wow! i didn't know you had replied to this! I have THREE cats! I actually have a cute video of them playing...

Dante, Razputin and Taiyo

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Lilja on May 26, 2009 at 10:02

Fellow Minnesotan! Whats up with no Knife shows here? How great it'd be to be able to see the years new releases, to every other aspect of a regular show. If you ever get a insight to an upcoming one,please give me a heads up.Thank you

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Scott King on May 26, 2009 at 21:22

Unbelievable. It will get that way here in the US soon enough.

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Permalink Reply by Tony B on June 2, 2009 at 3:47

In the UK anyone who owns knives is looked down on as a possible criminal or mad. The govenment has been ristricting knife carry to only a none locking knife under 3 inches and even then you may still get pulled up. To buy any sharp object in the UK you must be over 18 years. I remeber when you might see someone with a knife on their belt. Not anymore.
:-(

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Permalink Reply by Robin Simpson on June 2, 2009 at 6:59

Hi Folks
I live in the bush well away from the big city so people who live here are very aware of knives for hunting and everyday use. I do leather work and sell slip joint folders, traditional hunters and I bang out the odd traditional boot type dagger out of old files. I have had no problem at the art type shows I sell at, no problem at country fairs I attend. For the most part I have found interest in the historic type knives and the old timey slip joints.
The one thing that stimulated fear in a couple of customers was when an friend of mine (70 years old and a collector) pulled out his new assisted opener and snapped it open in my sales booth, people actually backed away from him and left the booth. For the most part it's peoples perception of the individual knife and their perception of it's intended use and who is holding it but in this case the guy was 70 and not acting in a threatening way.
Our laws regarding knife carrying up here in Canada are pretty clear and is based on intent (sometimes perceived intent) of the user and concealment. Carry up to three knives on my belt and a couple in my pocket and have never been hastled by police or looked at strangly on the street or in a store.
My honest opinion (don't jump all over me now))))) is the manufacture and marketing of so many knives that ARE meant to be used as weapons. The average person who doesn't love knives sees them as a weapon which in fact they are, which kind of puts them outside the term Tool.
If you all didn't know this, US customs and homeland security is working on having assisted openers banned from import and crossing state lines. There is a thread on Blade forums in the legal notes forum if you want to read what's going on.

Best regards

Robin