Good point on the reaction from the LEOs.

By law and policy if someone says something about you having a knife and being worried, made uncomfortable or startled by it they have to stop what they are doing and talk to you to determine what happened and what your intentions are. They are unlikely to appreciate the waste of time that goes with most 'armed man' calls.

Point being that it pays to take others feelings and thoughts into account before too casually 'whipping it out'. Some people may be enthusiastic about seeing your knife. Others shocked and made uncomfortable. A lot of the reaction depends on how you couch it.

With a person easily worried and startled you might simply suggest that because you have to use some tools they might want to step back so they won't get hurt as you work. Politeness and courtesy are free and they pay big dividends.

Years ago a guy robbed a pair of old ladies. After the police caught him the ladies declined to press charges because he had been so polite. Even a thief can benefit from the touch of class lent by being polite and courteous.