As some of you know from my postings, I carry quite a bit on my body. More than some and not as much as others. My question for this forum is, have any of you been harassed or questioned by the police, securty guards, bouncers etc for what you carry?

I carry a Swisstool, Spyderco Military, Fox 40, lighter, and photon 2 and I have never been asked once about any of it. Even when I lived in DC, no one raised an eyebrow about my swisstool on my hip. I did not carry my milie as I didnt have it yet. I went in and out of all the Smithsonians with my stuff and not one person raised an eyebrow. Now I do adjust my EDC based on where I am going, ie church, airport, formal engagement, etc, so maybe I have been lucky.

The reason I ask this question is that I read in here and other boards about how people or scared to death to carry a knife in their town for one reason or another, but has anyone really been stopped and had their knife taken away?

My opinion on the deal is that if I dont show it off, then no one will ask me about it. Maybe I have been lucky, maybe I am pushing my luck, but I am just wondering.

Garrett

I learned a long time ago that appearances are eveything. Many of use carry a multi-tool or pocket knife of some kind. It's commonly viewed as a "tool" rather than a weapon, and most people are not alarmed by "tools". Of course, court rooms and airports are somewhat different.

If you exchange that Sebenza for a similar sized fixed blade sheath knife, you'll likely find a far larger portion of the population reacting negatively. There is absolutely NO practical difference in terms of the potential for misuse. However, most people perceive fixed bladed knives as "weapons" rather than tools.

This entire issue is built up on perception and belief rather than fact. It's entirely an emotional response.

This same issue -the unthinking and ignorant emotional response to an object's appearance - is behind many of our weapons laws. "assault rifles" are banned because they look 'evil', but Grand dad's deer rifle, which has twice the range, twice the power, and three times the accuracy is perfectly acceptable since it looks more like a legitimate "tool" than a "weapon".

Find usefull objects that look like tools instead of weapons, and you typically have no problems. Carry a decent, innocent-looking pocket knife and problems are nearly none existant. Leave the K-Bar, Lion Cub, or other 5 inch bladed "weapon" at home...

Frozenny

There are locations with metal detectors. At these locations the intent is to prohibit un-authorized weapons on property and they will achieve that intent as best as possible. Courthouses, Govt buildings, Many concert halls and museums. I wouldn't advise brazening it out with a swisstool or leatherman on your belt or anything more threatening. I think that in many of these locations it would be difficult to get by with even a SAK mini-classic (with or without corkscrew)

There are occasions where fashion is considered more important than function - avoid these if you wish to be accepted and prepared. Formal dances, Fine dining, "Evening parties", Cocktail parties, Business Interviews, Power lunches. In all of these occasions it is difficult for a man to carry much and almost impossible for a woman. Even the venerable handbag is downsized to the purse and then the clutch then nothing. I am a man and can find ways to stuff a considerable amount in pleat-front slacks and liner pockets in my jacket and vest.

In other occasions you may decide for yourself how much notice you wish to draw from your peers. When I started wearing a vest with a AA maglite, spring-loaded center punch, match safe, whistle, pen & pencil set visible on the left breast pocket I certainly got a bit more attention from my peers. OTOH, I don't tend to kid around much with folks so they were intimidated enough to not bother me about it. Not a good way to get through an interview tho.

I agree with you completely, but my question is if anyone has actually had there blade taken from them. I guess I should have excluded TSA confiscations as I have lost a couple to them.

Perception is reality, but I am just curious about the reality of what we have expirienced.

garrett

I don´t carry knives when it´s illegal or against the rules. When I carry, the cutlery usually is on my belt in plain sight. So far I didn´t have any problems with it. It seems that this draws even less attention than a stuffed pocket. Police officers seem to be more comfortable when they see what you carry.
I avoid drawing extra attention to my folder and the multitool though.

Yes I went in to claim an exception from the jury duty long time ago and I was coming straight from work. I assumed I would have to go to some little office instead of the court house. I was wrong it was a court. I had a Wave on me and almost got it confiscated. But I was nice to the security guard, didn't give him any "beef" or attitude and he held it for me since I promised to be brief inside.

When I was young and stupid (8 years ago <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) I had to pick up some paper work from Federal building for my dad. I was walking in with Gerber on my belt and they told me to leave or get it confiscated. I walked outside dropped it in the bushes and walked right back in. Guard looked at me and told me that there is a federal law somewhere against stashing weapons on federal property but let me go to take care of the stuff.

And last but not least I had a Buck knife in a sheath on my belt and I was sitting on the train and was asked by transit police to lift my bomber jacket up. He than asked me to show him my knife and apologized for inconvenience and left. He told me that sheath under my jacket made it look like a gun holster.

My Sebenza is in plain view but when bar hoping or hanging out in clubs I put it in my front pocket and remove Leatherman from my belt as well. I have my EMT badge and ID with me so bouncers tend to loose me some slack but there are some clubs that tolerate nothing but they are usually way out of my league.

Cops don't bother me. I was never stopped and searched but politely asked about a knife while hanging out since Sebenza is little unique plus it doesn't have a "combat" look. I don’t think knife is a big problem as a carry unless you are looking for trouble and acting that way too. You looks have also something to do with you. When you look like a poster boy for Hitler youth than you may have some problems but if otherwise you are a normal guy minding your own business there shouldn’t be any problems.

That would be it.

Matt

No problem here with carrying my Leatherman Supertool on my belt around town or a Spyderco Navigator clipped in my jean pocket. Years ago I even checked my Leatherman PST at the security desk at a courthouse. The deputy was shocked that did it. He took it, gave me a claim check and I picked it up on the way out.

As far as EDC stuff for work I carry a Swisscard in a business card case, a Photon on my keyring, an ARC AAA, and a small pea type whistle in my pocket. I also have a Brunton Life Card set in my wallet. The Swisscard is never seen by anyone. Some people find it handy that I have a freznel lense in my wallet (for reading contracts) They think that carrying a light is a good idea since the power in our building goes off a few times a year (which causes a few barked shins as people find open file drawers.) And, I explain that the whistle is for calling my dog.


Chris

>>"assault rifles" are banned because they look 'evil', but
>> Grand dad's deer rifle, which has twice the range, twice
>> the power, and three times the accuracy is perfectly
>> acceptable since it looks more like a legitimate "tool"
>> than a "weapon".

Not being a "gun nut" (okay, okay, "firearms enthusiast"), I don't know what the rationale is behind banning assault rifles as opposed to hunting rifles, but I suspect it may have less to do with range and power than with the size of the magazine and the number of rounds you can fire without having to reload. (After all, if you're holding up a liquor store and I'm ten feet away with my hands in the air, do I really care whether your tool of choice is accurate up to 200 yards on a windy day? <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

Also, paradoxically, the fact that the hunting rifle has greater range and accuracy means that the person carrying it is more likely to have a "legitimate" use for it (i.e. hunting); if it can take a 30-round clip, but isn't accurate or powerful enough for hunting, then people might consider themselves justified in asking what you use it for? <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

There are very few thing that the "assault rifle" does better than a decent hunting gun. Spewing lead indescriminately for the purpose of suppressing return fire is one of them. If I were looking for the correct device to engage a gang of enemys I might want one of these. For the purpose of robbery or homicide I would definately want something else. If I expected to need to protect myself I would think handgun or shotgun. If I wished to intimidate a victim the handgun is much more effective since I will be closing with them anyway. If I wished to kill an individual I wouldn't be using an automatic large magazine gun even in a military op. Even the military uses a carbine or sniper rifle for those tasks. The fully automatic assault rifle with the large magazine or belt is used not to kill the target but to keep their heads down so you can run accross the field of fire without being shot. Seems that banning that doesn't change the landscape for the criminal much at all - except on television.


But we are ranging somewhat off-topic here.

Last summer my wife and I went to Independance Hall in Pa. There is a security tent with rent a cops and a NPS ranger who is armed. There is full blown security, metal detector etc., like the airports.As I entered the tent, before going through the metal detector, I advised security I had one of the small keychain Swiss Army knives and would it be a problem, or should I leave. The rent a cop took it and handed it to the ranger. I went through security and then got a lecture from the ranger. According to the ranger, I shouldn't have even entered the tent with it. Fortunately, I didn't even take the knife I normally carry. After the lecture, the ranger returned the knife, advising me to not use it on the property.

Target shooting is a legitimate use. You can hunt with an "assault" rifle - many people take coyotes with .223. Every use is a legitimate use, until a crime is committed. Capacity of the magazine is largely irrevelant.

My $0.02. Change accepted.

~W

I am seldom without some sort of pocketknife unless showering, and have never been hassled. I carry Spyderco knives with the pocketclip in my right front pocket, and a Wave in the leather sheath on my right hip. At work, a Squirt P4 in my fanny pack, because scrubs don't have too many pockets! I set off metal detectors in the hospitals, but security/police are more interested in visitors than the staff. I make a point to keep a stethescope visible in my vehicle, and usually have a hospital ID with me. Police tend to cut a little slack to medical workers, hoping that they don't need our services someday.
I used to wear EMS style pants when transporting patients between hospitals, and I carried enough knives and multitools to give the TSA folks a heart attack!

Im 16 and carry I Benchmade 705BT on me out of school with no problems 99% of the time. If I am bothered usually explaining that I am an Eagle scout and a Boy Scout instructor of knife use and saftey calms people down. I've never taken it anywhere with a metal detector (for fear of losing a $140 knife), however I have gone through many places with the small SAK on my keychain no problem.

Pre 9-11 I routinely carried multitools and folding pocket knives without any raised eyebrows. Now, I make sure that they have no reason to question my carryon. Two post 9-11 flights with my emergency "home away from home bag" received a close look see by the security. I had removed the "objectionble items" the night before and used the added space to carry a small rain poncho, added food snacks. My companions asked the standard questions regarding why several flashlights etc. The security was more concerned with the high heeled boots worn by a 55 year old lady in my group.

In the early 80's I was asked to remove my 3.5" single blade folder when taking my family to the annual county fair. The knife was in a leather case on my belt, both the knife and the case were rather plain (Sears Roebuck). They were accomodating about it. I let them hold it and they issued a receipt, it was politely returned when I left. Sadly, this has become more the norm now, rather than the exception when wearing a belt mounted case and knife. While I was a bit irritated, I let it go as I was still carrying my SAK in a pocket.

Times have changed.

Some label knives as weapons but anything can be a weapon. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Well yes in the world of presliced bread, cold cuts, cheese and single serving mayo pockets anything sharp is perceived as a weapon. So is the sharp mind... Soon you will get your medium rare 16 oz. precut and presliced. And spork will rule the world...

I would consider you to be very lucky so far. Our school system, as well as many others across the country have zero tolerance policies for possession of a knife, especially amongst the student population. And while we could debate the effectiveness, and purpose of the policies, they are the existing policies never the less. In our school system, being caught with a knife for any reason is an automatic suspension with possible explosion and there is no appeal process. So, please be very cautious in carrying a knife onto school property, it may be that it has not yet caught up with you yet or that the “wrong” person will find your reason unacceptable. Pete

Wow, that is harsh!!! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

FWIW Pete,
Paul wrote was that he carried the knife "out of school".
Stay safe,
J.T.

You are correct, missed the "out". Thanks Pete

Waouhhhhhhhhhh......??!!??

I know security forces at airport regularly "explode" unattended/suspect luggages, but do you really do that to your students as well ????

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />or did you mean "expulsion" ??? <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

That is the problem with spell check, I failed to look at the word. It has been a long week. Thanks Pete

From what gathered in this and other forums, no one has been stopped on the street and told to surrender his blade. I know about courthouses, schools, airports, clubs, concert halls, etc so I excluded those stories in my "research". One of the posts said that if you just mind your own business and you are smart about where you go and with what in your pocket you should be OK. I agree completely with this idea. No one seems to care about what I have in my pockets or on my belt unless I get it out. The Spyderco Military is a big knife, but it doesnt look like much in my pocket. And everyone is so used to seeing multitools now that I havent heard of anyone having a problem with them.

Thank you all for your replies and input. I appreciate it very much.

Garrett

PS: I hope after I leave the Marines I dont end up in a job where a SAK is considered a weapon. I dont think I could bear it!!

G

All in all, no no hassles at all, exceptin in Washington DC, where we got some static, but were not denied entry because of my rescue knife.

But I don't make a big show of it - it's just a small black bag that I carry all the time, you know? Most people only see the outside of it, and maybe I pull the first aid kit out. I don't have to explain why there's an MRE, KI tabs and various tools and such, since I don't go around dumping out my kit on the table all the time.
On the other hand, people who know me and hang out with my will casually ask me things like, "Say, do you have some electrical tape, glow sticks and zip-lock bags I could use?" and expect me to have it nearby.

And in all seriousness, my EDK is really that - I use something out of it almost every day, just running round being dad, a fireman, the guy at my son's school who fixes stuff and a homeowner.