- Joined
- Oct 25, 2011
- Messages
- 116
I'm no expert and will never claim to be. My collection includes a few Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, ZT, Chris Reeve, Strider, Hinderer, and Hogue. Most of the people I work with have never heard of some of the higher end brands and are stunned when they ask what I paid for them. 'Yes, I paid $xxx.xx for this knife. How much did you pay for those wheels and tires on that jacked up 4 wheel drive that has never been off of the pavement?'
Anyway, I have been turned into "the knife guy" and get asked many questions about brands and steel types and the like. Some I can answer and some I know nothing about. I have turned on a few to the sickness of buying knives and sold them a few of mine that I never carried. I have given away several to deckhands that don't normally carry a knife. More than once I've had the recipient not want to use it for fear of damaging the knife. I just don't get it. I tell them not to be afraid to use it. There are plenty more on the store shelf where that one came from. It's a tool, use it, it can be replaced. You can't be replaced when you step in the bight of that line and get snatched over board or your leg pulled off.(In times past, it was expected for a hand to have a knife and flashlight, at a minimum. Some companies don't allow knives and require seamen to carry an alternative cutting device. That's another story for another time.)
Out here on these boats knives are used for everything from cutting mooring lines, used as pry bars to open paint cans, scrapers and screw drivers. The question I get asked the most is "what's the best knife out there?" My standard answer is "The one you have in your pocket. If you're on deck without one, it's no use to you on your desk in your room." It is usually followed by a sermon of using a knife for cutting; not prying or turning screws. (I also refer them to this site and all you fine folks here)
I would be interested to read your experiences about leading others to getting interested in knives or if you have become the "go to knife guy". (Not looking to slam any brands) I have one friend that will occasionally send a link to a knife; what do you think of this one? I try not judge as our tastes are little different, sometimes I will reply with a link to something similar, or urge him to find reviews.
Anyway, I have been turned into "the knife guy" and get asked many questions about brands and steel types and the like. Some I can answer and some I know nothing about. I have turned on a few to the sickness of buying knives and sold them a few of mine that I never carried. I have given away several to deckhands that don't normally carry a knife. More than once I've had the recipient not want to use it for fear of damaging the knife. I just don't get it. I tell them not to be afraid to use it. There are plenty more on the store shelf where that one came from. It's a tool, use it, it can be replaced. You can't be replaced when you step in the bight of that line and get snatched over board or your leg pulled off.(In times past, it was expected for a hand to have a knife and flashlight, at a minimum. Some companies don't allow knives and require seamen to carry an alternative cutting device. That's another story for another time.)
Out here on these boats knives are used for everything from cutting mooring lines, used as pry bars to open paint cans, scrapers and screw drivers. The question I get asked the most is "what's the best knife out there?" My standard answer is "The one you have in your pocket. If you're on deck without one, it's no use to you on your desk in your room." It is usually followed by a sermon of using a knife for cutting; not prying or turning screws. (I also refer them to this site and all you fine folks here)
I would be interested to read your experiences about leading others to getting interested in knives or if you have become the "go to knife guy". (Not looking to slam any brands) I have one friend that will occasionally send a link to a knife; what do you think of this one? I try not judge as our tastes are little different, sometimes I will reply with a link to something similar, or urge him to find reviews.