2 questions about knife use and rotation.

SpacemanSpiff23

SpacemanSpiff23

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Feb 22, 2009
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I figured I'd make one thread instead of two since they are sort of related topics. Just 2 quick questions for those of you with a collection of "user" knives (not safe queens/collectibles).



1. Do you use your knife as much as you would like to?

I find that living in a suburban area, I don't get as many opportunities to use my knives as I would like. I spend more time playing with them while sitting in a chair or car than I do cutting stuff. And usually when I need it, it is to cut open a package or some other boring task. I feel bad for my knives because they don't get to have too much fum. Am I alone on this?




2. How often do you rotate out your current carry knife for a different one?

Every day? Weekly? Monthly? More than once a day? I have 6 user knives, and I usually carry a different one every day. I've been thinking about going monthly with them just to subject them to a wider variety of tasks.
 
1. Not at all. To be honest, I really don't have much use for a knife. Pretty much the only time I use my knife is to open packages containing more knives.
2. I usually carry a different knife everytime I leave the house (don't carry anything while I'm at home).
 
Not most days, but when I am installing, or helping contractor install, I do alot of wire stripping, and since my Klein stripper is worn out, I use my pocket knife for that. Most days, my knives simply go along for the ride. I carry much more than I cut. The joy comes from both tasks.

I switch at random, sometimes when I read a post, I may go back to a knife someone just mentioned, and reminded me that I have that model and it is a joy to carry.
 
1. No. I always have it when I need it, but I don't always need it when I have it. Plus, with the perception of knives, it really doesn't get the respect and recognition it deserves.

2. Depends on my mood. Most days, I'll have my bm 806 clipped to my pocket, but if work calls for a smaller knife, or wearing an outfit where it woudl stick out too much, then i just stick to the bm 556.
 
I rarely use my EDC. Most of my stuff still has the maker's edge.
 
1. Do you use your knife as much as you would like to?

Of course not...id love to be able to carry all my knives anywhere/anytime, but due to legal and social rules i cant do that. And the tasks at home are pretty simple.

That being said, i try to carry a knife at home to test it out. And i use it for everything. But like you say, its mostly mundane tasks. Only place at home a knife gets some real use is in the kitchen. I use my knife there to part chickens, filet fish, cut vegetables, slice meat and so forth. Even use them to spread butter on my bread. Kitchen-work gives me a good idea of that knife is like, how it feels in the hand and how it performs.

Try it...i bet your knife will see more action in the kitchen than other places at home. Itll get messy, but its nothing that cant be washed of.

After that i ususally try to bring it along on a backpacking trip, and use it for camping/survival tasks.



2. How often do you rotate out your current carry knife for a different one?

I try to do it every week or two. Daily rotation isnt enough. [/QUOTE]
 
1. Not even close :( I usually do fairly simple tasks, opening packages, etc. A lot of them containing new knives :D

A lot of the time I use my knife when I don't "have" to. Sure I could rip open a plastic bag, but I have a knife so why not.

2. When I get a new knife I probably carry it for a week or two straight, but otherwise I rarely carry the same knife two days in a row.
 
1. Yeah I get a good use out of my knives everyday.
2. Depends right now I have about 5 knives all over the U.S. Once they come back I usually ride one knife out till it needs sharpening. Then I pick up my backups and use those. But sometimes It benefits me to carry a lighter knife and sometimes I want a TANK.
 
1. I use my knife as much as I need to. My EDC defensive knife has seen no action as of yet. My $10 assisted opener that I got as a beater has seen many a package and envelope.

2. I don't rotate out knives mainly cuz I have 1 knife for each duty: 1 EDC, 1 cheapo for packages and letters, 1 fixed blade (SOG Seal 2000) lashed to my backpack, 1 Cold Steel steak knife for... well you know.
 
1) not as much as i'd like, though it is constantly being used through out the day at both jobs. I'd just like my job to be slicing things up all day lol and I imagine there are others around these parts with a similar ideal

Unboxed 28 new Dell Desktops monday, broke down boxes as well, today had to inventory em so not much use there, other than making breakfast. Then hit the other job where I usually cut a ton of rope a day, today only had two pieces to cut, and some packaging. Also used it to pry staples off a target board, and cut a new fuel line for an outboard.

Still have to unbox LCDs and peripherals for those Dells too, along with their 118 siblings.So yeah, they get used heavily, and thats not even getting into the car work I did this weekend.

2) I rotate depending on what I'll be doing and whats newest. Usually have my leatherman (charge tti) around for the tools in a bag usually, with whatever my main user is (a100 right now, buck 110 is also used, might break out the old gator soon) and a small slipjoint sits in the bottom of my pocket most days at work, as I have to leave my larger folders in my car somedays depending whos around.

Usually every few weeks theres a different main folder, small ones change every few days, leatherman is just about a constant.
 
1) Just for small stuff around the house. Opening envelopes, packages, cutting string, leather cutting, kitchen work, some gardening. Nothing major really.

2) I go with whatever the mood prompts me to carry. Most days I don't carry a knife 2 days in a row except maybe my Leatherman TTi
 
- i use my opinel 8 for work but for edc use viper a few
- viper is my only edc but for the future i will use casexx
 
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1) No not at all but some days I use it more then other so then I am happy

2) I am still building my collection but I want a knife for at least every occasion and then swap weekly.
 
1. Do you use your knife as much as you would like to?

My most used knife is a Leatherman Juice multi-tool, but I'm not sure if it counts since it's never the knife portion that gets used. Other than that, I find myself inventing excuses to use my knives. Sometimes skipping more appropriate tools such as a pair of scissors or just simply tearing a package open by hand as it was designed. But there are enough times throughout the year where one of my knives gets to do what it was meant to do which keeps me happy and allows me to say "I told you so" to my wife who thinks I have way too many knives. Other than that, they make great paper shredders.:)


2. How often do you rotate out your current carry knife for a different one?

I consider all of my 30+ knives users, but the ones that usually get used belong to a group of about 5 or 6 knives that I frequently rotate through mostly based on wardrobe. And before you laugh at me too much, it's not a matter of whether it matches or not but rather what can I carry comfortably. For instance, running shorts vs jeans or say cargo shorts vs dress pants with a tucked in shirt. Another factor for me affecting rotation is the fact I travel by air a lot. So when traveling, I'll normally carry knife that I'm not overly attached to and/or that can be easily replace since most states don't seem to be as knife friendly as FL. With all that being said, I rotate my knives daily and often several times in a day.
 
1 no I don't use them that often or at least not as much as I'd like
at home they get some use but as an EDC thery geto some use but not enough
some still have the original edge or have been polished/touched up or stropped

2 during the day I always carry a folder or slipjoint, at night a victonox seems to take the place of the others as it has a bottle opener

I rotate them every day, some times 2-3x a day but once a day seems to be the norm
I got a GEC last week and am carrying this one, carried a TK3 bone for a month, depends on mood and on where I'm going

Maxx
 
1. I use it as often as possible to get comfortable with it. I use it at work from cord cutting, box opening, food prep. I used to restrain from using my primary EDC (defence) tool, until I got real good at sharpening, now anything goes. So I look forward to putting an edge back on'em.
2.I just go on a whim.....
 
1- I get a fair amount of use out of my knives. I spend a lot of time at my dad's ranch and outdoors. When I'm in the city I'm always fixing stuff for friends or coworkers who are to cheap to pay a proper handyman and prefer to take their chances with me instead. So I use my EDC quite often.

2- I don't have a method to rotate my knives. I carry whatever strikes my fancy that day, and I sometimes switch during the day.
 
1 - I use my knife every opportunity I get. My wife rolls her eyes every time I pull my knife out for dinner. Every time I stoke up the fire pit I use my knives just to practice fire prep and starting. My EDCs Gets allot of use, my larger knife: I feel like it does get left out a bit.

2 - I have 2 EDC. I carry them both. One is a Swiss Army the other is a small neck knife I have on my hip.

For most people, especialy you who try to always be prepaired and you feel like you dont get a chance to use your knife often... Leave it home for a day. i bet you will find you use it more then you thought you did ;)
 
1. I feel I use my knives adequately but wish I could use them more. But as it stands, they are used.

2. I usually rotate my EDC knives daily. Sometimes I will carry the same knife for 3-4 days straight and have gone about a week before switching out. I only have a dozen folding knives now after thinning my stock but they are all users. But only about 8 get the most use. I have 5 fixed blades also which are users.
 
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