Displaying knives in public

[mountainm]

I think the answer is fairly obvious; for some people there is no element of machismo, for others there's a tiny bit and for some there's a great bit. BUT!! So what? Why does it matter? Is there something wrong if there is? What's the difference between wearing a $100 knife (as a wardrobe accessory) and a $2000 Rolex?

Precisely, I'm not knocking wearing one just fathoming the real reason why so many of us would. I probably would myself at such an occasion.

Given I spend a good amount of spare time making sheaths its a shame not to show them off.

But let's be honest - the chances of me needing and using my dwc at such an event are small unless I am camping. So yes, I'd wear it to show off, and yes I probably do look like a robin hood extra. Its ceremonial at best - and therein lies my shame. It's a tool, not a decoration and in my heart I know it should be treated as such but the 9 year old boy that also resides in my heart wants me to have it strapped to my hip. If I give in any further I'd have an axe dangling from the other hip and a quiver of arrows on my back.

But I'm not 9.

 

[santaman2000]

Precisely, I'm not knocking wearing one just fathoming the real reason why so many of us would. I probably would myself at such an occasion.

Given I spend a good amount of spare time making sheaths its a shame not to show them off.

But let's be honest - the chances of me needing and using my dwc at such an event are small unless I am camping. So yes, I'd wear it to show off, and yes I probably do look like a robin hood extra. Its ceremonial at best - and therein lies my shame. It's a tool, not a decoration and in my heart I know it should be treated as such but the 9 year old boy that also resides in my heart wants me to have it strapped to my hip. If I give in any further I'd have an axe dangling from the other hip and a quiver of arrows on my back.

But I'm not 9.

LOL. Agreed. But lets be honest; isn't that why we're in bushcraft itself? For the sheer fun of it? After all, is there a REAL need for bushcraft in our modern lives?

 

[rik_uk3]

How's your hand Richard?

Sent from my HTC Explorer using Tapatalk 2

Mighty fine, thanks for asking bet both of yours are numb by now though, you should give them a rest chap, RSI could affect your ability to suture yourself

Anway away from childish jibes and banter

I will say once more, I would not be bothered but can see why some others would be, so it for me is a matter of consideration for Joe Public. You can wear your outfits when camping in the woods with chums.

You don't go to a Tractor show dressed as Farmer Giles, you don't go to some Shakespeare production dressed as Hamlet, you don't go to a radio ham show with an antenna strapped to your head, you might dress up as Obiwan for a Stars Wars event but...and this may be a shock to some...lightsabers ain't real.

 

[Prawnster]

Mighty fine, thanks for asking bet both of yours are numb by now though, you should give them a rest chap, RSI could affect your ability to suture yourself

Anway away from childish jibes and banter

I will say once more, I would not be bothered but can see why some others would be, so it for me is a matter of consideration for Joe Public. You can wear your outfits when camping in the woods with chums.

You don't go to a Tractor show dressed as Farmer Giles, you don't go to some Shakespeare production dressed as Hamlet, you don't go to a radio ham show with an antenna strapped to your head, you might dress up as Obiwan for a Stars Wars event but...and this may be a shock to some...lightsabers ain't real.

This thread is about knives but you're trying to start another bushcraft uniform debate. Why? Genuinely curious. Has it not been done to death?


Sent from my phone.

 

[John Fenna]

LOL. Agreed. But lets be honest; isn't that why we're in bushcraft itself? For the sheer fun of it? After all, is there a REAL need for bushcraft in our modern lives?

There is a need for bushcraft in my life - teaching the skills, making the gear and writing about the gear are all part of my income streams!

 

[demographic]

Kin ell, its all gone a bit burn the heretic in here hasn't it?

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

If 'Joe public' is going to a bushcraft show surely they know what its about or they wouldnt go in the first place. Ok so maybe a few will out of curiosity. Those that know what bushcraft is will go with an open mind to the fact that knives /axes are part of the tool selection and probably wont be alarmed to see these tools being carried openly.

If you know nothing of bushcraft and are visiting said show with someone who understands what is going to be seen should either explain before hand or when they arrive.

Yes we all have our opinions on what is right or wrong and what is acceptable at these shows or gatherings but do we really need to push our opinions on to others.

 

[789987]

yes


yes we do.

 

[Wayland]

Snip> I could be minded to accuse the original post of trolling having thought it over and read the elicited replies.

It would IMHO be a sad day when someone cannot write a well structured post that might differ from generally held thoughts on the forum without getting accused of trolling. If that starts then the only views we'll hear will be the ones everyone agrees with...

+1 for Johnboy on that one.

I've tried to stay out of this one because I can see exactly what the OP is getting at.

I don't necessarily agree entirely but I can see the perception that's easily formed and that would be enough for many people to make an issue of, rightly or wrongly.

Having said that, I work with about 6000 kids a year in schools with a knife clearly visible on my belt every day.

No one bats an eyelid because it is entirely appropriate to do so in my line of work.

So.... there isn't just a teeny tiny bit of Machismo when you hang the blade off your belt... just a little bit? okenest:

I think this is quite near the mark in reality and possibly why the reaction to a perfectly reasonable post has been so agressive.

When I went to the Arctic for a fortnight I survived very well with a sub 3" folder in my pocket and a small hawk / hatchet in my bag. I didn't even have my saw for half of that time.

Did the world end because I didn't have my trusty Leuku with me?........... (Answers on a postcard.)

Snip> Perhaps this need to wear the bushy uniform and dangle your blade feeds the re-enactment element that has become part of 'bushcraft' ?

Well done Richard, that's four of your regular pot shots in just one post...

Just missed out the one about us all being campers.

 

[rik_uk3]

But we are all campers Wayland, to go out for the night and stay in a shelter and your camping, what else would it be; "I'm going to stay out for the night in a temporary shelter" = "Going camping tonight", the only difference is the shelter used.

 

[Chris the Cat]

Let it go, this is begining to make us look stupid now IMHO.
Chris.

 

[spandit]

Aren't kittens lovely?

 

[Mikey P]

My last point, to address some of the comments earlier.

There may be a legal 'right' to wear knife on your belt at a bushcraft show; however, it doesn't mean you have to or you should. Perceptions by other people DO matter and, ultimately, may impact on our 'right' to wear a knife on a belt under certain situations. There are consequences to all actions and, therefore, we all have responsibilities. That appears to have been largely forgotten in today's society but that's another thread altogether...

An analogy, if I may. Tax evasion is illegal. Tax avoidance is not. However, is tax avoidance morally right in all cases? In many circumstances, it is perfectly proper to claim work-related expenses against income. But, if you are, say, a large bank who moves assets overseas and out of the jurisdiction of HMRC, despite making income in the UK, it may be 'legal' but is it morally right and acceptable?

I see above a lot of "It's my right to do it and I'm going to do it, regardless of how it may be perceived and the impact it may have on my hobby in the future"

Yep, you are correct. It is your 'right'. I don't disagree with that. But, beyond that initial 'black and white' statement, I feel there should be more thought into the appropriateness under the situation. I can't honestly see how this restricts anyone's enjoyment of 'bushcraft' itself - I go to food shows but I don't feel the need to carry my favourite frying pan around with me on my belt.

 

[Prawnster]

Maybe I'm missing something here but it seems to me that people are forgetting that the scenario we're talking about is taking place at a BUSHCRAFT show!! There are knives, axes, machetes, goloks all over the flippin' place!

If there's one place where bushcrafters can ogle, fondle AND CARRY sharps without being made to feel like a potential murderer it's at a bushcraft show.

If we can't do that there for fear of upsetting a few people who just might have an irrational fear of sharp metal then we might as well give up the whole thing, stay at home, draw the curtains and wait for death.


Sent from my phone.

 

[rik_uk3]

So if you went to a rifle show you'd walk round with a shotgun

 

[British Red]

...or if you went to a dog show, would you walk around with a dog?

...oh...hang on

 

[spandit]

So if you went to a rifle show you'd walk round with a shotgun

Yes, in a case/sleeve, which is the same as a knife in a sheath or are people walking around holding them in their hands/teeth?

 

[santaman2000]

So if you went to a rifle show you'd walk round with a shotgun

I quite often take my guns to a gun show. That's what they're about; trading guns at the vendor's table.

 

[steve a]

I did not go to this show but were there any classes/workshops, I know at the the Wilderness Gathering that classes are on going throughout the day, many are practical where people use their knives ie. trap making, carving classes, knife safety classes etc.
It's not been mentioned so far but maybe part of the reason why ?

 

[HillBill]

Indeed. Hemp is/was the strongest natural fibre due to it having the longest molecule. Henry Ford built a car from hemp in 1941 It was lighter than steel and could withstand 10 times the impact of steel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rgDyEO_8cI

And some more recent cannabis cars
http://www.topnews.in/law/green-car-made-cannabis-its-way-224825
http://crispgreen.com/2010/08/smokin-sports-car-made-from-hemp-video/

Sailcloth was canvas - which shares its names origin with Cannabis - it was hemp cloth
As was tarpauline - hemp again!
Yep - the original Levis were hemp!
Check your google