Allow me to introduce myself & a few questions.. take it easy me (new guy).

I'm going to echo the rest of the thread here and tell you to use it, enjoy it, and benefit from it. Otherwise it is waste (think in the Kaizen sense since you are in manufacturing). To have that value tied up in something that isn't returning value is bad for business (life).

I regularly carry a damascus Mnandi and when I do, use it whenever I need a knife. How else is it going to start paying for itself?
 
Sounds like the exact same knife I had, and gave to a very good friend. I couldn't bring myself to use it so gave it away. :p
So now it gets used daily :D lol this knife life is a wonderous thing.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums!

I agree with the general sentiment of the answers so far. Use it. To me, the best way to appreciate a well designed knife is to use it as it was intended. Careful though. It's also the best way to figure out what you want to buy next...:D
 
DoctorAutomatic said:
And then I stumbled upon a MCUSTA Bamboo with cocobolo scales. It was love at first sight. Checked off every item on my wish list (small, "gentleman" style, wood, one hand operation, and deep carry pocket clip). It is somewhere in the sky over the Atlantic on it's way to me. So, finally we get to my question... I'm starting to worry that I will be scared shitless to use it due to how nice it is. I don't normally subscribe to such thought, I use everything like a tool really. Can anyone share their experience or thoughts on using a knife of similar quality, similar or even more costly, and aesthetics day in and day out? Was it regrettable or did it not matter and became even more endearing with use and the resulting imperfections?
Click to expand...

Welcome!

If you want to use it...use it! If you want to put it on a shelf and just look at it....that's fine too!

There is no "must" here. It's not a "shame" to use it or a shame to not use it.

The only thing that would be a shame is not doing with it what makes you happy.

Do what you like with it, man.
 
Haha! If there is one can of worm to open, Doc opened it!

If he thinks that the Gun collection is expensive, I think the knife collecting lifestyle will gladly give that one a run for it's money.

That being said, if you're into the high end knives due to your expectations and high standard understanding of machines and machining, you're going to find a HUGE load of high quality knives out there! There will be no turning back once you find out about all of them!

That being said, you said you're into outdoors? Do yourself a favor, do NOT look into Busse knives because once you do, you will be converted and become one of the hogs.

I repeat, do NOT look into Busse knives or there will be no turning back for you.

Excuse me while I go play with mine in the great outdoors!
 
jc57 said:
Mcusta makes nice knives. It would be a shame not to use it.
Click to expand...

marcinek said:
Welcome!

If you want to use it...use it! If you want to put it on a shelf and just look at it....that's fine too!

There is no "must" here. It's not a "shame" to use it or a shame to not use it.

The only thing that would be a shame is not doing with it what makes you happy.

Do what you like with it, man.
Click to expand...

I bow to marcinek's better logic. I agree, there is nothing wrong with owning something just to own it, if that's what you want to do.

My point was that, if you bought it with the intention of carrying it, then carrying it is fine. I fell into the "too nice to use" mindset for a while and ended up with knives that are on the shelf doing nothing, and other "beater" knives that I bought which actually get used and carried all of the time. MY behavior then seems foolish to me now, in hindsight. But that is because at one time I thought I would enjoy actual collecting, whereas now I just enjoy having a relatively small number of knives that I actually carry and use.

But certainly, if you bought something for display or just the joy of ownership, by all means, continue on.
 
jc57 said:
I bow to marcinek's better logic. I agree, there is nothing wrong with owning something just to own it, if that's what you want to do.

My point was that, if you bought it with the intention of carrying it, then carrying it is fine. I fell into the "too nice to use" mindset for a while and ended up with knives that are on the shelf doing nothing, and other "beater" knives that I bought which actually get used and carried all of the time. MY behavior then seems foolish to me now, in hindsight. But that is because at one time I thought I would enjoy actual collecting, whereas now I just enjoy having a relatively small number of knives that I actually carry and use.

But certainly, if you bought something for display or just the joy of ownership, by all means, continue on.
Click to expand...

That makes me want to use those swords in the European museums to use to prepare my dinner with. They're for being used, right?!

Use them all! :D
 
Swords can be kind of unwieldy in the kitchen, and I don't know if the blade geometry is ideal for slicing food. You might have to thin them out a bit. Though you'd certainly get some style points for dicing onions with a claymore.
 
There has almost been no logic or reasons when it comes to collecting sharp metal objects aka Knives, swords, etc. Something about the very intrinsic nature of functional beauty just gets to me every day I touch one or have a need of one.

However, now that you mentioned it, I'm very interested to see what it's like chopping onions with a claymore while shouting "Freedom!".

Now where do I find a claymore...
 
jc57 said:
I bow to marcinek's better logic.
Click to expand...

Everyone should! :D

Actually it's not "better logic," and we are in agreement...if you want to use a knife....you really should use it. You can't take it with you, right?

But if you don't want to use it, you shouldn't, and you shouldn't feel "shame" for it.

I have a mix of users and "shelf queens" myself.
 
marcinek said:
Welcome!

If you want to use it...use it! If you want to put it on a shelf and just look at it....that's fine too!

There is no "must" here. It's not a "shame" to use it or a shame to not use it.

The only thing that would be a shame is not doing with it what makes you happy.

Do what you like with it, man.
Click to expand...

Very true. I guess the way I took the op when reading it was, "I ordered this knife to use, and I want to use it, but I'm afraid it might look too pretty for me to want to risk normal wear from use.... But still I want to use it..."
 
Generally, aside from heirloom type stuff, knife value to me is how well it functions and holds up to my use, and there's only one way to find that out.
Regardless of what it looks like, if it doesn't perform well in use, it ain't worth spit (with the exception above).
 
Welcome!

Only you can determine how much you're willing to use the knife. Carry it and appreciate it, then when it comes time to cut things with it make the determination then. Of course, they'll be tasks you won't want to use it for that you have a reasonable expectation will cause damage, but the knife will inevitably start showing signs of wear after using it for tasks in general. You'll eventually begin to realize what it is you appreciate about carrying the knife.
 
Welcome! Good luck keeping it under control. A couple things that new folks often do that are not so helpful:
I'll just buy this as an investment.... typically doesn't work, yeah once and a while, but in general, it better to enjoy your collection, and if you sell it here on the exchange, think of the difference as a rental fee, or tuition in your new education.

Gotta have newest-best... if you just want to find how it handles, the exchange is a great way to find stuff to test drive.

SEARCH, if you see something cool, do a search here. There are a great many makers, and knives, and not all are as upstanding as we'd like. So a quick search here will let you know of knives that are often faked, makers who don't live up to their claims, and all that stuff. There is a lot of drama, but being from a tech industry I'm guessing you have a pretty good handle on IP issues and claimed credentials. While there isn't a "party line" as such (apart from intentionally buying fakes and clones) it will help to know ahead of time who you'd like to support and who is distasteful to you.
 
Welcome aboard.

Because you seem to enjoy Benchmade products, look into their 531 series of knives. They are a great series of lightweight Gents knives and you have the Axis Lock, which is always a beautiful thing.
 
I started by purchasing a few Benchmades, ProTechs, Kizers, and the like.
About 150.00-200.00 each.
Next were Gerbers, and Bokers... about 50.00-75.00 each.
Then I discovered "Knife Lots" on auction sites.
These auctions saved my sanity.
The expensive knives get carried on evenings, and weekends. "thread cutters".

The auction lots allow me to find some nice knives to use as beaters, and not have a large amount of money on the line.

I started out just wanting a nice knife.
Now? Hi, My name is Ken, and I'm an addict! Good luck to you sir!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top