Displaying knives in public

[Scots_Charles_River]

I don't wear my PFD about a canoe show, although I do wear my climbing harness when having a cuppa at the climbing wall cafe.........

It's not what BCUK users think about this but the joe public, like it or not it's all about the perceived image it gives, not the intention.

 

[bigroomboy]

Its a tool, thats all. Enough said

 

[Biker]

It's not what BCUK users think about this but the joe public, like it or not it's all about the perceived image it gives, not the intention.

That's just the point I wouldn't wear one about in public, even at a show like that for fear of people thinking I was some sort of wannabe Ray Mears. Maybe I'd have a day sack on my back to put my purchases in and the knife would sit in the side pocket but carrying it about like some gunslinger does make the wearer look sad.

Thanks Mike, I got what you were saying when you said it so succinctly. I go with the phylosophy of: "Why use 10 words, when 30 will do."

 

[Biker]

Its a tool, thats all. Enough said

Yes it IS a tool. But if there's nothing to use it on in the middle of a marque why would you want one on your belt? Other than to show off how big yours is or how expensive it was?

 

[Robbi]

LOL ! i can see it now, certianly Sir, come on in to our marque for tea and cake, please leave your knives at the reception, they will be returned when you leave, house rules Sir, no knives in a bushcraft show marque.

 

[vizsla]

I think for most who love there knives its annoying to have to use them discretely when in the woods and out of site for the risk of someone calling the feds. So when a chance like the show arises its nice to wear one with pride without worrying even if you dont need one. Its abit like people who have stupid hats or blinding summer shirts they only were when there abroad were they can get away with it

 

[Biker]

LOL ! i can see it now, certianly Sir, come on in to our marque for tea and cake, please leave your knives at the reception, they will be returned when you leave, house rules Sir, no knives in a bushcraft show marque.

If they had such a rule then they'd be shooting themselves in the foot bigtime. Like I said I agree with a majority of the replies but I also can see the OP point, assuming what I've been saying is what he meant of course. Wouldn't be the first time I've put my foot in my mouth here.

 

[mountainm]

I think for most who love there knives its annoying to have to use them discretely when in the woods and out of site for the risk of someone calling the feds. So when a chance like the show arises its nice to wear one with pride without worrying even if you dont need one. Its abit like people who have stupid hats or blinding summer shirts they only were when there abroad were they can get away with it

You make it sound like nudism. "Its ok- we're like minded individuals let's all get our tools out! "

 

[Biker]

I think for most who love there knives its annoying to have to use them discretely when in the woods and out of site for the risk of someone calling the feds. So when a chance like the show arises its nice to wear one with pride without worrying even if you dont need one. Its abit like people who have stupid hats or blinding summer shirts they only were when there abroad were they can get away with it

So then in this instance it is a vanity thing. Hey then if it floats your boat then fine, go for it. Saying that, I would wear my Hill Bill knife on my belt with pride because I have one and love it. So I guess I could be just as guilty as the rest and wear it it as an accessory for "going out". I won't be wearing the sequinned ballgown though!

 

[John Fenna]

I quite happily wear my belt knife around our village - if I am off to use it. I seems that everyone knows that it is a tool.
At the show I would imagine that a great deal of the wearing of knives was for one major reason - and a perfectly reasonable one as it was a show - and that reason is show!
Showing off your pride and joy, custom, hand made, home made or just a Mora, is no crime - especially at a Bushcraft show!
Folk buy rediculously over spec cars and drive them in place where they cannot be used to their real potential - and others admire them for their look, potential performance, custom features etc.
No one bats an eyelid - but cars used irresponsibly (especially those that can exceed the lawful restrictions imposed on them for others safety) kill and maim more innocent people per year in Britain than any knife ever did.
Make people ashamed of their overspec motor vehicles before you make them ashamed of their sharps I say!
Ban folk driving to car shows before you get upset about people peacably wearing a knife on their belt.
Make unnessessary use of motor vehicles, driving when you could walk, catch a bus or train, driving for pleasure of just driving etc and you will save more innocent lives than by banning the carrying of a personal sharp tool - be it just to show off the knife or for serious use.
Be sure to prosecute anyone who uses a sharp for illegal reasons just as you would a driver who uses their vehicle in a dangerous way or in an illegal manner - any threat to innocent lives is just not on in my book.
Having a sharp in your hand when pshed is as bad as drunk driving, showing off with a blade in public is as bad as speeding or playing at handbreak turns on public roads ... but one boy racer can wipe out a bus queue of bystanders very easily, a prat with a blade my injure one (hopefully themselves) or at worst a couple of people before being stopped.
If someone wants to deliberately hurt another then I doubt that they will be searching out a bushcraft knife at a bushcraft show to do the deed...

 

[Tristar777]

I never went, but if just one member of the normal public saw men, women and children responsibly wearing/carrying and/or using tools for their correct purpose and wasn't shocked into immediately calling for a SWAT team, then that's a win.


I am sick to death of the minority spoiling it for the majority and the "powers to be" having a knee-jerk reaction that only affects the law-abiding.

Hi. I agree 100%. Its the perfect place to show these items are tools being used responsibly and not weapons! These may be the few last places that we can show there is a difference to what the media would have the world to believe!

 

[FGYT]

Yes it IS a tool. But if there's nothing to use it on in the middle of a marque why would you want one on your belt? Other than to show off how big yours is or how expensive it was?

because its still in a public place if you leave it in your tent / Hammock and you are still legally responsible for it




I wear mine for advertising

displaying all the relevant HSE warnings

 

[Robbi]

hey,......nice buttocks

 

[johnboy]

Every November there is a military show in the town of Cambridge close to where we live.

Lots of folks attend that show and a lot of guys go along as reenactors dressed up in all of the kit to make them look like a US WW2 Paratrooper or a Member of the SS etc... I suspect part of the attraction is in collecting all the kit together and making as credible reenactment as possible....

I also suspect folk don't see these blokes dressed up as SS Troopers complete with all of the kit and call the Police as you'd sort of expect to see folk dressed like that at that sort of event....

However if someone was walking up the high street fully dressed up and swinging an MP40 around I guess someone might call the police..

Its the same deal with the bushcraft show. Folk like to dress the part and a bushcraft show is an appropriate place to do it..

 

[Jock]

Some people on here seem to worry too much about image
,there are so many stealth posts trying to prove I'm cooler than many because " ----- " (insert your favourite from .I wear this ,I dont wear this, I use this, I wouldn't use this blah blah)

Relax & try not to worry about other peeps, as long as they aren't causing any harm, let it go

 

[boatman]

Try going to a reenactment if you are worried by sharp things worn in front of the public. Blunts on the field maybe but a lot of swords and knives are sharp around the traders and authentic village. But then we reenactors are exempt from the stupid nothing over 3 inches etc law by membership of a reenactment society, what a shame bushcrafters didn't think to get such an amendment for themselves. Love seeing the children at reenactments armed to the teeth in their own packs doing whatever it is they get up to and better not to ask.

 

[Tengu]

Come on, I was only wearing two knives and a hatchet.

 

[mountainm]

Come on, I was only wearing two knives and a hatchet.

And given that's all you were wearing i hope they were strategically placed...

 

[santaman2000]

That's just the point I wouldn't wear one about in public, even at a show like that for fear of people thinking I was some sort of wannabe Ray Mears. Maybe I'd have a day sack on my back to put my purchases in and the knife would sit in the side pocket but carrying it about like some gunslinger does make the wearer look sad...

Why is it sad? Maybe it's a vaity thing as you said in post 29. But what if it is? Why is wearing a knife (at a bushcraft show) any different from wearing a tux to a wedding. Either way, looking to fit in with the occassion seems appropriate (not getting into the legalities here as that's its own can of worms)

 

[Teepee]

If I was camping at that show, no way would I leave my knife under my tarp.

Someone might borrow it and roll the edge!