You can shake me down. Have me remove everything in my pockets, and there is one constant item: a small folding lockback knife. The curious ask why, and I glibly answer that where I grew up, it was wise to always carry.
But the knife is of legal length and would cause no issues with the law. And size-wise, it’s tiny. Those who point this out are promptly told that where I’m from, I’ve seen vicious damage done by people carrying bits of broken razor blades. The razor is deftly hidden between fingers and skillfully yielded to slash cheeks or other convenient targets. Afterward, it’s easily discarded. “Blade? Officer, you can see I’m not carrying a blade!”
Rumor had it, back in the day, that some women had mastered the art of carrying a bit of razor on the tongue. Deftly pull it out, and then deal mayhem. Not the sort of gal I was interested in dating!
The Blade
OK, once again, back in the day, I carried a rather nasty buck knife. And there was the time I was on the run that I wore a truly lethal dagger stuck in my boot. The seam of my jeans was split so that I could get easy access. Why? Some jerk had tried to shoot me, and I was going to get him before he got me, if I saw him. Luckily, I took him to court and got it resolved without further mayhem. The tough guy facade cracked in court when he found there was something that “daddy” couldn’t get him out of.
Ok, why do I carry a knife? Well, I’m a woodcarver dummy! I need it for work. It also comes in handy for opening packages, slitting tape, and cutting any number of things that require cutting. Don’t have scissors. Borrow my knife. But be careful, it’s very sharp. A dull knife is a great danger; it’ll slip because it can’t cut, and you’ll get stabbed.
The Sharp End
So select your knife carefully. I carry one of those little Opinel blades and think highly of them. The blade is very utilitarian; it’s got a solid rotating lock on the base of the blade that is both secure and easy to operate.
Now, Uncle Lou has a bit of closing advice. You know how if you fall down drunk, you can drown in a two-inch deep puddle? Well, a little two-inch knife can do a lot of damage when wielded against an attacker. Find a vulnerable spot, slash or stab, and watch them howl. Sorry, it’s the boy from a tricky part of town speaking, not the mature, wiser self!
So yes, the knife is utilitarian. But as one Navy instructor at a course in self-defense said, “Anything can be repurposed into a weapon.” That instructor then demonstrated how a sailor’s gob hat could be used as a weapon. He then showed how everyday things on our persons, or in the house, could be made lethal. On a pro-rated basis, the home is a perilous place.
So remember, the little blade is useful, but it’s mighty, too.
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I have always carried one of those small folding knife/scissor/nail file knives in my makeup case in my purse, but took it out when I was flying on a plane once and never replaced it. Wish I knew where it was. Did my last Fibbing Friday post by any chance remind you of Mack the Knife? I enjoyed your post and wonder why that jerk tried to shoot you. Now that must be a story.
It was a woman at the root of the attempted shooting. She said she had no boyfriend; he said she did. I was in the middle.
Thanks, Lou. I can’t stand not to know the details of any story…You solved my curiosity.And glad the matter was solved peacefully.
My Brain although I often forget where I put it.
Hmmmm….me too.
I carry a Swiss Army Knife because.
Because is a good enough reason.
I keep one of those knife, can opener, cork screw, nail file gadgets in my car. I’ve used the tip of the knife as a screwdriver.
Best tool for gardening as well.
True!