Crummy coworker knives

draggat

draggat

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The other day at work, I saw my coworkers knife. This thing is so bad, I'm almost embarrassed by it. The pivot screw broke, so he 'fixed' it with a flathead screw, a washer and a couple of nuts. I asked him what the heck is this garbage?! His reply was that it only cost him $7. I didn't really even know what to say, especially since I probably have spent 1,000 times that on cutlery.


If you can, post a pic of the worst knife you've seen someone carry..... even a story would be fine..

This thing is beyond dull. I doubt you could even get a razor edge on 'Whetstone Cutlery'.


 
I didnt take a picture but the tech for our presses used a novelty liner lock with an eagle on the handle but one whole scale was cracked nearly off so it had about 15 degrees of part in the blade when"locked". He uses it to scrape the crud off of the wheels so it was back of a butter knife dull.
We chipped in and got him a Kershaw black gulch because we couldn't bear it.
 
Now that is to funny :D I've seen co-workers with the same bizarre style knives they bought at the swap meet for the same expensive price. I always tell 'em "very cool" if they ask me if I like their new blade. They know I carry and collect. Whatever they carry is better then nothing in the working man environment;)
 
badjujuboy said:
Whatever they carry is better then nothing in the working man environment;)
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Definitely true. At least it keeps them from asking to borrow my knife, which at work is usually a Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter in zombie green. I can't bear the thought of using my expensive limited edition knives to scrape concrete. But at least mine will get shaving sharp.
 
What to say to your coworker about his $7.00 prize knife is nothing, if he is happy with it. Maybw you could educate him about better knives, and see if he is interested. No intrest move on with your own life, and loose no sleep over the coworker.
 
Akapennypincher said:
What to say to your coworker about his $7.00 prize knife is nothing, if he is happy with it. Maybw you could educate him about better knives, and see if he is interested. No intrest move on with your own life, and loose no sleep over the coworker.
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He's a good guy. Just doesn't care about knives. I don't lose sleep.... just thought it was hilarious.
 
My one coworker (along with the help of BF) got me into Spyderco's and higher end knives in general. I was always carrying an *insert budget Kershaw here* and as I got more into knives I started noticing what he was using at work. Either a Blur, a real nice Domino he got engraved as a groomsman gift (jealous), or a PM2. He knew I liked knives and didn't abuse them not as intended so he'd swap with me some days and using his Spyderco's I fell in love even though I never liked them before using them. Now I have a Gayle Bradley on me at almost all times and love it
 
draggat said:
The other day at work, I saw my coworkers knife.This thing is so bad, I'm almost embarrassed by it. The pivot screw broke, so he 'fixed' it with a flathead screw, a washer and a couple of nuts. I asked him what the heck is this garbage?! His reply was that it only cost him $7. I didn't really even know what to say, especially since I probably have spent 1,000 times that on cutlery.
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Nothing for nothing, but this^ really sounds like a perfect example of "knife snobbery".

Not everybody needs or wants an expensive knife. If what the guy has serves his needs, then more power to him. I personally would never tell someone that his knife is "garbage".

Here's something I heard a long time ago- "Don't insult another mans knife unless you are prepared to give him a better one".

I had a coworker at a warehouse job who used a really cheap gas station folder. It was more of a novelty item than a knife. I asked him once if I could see it. As I examined it he looked at me waiting for a comment. I said "interesting" and gave him back the knife. The next day I gave him an all-steel Spyderco Endura, which he used from that day on. Although I think people should be free to carry/use whatever knife they want, I was genuinely concerned for his safety when using the gas station folder as the lock and construction were very weak.
 
Years ago, I had coworkers who carried those $1.48 combo edge folders from WalMart. One day, one of them came in with his new $7 Ozark Trail folder from WM. The others thought he was crazy for spending 'that much' for a knife. Then I pulled out my $15 Gerber EVO Jr and they thought I was fookin crazy.

But then they'd spend $100 on a fishing rod and I thought 'that' was crazy. ;)
 
Don't judge a man by his knife, rather judge him by how he uses it...

I see a lot of cheap knives since I work in construction. I see these knives being used for everything though; from workers prying rocks out of their boots, to a guy picking away at a "half-cured" concrete wall. I carry a Sebenza everyday to work, but my tasks are different than theirs. I don't need a "pointed prybar", I need a good knife with reliable cutting preformance. I don't look down on them for carrying cheap knives, because what they use them for, they work fine. They need a cheap disposable tool that's readily available in their pocket. There's nothing wrong with that IMO...

When people ask me why I carry a $500 knife, I just tell them I have a passion for collecting fine knives. I usually tell them that only a "knife nut" would be able to tell the difference between a $25 knife and a $250 knife, and price mostly comes down to build quality and materials. 9/10 times, they understand my point...
 
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I always ask to see the knives of my crew mates or co workers while at the shop. One in ten will have a knife I would consider carrying.
The reason I always hear is they don't want to lose an expensive knife, something I can definitely relate to as I have done exactly that too many times. They might ask to see what I am carrying or they might not but they will certainly take notice when my Spyderco Native or Rookie rips through 5 or 6 pieces of 5/8ths inch sturdy rope and slips right back into my pocket from my gloved hand.
Sometimes that will be enough to start a discussion on good brands or steels or features. Few will convert, most will struggle with the less costly alternatives. I find this odd because in the trade I am in, we have significant tool expenses as it is and use knives quite often.
 
Blues Bender said:
from workers prying rocks out of their boots,
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Funny.... I do the same thing with my Military.

I am the only one at my work who has a knife you won't find in a big box store.

I sure don't tell the other guys their knives are garbage. They work for them, that's all that matters.
 
A fine knife is of little value to one who doesn t appreciate it. Most people want a functional tool. I don t see myself using a 500 dollar knife even if I admire the fit and finish. A knife for half that much or less will more than take care of my needs, even with my appreciation of knives. Just like I will never get a 2500 dollar custom 1911 when a hand gun for 700 dollars will function just as well as I want. Different people appreciate different levels in various items. Nothing wrong with this.
 
I've been a restaurant manager before and its how I bought most of my more expensive knives, all of them save for my ZT 0566 and 0562 which I bought since getting a new job and traded for respectivily.

So I know my manager at my new job has the funds to afford better, whether he prefers lesser quality or not.
From my first day I've seen the knife he carries in his back pocket. It looked liked a nice titanium folder until one day I saw the word Gerber on the clip. No clue on the model but i usually disregard their brand when it comes to knives.
Before I was a "knut" I knew a gerber wasn't worth the $$$.
I've never had luck with them and paid less for better knives since many times.
I was showing another manager my Ratmandu one day and he stopped to listen to my spill on SRKW and Bussekin in general. No comment from him, I've been wanting to talk knives with him for a while but I fear he has no serious interest or will think I'm crazy.
I think Monday I'll let him fondle both my ZTs just to show him what you can get for not so much.
May just convert him to the dark side...
 
This is on a mobile device so will be short,but I agree with killgar who's always an upstanding egg (I'm using Tapatalk and have no idea how to respond to individual posters).

OP, if you think your coworker would like something else I'll happily donate a knife. I'll pay shipping. I don't have many with serrations though.
 
I have gifted a number of knives to my coworkers - some spydercos and a few good cold steels. The guys all know that I am into knives which means I generally get to see everything that they have at home. I am very careful to remain neutral/positive in my comments back to them. If it is somebody that looks like they are going to stay for awhile, I will usually find something better for them. Not real happy when they break or lose them, but I do the best I can.
 
I don't say anything negative regarding another person's "anything". Carry and use what you want.

But being said a coworker friend asked to see my knife. He is trustworthy so I did...BM mini barrage at the time. He asked cost, I told him...he said too much money and pulled out this knife he got from "somewhere" and tells me this five dollar knife is just as good and uses the thumb stud to flip it open...it flips open and doesn't stop...the blade does a 180 and falls out of the handle onto the floor. We both just looked at the blade on the floor and the handle missing its' pin, etc. and start laughing. He says "guess a five dollar knife isn't worth much" and tosses it all into the trash.

While he says he'd never spend much money on a knife he has a near $15k racing ATV that he races...I commented on it and he said I guess it depends on what we like to do...yep
 
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