Another Take on Using High-End knives

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
5,094
Today I got a call from P.J. Tomes letting me know that my double lockback Moose is ready. This knife is the most expensive custom I have ever purchased and although the design is clearly intended for use, I was seriously considering just displaying or really babying the knife. Then I had a thought. Who would buy a $40,000 SUV or $60,000 luxury sedan and not drive it or only drive it on clear days for short distances? I know I wouldn't. If I'm gonna pay a car note, I'm gonna drive the car. If it's a good vehicle, it should be able to take sensible use for a long time before it gives out. Why on earth don't more of us see knives that way. I'm sure many would argue that a $500+ knife should be used because the same thing can be done with $25 dollar specials. Using that logic, we should all drive Geo Metros and buy all of our clothes from outlet shops and thrift stores. If a knife is truly a tool, why not use it unless the knife is clearly an art piece or vintage knife that cannot be replaced? I know this has been discussed before but it can't hurt to rehash the ideas again.
 
I like the car analogy.

It's perfectly reasonable to buy an "art" knife and keep it in a display case -- or park a classic car in the garage and only take it out only on weekends -- but it makes no sense to spend one's hard earned dollars on a knife and then not use it for the intended purpose.

For all of you who can't bring themselves to use their custom knives, think about this: the deductible on your car insurance is probably more than the price of a nice custom knife, but you don't hesitate to leave your car in the parking lot of the grocery store, where any idiot can back into it.
 
I can't resist this one.........

Expensive knives are like anything else as far as is it "worth it to you?"

If yes then the actual dollar amount should have bought the level of quality,
value and snob appeal you were looking for and you got what you paid for.

If no then you probably reached to high or used someone else's standards
to decide by.

So for some a $500 + knife will be just right and it .....pleases them.
Satisfaction in what they bought is what they paid for. And they will
use the knife when they want to.

A $25 to $40 knife will for others be ok who would rather spend the difference
on something else and the knife they buy .........pleases them.
Satisfaction in what they bought is what they paid for.
And they will use the knife when they want to

Knives, cars, women, wine, whatever we all are different and we should
enjoy our diversity for what it is. .........A chance to live a life that isn't
all that boring.
 
Tightwad, I want to make it clear that I like knives in general. I have bought $20 knives that I adore and I have been disappointed in $400 knives. I just feel that an expensive working knife should be used the same way that an expensive watch is used or a luxury car is driven. Not to use a quality tool just does not make sense. Obviously, no one is going to abuse an expensive tool, but frankly no one should abuse an inexpensive tool, afterall, waste not, want not.
 
Sometimes I buy a custom knife with every intention of using it. But when the moment of truth arrives, I fall apart. This doesn't happen with all of them. Sometimes the darn thing is just too nice to put to work. That's how you end up with a lot of them. What a curse.
Greg
 
I sometimes carry and use a $1200 custom folder that I really like. I also have several $10 knives that stay in the display as "mint" examples.

I also have expensive woodworking tools that are well used from a carpentry career spanning almost 30 years, off and on.

If you buy the best tool for the job at hand, the best that you can afford that is, and use them correctly they will be great investments as they will last a lifetime.
 
I've got Sebenzas that I carry and use on anything I need to cut. None of this bringing a beater along for the dirty jobs. But I wouldn't buy a Sebenza with a bronzed damascus blade, because the finish would just be wrecked by what I do with these knives. It would be a waste, with no real advantage or pleasure for me.

I know what pyrguy means about putting less expensive knives aside, too. I have a few Spydercos that I treasure, and do not use, including two from James Mattis.
 
hey, call me anal, but i have never driven my '96 LT4 corvette in the rain lol - do use my crawford custom a little though

sifu
 
I understand what you're saying but the car analogy simply does'nt apply.
After all, if you compare a corvette to a metro there is a very an obvious difference in actual performance (not perceived performance but actual performance). The metro simply is'nt capable of going faster than the corvette. The engine is smaller, it has less horsepower and less torque.

But knives are different altogether: just because a knife is hand made and expensive, it does not mean it will actually perform better than a production knife.

Another obvious reason is that if you somehow destroy or lose the high-dollar knife, it will cost you alot more to replace it.

Allen.
 
I think the analogy works, not all small cars are cheap. I used to own a BMW 318i, a car which performed pretty close to my current Toyota but which cost twice as much. A Chevy Impala SS will perform similarly to 500 series Mercedes at 1/3 the cost. Even a Corvette is cheaper than a Porsche or Ferrari but with similar performance. For your analogy to work, you would always have to compare similar knives in different price categories like a CKRT S-2 and a CRK Sebenza.
 
Getting slightly off-track on the car analogy, around here a lot of people have $40,000 SUVs that they buy as status symbols but never use for anything more demanding than going to the supermarket. Last fall, a small sapling (diameter: 4") blew down across one of our local roads. In the opposite lane, a $40,000 SUV was stopped right in front of it, the soccer mom behind the wheel looking around in perplexity and indecision. I drove my cheap Nissan 2WD work truck right over it and went on my merry way.
 
Anthony, when you recieve the knife, all of these questions will simply fall away.

PJ makes using knives of exceptional quality. They are not cheap, but also not nearly so expensive as many other knives which are not made as well. The art of PJ's work is in the design, use of materials, and superior craftsmanship.

Carry the knife. Have fun opening and closing the blades, and enjoy the solid Click they make. Admire the amazing grind lines on both blades that allow each to have full width contact with the locking bars. The full flat grinds will almost Demand to cut something. You have two excellent blade shapes available in one knife that looks so traditional that no one will think you are carrying an evil weapon around with you. That knife was built as a user. Use it and enjoy.

My daily carry knives are a combination of three different PJ Tomes folders, the two 2.5 inch blade 'moose folder with 52100 steel, the much larger 3.5 inch 12C27 bladed Remington folder (my fav rough use folder), and a single lockback with a three inch 420V blade. I bought each to use and have never given it a second thought. To fully enjoy them, you have to carry them, sharpen them, work with them, and play with them. Some knives are just too nice to use, others are just too nice Not to use :)

Have fun!

Para
 
Anthony, I'm not sure my post came across as intended.

What I was trying to say was.......
If you like what you buy and it makes you happy then
how much it cost and whether or not you decide to use
it is of no matter to the rest of the world. Expensive or
not how much satisfaction you get out of anything is
all that matters.

Enjoy you new knife, mate.
 
Thank you Tightwad. Although I will probably be slacking off knife purchases soon (yeah right!), I will end up spending money on scanners or digital equipment. I have the urge to show off my knives. Para, I love my Tomes Remington style lockback, I can't wait to have a more pocket size knife of his to carry around.
 
Seems everytime this comes up I seem to upset some,don't mean too:) ,I feel buy what you like and use it how you want.What works for you works for you.Heres what works for ME.



When I pay more for a knife it better do more,and enough more to justify the higher cost.Right now I got my Microtech LCC in my pocket,payed $135 for it.Greg Lightfoot will make me the same knife for what I think is $450-$500.Now heres where I usally get in trouble so I'll try not to this time.Now for ME if I'm going to pay close to 4 times more I want alot more than a slight increase in performance in things like edge holding,fit/finish,sharpness etc.Now I wouldn't expect a four fold increase but I would have to get a least double.

For me I don't care if a knife is made in a factory, handmade in a shop or on mars.Does it meet My needs? Is its cost in line with other knives that offer the same performance.
 
I'm a firm believer in, "If ya want it ~ buy it."

Not everyone purchases a expensive knife for the snob appeal. Keep in mind, I said "not everyone." Unfortunately, there are plenty of "snobs" out there ~ and it isn't restricted to the knife world !

Personally, I believe. . .that the reason that there are so many knife companies, knife makers and knife styles out there. . .a wide variety of tastes and desires in our little world. . .

The least expensive knife that I carry cost me $52. The most expensive knife that I carry cost me $750. I purchased them (and all of the ones inbetween) cuz they are very very cool and fit my needs and tastes.

Isn't being a knife knut grand ! :D
 
My personal philosophy is that if I'm afraid to carry and use it, I won't buy it. I don't care if it's custom or production--I want to be able to feel comfortable about carrying it. As a result, I don't have any real high-end pieces with jewels and exotic materials, but I have no problem carrying fine pieces from makers like Pat Crawford or Darrel Ralph or Alan Elishewitz. They're beautiful and they also "walk the walk".;)
 
Lonehunter,

The knife Greg will make you is not the same as the LCC. For one thing it is about 3/4 size. Greg's will feature titanium liners and bolsters, making it lighter than the "boat anchor" MT LCC. Greg's will also feel much better in the hand.

The only minus to the custom version is it ain't got that spring like the D/A version of the factory knife.
 
I suspect that snob appeal is not that big a deal for most knifenuts unless they have a whole bunch of friends who are knifenuts, and even then, I would imagine that the biggest reason for buying any knife is that the buyer wants it. Personally, I then only knife people I see on a regular basis are the folks at my local knife shop, Grand Prairie Knives, and they are most intersted in me buying their knives, not me showing off some custom that I ordered. I show my knives to very few people, and I rarely tell anyone what they cost because it would just freak most folks out. I suppose that when I post about a new knife here it could be contrued as bragging, but honestly, I'm simply happy to talk about knives with folks who care about them. I'm not saying that anyone has ever said that I was bragging but I felt that I should add my two cents to the discussion.

Back to the original idea, a knife to be used if it is designed to be a user, regardless of what it costs. I can't put anybody down who just wants to keep a fine knife on display, but it is great to use a fine knife just like it is great to drive a fine car or play a great instrument.
 
I posted on the other thread as well.

One further point is when I got my first custom, a Doug Mondt 10" Spearpoint in CPM 10V (one I designed myself with Dougs help) I went out right away and chopped every bit of wood I could find. I went on a wood chopping mission! I tried my best to find a way to recreate a worst case situation in normal/heavy use. I had to break in this knife before the thought of it being custom sank in. This knife was bought as a user and not a shelf space abuser!:D

Also I was asured that CPM 10V was a poor choice for a 15" O/A blade of such thick stock (greater than 1/4). Well I asked for a 58-59 heat treat and it had one from Paul Bos:D .

This brittle steel of little value in a large knife was worked very hard for a full afternoon. The blade was still very sharp and only had a tiny dull spot that steeled out. Several passes on thw step 4 and it was hair splitting sharp again. My Gerber Sport axe faired far far worse. Just goes to show...

Now I need fear not, I know this knife will take all I can give it, without being weak.:)
 
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