Change of taste?

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
17,619
Okay, we all had that knife of our youth that seemed like the greatest thing since Excalibur. But being knife knuts, we always seemed to move on to bigger and better things. Or in this case, more expensive things.

But how many of us have, in a moment of sentimental nostalgia have went and picked up a copy of the knife you had "way back then" and after carrying it for a bit, rememberted why you moved on and stopped carrying it? It had just one little thing you were bugged by, and it was like a fly in the soup. A deal breaker. But you didn't remember it untill you started carrying one again.

Then it was "Nowwww I remember what I didn't like about it!"

Or maybe you're taste just changed over the years. It's a long jump from soda pop to a nice sipping whiskey.

Sometimes memories get blurred by the years, (or in my case decades).

Or maybe it's just me. How about you guys? Ever visit memory lane and wish you hadn't?

Carl.
 
I'm only 31, my tastes can't have changed that drastically. :confused:;):D

In regards to knives, I've only noticed that with one hand openers, where memories are better than the knives. Not so much with slipjoints.
 
Last edited:
At 44 I´m only just really into knives since 2004.
When I heard the plans of our newe knife laws, I stopped carrying my beloved Spyderco´s.

Just the other day, I clipped my one of a kind Paramilitary, which was gifted to me by Sal himself, to my pocket and it felt rather pleasant.

But the badass rebel that I am:rolleyes: I got back to my slippies the next day:o
 
well much like my love of bubblegum flavored icecream years ago, my love for cheap made in china swords/daggers with dragon handles has gone out the window :D I am also starting to lose interest in my tactical folder, might have to trade it for something more traditional. I don't know what got me into the simpler knives, probably the look of them, and the fact that I've always enjoyed lower tech approaches to things.
 
There are things I miss from when I was younger. It is mostly the cool Muscle Cars I had and riding dirt bikes.
I have thought about getting another dirt bike, but being 49 and having two knee surgeries, a bad back, and a bad shoulder, I'm not sure its such a great idea. The cars I had when I was younger, I can't afford to own again, so I don't worry about it much. My first car I bought when I was 15 was a 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS396. It was a really nice car, and I paid 800 dollars for it. Now the same car would be over 30,000.

Even if I still had it, it wouldn't be the same. I have many memories of my best friend and I cruising around in it looking for girls :D, when everyone use to have neat cars and gather in the same area, and just cruise back and forth all night.

Its funny though, because when I sold the car, I sold it to my best friend.
We have been best friends since grade school, and still are. I just went to his surprise 50th birthday party last weekend.

We hunt and camp together too, and are always talking about all the stuff we did when we were younger. I still have the memories to look back on though.

Besides, at 49 I'm not exactly a chick magnet anymore :D I find myself now looking more at watching my son Travis grow up, and watching as his interests change. I'm happy with that though, and wouldn't change it for the world...

There was something a few years back that I bought, that I had owned before, and when I got it I quickly remembered why I didn't have one anymore. The sad thing is, I can't remember what it was :confused:, but I can remember thinking that. At least I think I did :D
 
Last edited:
When I was younger I was heavily drawn towards bigger knives, mostly khukuris and modern folders. At one point I had over a dozen of the big choppers. As my tastes changed and I began spending more time here, I developed an appreciation for smaller fixed blades (relatively) and slipjoints. At one point in my life my EDC was a Spyderco Military, but now you are more likely to find a Kerry Hampton KHnutbuster in my pocket. I used to adore uber-tough knives like the Strider MT, but now I prefer my Blackjack 125. The older designs may not be as strong as their modern counterparts, but they are already plenty strong as is and they usually cut better. And the ability to cut is why we carry a knife in the first place.

My change in knife designs has affected my preference for handle materials. I used to prefer the synthetics -- G-10, carbon fiber, and titanium. But now when I look at picking up a new knife I want stag, wood, jigged bone, or ivory. But while my preferences have changed, I remain a knife nut at heart. I still have most of my khukuris and modern folders. I can't bear to part with a knife unless I make gift of it to another. And every so often I see a non-traditional knife that I just fall in lust with, like the Scott Cook Lochsa.

A good knife is a good knife, whether its a classic or a modern design.

- Christian
 
338375 said:
There was something a few years back that I bought, that I had owned before, and when I got it I quickly remembered why I didn't have one anymore. The sad thing is, I can't remember what it was :confused:, but I can remember thinking that. At least I think I did :D
Click to expand...

Now, we're talkin'!:)
 
When I first got into knives, I was all about the most tactical models I could find. If the blade length was less than 4", I wasn't interested. I moved on to smaller "tactical" knives, then within the past couple of years, I started taking interest in the more traditional models. Over the past couple weeks or so, I have been gravitating back toward my Spyderco's, specifically a Spyderco Lava. I know that they aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy them more for their utility, than their "tacticality', if there is such a word.

Of course, that doesn't mean I've completely turned my back on traditionals, as a Vic Pioneer or Schrade 8OT still manage to sneak into my pocket from time to time. ;) And who knows, next week I may put the Spyderco's back in the closet and stick with the slippies.
 
Some of the first "quality" knives I owned were Buck lockbacks. I actually bought my first three or four when I was in sixth grade:eek: A couple had burgundy micarta scales before I knew what it was:D Well about a year or so ago I bought a vintage (now) Buck Knight with burgundy micarta scales LNIB from 1978...about the same time I was in sixth grade:o As soon as I tried to touch it up to the sharpness I am now accustomed to...I remembered why I quit carrying them...Also what I once thought was amazing fit and finish only appeared so so:confused:
 
I bought another Vic Red Pioneer like my 30+ year original. I found a used one and the scales were worn and scratched up like my original Pioneer. No real deal breakers to speak of, maybe just boredom. I've only been collecting knives for a few years, so I'm still in the experimental stage and enjoy having different styles, shapes, and blade choices. I did feel sentimental nostalgia when I bought my copy. I wanted my original in a safe place rather than my pocket. I really admire the color tone of the faded red alox. Compared to other traditional style pocket knives, those Vic tools do come in handy at times. If I could only have one knife, I feel a Pioneer would still be the one.

I admire pocket knives for the workmanship, beauty, utility, etc. As I spend time here and the more I use my knives, the more I find my tastes change. I find myself liking blade shapes, steel types, scale materials, sizes, and designs that I might have initially disliked.
 
Growing up I spent a lot of time toting a Schrade LB7 folding hunter. A few years ago I pulled one out of my sock drawer and strapped it on for a day hike/picnic in the woods. I had forgotten how heavy those 110-style knives are. It occurred to me that it was a bit silly lugging along that much steel, brass and wood just so I could slice up some bread, cheese, apples, etc. Ever since, that knife's been back in the sock drawer. :-(

-- Mark
 
Last edited:
:) I hope that doesn't happen to me. In fact I am currently lusting after that knife of my youth. I had a carbon steel Cub Scout knife and lost it when I was young. I'm hoping to find one and carry it . My main carry knife now is a SAK Cadet so I really don't think I'll be disapointed in the Cub knife once I find one. I think I've gone full circle I started with smaller pocket knives went to the onehanders, fixed blades, neck knives, and am now back to carrying small pocket knives. :)
 
338375 said:
There was something a few years back that I bought, that I had owned before, and when I got it I quickly remembered why I didn't have one anymore. The sad thing is, I can't remember what it was :confused:, but I can remember thinking that. At least I think I did :D
Click to expand...

Whoa!!! you're beginning to remind me of me. - Ed
 
I really don't like lockbacks or stainless steel but i really wish i still had my first cubscout knife, it was a Buck cublite 414. Every so often i think about picking one up just for old time sake and have to remind myself that its someone elses knife with someone elses memories in it and will not really mean anything to me. But man if i could ever find my original that would really be a treat.

Regards
Ben
 
I tend to carry a little smaller knives than I used to.

Or at least I carry smaller knives a little more often rather than always having a folding hunter in my back pocket.

I still love the big boys, but I don't carry them all the time any more.
 
My first knife was an Imperial toothpick
with red and silver striped shell handles.
Eventually peeled the silver & red film off.
Then smashed it with hammer to see what was inside.
Fortunately I later learned about the finer attributes of
better cutlery but I haven't had an urge to buy any
toothpicks since then.
 
Early 1980s I discovered butterfly knives. At the time it was the first one-handed opening knife (though you had to flip it) I'd owned & no worries about a lock because of the way it was designed. Seemed the pinnacle of knife design to my High School brain - plus it was cool showing off how you could flip it.

Well sometime in the early 2000s I picked up one of the rarer 3" early Benchmade Balisongs. After reacquainting myself with butterfly knives, it sat unused for a few years till I sold it. I have plenty of one-handed opening knives that are better cutters & I'm not into flashy anymore. A quick perusal of Youtube videos shows I'm barely a rookie at opening one too.
 
Slipjoints (age ~10-16) -->

'Tactical' locking folders (age ~16-25) -->

Small semi-custom/custom fixed blades (age ~25-30) -->

Traditional slippies once again (30s)...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top