# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/61 "2010-07-15T05:54:15Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > I carry this [Kershaw](http://www.kershawknivesdirect.com/kershaw-shallot-black-stainless-handle-blade-plain-edge-p-8570.html) Now I like that knife… ---
**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 15, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/62 "2010-07-15T06:30:37Z")
Aw, I’m sorry. :smack: I shouldn’t have said Guys. I gotta remember some women’s pants have pockets these days. Or a purse works too. I’ll do better next time. > [@GilaB](#): > > I’m female, so I didn’t vote, but I keep a Swiss Army knife in my purse. I rarely have occasion to use it, but it comes in handy often enough, and weighs little enough, that it’s worth it for me to carry it around. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/63 "2010-07-15T07:06:21Z")
I did for years and years and years ( mostly assorted Victorinox models ). And I lost or broke them year after year after year. I gave up about a decade ago. Same with umbrellas, really. More trouble than they are worth for an absent-minded bloke like myself. ---
**Author:** ![Jamodu\_Green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Jamodu\_Green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamodu_Green)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/64 "2010-07-15T07:14:34Z")
I used to carry a Victorinox [Swiss Card](http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=swisscard&product=53321) all the time. I stopped doing this when I once had to drop off some documents to a person inside a court building. I voluntarily handed the item to security, who I had to plead with to get the item back when I left. ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/65 "2010-07-15T07:15:16Z")
I carry an assisted-opening Gerber a lot like [this](http://www.great-lakes.org/graphics-2/Gerber/rev07-31-06/7161_FastDraw.jpg), except mine is half-serrated. It was a gift but I’d probably buy one just like it anyway. I started carrying a knife at 10 and first used a short butter knife sharpened using a brick. I carried it wrapped in a bit of cloth and stuck in my sock. That practice stopped when I slipped on some steps and the blade went a little ways into the side of my foot. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/66 "2010-07-15T07:24:31Z")
I go through to much security. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/67 "2010-07-15T07:25:37Z")
Yep, carry one all the time. Have since I was a kid. My great grandfather was very big on them and always made sure I had one and that it was properly sharpened. My current one was a gift and I think it’s from from Sharper Image. It’s stainless steel with a single blade about two inches long. I use it several times a month. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/68 "2010-07-15T07:36:18Z")
If by pocket knife you mean a knife that fits in your pocket, [you betcha](http://sogknives.com/store/DFSA-98.html). A Swiss Army Knife it’s not, but it’s still exceptionally useful, and the [assisted-opening](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted-opening_knife) function makes it really quick. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/69 "2010-07-15T07:42:37Z")
I’ve had one of [these](http://www.toollogic.com/cc1.htm)(actually an earlier model, but essentially the same) in my wallet for the past 10 years or so. The blade can very useful at times. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/70 "2010-07-15T08:30:28Z")
A [Victorinox Picknicker](http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Picnicker-Pocket-Knife/dp/B0007QCOII/) in the pocket, and a [SwissTool](http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-SwissTool-Multi-Tool/dp/B0007QCP8M/) in my backpack (I prefer the Picknicker because the large blade locks - felt a bit unsafe sometimes with a nonlocking pocket knife. I don’t fly often, preferring trains.) ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/71 "2010-07-15T09:21:20Z")
Not a guy but I carry a leatherman knife/tool with me most times. And my late DH usually carried a pocket knife, as did his father (maybe a Texas thing). I have to be aware of taking it out when I go certain places where it might cause a fuss, but dammit, it is a TOOL, not a weapon (geez, if I could hurt, much less say kill, someone with this thing, it is ME, not the thing, they need to worry about! :D) and it has come in handy more than once. FTR, I also carry a metal fork with me at most times (the biodegradable ones on campus start to degrade during my meal…) I gotta say, something about a man with a pocket knife really turns me on…maybe just that he can get that DVD or CD open without having to leave the room…wow. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/72 "2010-07-15T09:58:05Z")
I’m a girl and I have a Swiss army knife in my purse. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/73 "2010-07-15T10:24:59Z")
I’ve carried [this Gerber](http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/187) for better than twenty years, but only when I’m wearing pants. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/74 "2010-07-15T10:50:43Z")
I carried one from when I was surveying 30 odd years ago. I am pretty sure that back then anyone could carry a pocket knife if the blade was less than 4 inches long and it had to be opened manually. A couple of years ago I pulled it out to open an awkward package and people at work were horrified. They informed me that it is illegal to have any kind of knife in your pocket and so it is. The Summary Offences Act 1998 makes it an offence for a person to have custody of a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse. So no knife no more. ---
**Author:** ![bartleby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bartleby/32/10491_2.png) [@bartleby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bartleby)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/75 "2010-07-15T11:37:03Z")
i have a Victoronox Minichamp that’s attached to my keyring. I’ve had various swiss-army knives since i was a kid. mostly i use it to cut out paper toys these days… ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/76 "2010-07-15T11:59:15Z")
I carry a big folding knife, with a 3-1/2 inch blade. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/77 "2010-07-15T12:12:56Z")
I’m a girl, and I carry 2 pocket knives. I have a very classic swiss army knife that belonged to my dad that he carried from the time he got it at the age of 6 until he got put into the hospital, and a small spyderco folder that clip into my bra and is actually fairly difficult to find in a quick patdown. I have a newish swiss army knife that is similar to my dads I carry when I dont want to risk losing my dads knife. mrAru carries a regular swiss army knife, and also a navy issue [marlinspike](http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-knives/colonials-seaworthy-duo/). I find it amazing how useful a marlinspike actually can be! THe blade part is ok, it gets some looks because it is shaped a bit differently, and the spike can be used for more than just splicing ropes, it is great for winkling apart tough knots, poping vent holes in cans, and once for punching a hole in a watermelon to pour midori cordial in =) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/78 "2010-07-15T12:37:24Z")
Most of the time I carry a [KA-BAR TDI](http://www.specopstactical.com/shop/catalog/images/3266_KABAR_TDI_KNIFE.jpg). It is definitely a weapon. I also usually carry either a Gerber Clutch or Leatherman Juice. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/79 "2010-07-15T13:22:17Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > I’m female, so I didn’t vote, but I keep a Swiss Army knife in my purse. I rarely have occasion to use it, but it comes in handy often enough, and weighs little enough, that it’s worth it for me to carry it around. I carry one of those multi-tool things in my purse. I also have a small key that has a knife on it, and a box cutter. I always have to remember to empty my purse before I go to the courthouse. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714/80 "2010-07-15T13:40:57Z")
I carry a Skeletool, which is a leatherman with one-handed knife capabilities. There’s a Squirt in my car, as well as a flip knife, and I’ve got some other stuff hanging around wherever I go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-still-carry-a-small-pocket-knife/546714.md?page=5)