Are Knives JUST Tools?

JSMcustoms

JSMcustoms

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Feb 2, 2012
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I thought that this would be an interesting conversation piece, so here goes; I wanted to get your thoughts on whether or not knives are just tools (like a hammer or a saw) or if there is something more to them. Also is there any real validity to "collection" or "art" knives as an investment?
 
My pocket knife is not only a tool. I consider it a part of my gentleman's swag, as well... ;) A fella's knife is also a personal effect, imo. I'd lend a screwdriver to a buddy but I'd certainly hesitate to loan 'em my knife!
 
Toast with Jesus' face on it is a collector's item, so of course knives CAN be collector's items. They can also cut wood, rope, paper, flesh, bone, and plastic (maybe rock too but not from my experience).

No, knives are not ever just one thing, whether it be users or collectors or things stashed in evidence cabinets at police stations.

Now, if someone could make a knife with Jesus' face on it, survive in the woods with it for a year, then stab someone in the face and have it end up in the possession of a state/legaly administrative body, THEN it would be all of the above, and a superlative example at that.
 
Hmm... That is an interesting point you brought up, I have thought about this a lot before.
And my and answer is yes. They are just tools, used for cutting of course. But some are just better looking or better functioning than others, or both. I think of it like cars, a vehicle is designed to get you from point A to point B, some may do this faster than others. If you take the motor out of a car, it may still be nice to look at but if you cant drive it and enjoy it then what good is it? If it cant go, then its not really are car, its just a hunk of metal that looks like a car. Same for knives, some may look fantastic and have the hardest steel in the world, but if it will not do what its name implies (Knife) then its not really a knife is it? Its just a hunk of metal that looks like a knife.
A cutting tool (knife) can be art, but art that doesn't cut CAN NOT be a cutting tool (knife)
 
TheSharpStuff said:
Hmm... That is an interesting point you brought up, I have thought about this a lot before.
And my and answer is yes. They are just tools, used for cutting of course. But some are just better looking or better functioning than others, or both. I think of it like cars, a vehicle is designed to get you from point A to point B, some may do this faster than others. If you take the motor out of a car, it may still be nice to look at but if you cant drive it and enjoy it then what good is it? If it cant go, then its not really are car, its just a hunk of metal that looks like a car. Same for knives, some may look fantastic and have the hardest steel in the world, but if it will not do what its name implies (Knife) then its not really a knife is it? Its just a hunk of metal that looks like a knife.
A cutting tool (knife) can be art, but art that doesn't cut CAN NOT be a cutting tool (knife)
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This is my views on the subject exactly. I mean, why spend money on something that you aren't going to use for what it was intended?
 
JSMcustoms said:
This is my views on the subject exactly. I mean, why spend money on something that you aren't going to use for what it was intended?
Click to expand...
Well, what is the intended use of a $20,000 knife? They're out there, and people buy them, plus knives many times the price.
 
Depends on the knife (and of course the use can change).

Some knives have a secondary (or primary) function as weapons. In fact, many do. One thing that kind of annoys me is when people tell me a rifle is just a tool, for example. No it's not, and neither are many knives. :thumbdn:
 
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar....and sometimes it isn't. ;)

Knives are collected, by quite a number of people.
Does that make them more than just a tool? All sorts of tools and machinery are collected.

There is an emotional connection for many people with knives. Sometimes based on childhood memories, etc. A knife is frequently one of the first "man toys" given by a parent.
For many it is their first memory of an adult tool for them. A first step into manhood?

As an investment, knives are like most hobbies. IF you do your homework, become knowledgeable and work at it, you might make a profit at some point.
But like most hobbies, your primary goal should be to enjoy yourself. If you manage to make a profit, that can make you feel good, but you will likely not have factored in the losses and the time you spent, so the profit may be a bit of an illusion.
 
"It's a tool not a jewel" In my years as a shop rat I heard this many a time. Not only about knives but other tools and equipment. Your perspective, philosophy, prejudices, and personal experiences might become involved but it's still a tool. A very beautiful, artistic, well crafted, personally satisfying, personal effect, a very valuable antique or keepsake; but still it is a tool. ;)
 
Hey wait, I'm a tool! Are you saying I'm worth only the $4 in beer my parents spent to make me??

Okay, you're right. Give or take a buck for depreciation or maturation.
 
i suppose it depends on the knife in question.

a near mint scagel is not going to be called a tool before any other term, even if the maker made the blade as just that.

and while their are those among us, certainly on this forum, that can consider even a box cutter as something to be appreciated beyond a tool, most people would call simple knives just tools.

thats how knives first were considered, way back when, just tools. im guessing it didnt take long for someone, some chieftain of importance, to have made a knife that was more ceremonial then tool, to show importance. yet was still functional. but to be fair, that trend probably started with axes first, after clubs.

i also find it curious that other tools, equally as useful as knives, older then or at least as old, just dont have close to the same mojo. i suppose its just very easy to carry a knife, as opposed to a hammer, axe, whatever else. surely thats part of it. i dunno. just something about this whole hobby that i cant even put on my finger on past "i just really like em."
 
Knives, first and foremost, are tools. The use one gives to them, varies with the locale, time period, culture, etc. But they are essentially, tools. A knife (or any other object) can become a collector item, depending on a fenomenon of offer and demand. One needs only to remember the many works of art (musical works, paintings, sculptures, etc.), that today are masterpieces, that comand millions of dollars prices in auctions, but whose creators, in their own lifetimes where either under-appreciated or even rejected by their societies. Van Gogh is one that comes to mind.
 
They are tools, they can help construct or destruct. But they are also weapons, and have been ever since we started chipping them out of stone, anyone who says otherwise is a fool. History speaks for itself
 
As for art. There is a guy that pukes on canvas and smears it around and sells it for thousands. sooo yeaaaaah. Anything can be considered art to the right person
 
Yes knives are generally speaking tools. As for me, however, I've always held them in a bit higher regard than say a hammer or a wrench. With that being said I've always been attracted to the asthetics of knives and their companionship on a daily basis so it's fair to say that for me a knife is more than a tool but, still this is just what one individual thinks and the masses generally see a knife as just another tool.
 
a knife is a tool, that can function as a weapon.

a dagger is a weapon that can be used as a tool.

mainly, a knife in hand evens out the field for man in many situations where having none in hand will spell disaster.
 
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