Buzz
Those who carry a folding knife are often men. Why? Because men are considered the stronger gender, and any challenging or dirty tasks naturally fall to men. Even in less strenuous situations like unbuttoning a nylon bag, opening a bottle, or repairing electrical wires, men are often relied upon. In these cases, everything is swiftly resolved with a folding knife, making you the most resourceful man at that moment. The same applies to backpacking, where male travelers usually take the initiative to carry a folding knife for self-defense and various purposes as mentioned above. So, you can imagine the concept of a folding knife like this:
What is a folding knife?
A folding knife is a pocket tool widely purchased for personal safety, fruit cutting, bottle opening, unbuttoning nylon bags, or handling tasks like repairing electrical wires and devices when away from home. However, in Vietnam, carrying a folding knife on your person is considered dangerous, possession of a weapon, prone to scrutiny, and gossip. If unfortunate enough to be caught by the police, you may face charges for possessing a dangerous weapon, violating the law, leading to confiscation, fines, or other forms of punishment that you should be aware of.
Is it advisable to buy a folding knife for backpacking?
Some may respond with YES. Because:
- Folding knives come in various beautiful designs.
- I carry a folding knife that holds sentimental value as it belonged to my father; it still works well. I see it as a memory every time I think about my dad. Someday, when I have a child, I will pass it on as an inheritance.
- During trips, there are often situations where I need a knife to open cans, beer bottles with broken caps, tighten straps for luggage on the back of the bike, peel fruits, or replace a screwdriver. I would find it very challenging without a folding knife.
- ...
However, there are also those who say NO. Because:
- I always keep a very small letter opener in my backpack to cut open packages ordered from e-commerce platforms like Tiki, Shopee, Lazada, Sendo, etc. However, during a recent trip to Da Nang, airport security confiscated it.
- I always have a small folding knife in the car trunk for self-defense purposes only because society is chaotic, and there are many unpredictable people who may cause trouble. Even though I was not at fault, I was arrested by the police and charged with possessing a dangerous weapon.
- ...
Conclusion: Whether to buy a folding knife for backpacking is your choice, but how you use it must align with its intended purpose and not harm those around you. And remember to abide by the law as stipulated.
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