Tragic Ti-Lite Story
Okay...not completely "tragic". I wanted a Cold Steel Ti-Lite because, like you, it simply appealed to me. I bought it, opened the packaging, gave it a quick look & clipped it along the front seam of my right-hand jean pocket. I was driving to an appointment (a project review with a customer) a short time later and needed to cut a string tied around a bundle of blueprints. Ah HA! I'll use my NEW knife! So, while still driving, I caught the top of the Ti-Lite & briskly twisted it out of my pocket intending to snap it OPEN it once it was free from my jeans.
My previous pocket knife was designed so it clipped to my pocket tip-down. I hadn't paid much attention, but my new Ti-Lite clipped to my pocket tip-up. Unknown to me, as I twisted the Ti-Lite to clear my jeans, the serrated "wings" (flippers) at the base of the blade had caught on the pocket fabric and partially opened the knife into a shallow "V". When I then pulled the knife briskly upward to clear my pocket from a seated position (remember, I'm driving) I stabbed myself (deeply) upward at the bottom rib on the right side of my torso. Now, I'm in immediate & substantial pain, still driving...with a knife stuck in my side! I look around the car's interior and see a big stack of fast-food napkins from lunch a few days before. Perfect! I pull the knife out of my side & quickly slap a 1/2" thick wad of yellow paper napkins over the wound. Okay, now what? I decide I'll continue to drive, check for serious bleeding as I go, & head for a hospital. When I realized I hadn't poked an internal organ or hit a major blood supply I changed my plans. I'll just stop at Walmart, buy some First Aid Supplies & a new shirt, and continue with my day.
Once inside the Super Store, I grab a shirt on the way to the Pharmacy (on sale, out front), quickly find gauze, Neosporin & surgical tape and head for the Check-out...all the time covertly holding a bloody wad of napkins against my side & trying to look casual. Everything was going fine until I reached the shortest Check-out line (one senior lady already there) and the cashier looked at me and SCREAMED! Then every woman within 50' of me saw I was a stabbing victim. Several more screamed. Then the only lady standing between me & getting out of there (the senior lady) began asking questions in a very authoritative, indignant tone, "Have you been shot?" (I shake my head no), "Do you need a doctor?" (another no head-shake), "Well, I'm taking you to the Hospital...or I'm calling the Police". Finally, I speak, gritting through my teeth, "Lady, do you have any kids?". "Yes I DO!", she said proudly. "Well look CLOSELY, because I'M NOT ONE OF THEM. Now get THE HELL OUTTA' MY WAY"! I paid for my stuff while she stood there open-mouthed, aghast at my gall. I went to the car, shucked my bloody shirt, cleaned & dressed my wound, put on my new, clean shirt & made my appointment only a few minutes late.
I sold my Ti-Lite the next day for what it cost me & clipped my old knife back in my pocket. It's a fine knife, but (trust me) be careful.