Pocket Knives-Who feels naked without one?

[Piraticalbob]

Routine carrying of knives is a generational phenomenon as well as cultural. If you grew up before the 1980's, most rural boys (not just southerners) habitually carried pocketknives, and even city boys who joined the Cubs or Boy Scouts carried them. It was in the cities that knives came to be viewed as weapons; the old Texas Toothpick pattern was often used as a weapon, especially by African-American city schoolboys, and the 1950's switchblade scare is well-known.

 

[the iron horse]

I never go out without a knife in my right front pocket
and a Zippo in my left.

Never know when you might want to trim a pencil
or start a fire.

I was in high school in the late 60s and early 70s.
Almost all the boys carried pocket knives, but I never saw one
pulled out in fight or used in a threatening way.

Times have changed

 

[Sulaco]

I have a knife on me anytime I leave the house (don't need to carry one at home because I have them stashed all over the place), usually two!

I keep mine pretty sharp and I remember working in a sales job one time and this customer at the counter (gun shop) asked me if he could cut a tag with my knife. I should have said no or done it myself (and would now, I was young then) but I said, "sure, it's real sharp though, so be careful!". Well, sure enough, he sliced his finger open but good! He was some kind of "bleeder" too so it was a real mess. He actually got mad at me, said something stupid like, "that's the sharpest knife I've ever seen!".

Anyway, yeah, I am pretty much always carrying a knife of some sort.

 

[mhat]

Yep, carry at least one at all times for the last 40+ years. I even carry a knife when I carry a pistol. I've even got a dress folder for Sunday and special occasions. It never needs reloaded and its quite.

 

[tlynch]

Always have a pocket knife unless prohibited by law, or the owner of the premises (Security at Six Flags Fiesta Texas acts like they are doing you a huge favor if they let you keep a Swiss Army knife in your pack. Sheesh.).

I keep spare pocket knives in my car and my desk at work in case I space out and one doesn't get in the pocket when I load up in the morning.

Regards,
Tom

 

[ColdDeadHand]

Always. Cold Steel Recon 1 with tanto tip and half-serrated.

I don't like all-smooth blades, the serrations are just so darned useful.

 

[brnmuenchow]

I lived in Austin, Texas for about 6 years and it is not a friendly town for pocket / tactical folders, etc.. I was at a store once and I went to cut open a box, that contained some product I was going to purchase and this couple saw me with my Blackhawk! "Hornet" small tactical folder, and you'd that I was holding them up with it! (I would have loved to seen the look on their faces if they caught me cutting my steak at the "Outback" with my SOG "SEAL" knife.(j/k) it would have been funny though.)

 

[tlynch]

(I would have loved to seen the look on their faces if they caught me cutting my steak at the "Outback" with my SOG "SEAL" knife.(j/k) it would have been funny though.)

So I'm not the only person who has opted for a sharp pocket knife over a dull serrated edge at a restaurant.

There can't be too many Muenchows here. I may know one of your relatives.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Mike OTDP]

An SAK (usually a Victorinox Executive) has been in my pocket for the last 30 years, unless specifically prohibited.

 

[451 Detonics]

I have used my own silverware in restaurants for years. I worked as a chef in several nicer restaurants and have seen silver go straight from one table when people left to another table with just a wipe on a bar rag between users. If I know I am going to be eating out I either take my own silverware or order finger food.

 

[CVA-66]

Always carry a Kershaw Blur
Matches my Glock

 

[MNGunAddict]

Always, been apart of what I leave the house with since I was 9 and got my first red swiss army knife, of course these days the swiss army knife is out and one of the 4 or 5 I trust to take me through hell and back is in.

 

[milq]

Always, including the last time I had to wear a tux at my best friend's wedding. Interestingly enough, he gave out very nice folders as gifts to all of us for standing with him.

I lost my first pocket knife while in the USMC, had it since Dad let me pick it out around age 8. I still get upset about losing that little Old Timer.

My daily use knife is a US made Kershaw and it may, at any given time, be used as a wire stripper, box cutter, gasket scraper or small game skinner. I run it across a butcher's steel weekly or more if needed to keep the edge sharp. I don't understand how anyone could go through a day without such a tool.

 

[brnmuenchow]

tlynch: Actually there even to my own amazement are quite a few more Muenchow's in the Texas area than I origionally beleved. I also am not very close to the Muenchow clan and probably wouldn't be able to confirm any relation. The only thing I do know is we came here to Texas from Germany in 1891. But I have had quite a few people, say they have ran into possible relatives over the years, but I have not recognized any of the names.

 

[tlynch]

tlynch: Actually there even to my own amazement are quite a few more Muenchow's in the Texas area than I origionally beleved. I also am not very close to the Muenchow clan and probably wouldn't be able to confirm any relation. The only thing I do know is we came here to Texas from Germany in 1891. But I have had quite a few people, say they have ran into possible relatives over the years, but I have not recognized any of the names.

I learn something new every day.

Tom

 

[xcgates]

7 year or so old Gerber Paraframe clipped to my left pocket, and a some Gerber assisted opening clipped to the inside of my pants at 6 O'clock.

The gerber is half serrated, and while I have made attempts to replace it, for some reason I keep coming back to it's well-worn, loose goodness. I can't even count the number of times I've taken it to a grinder to put an entirely new edge on.

Still need to get another Kershaw Leek (the neck holster looks good too), as I loved it, but lost it after a few months at a cookout. I loved how slick it opened, as well as how thin they are. So many knifes are wide. I also have a Benchmade, I an do so love the locking mechanism. I don't care for the lock on the Gerber, as it is made for righties.

I do need to practice and get better at sharpening before I bear using better knives on a daily basis.

I do find it amusing when people can't believe I carry a knife daily. No need to tell them about my extra sharp knife hidden as backup. Or any other odd things. Everyone I work with know I have a knife if they need something to open (not that anyone needs to go farther than needed for a knife), but they also know who has a flashlight when the power inevitably goes out. (Yes, they run regular "generator tests", in the middle of the work day)

 

[Azul]

Yep. Very naked. That's why my EDC knife (Spyderco Delica Wave or Spyderco Endura Wave, depending on the state I'm in), and all my other EDC stuff stays in my pants ready to be put on in the morning. If I forget my knife, that means I have forgotten to put on pants.

 

[sxcamaro05]

Yes, I feel "odd" without a pocket knife at hand. My parents are very anti-knife and firearms (they do not see a need) and I have largely been left to acquire advice from others on the subject. I see my EDC more as a tool because the defensive application is rather limited with a 2.5'' blade (although something beats nothing). I use mine almost everyday at work, carry around town, on trips (save for flying) and if an emergency ever arises I will be ready. I'm sure many of you will recognize this motto I tend credit for my thinking:"Always be prepared".

 

[Goga]

leaving the house and walking about without my EDC knife feels as odd as leaving and walking about without my G19 in my waist and under my shirt. Just won't happen. As a matter of fact, I don't personally hang with guys who don't carry a blade of some kind, not because its a requirement for me to extend friendship to you, but because quite honestly blade carriers and non blade carriers are different breeds of men. Those with blades seem to be self sufficient types for the most part, while the dude without his tool will always need someone else to do his task for him, or at the very least have to ask to borrow your tools to do his job.

Not hating, just an observation. And it's certainly a generalization, so if you don't carry a blade all the time don't freak, but certainly consider starting to carry on (smile).

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Borrowing Tools

Those with blades seem to be self sufficient types for the most part, while the dude without his tool will always need someone else to do his task for him, or at the very least have to ask to borrow your tools to do his job.

Learned that the hard way. I could lend tools to guys who already had tools and my stuff would come back fine. Lend tools to those who chronically "need" tools, and they come back busted or damaged or, occasionally, not at all.

My carry knives may get loaned now and then, but they don't leave my sight.

Funny, my daughter got to learn that same thing the hard way, too.

 

[RogerD]

I carry i pocket knife everyday and always have despite the stupid laws in the UK
i recently purchased a falkkniven u2 and its a great knife ,go check one out

 

[sixgunner455]

Always have one or several. Feel naked without. Basic training was truly a trial! I'd been carrying a knife every day, everywhere, for 20 years, and they wouldn't let me even have nail clippers.

But they issued me a rifle, and a bayonet whenever we were at the bayonet training. Go figure!

Got to my next training station, and the first thing I did was hike over to the PX and replace the running shoes I wore out at Basic, and on the counter right next to those shoes was a Victorinox Tinker and a ceramic hone. Got my other knives back from home later, of course, but I carried that Tinker all over the world.

 

[Ronsch]

I actually have a couple on me right now...A USGI stainless steel 4 blade pocket knife, a Buck assisted opening folder, my Leatherman, and a Gerber Guardian.

I consider them "pocket knives" even though my Leatherman and Guardian have a sheath.

 

[Murcielago]

Did you see the movie "Inception"? My Böker Stockman would totally be my totem.

 

[9mmforMe]

I always carry a knife unless it is prohibited due to work.

Viva Benchmade!!