Phydeaux on 1/3/2006 at 14:40

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See, now you're just being a pedantic dick and arguing semantics.

I NEVER spoke about Brits being able to carry a knife with the intent of self defense. YOU (and some other people) infered that I was talking about using a knife to defend oneself. The only mention I made about this subject was in response to somebody else, where I said that a knife is a pretty bad idea. The only other mentions I made of defending oneself was regarding non-lethal options like pepper spray or a taser.

The only times I mentioned "rights" were in regards to a person being able own and carry a knife, without being restricted to certain types. I might not have specified "for utility use", but I certainly never said anything about "for self defense". Yet you implied that I was (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1412786#post1412786) here.

I (as well as Jennie&Tim) called you out on this, yet you're clinging on to your position (whatever it is, all I can figure out is that you're being an argumentitive prick) based on semantics.

That's your clue to learn to fucking read and/or STFU, in case that passed you by as well.


Way to miss the whole point. Maybe I was too abstract, or maybe you don't like to think, so I'll explain for you.

The way Naartjie worded
implies that there's something intrinsic about the knife that makes it dangerous. Perhaps, even that simply by picking up such a knife, I'll start stabbing people (but surely, he couldn't be implying something as idiotic as that--I'll give him the benifit of the doubt).

The balisong I carry (Bradley Mayhem) has titanium handles that are sandblasted to make them grippy, and is contured to fit the hand. The spine of the blade has thumb ridges for grip. The S30V blade holds an edge very well, and is sharp enough to shave a gnat's ballsack. The blade is broad, unlike my old Benchmade 42 (which tends to bind when slicing cardboard) and slices very well. Most importantly, a balisong can be opened with one hand, from pretty much any grip, and doesn't require it to be locked to be safe. One has to only keep the handles gripped tightly, and there's no way the knife can fold on you. I don't have to spend time locking/unlocking the knife to use it safely. This knife is, in most aspects, a very well built, and very utilitarian knife.

That's why I carry a balisong, and this one in particular. Plus, it's fun and it gives me something for my hands to do when I'm bored.

What the knife doesn't do is instill me with an uncontrollable compullsion to stab people. It doesn't instill me with thoughts of criminality. The fact that it's a butteryfly knife in no way whatsoever makes it, or me with it, a danger to anybody. It has and serves many "conceivable uses", as Naartjie put it, that have nothing to do with stabbing people.

The knife is an object. It is a tool. It can be used as a weapon, but so can a tire iron or SUV. If only Chevy Blazers were used in road rage incidents, would you ban Chevy Blazers? Of course not, that's stupid. So why ban certain knives? Because of after-the-fact association with criminals? If it makes you feel safer, then fine, go ahead, live in your delusional "safe" world where your laws really do make a difference. Just don't come crying to me next time somebody mugs you with a flick knife.

SubJeff on 1/3/2006 at 15:03

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Of course it does, because there is. Objects can have properties seperate from the intention of the user. Butterfly and flick knifes are easily concealable and easily deployable - that is the issue with them. This an intrinsic property of the type of knife and the reason why they are illegal in the UK. Similarly; guns - high damage, long range, rapid fire/damage potential. All intrinsic properties of the item regardless of who is holding it.

To ignore the fact of intrisic "dangerousness" is to be pigheaded or clueless about these situtations.

Way to go on the ebladepenis, your description really helps us see your point of view and not think you are some knife obsessed nut.

Does not compute.

jay pettitt on 1/3/2006 at 15:10

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Then that would be a gravity knife - which is illegal. Locking knives like D'Juhn Keep's have a folding action (at least they do if they're like my multi-tool thingy), but arn't considered folding because of the addition of a locking mechanism - and thus become a fixed blade. They're legal, but you need good reason to carry one in a public place.
(http://www.hrcr.org/safrica/arrested_rights/Harris_DirPubPros.htm)
clicky

Phydeaux on 1/3/2006 at 15:26

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To deploy a butterfly knife, you have to remove it from your pocket, squeeze the handles to release the latch, deftly whirl the handle and blade around, and position it for use (and maybe latch it closed). This takes practice to learn, and it takes time to do. I'm relatively practiced (not much with tricks, but opening/closing I've got down pat), but it still takes me longer to open my balisong than it would for me to pull my Swiss Army knife out of my pocket and open it with two hands.

Similarly, a "flick knife", at least the typical one that I linked above, has a saftey slider that has to be disengaged (if you don't engage it when it's in your pocket, you'll probably have the knife blade in your leg) and the button has to be pressed. Probably about as time consuming as opening any other folding knife.

Even if I grant you the point that certain knives might be easier/qucicker to deploy, the point I originally made before we got off on tangents, is that the laws banning these knives do nothing to stop the crime. Do you think that if you legalized them, muggings and stabbings would increase?

I never claimed not to be a knife obsessed nut. Well, maybe not quite obsessed, but definitely extremely enthusiastic. I have my hobbies, you have yours. However I still make the claim that I'm not a stab-happy switchblade wielding maniac.


JFC, how many times do I have to repeat myself? I'm talking about the LAWS not having ANY AFFECT on CRIME. If the WORKED, theFonz would have been FUCKING MUGGED with a FLICK KNIFE!

Shug on 1/3/2006 at 15:47

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Brought to you by the same genius recommending one should charge a gun