Bored of productions

AntCaps

AntCaps

Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
924
Is anyone else bored of the useual production knives?
Ever since I bought my kwaiback midtech last year I've had a hard time getting excited about lower end knives, the problem is I can't afford to buy a new midtech everyti e I get the urge to fondle something new.
Pro you have any suggestions of sub $150.00 knives that are fun to play with or innovative something different?
 
You may need a new hobby dude. Why buy just to buy? Why get too obsessed with collecting just to collect? There are many other fun things to play with other then knives in this world. Try something new. I recommend women, firearms, flashlights, watches, tools, exc. There are many other "action" hobbies which are far more fun then material possessions too. Try fishing, hiking, rock climbing, camping, mountain bike riding, exc. The best part with these action hobbies is there is a good chance you will get to use some of your knives too.
 
I might have to start trying some customization, and I do have other hobbies and a 60+hour a week job so I don't think I could add much more in that respect.
RevDevil I've got a pretty expansive collection of knives iv drawn both by hand and in AutoCAD, but not the time energy or money to learn how to make them lol.
 
AntCaps said:
I might have to start trying some customization, and I do have other hobbies and a 60+hour a week job so I don't think I could add much more in that respect.
RevDevil I've got a pretty expansive collection of knives iv drawn both by hand and in AutoCAD, but not the time energy or money to learn how to make them lol.
Click to expand...

Dude, you may be able to team up with a maker and do collabs.
 
Don't buy a knife just because... I did that for a long time and now I have a drawer full of production knives I don't carry.

I narrowed it down to knives I've always wanted. Those were some CRK's, a Rockstead, a flipper from André Thorburn, and a Diskin Fire.

947CF449-9322-476B-BFCC-444D6CA5E20B_zpse5zv6lcn.jpg


I eventually found that my collection lacked knives that were more "traditional". I started with a slipjoint from Jim Dunlap, and I started a new love with traditional knives (with modern looks/materials). I eventually contacted a couple makers to make me some knives to my specs, and these are the knives I truly cherish. There is something special about building a relationship with a knife maker and watching your vision become a reality.

34B8D59C-1CD9-42A7-AD6C-6BA605C59C4F_zpsphrbs4cg.jpg


Personally, I am no longer into production knives either. I see a lot that are cool and would like to have, but they would have no meaning; I don't dream about them night-and-day. My purchases are more spread out now, and I have come to realize what my collection lacks and what I also truly-want. I don't buy knives because they are new or cool, and trust me, there's alot of those! I buy what speaks to my heart.

Take a step back, and think to yourself what you really want. If you don't know, then think of a maker or two who's work you truly enjoy looking at. If you can think of at least one, then contact him/her and get something built that reflects your interests best. Also, think of knives your collection lacks. It can be fun to buy something that you normally wouldn't; like a slipjoint:)
 
Tachead01 said:
You may need a new hobby dude. Why buy just to buy? Why get too obsessed with collecting just to collect? There are many other fun things to play with other then knives in this world. Try something new. I recommend women, firearms, flashlights, watches, tools, exc. There are many other "action" hobbies which are far more fun then material possessions too. Try fishing, hiking, rock climbing, camping, mountain bike riding, exc. The best part with these action hobbies is there is a good chance you will get to use some of your knives too.
Click to expand...

All except the "woman" that could cost you a lot more than anything else. 😃
 
Maybe try doing sone stuff outdoors, building cover, notching sticks, bushcraft sorts of things, different knot ties and such.
 
Bluesbender, I've sort of started to do that if been selling off the knives I don't love and buying the ones I really like.
For example I just sold my ADV butcher so I can get the new kwaiback ultra Jake Hoback is prototyping right now.

Rev, maybe I'll make a thread showing my drawings someone with the skills and tools might see one they like and who knows maybe a colab will be possible.
 
Blues Bender said:
Don't buy a knife just because... I did that for a long time and now I have a drawer full of production knives I don't carry.

I narrowed it down to knives I've always wanted. Those were some CRK's, a Rockstead, a flipper from André Thorburn, and a Diskin Fire.

947CF449-9322-476B-BFCC-444D6CA5E20B_zpse5zv6lcn.jpg


I eventually found that my collection lacked knives that were more "traditional". I started with a slipjoint from Jim Dunlap, and I started a new love with traditional knives (with modern looks/materials). I eventually contacted a couple makers to make me some knives to my specs, and these are the knives I truly cherish. There is something special about building a relationship with a knife maker and watching your vision become a reality.

34B8D59C-1CD9-42A7-AD6C-6BA605C59C4F_zpsphrbs4cg.jpg


Personally, I am no longer into production knives either. I see a lot that are cool and would like to have, but they would have no meaning; I don't dream about them night-and-day. My purchases are more spread out now, and I have come to realize what my collection lacks and what I also truly-want. I don't buy knives because they are new or cool, and trust me, there's alot of those! I buy what speaks to my heart.

Take a step back, and think to yourself what you really want. If you don't know, then think of a maker or two who's work you truly enjoy looking at. If you can think of at least one, then contact him/her and get something built that reflects your interests best. Also, think of knives your collection lacks. It can be fun to buy something that you normally wouldn't; like a slipjoint:)
Click to expand...

Great post, I agree.

Quality over quality for me too BB. I am overdue to try a one off custom myself. I can see how that is the most rewarding. It's just hard to justify the price a lot of the time for me.
 
There is such a great variety in the production realm, how could anyone ever get bored.
 
Blues Bender said:
Don't buy a knife just because... I did that for a long time and now I have a drawer full of production knives I don't carry.

I narrowed it down to knives I've always wanted. Those were some CRK's, a Rockstead, a flipper from André Thorburn, and a Diskin Fire.

947CF449-9322-476B-BFCC-444D6CA5E20B_zpse5zv6lcn.jpg


I eventually found that my collection lacked knives that were more "traditional". I started with a slipjoint from Jim Dunlap, and I started a new love with traditional knives (with modern looks/materials). I eventually contacted a couple makers to make me some knives to my specs, and these are the knives I truly cherish. There is something special about building a relationship with a knife maker and watching your vision become a reality.

34B8D59C-1CD9-42A7-AD6C-6BA605C59C4F_zpsphrbs4cg.jpg


Personally, I am no longer into production knives either. I see a lot that are cool and would like to have, but they would have no meaning; I don't dream about them night-and-day. My purchases are more spread out now, and I have come to realize what my collection lacks and what I also truly-want. I don't buy knives because they are new or cool, and trust me, there's alot of those! I buy what speaks to my heart.

Take a step back, and think to yourself what you really want. If you don't know, then think of a maker or two who's work you truly enjoy looking at. If you can think of at least one, then contact him/her and get something built that reflects your interests best. Also, think of knives your collection lacks. It can be fun to buy something that you normally wouldn't; like a slipjoint:)
Click to expand...

Great post. I'm just tired of production knives that outright fail, have obvious design flaws, or just don't make any sense with the stuff they're made of with no actual vision or clear cut defining purpose.

Stupid thick blades with tiny pivots and locks that fail. Stupid thin "edc" knives made with weak steel.. Fit and finish that exceeds the heat treatment and geometry of the blade. Rough flippers or tight washers. Ugh. Give me a good knife that makes sense, works right, and is capable of standing up to the makers' claims.
 
AntCaps said:
Is anyone else bored of the useual production knives?
Ever since I bought my kwaiback midtech last year I've had a hard time getting excited about lower end knives, the problem is I can't afford to buy a new midtech everyti e I get the urge to fondle something new.
Pro you have any suggestions of sub $150.00 knives that are fun to play with or innovative something different?
Click to expand...

If your entire collection is modern 'tactical' 'edc' type folders made from "super" steels and various types of plastic... Well, yes I'd be bored with that too after about three knives. ;)
Perhaps you simply need to branch out more, search for older more unusual knives, or perhaps even take a buying break?
 
Hmmmm.

Been there a few years ago.

Sold ALL my production knives and went head first into customs.

After putting together a really nice collection of custom users and a few safe queens, I realized that 'custom' knives where rarely worth the money.... Apart from a few makers.....(before someone goes crazy, this is just my humble opinion)

I did learn a ton from the amount of production and custom knives I was able to use, in terms of what I liked in a knife.

These days, my knives are all what people call 'mid-techs' or smaller production makers.

That's kind of a sweet spot for me, and it's where I have found the knives that really have all the things I like in a knife....
 
Blues Bender said:
Don't buy a knife just because... I did that for a long time and now I have a drawer full of production knives I don't carry.

I narrowed it down to knives I've always wanted. Those were some CRK's, a Rockstead, a flipper from André Thorburn, and a Diskin Fire.

947CF449-9322-476B-BFCC-444D6CA5E20B_zpse5zv6lcn.jpg


I eventually found that my collection lacked knives that were more "traditional". I started with a slipjoint from Jim Dunlap, and I started a new love with traditional knives (with modern looks/materials). I eventually contacted a couple makers to make me some knives to my specs, and these are the knives I truly cherish. There is something special about building a relationship with a knife maker and watching your vision become a reality.

34B8D59C-1CD9-42A7-AD6C-6BA605C59C4F_zpsphrbs4cg.jpg


Personally, I am no longer into production knives either. I see a lot that are cool and would like to have, but they would have no meaning; I don't dream about them night-and-day. My purchases are more spread out now, and I have come to realize what my collection lacks and what I also truly-want. I don't buy knives because they are new or cool, and trust me, there's alot of those! I buy what speaks to my heart.

Take a step back, and think to yourself what you really want. If you don't know, then think of a maker or two who's work you truly enjoy looking at. If you can think of at least one, then contact him/her and get something built that reflects your interests best. Also, think of knives your collection lacks. It can be fun to buy something that you normally wouldn't; like a slipjoint:)
Click to expand...

Blues has the right idea. I have narrowed down my taste recently as well. I now concentrate on high end production/mid tech, and I have one custom. As has been said; quality over quantity. Now in order for me to buy a knife, it really has to speak to me in some way. I also have a new appreciation for traditionals, and have recently discovered the Sodbuster pattern.

Just save up for the mid techs, and try something new.
 
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have you considered a spyderco police 3 ? i feel this is an underrated knife, the quality is high and knife is elegant and beautiful for less than $150.
 
I cant speak for anyone other than me but i go through phases. For me it broke down like this.

1. Enter hobby. Anything with an edge is awesome.

2. Start buying decent production knives. Berate the junk i had. Question legitimacy and practicality of customs

3. Discovers knives are not practical purchases after $30 anyways and breaks down and buys first custom. Berates all lower knives.

4. Production up their game and customs lower theirs blurring the lines of quality. Starts question why im paying triple for similar quality. The abuse of word midtech further obscures objectivity.

5. Finally gets sick of labels, pride of ownership, and decides to judge each and every knife on a knife by knife basis instead of subscribing to any type of elitism or hate. Much happier.
 
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