When I see someone carrying a knife I often ask if they are carrying a flashlight. 90% of the time they are not and I know which professions they don't/have not worked in.

I work on locks now, I carry a pin ejector tool in my pocket.


I've carried folding lock picks daily for about ten years, but that was just to make my other jobs easier. lol
(Of course several knives and a light.)

Parker P51, single AA flash light, Xcelite “greenie” tweaker/knob dicker, leatherman Juice, kimber k6s

Dis-Information Technologist / communication specialist

I started carrying a knife when I was in 5th grade, and I can’t really remember when I haven’t carried one, except post 9/11 on planes & traveling to foreign countries.

I also carry an ink pen, usually metal. Started this when I worked in a power plant and had to sign documents. A lot.

Lastly I carry a flashlight.

I don’t think any of those ID me as a retired engineer.

A good question for an interview would be what time is it, and see if they are wearing a watch, look at their phone or look at the clock on the wall.

I carry as little as I possibly can. Keys, cellphone, wallet.

But I have everything I need in my vehicle, very close by (I work out of my car).

Keys, phone, wallet, badge wallet, and a Kershaw Clash are the constants, both at work and off. Guns change based on what I'm doing, but I always have that knife. I'm not sure how anybody gets through the day without a knife. I use mine for everything from opening packaging to prepping food. I even cut a sheet off from around a lady's neck one time who was trying to kill herself (washed it good after that).

Hmmm... From 12 o'clock to 12..

Keys, chapstick, knife, gun, wallet (with badge and ID), (sometimes cuffs) flashlight, spare mag, spare mag, phone.

Pants.

Also, a surefire flashlight.

Pen, flashlight, several card reader badges, and reading glasses.

None of those things give a clue about my profession.

Retired.
Serrated Spydeco Endura.
Cash.
Flask of Geritol.

My wife got me one of those tiny Swiss army knives as a mini-wedding gift. And that was 24years ago. I still carry one every day, and use it most days. Of course, I donated several to TSA after Sept 11th and lost a few over the years.

I'm a biologist and technical writer-editor.

I always always always have a pocketknife on me, sometimes a pen, and a flashlight in my jacket pocket when I go out. Most always have my CCW, unless I'm going to the doctor. CCW is forbidden at the office by my employer, but we've all been working at home for the last 18 months, so...

But something that identifies my profession? No.

These days, it’s a four blade Swiss army pioneer Alox. It’s provided more daily utility than all the ZT’s, spydercos & Chris Reeve knives I own..

Daily carrying a knife is an exception, not the rule, around here in suburban and urban Southern California.

I've daily carried a pocket knife long before I became a lawyer.

Knife
Flashlight
Pistol
Extra Magazine

Phone and Keys

The scanner for deliveries is the only thing that would identify my profession; however, I also carry a pen and stylus. Knife and flashlight aren’t really necessary but are carried as well.

Retired but still have my Swiss Army knife in my pocket and my Gerber Mult-plier on my belt. My folks gave me the knife in 1966/67 Xmas as I recall. The Multiplier probably 25 years ago. Retired ecologist and wetlands scientist at a A&E firm for over 35 years, lots of field work. Prior to that USFS in CO and AZ.

The only time I didn't have the knife or multiplier was when carrying them was prohibited by the govt office I was visiting or the airlines.

I carry an Emerson, which doesn't ID my profession by itself. However, if it were to get swabbed by the TSA at the airport, their machine would melt. Plus, my SOG multitool has a blasting cap crimper.

I have enough to deal with when they swab my boots.

Thanks to my earliest days of being a member of this august forum, I have carried a knife and a light daily for almost two decades. I do have to leave the knife off when in the office haha.