Crushing hard.

sparklygalaxy said:
One of these is not like the others in cost, but here are my truest of loves today (Sorry HarglBargl, you've been replaced with this handsome threesome) hehe:

Opinel No. 8 Folding Beechwood Stainless Steel Pocket Knife:


14lkjg7.jpg


Love the No. 8. I'd probably pick Beechwood, you would too right? I think it's the classic choice? Example of what I mean: Red SAK.

Kershaw Leek:

11j3two.jpg


That Orange Aluminum Handle tho.

&

Case Abalone Tear Drop Pocket Knife:

97jzm9.jpg


Why God, why does it have to be $200. :/ Yes, I require the abalone handle, haha.

Thoughts on my current obsessions? Constructive criticism welcome. ^_~

Also, good morning! :]

~ Sparkly <3
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No criticism needed. Those are all fantastic choices. Everyone loves the Opinel No. 8, the orange leek is my Dad's (and Andrew Zimmern's) favorite knife and my Grandfather, who got me into knives, always had a small Case of some sort in his pocket. Often times one just like that.
 
sparklygalaxy said:
Oh shoot Charlie Mike, seriously? Does it crack or shatter easily? uh oh. I kind of love Abalone handles.
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That sort of knife should be carried in a leather slip. It's a "dress knife". The slip should absorb all of the impact in your day to day bustle, so you really just have to avoid dropping it when it's actually being used to cut... or while showing it off.

My grandfather carried one with abalone scales for years with no issue. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have reasonable expectations for use.
 
I have a few abalone knives. The most recent I've bought, is a Case Tribal lock in abalone and it does look like it would break if it was dropped.

On the other hand I have two no name liner locks that were given to me as gifts and those appear to have abalone shell set under clear acrylic.
They're not the fake acrylic abalone, they actually have a layer of shell under a clear acrylic.

Also I carry a Leek all the time and never feel that it's fragile. I work in an office an it's perfect for carrying when you can't carry a large folder.
I break down boxes with it all the time.
 
Astronaut FX said:
Good grief girl, someone close to you may need to stage an intervention at some point. Joined on Friday, and one post short of 100 already.
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I have to chuckle as I suspect others have had the same thought. Welcome both of you to the forum (Sparkly and Astronaut). When we first join, we often have all sorts of ideas for threads and at least a general shopping list that usually gets expanded. Fun ain't it. ;)

I have avoided really flashy knives for the most part. But that Case abalone is really purty! The closest I have come has been Kirinite scales on a GEC #48 which I feel is a beautiful little knife.

We all have purchased stuff that we feel "why did I do that?" down the road a bit. Just have fun and enjoy your new hobby. It can get expensive. There is a cumulative effect that at some point you go... whoooo, but keep on keep on because we like 'em.
 
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Astronaut FX said:
Good grief girl, someone close to you may need to stage an intervention at some point. Joined on Friday, and one post short of 100 already. Several “what should I buy” threads sandwiching a “four dollars left in my account” thread.

Starting to worry about you ;)
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Yep, someone's definetly going all in :D about time for a collection Showcase ;)

As for the knives: Opinels are a great canvas for modification; actually had a great talk with one of my teachers about them today :D

One of the opinels used in today's sharpening instruction and today's carry :D
kDD6FAA.jpg

(I know there's a big fat burr on the opinel; had to show someone how to sharpen in 5 minutes :D I'll fix it asap)
 
i too almost bought the case abalone knife, before that i ran into the mother of pearl handle. i decided not to do it because although i accumulate knives as i use them I'm ultimately more concerned with using them as the valuable tool they are and not collecting them, which means they will get extensively used, dropped, handled, worn etc; and so spending 200+ on a knife merely for the choice of handle isn't a good investment "IMHO". interesting to note, Picasso used an Opinel knife to make a sculpture once, the throat lock is a nice touch but i have been worried about it opening up in my pocket after being used significantly, so i suppose its more of a workshop knife than a carry. Kershaw's are great budget blades, i suggest the Cryo, it won a reward on Knives Illustrated some years back if memory serves.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Yyyyyyup. I'd say they are more oriented to collectors over users.

You'll quickly find there are 2 camps here. Both are entirely valid. I'm part of the #useyourshit crowd. I've tried to buy art knives but I've always regretted having a couple thousand tied up in something I can only look at and carefully fondle.

Hats off to those who can :D
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Yeah, I personally stay away from handle materials that are really fragile. At some point, I have almost always dropped whichever knife I am carrying for some reason. Most survive the journey with no damage. I have an elephant ivory GEC that I am hesitant to use and for me it borders on the "art knife" thing mentioned by Charlie Mike. I am generally part of the "useyourshit" crowd as well, but the knives just pile up and I simply can't use them all. I see no point in using a knife just for the sake of using. Of course, folks here simply say... sell them as what good are they if you have lost any attachment to them and somebody else might really enjoy them. There is always someone new coming along interested.

Like I said in another of your threads, I'm trying to slow down but I am still buying blades. Not searching for "the one" anymore as I don't think it exists for me. Most people don't like to think about it, but you can join AARP at age 50. That isn't real senior.... but as you get older you can get discounts in motels and fast food places.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I'm not sure what's kept me from buying one, but I've always had a fondness for the Case Seahorse Whittler. Particularly the Persimmon Orange Bone variety.

CASE-XX-Smooth-Persimmon-Orange-Bone-Seahorse-Whittler.jpg
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I have one in micarta and it’s a great little knife. The main blade is a beast and works the harder cuts like a champ.
Funny thing though, I still prefer and reach for my Buck Stockman when I whittle. Just feels more durable and has served me well for years.
 
22-rimfire said:
Yeah, I personally stay away from handle materials that are really fragile. At some point, I have almost always dropped whichever knife I am carrying for some reason. Most survive the journey with no damage. I have an elephant ivory GEC that I am hesitant to use and for me it borders on the "art knife" thing mentioned by Charlie Mike. I am generally part of the "useyourshit" crowd as well, but the knives just pile up and I simply can't use them all. I see no point in using a knife just for the sake of using. Of course, folks here simply say... sell them as what good are they if you have lost any attachment to them and somebody else might really enjoy them. There is always someone new coming along interested.

it is true, the more knives you have the less you use each one. which is why i break a new knife in the first chance i get to remove the "newness" after i perform my inspection to see that i don't have to return it for any reason.
i try to keep my numbers anywhere around 3-5, but i abandoned the notion of the "one-stop-shop" knife, the one knife to do everything under the sun with. As i see it, you need at least 1 bushcraft knife to use for your outdoor chores, one curved, upswept, or skinner knife for more delicate work (whatever that means to the individual) and a smaller fixed or folder to EDC, something not menacing looking to the public eye. i find that the basic knife shape [ refer to Condor basic 4"] is one of the best shapes cause it has a tip for detailed work, a spine thick enough to pop bottles, debark trees, pry, scrape etc, and a curved edge for all manner of cutting,slicing,chopping,mincing etc. the more you use a knife the more creative you can get with it.
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Astronaut FX said:
Good grief girl, someone close to you may need to stage an intervention at some point. Joined on Friday, and one post short of 100 already. Several “what should I buy” threads sandwiching a “four dollars left in my account” thread.

Starting to worry about you ;)
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yeah, had a similar thought, but she's have fun with her ne found hobby. I remember when I was in my 20's and 30's and bought way waaaaay too man knives and by age 40 was looking at a lot of it thinking "What did I want with all this s--t?" Ended up selloff/giving away lots of knives. But it was fun for a while, and I made money on the Randall's and other customs, broke even on some high end production, and took a los on the stuff that didn't have a lot of value so I just did give aways.

At least she's not buying the 200 dollars worth of knives on the late night shopping channel!:eek:
 
JokersFaceLifter said:
it is true, the more knives you have the less you use each one. which is why i break a new knife in the first chance i get to remove the "newness" after i perform my inspection to see that i don't have to return it for any reason.
i try to keep my numbers anywhere around 3-5, but i abandoned the notion of the "one-stop-shop" knife, the one knife to do everything under the sun with. As i see it, you need at least 1 bushcraft knife to use for your outdoor chores, one curved, upswept, or skinner knife for more delicate work (whatever that means to the individual) and a smaller fixed or folder to EDC, something not menacing looking to the public eye. i find that the basic knife shape [ refer to Condor basic 4"] is one of the best shapes cause it has a tip for detailed work, a spine thick enough to pop bottles, debark trees, pry, scrape etc, and a curved edge for all manner of cutting,slicing,chopping,mincing etc. the more you use a knife the more creative you can get with it.
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I see no point in removing the newness just to do it for some pyschological reason. 3 to 5 knives..... that is about what a person needs (excluding kitchen use). However, I have that many and more just lying on my desk.... And I had that many before I was a knife knut. I like a lot of the Condor stuff; just pushing the value envelope these days with their MAP pricing. Have one of their knives on my buy list when it becomes available and I need it like a hole in the head.
 
22-rimfire said:
I see no point in removing the newness just to do it for some pyschological reason. 3 to 5 knives..... that is about what a person needs (excluding kitchen use). However, I have that many and more just lying on my desk.... And I had that many before I was a knife knut. I like a lot of the Condor stuff; just pushing the value envelope these days with their MAP pricing. Have one of their knives on my buy list when it becomes available and I need it like a hole in the head.
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when i was younger, i didn't like using my knives cause i didn't want the newness to fade, something about a chrome sheen was very appealing to me, however as i aged i began to look at use as an addition to character, and adopted the notion that a well-used knife with scrapes, scratches, patina, partially removed coating etc is beautiful because it is a tool not a showroom piece ( at least to me anyway) i. So i bought a condor Nessmuk and put a mustard patina on it, then put it to use whittling some sticks. Now its good and broke in. considering a ER scout 2 for my MA forms next but not sure if i want to drop $180 atm
 
If you just have to have a knife with abalone check out rough rider.
Their knives are great for the price and I'm pretty sure they offer abalone.
 
sparklygalaxy said:
One of these is not like the others in cost, but here are my truest of loves today (Sorry HarglBargl, you've been replaced with this handsome threesome) hehe:

Opinel No. 8 Folding Beechwood Stainless Steel Pocket Knife:


14lkjg7.jpg


Love the No. 8. I'd probably pick Beechwood, you would too right? I think it's the classic choice? Example of what I mean: Red SAK.

Kershaw Leek:

11j3two.jpg


That Orange Aluminum Handle tho.

&

Case Abalone Tear Drop Pocket Knife:

97jzm9.jpg


Why God, why does it have to be $200. :/ Yes, I require the abalone handle, haha.

Thoughts on my current obsessions? Constructive criticism welcome. ^_~

Also, good morning! :]

~ Sparkly <3
Click to expand...

Shoot me a PM. I might be able to hook you up with a No 8. It even has a scratched up blade so you dont have to worry about keeping it sparkly and pristine!:p
 
sparklygalaxy said:
Oh shoot Charlie Mike, seriously? Does it crack or shatter easily? uh oh. I kind of love Abalone handles.
Click to expand...

Easy answer. Get a Case knife in a cheap synthetic scale with whatever pattern you like. Get a slab of abalone acrylic, and send them to a member here who goes by glennbad. He is a very well respected craftsman who does re-scaling of slipjoint knives. He'll use abalone acrylic and the fit/finish will be nicer than factory, AND it will give you the look you want, while being much more durable that actual abalone.

His work is remarkably reasonable, so it'll cost you less than the factory Case you're looking at too, AND it means you get to pick whatever pattern you want, because you're not relying on the factory pattern/blade material availability.

Win/Win/Win
 
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