Thursday, March 12, 2009

Banning the Pocket Knife?

Sure. There are all kinds of knife laws on the books. And people trying to fight them.

You don't think we trust you, do you? [More]

[Via Avg Joe]
Posted by David Codrea at 3/12/2009 10:52:00 AM

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

An older man once told me that "A Gentleman ALWAYS carries a knife." Since then, I have done so, because his advice made so much sense. A knife is an item that has incredibly diverse uses, and can be used to do things that it wasn't designed for. I worked for a farmer during college who would make sure we had one on us before we went to do our work. This same man would also say "grab a hammer" and would expect you to pick up something blunt and hard nearby to pound on something. Those two experiences taught me to be prepared for anything at anytime and have influenced me more to date than most others. I fear that this younger generation of men is losing this incredible wisdom and mindset of preparedness.

3/12/2009 11:24 AM
Anonymous said...

My grandfather taught me that a man wasn't dressed until he had a knife in his pocket. He learned that from his father; my great-grandfather.

It's advice I follow and taught my son.

3/12/2009 11:26 AM
Anonymous said...

Seems each of us have the same grand dad demeanor: A man has a pocket knife in his pocket.

3/12/2009 12:13 PM
Anonymous said...

My Dad taught the same thing to me. I always carry a knife, size depending on dress etc., and a flashlight.

3/12/2009 1:23 PM
Anonymous said...

See http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/09/watching_helplessly_as_a_life_slips_away/
for the article in The Boston Globe, which has been edited since it was first published.
Were all those people in Boston safer because nobody had a knife? Otherwise, people would just be slashing and stabbing each other without self-control, right?

3/12/2009 1:31 PM
Anonymous said...

I would say: "From my cold dead hands", except that is not where my knife will be when "they" try to take it. The knife will be in my pocket; it's a very different tool they'll find in my hands.

Molon Labe.

3/12/2009 3:33 PM
Anonymous said...

Not so long ago, I remember both the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts selling knives to boys.

Such knives are wholesome and useful.

Of course, those were the days.

3/12/2009 4:55 PM
Anonymous said...

I always carry two, they have different uses. Sometimes I have three. One of them is very small, it is so very useful when I need to do fine work on something for which a knife is needed. Another of average size is also a good tool for opening packages, especially those maddening vacuum sealed packages that tools and other things come in, which cannot be torn open by the jaws of life. The large one is for heavy use, and if necessary self-defense.

I was taught that a man is never without a knife. I was married with a knife in my pocket, I absolutely cannot leave the house without a knife in my pocket. I just can't do it. It is like being naked and castrated.

3/12/2009 7:37 PM
Anonymous said...

My pocketknife violates the city code by about an inch, I think. I really don't care. A previous mayor caried a Swiss Army knife to keep his manicure immaculate, and a mayor before him - who was also anti-gun, of course -- managed to shoot off the tip of his little finger with his Colt Mustang pistol -- in his office.
I have smaller pocketknives, but I also have principles.
And a collection of real edged nasties. If my pocketknife is banned, then I will carry a tactical dagger concealed in a shoulder rig. Faster to get into action.
Plus, I'm a contrary bastard.

3/12/2009 9:04 PM
W W Woodward said...

Been carrying a pocket knife since I was five years old. Got my rear end soundly busted for "barking" the Arizona Cypress out in front of the house but didn't lose the knife. That was 61 years ago. I've carried a Schrade "Old Timer" ever since.

Cleaned my fingernails, skinned snakes, opened mail, cut out splinters and thorns, done minor firearm repairs, jimmied door locks when I locked my keys in the house. I've even, with the help of a shot or two of whiskey, extracted a couple of my own teeth.

Haven't flown since just before 9/11. If I can't carry my pocket knife, I just won't go.

3/12/2009 9:30 PM
Anonymous said...

Comment to Mack's comment - as a former Cubmaster (and Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructor) and currently an Assistant Scoutmaster (sorry, Boy Scout shooting instructors are NRA certified for both rifle and shotgun), the BSA still teaches older Cub Scouts (grades 1-5) to be safe with knives under adult (leader and parent) supervision, and teaches Boy Scouts to be safe with knives, saws, and axes under both youth leader and adult leader supervision. Cub Scouts also may receive instruction in Archery and BB-guns, while Boy Scouts may become proficient with Archery, .22 cal rifle, and 12 gauge shotgun shooting skeet. Scary concept for the unitiated, but the Scouts thrive with the responsibility and trust given to them when they earn it. Safety with dangerous things is drilled into them. Scouts also light and maintain campfires and cook on propane and other fuel stoves.

Different from society's at large attitude, isn't it? That's why a large component of the NASA astronaut corps are Eagle Scouts, Scouting's highest youth award which is earned by the Scouts, not just for showing up and punching a ticket. Training and trust, what a concept!

Expect much and you will receive much. You will be severely disappointed if you always expect and seek the worst possible outcome. Treat the Scouts like men (yes, inexperienced at first) and you will get men after you guode them in the learning process. Treat them like incompetent sheep and you will get get sheep. Simple enough?

3/13/2009 12:09 AM

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