I thought folks here might find this (from the other side of my life) of interest, given our general POV on the subject of being prepared...

A Bloomberg writer displays ignorance and prejudice in an outrageous article stating, "Don't Call it a Pocketknife" because "carrying a knife isn't just an anachronism; it's a terrible idea. So let's retire the term pocketknife, along with the practice it implies." His ridiculous alternative: "stay-at-home-knife."



Ostensibly a complimentary article on a few nice knives and their makers (and a referral to New York City high-end knife retailer Mastersmiths, in a blog named Loot Blog - Time and Money (Mostly) Well Spent), writer Stan Parish goes off the rails in the introduction. His bias against carrying a pocketknife is clear when he goes on to say that, "your stay-at-home knife should have at least one purely decorative touch, a non-functional note that says this blade's for unboxing well-packaged wine -- not standing your ground." Apparently he simply cannot comprehend that someone might carry an Every Day Carry pocketknife as anything other than a weapon. Millions of law-abiding Americans would disagree.

Ironically, considering he's writing for a New York City-based publication in a locale that persecutes knife owners, his advice to leave the knife at home isn't without some degree of merit as related to the two pocketknives he features. Both are one-hand opening lock-blade folding knives knives that the city might consider illegal gravity knives under its unconstitutionally vague application of the state gravity knife ban as applied against common folding knives. Of particular interest, since the city claims such knives are "per se" illegal, meaning they would be illegal even to possess in the home, he illustrates the hypocrisy of the city's persecution, as well as his own ignorance.

Read the entire article here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-26/looking-sharp-meet-your-sexy-stay-at-home-knife.html

I was ready to get outraged, but upon a closer examination, the article turned out to be a thinly-veiled ad for a number of fine knives. The author is trying to sell something. I don't know if we need to read too deeply into that. I find the introduction without any substance, and I don't take any of it seriously.

On the other hand, it's a good idea to bring sensible knife laws to New York City and to other American cities. I urge people to support causes that will bring about the changes beneficial for us and other Boy Scout types.

Extreme restrictions on knives are inevitable, unfortunately. Once the prejudice against carrying guns is realized with extreme gun restrictions nationwide, knives will be next. We don't have to guess this will happen. It has already happened in New York City for example. Every time we passively agree to another restrictive law, that's one more step toward losing freedom. It's death by a thousand cuts. Every successive generation in America is increasingly willing to give up their rights for the sake of political correctness and/or perceived safety.

NYC has a tradition of banning guns -- Sullivan Act. I don't see that law encroaching on the US in my lifetime. Why the people of NYC put up with it is a head-scratcher. Is it constitutional? Has it been tested in front of the Supremes?

I am sure the gang bangers and hoods will display their usual compliance with such ordinances. The only people affected will be those who follow the laws anyway. When knives are outlawed, only outlaws will have knives.

Mr. Ritter,

With all due respect to your views about knife rights. What happened to similar outrage about other rights?

I realize that this is your sandbox but if this is "not a survivalist" site, what makes it appropriate to discuss knife rights at equipped.org? Wouldn't a more appropriate venue be kniferights.org?

What are your restrictions on the "general POV on the subject of being prepared"?

Why not demonize the known-to-be-the-source-of-all-evil pocket knife?

Why not support the National Knife Act of 2034? Or the Knife Control act of 2068? Or the Federal Assault Knife ban of 2094? After all, we must think of the kids.

Why tolerate the antics in 1911 NYC and be shocked when it suppresses more cherished rights today? Why not equate 1911 NYC to 1923 Munich?

====

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER..

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

A thin end of the wedge story once again to promote a nation of plastic spork toting Homo Ovis Urbanus's . Time to teach some etiquette beginning at School!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRL8xVjXK_w

I really can't tell what you're upset about. By definition it's virtually impossible to be "Equipped to Survive" without a knife! It only makes sense that Doug and his organization would be fighting to protect our right to carry a tool that nearly every human culture had considered to be essential for a hundred thousand years. Nothing could more germane to a site like this.

Even so, must one champion every possible right or forfeit the right to advocate for any? That doesn't make any sense at all. From my readings and from some videos Mr. Ritter is in it seems like he advocates for plenty of other things. Must he list them all at ETS?

I have to agree with Phaedrus. The knife seems like such a basic tool that it's in the interest of people on this forum to pay attention to the legal regulations. I'm afraid I also don't understand Yee's post. I can tell that he's upset. But I can't say what he's upset about, or what he wants us to do about it.

As for NYC, I suppose the next time I'm there, I'll have to carry around a newly bought set of kitchen knifes in a Macy's shopping bag...

I'm in agreement that it's a sales article instead of serious journalism. The writer is is leveraging off of an increasing penchence for security theater to promote buying high end knives as show pieces instead of EDC usage.

A couple weeks ago, I traveled with my wife to a craft fair, where she wanted to sell her hand-made crocheted, or knitted, or something, crafts. It was early on a Saturday, and she asked me to go to the local MacDonalds to get her a coffee and a MacEggSomething. I went in and got it. On the way out, I saw an elderly gentleman on his knees at the back of his car.

Seems his muffler had failed, and he needed something to cut the rubber thingy so he could drive home. I presented my Emerson CQC wave knife. As you probably know, the wave knife comes out of the pocket opened.

He accepted it and proceeded to cut off the muffler. When he gave it back to me he said, "I thought I was a Boy Scout."