Blog #178 – Carrying a Knife Everyday

When you jet out the door every morning there is a routine before you leave the house. It is the normal “pocket pat-down” for most of us. Did I remember to bring my phone, wallet, and keys? If you happen to be more vigilant about protecting yourself and those around you that “pocket pat-down” could be an even longer list: phone, wallet, keys, carry pistol, and knife. Knife? That’s absolutely right. Having an everyday carry knife on yourself has become as common as an everyday carry (EDC) pistol is. The reasons for carrying a knife are plentiful. For some people, it is an authentic tool of self-defense. If you search around thoroughly enough you can just as easily find knife combative and self-defense classes as you can find courses for concealed carry. It all depends on the level of training or familiarity you have with a given tool. One upside of carrying a knife for self-defense or even the utility of cutting open packages is its small footprint. Some people carry small folding knives that drop into a pocket and disappear. Other people might carry a karambit self-defense knife with a custom-molded, Kydex sheath. Again, it all depends on the level of training and field-use you intend for your knife. On a daily basis, I carry and use a knife for an assortment of tasks. I will break down and flatten cardboard boxes to be recycled. I can strip the plastic over-molding on wires if I am doing electrical work. I clean my knife and will literally use it to make a sandwich (between drinking from the garden hose and that, that is how you build an immunity). Finally, my knife is a form of self-defense. Similar to a pistol, it is a tool – nothing more – that we carry on us and pray that we never actually have to deploy it. Sometimes the presence of it can be enough. Astutely observant people might notice the pocket clip of your knife showing on the outside of your pants. That could be enough to deter an unscrupulous person from bothering you. Other times, you might need to present or brandish your knife openly – and again – that could be enough for an assailant to want to walk away and pick a “softer target” to bother than you. Knives carry many uses, and like most anything, you should get trained and familiar with them because they are merely a tool. They are only as powerful as the individual yielding them. So, if you are contemplating carrying a knife for defense, cutting cardboard boxes, or getting that extra dollop of Mayonnaise on your mid-day sandwich, these are all things to consider. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!