Knives are tools more often than they are weapons, and humanity has a tool-based civilization. There are many tools that can also function as a weapon, and any

Knives are tools more often than they are weapons, and humanity has a tool-based civilization. There are many tools that can also function as a weapon, and any attempt to make one less suitable as a weapon frequently makes it even less suitable for its tool purpose. But not always. The knife I keep in my pocket would only be a weapon as a last resort. The blade steel is tuned to hold a sharper edge for longer, and that makes it relatively brittle. The blade does not lock, making stabbing and slashing dangerous for the wielder's fingers. None of the tools lock. Someone would be better off keeping the whole thing closed and punching with their fist wrapped around it. But there the cops go, holding a ruler up to the longest cutting tool. As though the only thing that differentiates it from a military pig-poker is just centimeters.