Anyone ever retire a knife because...

C

cultivateitnow

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Aug 21, 2010
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Anyone ever retire a knife because they liked it too much?

I have retired three that I like a lot. Two of these knives have done a little bit of everything for me over the years and the are still as good as new. I lost track of all the critters they helped put in the freezer, both fur and fin. One was a folder use daily as a work knife too. I lost it one time and was pretty darn sad about it. I started looking for another but I could find one. About a week after I replaced it with a knife I thought might be as good I found it. The knife had slipped from a pocket and was down inside a chair. I carried it for a couple months after that and decided I just didn't want to risk losing it again.

The next knife retired was more of a field knife than anything. It took a bunch of trips with me and was a favorite of mine and my wife's when it came time to process deer. The sheath no longer holds the knife fast. For a few years I tied the knife down, used a rubber band, or wedged the knife home so I wouldn't lose it. Last October was the last time that knife seen duty.

So far I have purchased 10 or so knives looking for a replacement for that fixed blade. I am finding favor with two, but they miss the mark a bit. Maybe I will get use to them in time. I hope I can give them a workout this year to see if they have what if takes.

Anyone else going though this process?
 
One of my first knives, a Victorinox Tinker, given to me by my Dad, is in semi-retirement for sentimental reasons. I carried it for almost 20 years...

Likewise a small engraved EKA Pen knife he had as a boy and gave to me.
 
If I like a particular knife so much that I don't want to risk damaging or breaking it, then I buy two of them!! One for the collection (to remain pristine) and one for the pocket (to actually get used). This can get expensive, however. . . . ;)
 
link2derek said:
If I like a particular knife so much that I don't want to risk damaging or breaking it, then I buy two of them!! One for the collection (to remain pristine) and one for the pocket (to actually get used). This can get expensive, however. . . . ;)
Click to expand...
Second that!
i'm often torn between keeping a great knife pristine and using it, especially fixed blades. Sometimes it seems absurd to have a fantastic Mastersmith blade or a Busse that is an amazing performer but you can't really use it because if you do it loses value. But once you use it there's not much sense in retiring it because it isn't minty anymore. I have had some, folders especially, that get to the point where they have to be refurbished or retired ( my first Elishewitz and Lightfoot folders spring to mind).
If i could afford two of each, one to put in the vault and one to use hard, I'd be a happier man, that's for sure.
 
I too have many "Twins." Makes it easier to carry favorites without worries. But I can see where sentimentality can make you put one away. I don't see it as a problem. They come out on special occasions, like Father's Day. That makes a spiritual connection for me. Do what feels right for you.
 
1/2 of my collection of is on temporary retirement until 2013 when I move back to the States. Until then I'm rockin a few different Swiss Army Knives.
 
none of what I have "retired" is in perhect condition - if it were - it would not be retired..They have all seen lots of use and some have been cloned where possible. Handling each one brings back memories of a deer hunt with my dad or trip with friends or someone who gave it to me... you get the picture -besides that gives me a really good excuse to look for a new knife!
Peace
Revvie
 
1. My late father's Unc.Henry Stockman.
2. The small lockback stiletto I carried in Vietnam.
3. The Schade #148 fixed blade that I got in 1962.
 
Actually I have a Buck model 500 that my Pop gave me. It was my EDC when I was an Air Force KC-10 crew chief. To be honest I retired it because of its sentimental value.

I just don't want to chance losing it.
 
I've retired my first CRK small Sebenza CGG. It was a present for graduating college. Carried it for a year and lost it for a few weeks. When I found it again, I quickly replaced it with a Small 21. The small 21 has now been retired for a Small numbered Insingo. :foot:
 
My aunt gave me my uncle's edc (schrade oldtimer trappers model),he carried if for over 15 years before he died.
I carried it for over 20, I lost it for a month and when I found it, it was put away
 
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