If the pendulum keeps swinging the way it has for decades now, I have no doubt that someone here in the "liberal" East will propose that we should all have our teeth pulled- for our own safety, of course. Certainly no one with teeth should be allowed to board a commercial airliner.

Could be the geographic area. Attitudes differ in different places.

I speak from experience- there was a lady co-worker in a different job that picked up on my "survivalist" tendencies (initially because I had a (tiny) flashlight in my pouch when needed, then she noticed that I carred a lighter though I don't smoke, and so on). Once, having brought a paper cup of hot tea back to my desk and finding I had nothing to stir it with, I pulled out a Ka-Bar "Hobo" set (folding knife, fork and spoon that clip together). She immediately focused on the knife component, and from then on made repeaded remarks about my being "armed", pretended to be afraid of me, told co-workers to be careful not to get me angry, and on and on... eventually, the boss came by and asked me to take it home.

The lady in question was not appeased. Later, when she overheard a conversation I was having with another shooter, and realized I was insane enough to actually OWN firearms, she redoubled her efforts to get everyone in the office to regard me as some sort of latent sociopath, and warned them that I might "go postal" at any time.

In a personal setting, I can ignore such idiots. Professionally, I don't need the grief.

Thanks for the feedback.

>>Working as a cop, it became de riguer to notice who had a knife clipped to their person<<

Was that information useful?

>>It also became quite obvious that the bad guys were paying attention to who had knives clipped where.<<

Not sure I see "bad guys" knowing that I'm armed as a big negative- it would seem worse for them to think me unarmed. There's some downside to their knowing where it is, I suppose, but then that would apply to the sidearm of a uniformed policeman as well, wouldn't it?

Sorry you have to work with a busy-body.

Your boss took the only action he could and appeased the sqeaky wheel. He's thinking in terms of avoiding a lawsuit on the Promotion of a Hostile Work Environment.

I worked as a bag boy in a walmart type of store through college. Helped another worker and a customer tie something big on the top of the customers car and pulled out my little pocket knife to cut the string and the other store worker just kept going on an on about me carrying a "weapon". I tried explaining over and over that is was a tool not a weapon be he wouldn't listen. Next time he asked me to help load something I loaded it and tied it on and handed him the rest of the rope and said here cut this and walked off <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mine has to be with me always since it has keys to both vehicles and the house so I can't go anywhere without it. Unfortunatly it doesn't hold a very big knife but I have yet to find a better solution to knife carry that will work with all kinds of clothing.

"Was the information useful?" I'd say yes. If you identify the presence of a weapon before it comes into play, it's easier to keep it out of play than to remove it from play once it's been assessed. That applies to good guys and bad guys. Bad guys who spot knifeclips are, generally, not going to be disuaded because of the knifes presence, they will simply make sure that you don't get to bring it into play. Bad guys make their decisions on who to attack based on lots of things (body language, eye contact, awareness level of the intended victim) but rarely on the presence, or lack thereof, of weapons.

The problem with a uniformed cop carrying a knife and gun, both plainly visible to the bad guy, is that should the bad guy choose to attempt to disarm the officer, the officer's attention must be split between protecting two weapons. There have been cases where the bad guy spotted both weapons, made a feint for the gun and accessed the officer's knife.

The role of the knife, defensively speaking, is not to allow you to say "get back or I'll cut you" but rather to say "get back or I'll cut you, again". The knife is more useful to you if its presence is not known to the bad guy until it is in use.

Of course, carrying a knife, as a defensive option, without training is not advisable. The knife is every bit as much a lethal tool as the gun and subject to the same restrictions on use.

Gomez

I really liked the Air Frame when I saw (may still get one), but it is way too thick for discreet carry. I decided to go with a Harsey Air Ranger II. The blade is comparable to the Air Frame, but the body is quite a bit thinner, and it's still dressy enough to go to the opera.

I'm a technology consultant, and I go in and out of all sorts of different enviroments. Other than the work I did for the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office (which required going in and out of court buildings), I've never had a problem with my knives (yes, plural).

I think the best way to handle it is to be as discreet as possible. I generally carry at least four knives with me at all times while working:

1. Victorinox Classic or Midnite Manager II, for box opening and other utility work, especially when somebody asks the inevitable question, "Does anyone have a knife?"

2. Victorinox Money Clip. Backup for the smaller one.

3. Gerber Harsey Air Ranger II. The big knife. NEVER gets used for anything utilitarian so that the edge stays sharp for real emergencies. Legal in NYC (less than 4" blade). Incidentally, the Air Frame is also slightly less than 4". I believe the Air Frame is 3.875", while the Air Ranger II is 3.75". Same blade style, slightly different steel.

4. Leatherman Wave (OK, counts as two knives). Mostly for the tool kit. Useful for opening up computer cases.

When I'm in The City, I will also frequently stash a Benchmade 100 River and Rescue in my brief for disaster use (nice sturdy, safe-ish tip). I also frequent rock concerts, so in those venues where pat-down searches are the norm, I'll put my SOG Access Card in my "sport" wallet. The wallet doesn't ever get searched. I especially worry about being in large crowds in limited access buildings in a disaster or emergency situation.

The Air Ranger gets clipped to either my front pocket or rear, depending on what I'm wearing (pocket style vs. clip-ability, do I want the pants to get roughed up by the finish of the knife). Most people never notice the knife, and having something small and innocuous like a Classic or Money Clip on hand keeps the Air Ranger sharp and out of sight.

Thanks for the post. Don't tell aardwolfe we're still talking about kknives; it seems to set him off. ;-)

I don't go to rock concerts a lot, but a couple of years ago at one I was accosted by a drunk- got tired of his attempts to manhandle me, put him in an arm lock, but when I finally released him he just kept coming, shoving and shouting. I didn't strike him, though I thought of it... didn't respond, just stared in his eyes, waiting to see if he was going to escalate or back down. After a few shoves and some shouting he went away. I was carrying a knife at the time, but of course it never came to mind for this sort of thing. Sort of spoiled the evening, though.

I like Bill Harsey designs a lot- he and I clearly share some values with regard to knives.

You're right about the blade lengths; though I've seen some sellers list the Air Frame as 4" and the Air Ranger as 3.5", according to the Gerber site they're much closer than that.

I haven't seen an Air Ranger in person, and it took awhile to find a picture of one. I have to say that it doesn't really look that much thinner- probably one of those things you just have to check out in person, I guess.

What's that second knob on the handle near the hinge? I thought the Air Frame was a liner lock as well?
Here's the Air Ranger II you're describing:





and the Air Frame I'm describing:

Hey guys,sorryI havent posted lately.I've been busy with Uncle Sam and on family vacation.One of my favorite topics,KNIVES!!! If you are looking for a nice folder check out an A.G.Russell One Hand Knife.I have one and just love it.The handle is one solid piece of stainless spring steel that is only 3/16 inch thick.The blade is a Wharncliffe blade of AUS-8A steel.It appears to be a delicate knife but it is suprisingly strong.It's pivot point is a quarter of an inch thick.It holds a great edge too.I cut through two strands of a three inch nylon line in one slice.This was after using it for two months and only touching it up once on a ceramic sharpiner.They are a little expensive($125.00)but not as bad as a Sebenza.I forgot to mention the edge length is an even three inches.It carries well in the pocket without making much of a profile.The One Hand Knife is a lot of knife in a nice slim package! Of course you can tell I'm a little biased <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.Tanx for letting me put in my $.02
Later
John