# Guys - do you still carry a small pocket knife? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714 "2010-07-14T20:51:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/1 "2010-07-14T20:51:01Z")
Guys - do you still carry a small pocket knife? I’m curious if men still carry pocket knives. I’ve heard teenagers can’t carry them to school anymore. :rolleyes: The airport security takes them from passengers. I still carry mine. It’s not a weapon. A small pen knife. Clean my nails, open letters, cut string or tape on packages etc. My uncle gave me my first pocket knife when I was nine. A pretty common Case pocket knife. [http://www.pocketknivesrus.com/image\_manager/attributes/image/image\_3/42502949\_10124156.jpg](http://www.pocketknivesrus.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_3/42502949_10124156.jpg) Do you prefer a particular brand or style? Any carry a Swiss pocket knife with all the tools? Do you prefer vintage knifes? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/2 "2010-07-14T20:52:48Z")
No. I used to when I worked outside in a garden center and it was constantly useful. Working a desk job, it just never comes up and I haven’t missed it in the years I’ve gone without. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/3 "2010-07-14T20:56:45Z")
Not since I was maybe 12. ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/4 "2010-07-14T20:58:45Z")
I do, most of the time, for small jobs. Very handy. Got my first one when I was 8 or so and promptly cut the tip of my finger nearly off. That’s one way to learn respect for a sharp blade. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/5 "2010-07-14T20:59:56Z")
It’s not quite a pocket knife, but I keep a cheap little key-sized multitool on my keyring. It’s not great, but it typically does the job well enough. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/6 "2010-07-14T21:02:03Z")
Leatherman Squirt on my keys, until it died in action. I carry a larger knife in my bag for cutting up apples and such. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/7 "2010-07-14T21:05:31Z")
I used to carry my father’s old pocket knife (my mother gave it to me when he died), but I don’t carry it with me because if I did I am certain that I would forget and end up having it taken from me during a security scan. So, it sits in my NASA coffee cup on my desk at home along with other memorabilia. ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/8 "2010-07-14T21:07:03Z")
Carry a multi-tool little Chinese knockoff of a Swiss Army knife-got it in a promotion and use it everyday for one thing or another. Father gave me a Winchester pocket knife when I was 13. My son has it now. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/9 "2010-07-14T21:15:35Z")
Almost forgot to mention my Boy Scout knife. 😉 I carried that up till college. Cheap metal. Never kept an edge. I still loved it. It got me through many a Jamboree. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/10 "2010-07-14T21:16:50Z")
Yes, I mostly keep a Swiss Army knife on me. Came in handy during the year I was warehousing and still comes in handy now. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/11 "2010-07-14T21:19:17Z")
Carry one? I don’t own one. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/12 "2010-07-14T21:49:44Z")
I **always** carry either a [Leatherman Squirt](http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_P4) or a [Gerber Clutch](http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/98) in my pocket. If I am away from home or classroom, there is a [Leatherman Juice](http://www.leatherman.com/products/product.asp?id=17&f=7&c=1) or a [Gerber Suspension](http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Suspension-Multi-Plier-1471.htm) in my pack or on my belt. I also have a couple of [Gerber Truss](http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Truss-Fine-Edge-22-01408.htm)knives clipped to my truck visor, tucked into an off pocket, or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/13 "2010-07-14T21:49:51Z")
Yes, I have one of [these](http://www.swisstechtools.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=VZ75GDTdP68A) on my key chain. It’s the size of a regular key so it’s not obtrusive at all and performs all the little functions I need it for. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/14 "2010-07-14T21:51:22Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Yes, I have one of [these](http://www.swisstechtools.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=VZ75GDTdP68A) on my key chain. It’s the size of a regular key so it’s not obtrusive at all and performs all the little functions I need it for. That’s exactly what I’ve got too, I just couldn’t remember the name. Handy little thing, if not as strong as a Leatherman. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/15 "2010-07-14T21:53:46Z")
Yes, I have one of the mini Swiss Army knives (the “classic”?) on my keyring. I use it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/16 "2010-07-14T21:55:40Z")
My husband has a tiny Leatherman knife-thing at all times, plus probably other things–he has a bunch of 'em. My 10yo girl likes to carry her Swiss Army knife\*, and I have a sort of multi-tool thingy in my purse since I lost my S.A. knife I had for years. (If anyone wants to give me a Leatherman, please feel free!) \*No, she couldn’t take it in a school, but she doesn’t go to school anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/17 "2010-07-14T21:56:41Z")
I used to carry one all the time, until I began working in a prison where it’s not allowed. So to make sure I don’t screw up and run afoul of the rules, I never carry one now. ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/18 "2010-07-14T21:57:05Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > That’s exactly what I’ve got too, I just couldn’t remember the name. Handy little thing, if not as strong as a Leatherman. Me three. ---
**Author:** ![Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Picard_Kills_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/19 "2010-07-14T21:59:06Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I **always** carry either a [Leatherman Squirt](http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_P4) or a [Gerber Clutch](http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/98) in my pocket. If I am away from home or classroom, there is a [Leatherman Juice](http://www.leatherman.com/products/product.asp?id=17&f=7&c=1) or a [Gerber Suspension](http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Suspension-Multi-Plier-1471.htm) in my pack or on my belt. I also have a couple of [Gerber Truss](http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Truss-Fine-Edge-22-01408.htm)knives clipped to my truck visor, tucked into an off pocket, or whatever. I also carry around a Leatherman Juice, the [KF4](http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-74103003K-Pocket-Multi-Tool-Yellow/dp/B0007UQ17O), which unfortunately isn’t made anymore (but still available to purchase in some online stores), because it is by far my favorite pocket knife out of any I have ever owned. I received it in 2007, and can’t even count the number it times I’ve used it to save my day when there weren’t any tools available. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/20 "2010-07-14T22:13:11Z")
Yup - it’s a [Victorinox Pioneer](http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=everyday&product=53960&). It probably gets use once a week or so to open a box, tighten a screw, whatever. Love having it on me - saves a lot of frustration. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714.md?page=2)