Are We Too Careful?

O

Old Knife Guy

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I've been corresponding with a friend who became horrified when he found I made a sandwich with a 'tactical knife.' I had to cut a bun, the knife was in my jeans, I cleaned it carefully when I did the dishes, but still, he freaked. I try and buy the best knife steel, like 154-CM or S60V, and I'm very careful when I sharpen and polish with my Edge-Pro. All of my knives are valued, and in pristine condition, but I use them. On the same day, both of our wives got packages. I handed my freshly sharpened Kershaw Boa to my wife, and she sliced open her parcel. My friend's wife reached for his BM 705, and he stopped her. If our knives are truly designed for extreme conditions, why do so many people believe that mayonnaise will destroy them?--OKG
 
What! You actually cut something other than whatever-it-is that tactical knives are supposed to be used for... and thereby desecrated the blade? You must now consult the nearest knife guru to have your blade re-consecrated, or else use it to commit ritual sepuku... Darn, come to think of it, you can't even do that without the proper tanto, which must be hand forged from Tama-Hagane.
Actually, I find that VG-10 stands up to mayonaisse, and most other stuff like rubber hose, pizza, grapefruit, wood and black bear, rather well.
Tactical, schmactical!
 
I heard somewhere that damascus really doesn't like getting blood on it
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Dunno' -- I thought we bought knives so that we could cut things and such. I think some of the behavior you describe could be due to people placing knives into categories: tactical, kitchen, and utility, etc..

I also think that, in part, it has to do with our obsession with the perfect, ultimately sharp edge. Once we've got it, we're afraid to use the knife, 'cause then it won't be as sharp anymore.


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Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon

[This message has been edited by dsvirsky (edited 10-11-2000).]
 
The only time I'm concerned is when I cut something that is potentially unhealthy. I'd never cut up a chicken for a bbq then use it later that day for spreading mayo on a hamburger. Too good a chance for food poisoning. A knife is meant to be used no matter what the label. A pen knife isn't used only for trimming quill pens. A Stockman isn't used just by stockmen.
My wife doesn't reach for my knife...she reaches for her own.
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~~TOM~~
 
The only thing special I do is issue a caution like "This knife is *REALLY* sharp!" when I hand it to someone to use.

I suppose opening soup cans with the small blade of my Case pocketknife would be considered socially unacceptable?
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Just last night, I attended a Boy Scout meeting with my son, so I could hear a presentation by a locas Indian artifact expert. Earlier in the meeting, the boys made some replica Indian toys and games. Guess what? No one had a knife, except me of course. I lent it out to whittle several sticks and such. Isn't that why we have knives? If I break it or wear it out, I'll get another.

And, who ever said all Boy Scouts are prepared?
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Dave
 
Too careful? Naah... I'd say that hogging out a screw-hole in the sheet metal of my Jeep with my BM710 isn't being too careful. Got a couple of chips in the tip of the blade, but it stood up surprisingly well, and still cuts. Imagine that.

OBTW, all my knifes are well used. Otherwise, there's no reason to have them.

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iktomi
 
I have users and keepers and those I keep for trade. I shocked guests last Thanksgiving when I used my favorite Bowie to carve the turkey. When asked, I just said why not use a special knife for a special occasion.

Jake
 
Good question.I often have looked at pictures of knives guys have posted here and wondered if anyone used their knives.I mean mine have clips with wear, blades with scratches and some of the points not as pointy anymore.In the fire dept.having a clean shiney helmet is an embarrassment,you want a banged up,burnt black helmet with gobbs of melted roofing tar hardend on it that way everyone knows your a worker and that helmet is not just a prop,same with knives IMHO.
 
i got a crkt bear claw for fathers day. my son age 13 months needed a can of condensed formula opened. we were at a hotel. so i being a good father took out my beloved blade and used it to cut a couple of holes in te can to pour with. yes i nicked the blade, but i had a lot of fun resharpening.

another time i had to repair a toilet seet with brass fittings. i had 2 seats and the screw from one did not fit thru the brass seat washer of the other, so i used my gerber jr ez out and whittled the hole bigger to make a perfect fit. brass being softer than steel did not even so much as scratch my blade.

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a man is no fool to give up that which he cannot keep to gain what he cannever lose.
 
As for me, I carry a 'beater knife' to do the hard work and save my 'daily carry' for 'as needed' use when I'm out and about.
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There is an old sea going tradition among sailors and fishermen from the North East.
Always carry 2 knives. One for general use and another kept very sharp. Emergencies aboard fishing boats often involve someone being tangled in a line or net. A knife slightly dull just wont do. Would you trust the knife in YOUR pocket RIGHT NOW to save your life?
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Also mayo would make my knife all 'icky'
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Brent...
 
I used to collect knives for value. Had quite a nice collection worth some nice bucks. Then I gave them all away. (Unfortunately, that was before I met all you blade-thirsty knifeknuts!
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) Now, whatever I buy, I use. And use. And use. I have several knives, and while I don't use them all at the same time (I only have two hands!), they all get used. And used. And used. (Did I already say that?)

And, as they say about survival: 'the survival knife is the one you have on you when it comes time to survive,' so the using knife is the one at hand when it's time to use one. While I probably wouldn't spread peanut butter with a large bowie, my Spydie Military does a great job of it!

If you've got a blade that cost you upwards of four digits, and you bought it to look at, put it under glass and look at it. But if you didn't buy it to look at, then you should be using it for whatever you can. My large bowie won't fit in the peanut butter jar. My Military will. And you probably wouldn't use a Spydie Toad to carve a turkey. But if the shoe (or knife) fits, use it.

I think your friend may be getting into the 'spiritual' side of knife collecting/using. As if the knives, besides having personalities and 'character', also have spirits and are nearly 'living beings' of sorts. Sounds a mite like 'Star Trek' or some other science fiction story. IMHO, that's getting off the deep end into the Twilight Zone!
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Sort of like when some people (I know y'all have never done anything like this
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) talk to their cars: "C'mon, Betsy! You can do it! You can start! C'mon, girl! I know it's cold, but you're a gooood girl! You can do it! Start, baby, start! That's it girl! Alright! That's my baby! Good Besty!"
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If you want to give 'life' to your knives, I guess that's your business. Me? I use mine. And use them. And use them.
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Champions make improvements as fast as losers make excuses.
 
OK, I will still carry my whirlwind where allowed due to size and use it to do everything from cleaning steak from teeth to unscrewing Crate lids. But I am now SCARED to actually USE my new small Point Gaurd. I never thought i would be this way about a pigsticker in my pocket, but God, I am scared. I know I will never be able to get it as sharp as it came in the mail, so I better not use it. Better to keep and shave my arm to impress my buds.
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Once I get a knife sharp I don't like to cut things with it 'cause it will get dull again and then I will have to sharpen it again. It's a viscious circle...

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Also mayo would make my knife all 'icky'
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-Classified00
Click to expand...

Yes, Mayo would make your knife all icky! He'd drill weird holes in your handle.

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
I use my knives for anything and everything except for cutting up food. And thats because it would be very gross to sit there and eat the food while thinking about all the other things my knife had been used for. Like cutting bandages off a of a horses foot that were covered in horse Sh!t, cutting open packages of things that are pretty much poisonous (weed killer, bug spray, paint thinner) Oh yeah, and the can opener on my multi lock is never going near a can of food. It makes a much better hoof pick
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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
 
OKG - I carry 2 knives(well the other one doesn't really qualify as a knife...), a socom and a LeatherMan Wave. I use the wave's blade for food prep. and the serrated blade for boxes, ropes while i reserve the socom for "situations" one might say...
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I don't see anything wrong by using the "tactical"(OOooo...
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) piece for food prep. as well. Isn't that one of the knife's specialty?....

Eric.
Dream like you'll live forever and live like theres no tomorrow - Highlander.
 
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