3 Things We Wish Non-Knife People Knew

Much as we hate to admit it, we really do separate the people in this world into two groups: Those who "get" knives, and those who don't. Here are a few things we wish that the latter group understood.

1. Knives are tools. For knife people, modern life can be a challenge. See, there's this public perception that a knife -- any knife -- is a weapon.

It's an attitude that's spawned unfounded fear among the uninformed, as well as all manner of spurious laws. (Just ask our friends in the U.K.)

We know better. We know that knives are tools .

Knives are both useful and necessary. They prepare our food, perform countless tasks throughout our workdays and leisure time, and even save lives. Knives are the indispensable companions of tradesmen, first responders and everyday folk.

Like any tool, a knife is simply an object. It deserves respect, but certainly not fear.

2. Knife people aren't all woodsmen. Lots of knife people celebrate The Great Outdoors. Many of us enjoy spending time (and using our knives) hiking and camping, hunting and fishing and more.

We're not all hairy lumberjacks, though, and we're not always on the prowl for something to whittle or chop down. Some of us use our knives only at the office or around the house, never getting so much as a whiff of campfire smoke. Others among us are collectors, fond of our knives simply because, well, they're knives.

In short, knife people look pretty much like the rest of society. It takes all kinds.

(For the record, we actually do know a few knife-loving lumberjacks -- and they're okay.)

3. People who are enthusiastic about knives are some of the smartest, most practical folks you'll ever meet. We know a lot of knife people, and we can testify that this is absolutely true.

Knives are hand tools, so as knife people we truly enjoy working with our hands. Whether it's using our knives or taking care of them (sharpening them, that is), we have a keen interest in honing our skills.

We're just down-to-earth that way.

And because knives carry a long, rich tradition, we also tend to be history buffs. Not only can we recite all the geeky stuff about our blades -- patterns, steels, locking mechanisms and the like -- many of us probably could teach a master class on their lineage.

Yes, we know that there will always be those who'll never understand knives and knife people. Still, we think these are points worth making -- for them, and for us.