Be very careful about trying to project your opinions and thoughts onto others.
I said, "I would consider it rude." That is MY interpretation of MY actions.
You stated
"I consider it rude and uncouth to do so." I asked why you think that? You never bothered to explain?
I specifically asked about "BBQ"s and "steakhouses." Perhaps I needed to preface that with "
American BBQs and steakhouses?" There's no where in the US where bringing one's own folding steak knife to a "BBQ" or "steakhouse" would be considered "rude and uncouth." None.
"Eccentric?" Perhaps. "Nerdy?" Possibly. "Overly foodie?" Yep. But "rude and uncouth?" No way.
I though perhaps you were thinking of another type of cuisine (e.g. it WOULD be rude to bring a knife to the table in some Asian culinary traditions) or perhaps that you live in another country?
How do YOU know what the chef would think? You only know what YOU think. Are you a chef in a fine dining establishiment?
Because I have been employed as both a meat-cutter and a principal pit man in a very upscale steakhouse. I (as would the chef) would haved appreciate
anyone who made any effort to improve how they enjoyed the wares of my crew and I. In addition, it's simply common sense.
Sliced steak tastes better than than torn steak. That's true on the bench, on the fire and at table!
As a related example, I once went to a fancy dinner with a large group. A couple of the attendees were wine experts. As a result the server called for the sommelier. The three conferred. A red was chosen. One of the experts asked that the wine be decanted and allowed to get some air, while we had a round of cocktails.
The sommelier explained they didn't have a decanter with a large enough neck to allow enough oxygen to effect the wine in such a short time. No problem says the expert who then produced a very large decanter from a leather bag he had carried in. Was the sommelier offended because the expert had brought his own decanter? Nope! He actually lit-up with a smile.
"That's big enough for four bottles!" "Two will do." The sommelier then made a show of the decanting. It was great --
and more important, it did make the wine taste better.
It's all opinion. You are entitled to yours. I am entitled to mine.
You are not entitled to interpret my opinions and project onto me some thought process that you imagine is happening.
No, not really. Not on this one. It's not about personal opinions in this case. Like it or not, there are rules to etiquette. They differ a great deal from setting to setting, those in attendance, the location, local customs, etc., etc., hence my question
around my neck of the prairie at the local steakhouse it’s kinda home style but clean and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere. They serve a really great steak and the service is top notch but their wares aren’t high class.
The plastic knives, forks and spoons are sometimes the local bargain brand and they snap very easily. Save your spoon for the beans and tater salad ! Otherwise we cut the sausage and brisket with our own knife and stab it and use it in place of the fork. Lol 
Ribs is finger food like chicken wings and drumsticks. Larrapin good !
