Being Ridicluous???

[bdmicarta]

Everybody has their own limits of what price range they will carry, also everybody will look differently at owning an item that you don't use.

Years ago I collected custom hunting knives, with no intention of ever using any of them. In the time since then I don't think I've even had an occasion to go hunting so no possibility of even using them, and I still have them. I like to look at the style and the craftmanship. So it is OK to own something that you don't use.

I also buy a lot of folding knives, but I buy them to actually carry and use. I have upper and lower price limits as to what I feel comfortable carrying. I think if a person buys something to use then they have to decide if they are going to use it or sell it. If you are going to keep it and it isn't a very rare item that could be significantly devalued by a little use, then go ahead and use it a little. Just take care of it. As long as you don't scrape mud off of your boots with it, or cut electrical wire, or pry out nails, you can use a knife a little bit and not change it significantly.

 

[Vedenant]

Mmmhmmm....
I just bought a brand new truck. Brand new.
Probably 2 weeks ago.
I've already drove through a foot of snow.
Towed a trailer in the snow.
Pulled a truck out of the snow. Had to yank the chain too.
And revved it pretty high while driving.
I drive it every day and am not scared to get it dirty.

The way I see it, don't buy what you don't use.
What's the sense in having something if you can't use it?
Just think how much more you will enjoy it if you use it.
The scratches become yours. You learn how it acts and what it does and doesn't like to cut.
It becomes an extension of your hand.

Yup, knife's a tool, you gotta use it. If you want to collect expensive man jewellery go buy watches. OP reminds me of a friend of mine who works in construction, he bought an EXPENSIVE hammer, something special there that I don't understand. Well he can't take it to work for the fear of theft and he won't use it at home for the fear of dings... Go figure, that guy is in agony!

 

[K.O.D.]

Its a Direware, they are made to take abuse.

 

[flatblackcapo]

It is your knife to do with as you please. I will add, it will almost certainly bring a big fat smile to Eric's face when you run into him at a show and pull that well used ( but well cared for ) Hyper 90 out of your pocket and hand it to him.

 

[GronK]

As long as you don't scrape mud off of your boots with it, or cut electrical wire, or pry out nails, you can use a knife a little bit and not change it significantly.

Have to disagree here, "significantly" being the sticking point. Just carrying a knife and fondling it will put some sort of marks on a knife. To many, these are not acceptable, especially on limited edition/expensive pieces. They want perfect and will not settle for less. The tiniest thing may be enough to send them off to GB&U for a rant. Ironically, this is especially true when a "hard use" folder is involved.

 

[jaxxsun]

OK for the guys who think that I collect. I do not. I am not Jim Skelton
And most of All! I do not worship spit. Let alone a knife or gun. Unless she is Red haired freckeled faced with an amazing smile

But what I admire is the Craftsmanship that went in to making of my Direware.
I am not freaked about the cost or the possible resale value if used.

I am old school. I have a deep appreciation for well made things. Not fads or the newest must have. I can see that I have opened a can of worms here. I only have three knives now. The rest are gone.

All I was trying to originally convey was, what I unexpectedly came to feel when I got my Grail.

 

[Krissig12]

She will make a lovely paper weight, different strokes I suppose.

Or even a door stop in this case

 

[The Nomadic Hermit]

But what I admire is the Craftsmanship that went in to making of my Direware.
I am not freaked about the cost or the possible resale value if used.

I am old school. I have a deep appreciation for well made things. Not fads or the newest must have.

This is a great quote. I like you. Use it, carry it, enjoy it.

 

[hfrog355]

I'm in the same boat with a Bodega. Actually will probably sell it soon because it's a lot of money to have in a safe queen.

Very strange hobby we have here...

 

[evanPGH]

A Samurai would not use his tanto for utility work. That blade is for battle. He'd use his kozuka. This blade was a utility knife.
I respect this philosophy.
rolf

C'mon Rolf, you slipping bud?

Kogatana was the utility blade, a kozuka is the handle it was fitted to.

 

[VTRonin]

A gerber. Not in this lifetime. You have to see and handle a dieware custom.
When I was in to guns. I carried a custom and would debate with guys that carried more common weapons.
Until they handled and fired it down range. End of debate.
I want a show of Hands? Who has handled a custom let a lone a true Grail?
I never had, untill now. And I now fully understand the meaning of a personal Grail.

I think you are going to be in a small group of people that have been fortunate enough to handle a "true grail." Either you started this thread cause you are unsure if you want to use it or want affirmation not to use it. I say this because I probably would do the same I know if it was me every time I would pull out another EDC for use I would always wonder how my "grail" would work and how it might feel like to use it. It would be there, nagging, in the back of my mind (You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad ) so I think I would just start using it for very small tasks and it would most likely be the end of no return lol. I have purchased more firearms than knives and I have done a lot of modifications to them. I shoot the heck out of them. If something wears or breaks, I replace it and do constant maintenance on them. Why? So I can use them and not put them in my safe and wonder how it shoots. Now on the other side of your argument you said you carried a custom firearm and would debate with others who had more "common" weapons. What was the debate? I assume your stance was because your firearm was custom it worked better or was maybe more functional then their common firearm and they were immediately swayed after firing yours? If so, then since you have a custom knife why would you not use it as you did your custom firearm? But if you want to keep it safe I can respect and understand that too, I mean if I was to ever come across a legit Revolutionary War Era "Kentucky" yeah I prob would keep that safe to

But dude whatever you choose congrats!

*sorry for the cheesy quote I just had to

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks for the lesson, Evan.^
btw, Phill Hartsfield would always ask me if I used my knife from him yet and I got tired of saying no. I'm glad I finally used it.
But, some of my Hartsfields did not get used.

 

[Jhansenak47]

All I was trying to originally convey was, what I unexpectedly came to feel when I got my Grail.

Before you bought it, did you imagine yourself using it?
I have found letting go and passing through my conceptual event horizons to be like taking weight out of a figurative backpack of burdens that I carry.
Sentimental value involves our interaction with the physical world. If you don't use it, then it won't ever be valued for it's utility. It will be valued only in a vicarious way, much like artwork is.
Ease into using it and appreciate it for what it is and not for what it could be.

 

[jaxxsun]

I'm in the same boat with a Bodega. Actually will probably sell it soon because it's a lot of money to have in a safe queen.

Very strange hobby we have here...

The thought of selling it has crossed my mind.

A side note - I have never owned a Harley because it brings its own little headaches for some.
That is why I rode a Goldwing for 6 years and 75,000 miles with out a single concern or care.

I live by simple rules. Life is too short to stressed by anything you have control over.
And if and when, anything or anyone causes you stress find a way to get rid of it!

 

[toker]

The thought of selling it has crossed my mind.

A side note - I have never owned a Harley because it brings its own little headaches for some.
That is why I rode a Goldwing for 6 years and 75,000 miles with out a single concern or care.

I live by simple rules. Life is too short to stressed by anything you have control over.
And if and when, anything or anyone causes you stress find a way to get rid of it!

Selling it would cause you less stress than using it and enjoying how well made it is?

I would think that selling it would cause you more regret in the future, but that's just me. I wanted the ZT0777 the second I saw it. I waited almost two years to get my hands on one. I flipped it a few times, cut a few things and then immediately decided to keep it. I reprofiled the edge and flame anodized the clip and subframe lock. There aren't too many knives in my collection that I enjoy using more.

 

[Lycosa]

fwiw... try an Emerson or a Strider. These knives beg to be used and look great doing it.

 

[Kaizen1]

I've felt similarly when I got a few knives that were in the higher ranges. Although "hard use" knives are designed to withstand some form of abuse that other knives can't, it never made sense to me to try to push the limits of a folder. I say slice up some cardboard to get through the initial grail feeling and carry it from there.

 

[Mecha]

Afraid to use it? Hell, looks like somebody already broke half the blade off!

 

[Bludgeon]

Personally, If I won't carry it I won't own it.

 

[jaxxsun]

Now on the other side of your argument you said you carried a custom firearm and would debate with others who had more "common" weapons. What was the debate? I assume your stance was because your firearm was custom it worked better or was maybe more functional then their common firearm and they were immediately swayed after firing yours? If so, then since you have a custom knife why would you not use it as you did your custom firearm?

My firearm was personal protection. And was relied on 24/7 365. I feel that every hand gun could use some tweaking. A better trigger, a better barrel and smoother action, the right ammo. And with out saying, hours and hours of practice. Who really wants to carry a weapon that can be a half inch off your mark or has a long and slow trigger or stove pipes on occasion. I never did. I used to preach. Carry what you like. I only carried the very best because I am worth it. (No longer wear/use them, no need).