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Function 110%. Looks are still a bonus, but cosmetic flourishes should be incorporated into the design only if they do not cause a drop in performance.
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Appearence or Performance?
- Thread starter Portman30-06
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- Sep 24, 2013
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- 344
This day and age, I don't think it's that hard to check off both boxes. The only knives I own that I don't find particularly attractive are my Victorinox knives, and even those have a sort of a classic, idiosyncratic charm and I can't quite call them ugly.
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- Nov 25, 2006
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I was always like that. But some of them are still attractive aesthetically. I can't look at a G.B. axe with an oiled haft\handle and not find it to be a handsome tool.
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- Nov 21, 2011
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- 9
Appearance is subjective, so as long as the knife cuts, the user can have both.
That covers it for me as well.
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- Feb 3, 2001
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Performance above all but if it's a well made knife, it'll look good by default, usually...
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I have enough knives for any possible need I might ever have for cutting things. So all of my future purchases are entirely based on want rather than need.
When I purchase a knife, the first consideration is whether or not it is a functional pattern that'd I'd be interested in carrying or using. But a lot of knives pass that test. After that, it's a combination of appearance and value. But I don't buy knives that are too pretty for me to consider using. Even if I don't actually end up using them.
For those who are collectors for display, which is a perfectly valid and reasonable way to enjoy the hobby, then I think appearance may have a larger weighting in the decision to purchase than it does for someone whose primary interest is in having a functional cutting tool.
When I purchase a knife, the first consideration is whether or not it is a functional pattern that'd I'd be interested in carrying or using. But a lot of knives pass that test. After that, it's a combination of appearance and value. But I don't buy knives that are too pretty for me to consider using. Even if I don't actually end up using them.
For those who are collectors for display, which is a perfectly valid and reasonable way to enjoy the hobby, then I think appearance may have a larger weighting in the decision to purchase than it does for someone whose primary interest is in having a functional cutting tool.
i'll go with form determines function.
unfortunately, our senses are grossly overwhelmed by numerous distractions
that clouds judgment.
hopefully with age, comes wisdom;
thus eventually for one to adapt, overcome and survive the dilemmas
having developed logical state of priorities mapped out.
but uncontrollable urges is just the very thing that makes things fun.
so if fun and happiness is but an emotional state we all yearn for;
then we ought to quit thinking and let the child in us decide.
the consequence can be damning,
but that is the reward of living a hedonistic knifestyle;
so that any knife purchase will never become a perplexing question in life.
and so, we simply buy because we can.
unfortunately, our senses are grossly overwhelmed by numerous distractions
that clouds judgment.
hopefully with age, comes wisdom;
thus eventually for one to adapt, overcome and survive the dilemmas
having developed logical state of priorities mapped out.
but uncontrollable urges is just the very thing that makes things fun.
so if fun and happiness is but an emotional state we all yearn for;
then we ought to quit thinking and let the child in us decide.
the consequence can be damning,
but that is the reward of living a hedonistic knifestyle;
so that any knife purchase will never become a perplexing question in life.
and so, we simply buy because we can.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2008
- Messages
- 263
I don't believe most of you... you know dam well that the knife must be appealing to you in appearance! There are so many options out there. . . That you end up going for what looks good to you 
If it was performance based, we would all only own benchmade with axis locks
. But out comes the Chris Reeves, and spydies ect. . .
Just admit that a sexy knife, is just that, a sexy knife....
If it was performance based, we would all only own benchmade with axis locks
. But out comes the Chris Reeves, and spydies ect. . . Just admit that a sexy knife, is just that, a sexy knife....
If you really looking for a user knife then Performance always > Appearance.
But since 130$ Para2 with exotic steel will easily cutout more than 90% of >1k$ custom, its obviously that majority of knife people had give precedence to the appearance, more than the performance.
But since 130$ Para2 with exotic steel will easily cutout more than 90% of >1k$ custom, its obviously that majority of knife people had give precedence to the appearance, more than the performance.
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- Apr 4, 2013
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- 3,415
Sure I buy knives that look cool, but that's just an added perk, I buy them based in merit alone, luckily this is 2013 and we can have both...
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- Jan 9, 2013
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- 449
Why would you have to pick between the 2 even if a knife would fit the "role" I needed it for if I hated the way it looked I still wouldn't buy it when I can have a knife that fills that "role" and still looks decent
I don't believe most of you... you know dam well that the knife must be appealing to you in appearance! There are so many options out there. . . That you end up going for what looks good to you
Just admit that a sexy knife, is just that, a sexy knife....
I hear you Jason - and I totally aggree
You can generalize this rule this to other things as well, for instance cars: everybody sais a car has to be comfortable, environmental friendly, low gas emissions, low fuel consumption aso. but they all drool over Holden Efijys and Mercedes Gullwings.
And I dare to say this applies to women as well: kind, warm, understanding and good cook vs. a pair of overdeveloped b(oYo)bs... 
