When is a knife not a knife?

[LilSel]

Jesus.

Really?

FYI, folks, this is the knife fireball's talking about. I sold it because it was too girly to keep.

It wasn't that one... Was just an ol red swiss... but still... we were flying domestically, they located it in carryon luggage with the xray machine... took it outta the bag... had a look, pulled out the blade bit, closed it up again & gave it back to us lol. (not the sharpest knife, small blade, guess thats why we got it back)

[sAsLEX]

They are a little more harsh on knives in school in the states

http://www.wftv.com/news/14858405/detail.html

[jrandom]

It wasn't that one... Was just an ol red swiss...

Ahhhh, that's all right then.

Yes, I couldn't imagine anyone being let onto a plane carrying that Kershaw.

[Mikkel]

As for the initial question - When is a knife not a knife?

The answer is if it becomes dull it ceases to be a knife and becomes just a polished elongated piece of metal. (Or a badly designed cudgel I guess)

The purpose of a knife is to cut things - as such it's virtue (more precisely arete) is its sharpness. If it ceases to be sharp it ceases to be a knife.

Unless it is very pointy and then it is a dagger - the purpose of which is stabbing and the arete of which is pointedness.

Let's get to the point - if it can't cut it, it ain't a knife!

Another cultural possibility is that I be allowed to wander around stark naked except for extensive tattoos and a torc and carry a spear - but summer's coming and I burn badly in the sun.

And shrink badly in winter...

[Pancakes]

I have one of these kickin' around somewhere and used to have it on me sometimes. Now that only has one purpose really and they work pretty well when it's you v.s 5 guys bigger than you.

ASP Baton