[jacquesm]

When wielded properly pencils are indeed dangerous, even more dangerous than swords in some cases. But less dangerous - in the general case - than say a gun or a knife which is why we call those weapons in the first place.

Note that according to the definition of a weapon ("a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage") a pencil can be classed as a weapon due to its use. Which is a perfect illustration of why men with pencils (used as weapons) are more dangerous than men without.

So thank you for making my point.

[ctrlc-root]

I think you actually made mine which was that anything can be classed as a weapon therefore the object in question isn't as relevant as the person wielding it. Yes, you can put them on a continuum, but I'd still rather not be in an elevator with a person intent on doing me harm regardless of the object they are holding.

"There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men."