Concern with damaging an expensive EDC?

PURPLEDC said:
Well, IMHO if you are using a knife for what it was designed to be used for them I wouldn't worry at all about damaging it. But I would not consider prying snow chains as normal use a knife was designed for. To me the question depends on what you are actually planning on using it for. If your question is more along the lines of "are custom knives so awesome that they can survive things your average $100 folder would fail at?" The answer would be no.
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I get that's not intended nor normal use. And no, I'm not asking if a CRK will withstand that abuse. Of course it was a terrible thing to do to a blade. But there I was - in the snow, car was stuck, driver had nothing that could help.

I get that a good answer would be to carry a multi-tool also. I choose not to. Too much bulk for me every day, but do so on weekends. Not worth the bulk for the 1-2 times per year I really need it during the week.

marthinus said:
Use to, then I realized life is too short not to use what brings me joy.
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Excellent point.

Wolverine666 said:
When I carry a new EDC I'm somewhat careful with it for a while. i don't use it for any gnarly cutting tasks that would cause severe damage. I keep some tools and a couple older knives in my car for such instances plus a multi-tool.
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Me too. But not my car in that example. Here's another one: years ago came across a goat hung up on a wire fence. No tools, no help in sight. Badly damaged a blade on that one. Unexpected stuff happens occasionally.
 
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Danke42 said:
1) Don't lend it out.
2) Don't mislay it.
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100%. When you're using an expensive tool (knife or whatever else) you're aware that it was costly and you'll make sure to use it correctly to prevent damage. Hand it to someone who doesn't know or care and it's amazing how fast they can mistreat it.

Usually faster than you can even get the word "stop" out of your mouth.
 
[video=youtube;76f5EBhIhRc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76f5EBhIhRc[/video]
 
A great deal of the beauty of a knife lies in its use. Realize that if you carry one knife, and only that one knife, sooner or later it will be abused. Usually in a scenario such as you descrbe.

It's sort of like the oh-so-hot well endowed and talented girlfriend who has kids. Sooner or later, you will be napping on your couch in your house after a romantic interlude with your girlfriend. Sooner or later, her kids are going to wake you up as they break your favorite kmart beer mug. In the back of your mind, you know it's the wrong thing to do, but you take decisive action and pop the little ingrates on the back of the head with your class ring. Yeah, you know its wrong, but it is expedient. You can always dump Suzee, but you can't just dump your favorite EDC, so be sure not to leave marks.

On the knife, of course, on the knife.
 
I use all my knives, no matter the price point. That being said, I keep some definite beater knives around for hard use. They are good quality, just the ones I use the hardest most frequently. If it's in my pocket, it gets used. Not loaned however. Not unless I know the person has a clue about appropriate knife usage. Both for safety reasons and blade preservation.
 
You're not gonna believe this. I just **messed** up my crk.... by clipping it to my pocket. Was wearing pants with somewhat raised "button ends" at the corners of the pockets, the half of the button you'd snap into the cap. Accidentially shoved the clip over it... bent it somewhat and now the pressure it has on the lockbar is different. Whole thing feels messeded. So use your knife cause it can get messed up at any moment haha. It took less damage rolling around on the concrete floor.... at least the snail trails look cool :rolleyes:
 
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I buy knives to collect and use with care and I buy others to use WITHOUT a second thought....

I look at it a bit like I look at my cars... I have a daily driver... snow, rain, dirt roads.. whatever, but my Shelby GT gets driven in nice weather on the weekends.... I see a corollary to knifes, in that they do in fact get used and enjoyed, but they get treated with a higher level of respect than the the beaters
 
I don't if the knife is an easily replacable one, i.e. crks, striders, hinderers, shiro etc. .

I have pause if it is a one off, hard to find or d/c knife.

But that being said I would never beat on the $$ knives the same inappropriate ways as I would a $25 buck vantage.
 
RipD said:
.... Considering getting a nicer knife. CRK or something else in that price range. Do you guys worry about damaging your knives (edit) due to unforeseen situations? Example: A few weeks ago I was driving with somebody and one of their snow chains broke. They had no tools in the car (ugh) so I pried out the stuck chain with my Benchmade. Blade got scratched a little, and I had to regrind the edge. Not a big deal, but would not be happy doing that with a $500 knife.

Is this a concern for people who carry nice knives? Do you just let them get used and not worry about it?
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It would certainly be a concern of mine. How you choose to use a knife is your choice. So, if you find yourself using knives for things that you shouldn't, I would consider carrying a second less expensive knife like a SAK.

I tend to be more concerned about scratching up scales (on what I consider is expensive) when I have one in my pocket without a clip due to keys and coins that are often in the same pocket. My solution is a leather pocket slip. Sometimes I don't use the clip at all on smaller folders. I carry a mix of both traditional and modern folders, but more frequently just a traditional along with a small multi-tool like the Leatherman Squirt PS4.
 
RipD said:
Thanks. Fortunately aware that it's not a word, and embarrassed that I typed it. Appreciate the correction.
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For other readers...the word was "knives" as opposed to "knifes." Not to be embarrassed by that one. If there is one word that comes up wrong much of the time...that is the one. I still remember when I made the same mistake, and it wasn't all that long ago. We're all human...to some extent.
It wouldn't be a bad thing for our honchos to put up a banner at the top of each forum page..."KNIVES...not knifes." Just a week or two would likely make a lot of difference, and then take it down.
We're pretty accepting here; I use "enuf" all the time here instead of a correct spelling...to save time...and I figure it communicates...
don
 
It's like a new car. At first you're parking three blocks over in an abandoned church lot to avoid door dings. After some time though you're squeezing in next to the old lady with the lazy eye's 1983 Lincoln continental to save yourself 30 pages getting to the door.

When you first get a Sebenza you're not going to want do anything more than cut tape and paper, after some time though you'll use it like you do the others. I do recommend carrying a multitool or a pocket pry bar for those jammed snow chain situations though.
 
To me its simply a matter of tool for the job. The price I'm willing to pay for a knife comes into play as I have to consider the possibility of loss, how it fills the role it will play, and what I might need it to do. So I won't by buying any 400$ knives, because no matter how good they are, they are not self finding. So no, I'm not so concerned about damaging it because ultimately, I'm going to be cutting stuff, the blade will get dull, I'll need to sharpen it. I'm also carrying knives that have pretty well established qualities, so I'm not concerned that I'll find the weakness, someone else already has.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
...When you first get a Sebenza you're not going to want do anything more than cut tape and paper, after some time though you'll use it like you do the others. I do recommend carrying a multitool or a pocket pry bar for those jammed snow chain situations though.
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I pretty much do the same thing for awhile. But at least you're cutting tape and paper with it versus nothing at all. :D Have a new Todd Davison and I am thinking about carrying and use.....

With regard to "knives and knife" or knifes.... this happens to me when I am writing a response and the singular is appropriate. Then I go back and make some changes, knife becomes a plural reference, and might just add an 's' which of course is incorrect.
 
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No worries for me. When I buy a knife, regardless of price, I know I'm going to carry and use it, so I've already accepted that there's going to be wear and tear. I don't use my knives super hard, but even casual edc use will take the shine off a new knife fairly quickly. My advice would be much like that you've already received. Carry it and use it, but also take care of it like you would any other quality tool (don't use it for the wrong job, keep it clean, put it away in whatever spot you choose for it when not using it, etc.). :thumbup:
 
When someone asks me if I "make knifes and will you sell me one?" ... I immediately block them. They are usually 9-12 years old and are willing to spend $10 shipped.
 
I always have a alox cadet or pioneer along with my EDC 1 handed knife. For such tasks and to lend if someone asks to borrow a knife. There so small and handy. In a pinch the screw driver makes a good light duty pry bar and if you break it there under $30 usually but I've yet to break one. http://[URL=http://s655.photobucket.com/user/RUTTINGBULL/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8EDF28DA-BE53-4704-9D79-9EE26792C1B6.jpg.html][/URL]http://[URL=http://s655.photobucket.com/user/RUTTINGBULL/media/Mobile%20Uploads/423FA27E-3A1D-45E5-B144-976549D2F790.jpg.html][/URL]
 
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