At that same gathering, my brother, his five sons and I were standing around talking.
TSA came up and we all joked about security theater.
The next topic was “Favorite knives we’ve lost to security theater.”
Turns out that all but myself have lost knives to security theater. The closest I’ve come was when I was called over because my 8 or 9 year old daughter was caught with a steak knife in her carry on.
We just tossed it. I had to explain to her that it isn’t ok to take knives through security.
This discussion lead to the “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” stage. In front of girlfriends and wives and everything.
So 7 guys. I lost count at over 25 knives being displayed. And I know damn well that not a one of us showed all of our knives.
I felt distinctly out classed in the knife realm. Having only a Cold Steel locking folder and a Gerber to show. I don’t think the Sig would have counted.
Nobody else was carrying. Even though bro has a permit to carry.
But as we have said in the past: the difference between a winner and a loser in a knife fight is that one of them dies at the scene, the other on the way to the hospital
Well, Awa, I think I could keep pace with your crew. The following is my confession, I cannot tell a lie. (I tried counseling, but it only made it worse).
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Clipped to my pocket is my Medford Nosferatu, which I’ve customized. On my belt front right at the 1:30 position is the Shiworks 2-dbl. edge Bang Tang, and at the 10:30 position is an upside-down mounted Winkler Push Dagger–both of these weapons are designed for the down-draw deployment. Also, on the belt at the 3:30 position is a Winkler Defense Dagger and at the 8:30 position is a Winkler Weapon Retention Tool (large). And hanging on my neck is a Winkler Tactical 4″ Pick.
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I think I have told this story before: a big group of IPDA shooters were having a post-match lunch at a restaurant and one of the ladies asked, “Does anybody have a knife I can borrow?”
About a dozen hands came up, each flipping a knife open and offered.
The restaurant went vewy vewy quiet till after we put our knives away.
And as stated above, those were not the only knives in that table, and I don’t mean the ones with the silverware.
Not every one dies as a result of a knife fight. In 45 years I’ve seen plenty of people in ER carved up like the christmas goose. But everyone loses because even if you survive you’ll have scars, pain and sometimes permanent disabilities.
Legacy of growing up in Holland: I only carry a Swiss Army knife. But, interestingly enough, in Holland when I was a Boy Scout (1960s) it was normal practice for all of them to carry fixed blades on their belt. I never heard anyone question that. I still have the one I made myself, to replace the one lost in the river. The replacement started out life as a cutoff saw blade, seriously hard high speed steel.
I love Swiss Army knives, especially the Recruit. Everyone has their favorite, I’ve found.
My own favorite carry knives are all small fixed blades. The one on my keys was made from a blade sold by Texas Knifemaker Supply. I left the scales off and reshaped the blade. It’s flat and compact–perfect for pocket carry, attached to my key ring. The keys help the sheath drop back into the pocket when the knife is drawn. I use a tiny neck knife far more. The one I’m carrying today is a small kiridashi I made from an old file. The blade is just over an inch in length. It gets a lot of use. The draw is between shirt buttons. I’ve heard, “Where did that come from?,” many times when it’s appeared in my hand. I can often draw it, cut something, and put it away without anyone even seeing it.
Bob G