Buy expensive knives, carry cheap ones. My dilemma.

[The Aflac Duck]

I haven't drifted. My last post asks you specifically about knives and why someone may or may not use them. It directly relates to the subject. I don't see the problem here. But no need for emails. I'm confident that I've successfully defended those who don't like to be referred to as silly for their own personal choices about what they choose to collect.

Email me, no need to make a show in public (that's what you seem to be striving for)...

I'm done here, no need for any further discussion between us.

 

[h minus]

My .2 cents on the subject. first commandment: "thou shall not criticize how thy neighbour utilizeth his knives for he payeth for it". With that said, my personal stand is to use what I paid for. Please allow me to elaborate. The most expensive knife that I own is a RC6 (ESSE 6 now). I paid $120 for it about 8-9 years ago. I bought it as a beefier replacement for my favorite knife of all times; the Ka bar USMC F/U . full tang knives were becoming all the rage, and I was eager to experiment. I took it on two outings and put it through its paces as to hold it to it's claim, and it did so beautifully. I even batoned big pieces of wood with it; someting that I've never done before. However, it lacked the ergonomics, lightness, and balance of my beloved Kabar USMC pattern that I've been carrying for 34 years, and since battoning anything thicker than my wrist is not in my SOP, in the safe it went, and there it remains to this day. I have several Kabar USMC that I've acquired over the years and those still are being used. My point being that if I paid the most I've ever paid for a knife because it was supposed to be high speed low drag , full tang, thick spine, secret recipe heat treatment etc, I would want to at least once know that I got what I paid for. Be it a $120 RC6 or a $600+ whatever.

I however, will not ever tell a man what to do with his chosen purchase. If he wants to use it, let him use it. If he wants to look at it, let him look at it and allow him to daydream that he's using it.

 

[GlockandBalls]

Email me, no need to make a show in public (that's what you seem to be striving for)...

I'm done here, no need for any further discussion between us.

Sorry man. I am not interested in a one on one relationship with you. And yes, I wanted to point out on a public forum how your opinion (which you have the right to) derives from only one side of the coin and doesn't take a whole other group of knife lovers into consideration. I've done that. So now I am complete in my efforts.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Sorry man. I am not interested in a one on one relationship with you. And yes, I wanted to point out on a public forum how your opinion (which you have the right to) derives from only one side of the coin and doesn't take a whole other group of knife lovers into consideration. I've done that. So now I am complete in my efforts.

Congrats! Will you sleep better tonight?

 

[strategy9]

...Should I use the autographed baseballs on my shelf?

I bet they would make one helluva great sounding "thwaka-thwaka-thwaka" sound in the spokes of a huffy!


*misread the original quoted post, read through quick and thought it said "baseball cards", not baseballs, baseballs would not make a good "thwaka" sound...

 

[GlockandBalls]

Congrats! Will you sleep better tonight?

This question does not apply to knives but rather my feelings, state-of-mind, mental health, biorhythms, etc.. Therefore it has no place in this thread and I will not answer it. You should really keep on track and not drift.

 

[cchu518]

Blues is a good guy... And rather brave to be beating on a Rockstead with irreverence because he sees it spiritually for what it is... A knife and to him what it isn't is an object of status or more simply pocket jewelry to be worshipped. I think we should leave his opinion alone on that matter.

There's a concept in African art that different greatly from Western art. Where the object in question gains value as it ages through use in time vs Western concept of preserving that object.

I find plenty of stuff that is silly that knife people do but Blues wasn't calling out anyone so I dont see why your so up in arms about it.

 

[RayseM]

Blues is a good guy... And rather brave to be beating on a Rockstead with irreverence because he sees it spiritually for what it is... A knife and to him what it isn't is an object of status or more simply pocket jewelry to be worshipped. I think we should leave his opinion alone on that matter.

There's a concept in African art that different greatly from Western art. Where the object in question gains value as it ages through use in time vs Western concept of preserving that object (as only valuable in it's perfect state -Ray's edit)

I find plenty of stuff that is silly that knife people do but Blues wasn't calling out anyone so I dont see why your so up in arms about it.

Some cultures value old people for the same reasons - kind of

Like Blues - I use my knives. If I don't use them, I trade them. No judgement - just not my style otherwise. And so I quote from this thread - let's "keep on track and not drift."

 

[strategy9]

It can definitely be said it comes down to personal preferences and individual mind states...
For me, knives are in the "cusp" of being "just tools"... If they were "just" tools we wouldn't need the inlays, and artistic designs incorporated into them. Just rugged useability... There are knives that are "just" tools others are more artistic (but albeit, still tools)...

I can't personally for the life of me imagine spending $1000+ on a knife. Because I can't afford to, and because I wouldn't be able to afford losing it, meaning I wouldn't carry it. I mean I don't even like to carry my $100+ knives out and about when there is a high risk of me losing them (as I mentioned before).. It's why I have <$40 alternatives.
Not that I'm worried about using them, or even breaking them (since I rarely use my knives outside of proper knife uses, and most reputable brands have decent warranties). But losing them is my biggest concern.

A similar comparison in "just tools" I can conjure up is craftsman vs snap-on, or Porter Cable vs. Hilti.
I would love to own more Snap-on and Hilti tools, but I own a whole lot more affordable (on my budget) craftsman and husky, porter cable and my top of the line stuff is Milwaukee, Makita, etc, with a Paslode framing gun and a Hilti chisel... I use 'em. However the "cusp" happens when i think, If I could afford a damascus wrench set, a custom ratchet with anodized titanium gear drive and contoured g10 handles, with designer two tone sockets that have fancy milled inlays, or a custom built one off reciprocal saw and/or nail gun with cf or cocobolo handle inlays, etc. would I even consider buying them, or using them?

Probably not... Those are "just" tools to me. I wouldn't even consider the "artistic" design behind them (even though a designer somewhere did design and engineer it). I also won't buy them from the bargain bin at Dollar General.
Knives are tools too, but once you leave the mass production realm, they are also very artistic expressions of the makers behind their designs, and as such can go either way, tool or art. It's why we all know several different designers by name, and all have our favorites, but probably nobody knows who Jerome Schnettler or Edward Ristow are, (I looked them up just for this post cuz I didn't know either), or who designed the Hilti wsr-1250-pe.
*On the flip side if I came across a vintage Milwaukee original sawzall with case, in mint condition, would I use it?

I love that Blues uses his $1000 rockstead, that's awesome to me to see one scuffed and used! And I'm happy for him that he's in a position both financially and mentally to do so...
I also love that someone else has one shiny and new in a case somewhere, pristine, and that's differently awesome... I'm happy for that person to be in a position to have acquired a knife they truly wanted to possess, (because at that price, you better really want it).

I love seeing a '70 gto judge on the road, and I love seeing them in a garage or museum.

In my current lifestyle, I wouldn't even consider buying a $1000 (production) knife, or a gto judge... But that's not to say I can't still appreciate them in both the used and the preserved states. It seems far too often people get caught in the either/or mentality; my way is right, your way not so much, but maybe, just maybe, provided no one is getting hurt in the process, everyone is right? Users AND collectors alike.

 

[22-rimfire]

Stragegy9, I'd use the Millwaukee. I don't associate any beauty or art with power tools or hand tools. But as you said, knives are a hand tool. I go both ways on knives, but clearly I lean toward the utility side of things considering my accumulation and individual cost. But I can admire a $50 knife too (form and function mostly). The Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter is an example of that at a lower price point. I just like it, but I have so many using knives that it never gets used even though it was "cheap".

 

[Riley12]

I enjoy using expensive knives. I enjoy using cheap knives.
My Titanium Fixed blade from Charlie Mike gets used almost daily. I also carry an Emerson daily(while definitely not the most expensive)
The most expensive knife I had was an Elmax Ultratech that I used. I traded it off cause I didn't like autos all of the sudden, but now I want another one to use.
Knives are pretty material objects, use them, there's more out there if you break it.

 

[strategy9]

Stragegy9, I'd use the Millwaukee. I don't associate any beauty or art with power tools or hand tools.

See, idk... If I needed a sawzall, I'd use a 1st gen, 1st model Milwaukee, but considering I own 2 Porter cables and a Bosch already, I would likely put it in storage and appreciate the historical significance...

Same as many old tools I do own, hand drills, antique wrenches and such, mostly stuff that was once my grandfathers... I have my own nwwer stuff I use, and I still keep those tools around to admire, but I wouldn't hesitate to use them if I had to.

Im sure somewhere, someone, has a massive collection of cordless drills; all different models, brands, years, designs, colors, amps, etc...
Would said person be "wrong", because he doesn't use them, but rather sees them as a collectible item? Just because folks like you and I see them as purely tools of the trade to be used?

 

[cchu518]

Now on the cheap side of things I really give props to some of the cheaper steels. I've been digging aus 8 lately. It's in that kabar dozier, cold steel and even 440a from rough rider all are even grained with good heat treats. I usually have these as beater knives around for my personal home diy jobs. While the cheaper steels dont hold a fine edge after a day of use I'm only putting it through its paces for that one day generally.

Afterwards I inspect them after cutting and scoring concrete backerboard board, sheet rock and everything else I find that the cheaper steels are still pretty damn tough and the carbines in them dispersed a hell of a lot better than say 440c from the early 80s.

Especially when it goes through its paces with no rolling or chipping and then getting sharpened back in a sharpmaker without having to whip out a bench stone for the heavy lifting. For me that's the very definition of edc utility. If I personally needed super edge retention in my daily life I'd go for that but I'm not kidding myself in what I actually use knives for.

I get excited when my wife asks me to open a box from the mail and I get to whip out a knife, lol or when I'm at work and I'm cutting up a sandwich.

And... What Blues is doing with that Rockstead is pretty unique, I'm sure the guys at the shop in Japan are LOVING that he actually uses the knife. I get happy when I see crk owners using their crks. God forbid a hinderer guy uses their hinderer, lol. Whose ever seen a best up hinderer. It's like few and far between.

 

[SAVAGESAM]

My .02. One mans "Expensive" knife is another mans EDC use the sh*t out of it knife. I agree with the guys who said "Do what makes YOU happy". That said, I won't buy another knife that "I" consider too expensive to risk damage to it. "The best knife in the world is the one YOU own. Why? Because it's YOURS"

 

[22-rimfire]

Now on the cheap side of things I really give props to some of the cheaper steels.....

.... For me that's the very definition of edc utility. If I personally needed super edge retention in my daily life I'd go for that but I'm not kidding myself in what I actually use knives for.

I agree with the moderate steels like AUS 8. I don't kid myself either about what I use knives for. I use my SAK all the time. Sharpen it up in less than a minute and ready to go again. This is a knife that cost under $30. But I also like the better steels too. I just am not all hung up about them. Just be happy with what you use and if you have more expensive knives that you don't want to carry or use for whatever the reason, it's a hobby and who cares. Just be happy.

 

[rob32]

I think that a quick perusal of the for sale section in these forums should say enough. So many knives being sold in new or like new conditions, so obviously, many people are buying knives and not using them. I am one of those people. I carry some expensive knives, but I don't put them through any hard use. My hard use knives are my Enlans, my Cold Steels, ect.

 

[The cow]

Or don't I really don't see anything wrong with keeping expensive knives that you don't use. I think that it is ridiculous that not using your knives is so demonized in the knife community. When it comes down to it it's your property and you can do anything you want with it. Being a collector is almost considered an insult on a lot of the forums but we enjoy knives just as much and are just as passionate about knives as everyone else.

Being a collector and a collector claiming to be "users" are two different things. The later disseminate the most misinformation. How often do you see somebody with an unsightly "hard use" folder and bestow the greatness of said knife when it looks like hasn't even left the house? At least users will keep companies honest.

A large part of the enjoyment for me comes from being able to use a good looking knife that functions well and there are a great many knives out there I would like to use (and cannot afford). Most expensive sharp I have is a Winkler Camp Ax, the first thing I did with it was to split a deer pelvis (which it did well)

 

[uofaengr]

I view carrying what one deems an expensive knife as a risk vs happiness ratio, for lack of a better term. I've a couple that it'd really suck if I lost them and would be expensive and not easy to replace, and some have sentimental value also that virtually makes them irreplaceable. I, one, try to view them as just material possessions, and two, life is short so if it brings me a bit of joy pulling out that nice piece whether to fondle, cut a string, or cut sheetrock, then it makes the day just a tiny bit more enjoyable. Sometimes I just like to admire a well made piece, these tiny marvels of engineering and manufacturing like a watch lover appreciates the workings of a small, intricate timepiece. Yeah, I could snag the clip on something and lose it at any time, but I guess to me the risk is worth it for the reward.

 

[Velitrius]

Thing about the price range the OP mentions, is it's really is where "users" are found aplenty.

Reeve, Hinderer, Brous, Strider... these guys are in that range, and they're cranking out knives for our use, not as artistic examples.

The autographed baseball argument is flawed. Once a baseball is autographed, it is no longer a baseball per se... it is now the medium upon which the REAL collectible (the autograph) is being displayed.

The Rockstead is still just a knife. So use it.

 

[Charlie Mike]

[video=youtube;BNQULw8E8H0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNQULw8E8H0[/video]