“But it’s made to hurt people!“ - Design / purpose of knives vs. intent

What matters more, what a knife or tool looks like, or how it is used? Many people are concerned about switchblades, balisongs, “tactical“ knives and other items that they perceive as dangerous. But is there any rational reason behind the fear? Is there any magical force that compels a person to become violent when they pick up a military knife designed for combat, as opposed to a kitchen knife? If someone tells me a knife, firearm or any other kind of weapon makes them want to hurt people, that tells me