I agree. The same as carrying a concealed weapon. Here in AZ, I can legally carry openly. I don't!!!! I can also go through the course and and all that is required and carry concealed. I havn't gone through what is required yet. (Mostly because of my vehicle and females. Which at times can be quite similar. They COST ya!!.
Back on thread. I don't carry open here. The main reason being is I lose the advantage. As Razor pointed out, to me, the purpose of something like the HAK, which I carry everyday, is not to intimidate. I don't want to telegraph to whatever butthole that is comming at me. I WANT the advantage. I want to win. Out there on the streets, is just another form of combat. He will know, feel, I have it, some seconds after I let him know. Staying with the knife thing and feeding off Razor's post. That Alligator Dundee flick. Something like.... 'Now this is a knife'.
You did great jatx. You did what you felt you needed to and it all worked out ok.
That guy was just some pissed of coward.