WOW...Just, Wow...

[smikesmith3]

They say not to write about someone/something when you are on an emotional high. Typically this is when you are beyond frustrated and irritated because chances are you are going to say something that is either untrue or say something you didn't mean to say. Well...I'm a rule breaker and after a few hours I've realized that chances are I'm not going to say anything I regret. So here is the story...

One of my best friends was back on leave from overseas serving our country. I got an invite to meet him at the local line dancing establishment (Illinois) a few minutes from my home and I quickly jumped at the opportunity since I hadn't seen him in a while. He was already at this place so I had to drive separately to meet up with him which is not a big deal at all. I get to this place about a half hour after he has already been there only to be carded before entering.

Naturally, I respect the bouncer asking for my ID and I notice he is looking at my jeans. (Something that is not typical around here.) He then asks me, "are you carrying any work knives or pocket knives on you". He and I both knew I was, as I had the clip facing out like any knife carrying citizen would have it. I simply told the bouncer yes I did. I didn't attempt to lie and push the knife deeper into my pocket and was honest with him.
He said to me, "I'm going to need to take it before you enter". I responded with, "will I get it back?", to which he replied, "No". No? I'm not going to get my knife back? I was shocked. I couldn't believe what he just said. He was going to take my knife and flat out not return it. I said, "this is over a 100 dollar knife and if I'm not going to get it back, I'm not going to give it to you". His response was, "I've taken 400 dollar knives, rules are rules and I could get in trouble if I let you in with it." I was fuming and in complete disgust over what he just said. I was carrying my Manix 2 CTS-XHP that would be near impossible to replace. He went on to explain that there was a stabbing at a bar in the same town a few months back and he couldn't let me in with it. I fully respected his statement and told him I would return the knife to my car and there would be no further trouble. His response was "you can return it to your car, but I won't be able to let you back in". Confused, I asked him what he meant by this. He basically said that I could put it in my car, but he would not let me into the place. Completely stunned, I asked, "so if I put this in my car and walk back here, your not going to let me in?". He responded with a "yes, that's right". Clarifying one last time so I knew I was hearing him right I asked "so I can either give you a knife and I can get in or I have to go home and not come back tonight". Again, he responded with "you are right". I said there is no way I'm going to give you this knife so I'll just leave.

Frustrated with the whole situation, I started to walk back to my car to let my buddy know I wouldn't be able to come in. At this point I was beyond livid. I understand if I could put the knife in my car and come back and get in, but to not even let me back in is completely out of line. On a normal night I would have just went home but I wanted to see my friend who I hadn't seen in a long while. I got back to my car and put my key in the ignition switch. I noticed I had a key chain knife, the Honeybee. I decided to throw my Manix in the glove compartment and attempt to use the Honeybee key chain knife as a way to get in. Determined to see my buddy, I walked back up to the guy with the Honeybee knife and said "fine, just take it" and I handed him the Honeybee key chain knife. He looked at me and said "this is it?, this is what you have, this is nothing just a little thing"? I said "yep". He looked at me somewhat perplexed and said, well if this is what you had then come find me at the end of the night and I'll get it back to you. I respected the fact that he would actually make an attempt to give me my little knife back. Stupidly on his part, he probably should have realized that the Honeybee didn't have a huge clip and something that small probably wan't worth 100 dollars. But he still let me through.

For the first half of the evening I was still trying to cool down with what happened. I was just glad I was able to hang with my buddies and have a good night. When we were leaving I saw the bouncer and he remembered me. What he said next completely baffled me. "Got any money to throw me and I'll give you your knife back". I said, "no man, I have no cash". He said, "what about 5 dollars"? I said, "nope, just keep it man, if your gonna act like this your gonna need a knife for the next time someone tries to beat the living snot out of you for trying to keep there property". I just walked out of the place in complete disgust and will never return.

I find this unbelievable and just had to share it with the knife community. I understand he can refuse anyone service but what grounds do they have if I leave a knife in my car and he asks me the same question and I say no. He has no right to search me and since I am telling the truth there should be no reason to not let me in.

Any thoughts or experiences you have had with stuff like this?

[KardinalSyn]

Interesting gent that bouncer.

[A.P.F.]

The same way the Scouts draws pedophiles, the security business draws punks and crooks. You should report that behavior to the club.

[chuck_roxas45]

He was a thief plain and simple and he wanted to steal your knife. I had something like this happen in a mall. Security guy wanted to take my knife and he also said it was impossible for him to return it after since it was illegal(carrying a concealed weapon, which is BS). I was also carrying concealed at the time which he would pass but wouldn't pass the knife. I decided not to enter the mall and the dick said I still had to leave my knife with him because it was illegal. It was only upon my saying that we would call the cops and let them decide that he reluctantly let me go.

[Guy Vanderveken]

Rules are always going to be open to abuse by those in power to do so.

No need to get upset by it, most clubs and bars and casinos will have a rule against it. If a reputable establishment with rules, they will have a lock up facility.

Accept it and do not attempt to go in with it. do not give them the pleasure.

Just think of what a great night you would have had if you left your tool in the vehicle.

Not trying to bust your chops/ I have been in that situation a few times before, always trying to keep my knife, in the end it was never worth it, just so much frustration.

Take it easy,
Guy

[chuck_roxas45]

Rules are always going to be open to abuse by those in power to do so.

No need to get upset by it, most clubs and bars and casinos will have a rule against it. If a reputable establishment with rules, they will have a lock up facility.

Accept it and do not attempt to go in with it. do not give them the pleasure.

Just think of what a great night you would have had if you left your tool in the vehicle.

Not trying to bust your chops/ I have been in that situation a few times before, always trying to keep my knife, in the end it was never worth it, just so much frustration.

Take it easy,
Guy

The OP stated that he offered to leave the knife in the car but the bouncer had already stated that he would not let him in nevertheless.

[Tdog]

Gotta say under these circumstances, I would have left and reported the incident to the owner, explaining all the cirumstances and the fact that he had lost your business.

[jackknifeh]

Gotta say under these circumstances, I would have left and reported the incident to the owner, explaining all the cirumstances and the fact that he had lost your business.

This is the obviouse action to take. Do regulars get the same treatment? I find it hard to believe a bouncer would think he could get away wiyh that.

Jack

[austinguy23]

Bouncers are generally power-hungry assholess. Yet another reason I dislike the club scene...

[enduraguy]

Thats total bull. I would have looked up the number for the place and asked the management their opinion. Bouncers are usually freelance similar to a stripper, a dime a dozen and just as easy to replace.

[sal]

"It takes all kinds of animals to make a forest and without the leeches and mosquitos, one might notice the hawks and the deer".

I think your behavior was admirable. It doesn't sound like the owner cares. Better to bring your business elsewhere.

sal

[SpydieFan]

That's why I don't go anywhere that doesn't allow knives. AT ALL (With the exception of the court house of course, drivers license and such...). They don't deserve my business, plain and simple.

[sah]

You handled the situation perfectly.You have to realize,the assclown at the door is probably knocking seven bucks an hour with a tenth grade education.
take your business elsewhere hassles like that are not needed.

Steve

[spyderdog]

Completely agree that the whole situation was ridiculous. Makes absolutely no sense. My only question is why walk in to an establishment that could very possibly have rules against carrying a knife with it clipped to your pocket? Were they asking everybody this, or because he saw it clipped to yout pocket as you mentioned. Any time I go into a bar or someplace similar, the knife gets put inside the pocket. Less questions asked

[araneae]

This is the obviouse action to take. Do regulars get the same treatment? I find it hard to believe a bouncer would think he could get away wiyh that.

Jack

+1. Call the owner and don't go back if that bouncer still has a job.

[gbelleh]

A simple shakedown operation by a two bit criminal. One day, he's going to try to steal the wrong person's knife, and end up with more of it than he bargained for.

[Evil D]

Sounds like this douche has set up a nice pocket knife stealing business. I'm sure you weren't the first. What i'm curious about is how many fools actually fell for that. I would've tried to call the place and talk to the manager that same night, probably right in front of the bouncer and see what they had to say about it. I've been to many clubs and they all just have a policy that you can leave it in your car and come back, this guy was just trying to give you a ultimatum and force you to give him your knife.

I was actually patted down at a venue for a concert a while back and i left my EDC in my car but completely forgot about my Ladybug on my keys. The girl patting me down spotted it and said it was too tiny to cause any damage, go on in lol.

[phillipsted]

"It takes all kinds of animals to make a forest and without the leeches and mosquitos, one might notice the hawks and the deer".

I think your behavior was admirable. It doesn't sound like the owner cares. Better to bring your business elsewhere.

sal

Well said, Sal.

Another positive aspect Smikesmith3, is that the Bouncer may take a liking to the Honeybee and be converted into a raging Spyderholic. We may see him on the board in a week or two trying to find out when the next Para2 sprint is due out.

TedP

[gbelleh]

Well said, Sal.

Another positive aspect Smikesmith3, is that the Bouncer may take a liking to the Honeybee and be converted into a raging Spyderholic. We may see him on the board in a week or two trying to find out when the next Para2 sprint is due out.

TedP

That might just help him become more efficient at figuring out which knives bring the most at the pawn shop.

[angusW]

This is quite common with people with no standing in society. They have a little bit of power and think they are lord over "their" domain and end up treating people with very little respect. Just look at the TSA. It's never happened to me but I've heard a lot of similar stories with people going to bars with a knife. It's good to hear you didn't escalate it as it was not worth it.