The point of knives

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What you say is true, but I still don't see any negatives on changing the shape of kitchen knives to remove the sharp point in most instances. It might not change the world, but it might change the outcome of a few brawls.

Of course the government should to continue to work on the social issues that lead to people believing that brawling is a good way to solve disputes but that goes without saying really.

It might change the outcome of a few brawls, but the knife crime in the UK from what I'm aware of is not about tensions boiling over at the pub but from people who carry a knife for the specific purpose of using it to deliberately wound or rob someone.

As I say - I doubt this will make much of an impact on anything given that there are a lot of knives already in circulation (you can buy tactical knives at army & navy stores for instance) and its relatively easy to import these items from Europe (in which respect its a bit like the DC gun ban).

That said - people have been stabbed since the dawn of time, they have also been sapped over the head with coshes, hammers and clubs. Not that we can relativise these things - but it surely has to be accepted that intent is the defining factor here, rather than capacity.

To some extent these are some of the same arguments that apply to guns here in the US - though the availability of certain types of firepower (machine guns for example) necessitates some restriction, which is more or less what we have. A person might justify a pistol for home defence - you can't really justify an AK-47 for the same purpose.

[Peikko 1,575]

Ooh, let's have another 'pro gun' 'anti-gun' thread!

Seriously, I just don't see this as some huge deal. Change the shape of the majority of kitchen knives and see if it helps. After all, it was a bunch of Dr's that came up with this idea, not some groovy lefty 'rainbows and kittens' focus group.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ooh, let's have another 'pro gun' 'anti-gun' thread!

Seriously, I just don't see this as some huge deal. Change the shape of the majority of kitchen knives and see if it helps. After all, it was a bunch of Dr's that came up with this idea, not some groovy lefty 'rainbows and kittens' focus group.

Right - but based on types on injury though right - penetrating stab wounds being more serious than a slash with the blade (incidentally this is the reason swordsmen moved away from the broadsword and onto the rapier). It has nothing to do with people's behaviour.

This would have to be mandated by the government - I imagine it would be a challenge to market "point-safe" cooking knives and convince consumers that it's "better".

[Peikko 1,575]

Do you have to convince them they are better? Most people buy these things based on either practicality or aesthetics. Some good designers can make sure that they look perfect for those countertops (that have never seen a veg/piece of meat chopped in their lives) and ensure that those who do buy a knife with a cooking purpose in mind get that too.

It will not change what is already in the kitchen drawers already of course - mind you, what is the life span of a kitchen knife and what do people do with their old ones? The mind boggles.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Do you have to convince them they are better? Most people buy these things based on either practicality or aesthetics. Some good designers can make sure that they look perfect for those countertops (that have never seen a veg/piece of meat chopped in their lives) and ensure that those who do buy a knife with a cooking purpose in mind get that too.

It will not change what is already in the kitchen drawers already of course - mind you, what is the life span of a kitchen knife and what do people do with their old ones? The mind boggles.

I know a couple of chefs - I'll be interested to know what their thoughts are on this, but I imagine there'd be some sort of consumer reaction if this were imposed via a government mandate, rather than say through some sort of voluntary agreement with manufacturers.

BTW - The few knife nuts that I've known through friends or through old jobs are coincidentally the kind of people I'd expect to be involved in friday night pub fights. Loud and generally quite aggressive - though in a town full of such people its difficult to say who would throw the first punch

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes, goverment mandate = dissent regardless of the regulation. I mean, take seat belts, although to be fair that did and does make a more sensible argument all around. I was thinking more just let the manufacturers make it 'chic' to have non pointy knives rather than a mandate though.

I don't know any knife nuts, at least not knowingly, I feel deprived.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Do you have to convince them they are better? Most people buy these things based on either practicality or aesthetics. Some good designers can make sure that they look perfect for those countertops (that have never seen a veg/piece of meat chopped in their lives) and ensure that those who do buy a knife with a cooking purpose in mind get that too.

It will not change what is already in the kitchen drawers already of course - mind you, what is the life span of a kitchen knife and what do people do with their old ones? The mind boggles.

wow. You need help.

[zqt3344 21]

Do you have to convince them they are better? Most people buy these things based on either practicality or aesthetics. Some good designers can make sure that they look perfect for those countertops (that have never seen a veg/piece of meat chopped in their lives) and ensure that those who do buy a knife with a cooking purpose in mind get that too.

It will not change what is already in the kitchen drawers already of course - mind you, what is the life span of a kitchen knife and what do people do with their old ones? The mind boggles.

wow. You need help.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I am surprised that knife crimes in the UK are often done with kitchen cutlery. I would have thought hunting, fishing, etc., knives would be more popular for people who carry them around. Do they sell those "Rambo" knives in the UK? Good luck convincing the makers (and buyers) that the point on those is really not necessary. Best to legislate that the entire knife isn't.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I am surprised that knife crimes in the UK are often done with kitchen cutlery. I would have thought hunting, fishing, etc., knives would be more popular for people who carry them around. Do they sell those "Rambo" knives in the UK? Good luck convincing the makers (and buyers) that the point on those is really not necessary. Best to legislate that the entire knife isn't.

They used to - but there was a crackdown in the late 90's after a head teacher was stabbed to death by a pupil outside of a school and made national headlines. That and the Stephen Lawrence case, or course. I think all they did was put a ban on carrying knives over a certain length. Clearly it didn't to a great deal of good.

[Mags 112]

The Point of Knives.

Geddit?

[Brad and Vika 129]

I am surprised that knife crimes in the UK are often done with kitchen cutlery. I would have thought hunting, fishing, etc., knives would be more popular for people who carry them around. Do they sell those "Rambo" knives in the UK? Good luck convincing the makers (and buyers) that the point on those is really not necessary. Best to legislate that the entire knife isn't.

They used to - but there was a crackdown in the late 90's after a head teacher was stabbed to death by a pupil outside of a school and made national headlines. That and the Stephen Lawrence case, or course. I think all they did was put a ban on carrying knives over a certain length. Clearly it didn't to a great deal of good.

Interesting

[Niels Bohr 72]

I find reading this thread is quite humorous. Purple_Hibiscus mentioned that if knife is blunt, it would reduce the stats. However, as an Engineer, I was thinking to myself what is she thinking? As much as I like Purple_Hisbiscus for supporting many of my revelations, I had to disagree with her on this one.

Like I said, as an Engineer, I see that if people are taken away the ability to use knife, they would use something else rather than a knife. This makes a profound logical sense. The stats for using knife as a murder weapon will decrease, but, something else will increase instead of the knife.

Sorry Purple_Hibiscus. You can attack me later.

[DairyFarmer 1]

i think you should have to fill out an application and have a 3 day waiting period

Then they will get handed out for free when you open a bank account :tounge in cheek:

[almaty 19]

i think you should have to fill out an application and have a 3 day waiting period

Then they will get handed out for free when you open a bank account :tounge in cheek:

touche..lol, that was good and witty