Did you ever buy a knife just because of the handle material .....

coyote711

coyote711

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Sep 19, 2009
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..... in a pattern you maybe weren't crazy about? Were you satisfied with your purchase? Did you later regret it? Was it "worth it"?

I'm eyeballing a GEC in what looks to me like an absolutely killer handle material. I realize the coloring, texture, and thickness of stag, primitive bone, rams horn, etc. is highly subjective, but this one really appeals to me. Problem is it's in a pattern I wouldn't normally buy or carry. And it's not an inexpensive knife. But I'm still thinking about buying it only because of the great handle material.

Anyway, if you've ever bought a knife based on similar circumstances let me know how it worked out for you. Thanks! :)
 
Three of the four GEC knives I have purchased fall into that category. All larger than I prefer, but the cocobolo and primitive bone were so inviting.

I returned the primitive bone 73 in exchange for an ebony 68.

I sold the cocobolo 72.

The primitive bone 65 is on the way to me now. Hopefully this one will stick around.
 
I have done it. Mostly with stag handles, some of which really stand out. My avatar picture features one I bought largely because I was impressed with the stag on it (Case T.B. 5339 SS Sowbelly). I also bought a couple of Buck 110s this way, also due to great stag. One of the Bucks came with a damascus blade too, which wasn't clear in the seller's description (listed as a 'black oxide' blade), but turned out to be a very nice bonus.

I have another Buck 111, with abalone scales, which looked awesome in the seller's listing. However, the pics didn't quite clearly show the 'modification' done to the rear bolster of the nickel frame, with a cross-hatched pattern carved in, presumably with a Dremel or similar. Very amateurishly done, and hideous. Wish I hadn't bought that one.
 
Yes. I've done it because I liked the scales on a limited run, and I've also done it with specific knives. I bought this Ohta for the stag; it was lust at first sight.

hiroakiohtawharncliffe.jpg


- Christian
 
Normally I think purchases through before I jump, but I have bought a few without that and normally end up reselling them.

Sent from Ash forum mobile
 
Yep, just got a Kudu horn trapper from Canal Street. I usually don't carry folders bigger than 4", but the horn is beautiful and has extra meaning for BSA Wood Badge course graduates.

It's a bit heavy, so that means I'll carry it in a belt sheath, though it's really more of a collector's piece.
 
I have bought old, beat knives for a pittance that are not usable, but man the bone is pretty.
 
I was tempted to do it with some GECs but ultimately did not. If I'd had the extra cash just sitting around and burning a hole in my pocket that could be a different story, but on a budget I really don't feel I could indulge only on the basis of handle material.
 
My #61 Genuine stag is that one. I thought I wanted the big Cuban, but found a great deal on the #61 congress. Jumped for the Stag on the #61. Now I don't need the big Cuban so I saved $60 by jumping for the stag on the #61.
 
I usually don't buy a knife, even if the handle material intrigues, me unless there is something else about the knife that I like and I can see myself using it. I do buy knives of the same pattern with different covers all the time though. Here is the latest one I bought because of the covers and really don't see myself using. If I need a large blade, I'd probably use one of my #23 Pioneers instead.
IMG_2299.jpg
 
Yeah, I have. Usually just to try the material out (eg. Textured micarta and textured G10, Plain G10, various woods I've never handled before etc.) I actually also quite like the fact that the knife pattern isn't one I'd normally go for. I hate talking from a position of ignorance, (if you've never tried it, how can you turn your nose up at it?) there are some that have to battle hard just to stay in the running (we all struggle with some amount of prejudice). A few have worked out well and more have "moved on" to more appreciative owners. In fact the majority of my folders were bought for exactly those reasons. I (mistakenly) labour under the misaprehension that "I don't do folders", but on counting them I have at least 20 or so, mostly handmade but a handful of spydies, a SAK or 2, a couple of SRMs (won in raffles, keeping for modding/pimping). I do have a problem moving knives on, even the ones that I feel meh about. I'm very much not a SAK fan (particularly Victorinox) but seeing as a SAK saved me from a [potentially) life threatening ordeal, cold, wet, onset of hypothermia and stuck in an "outer harbour" at sunset, I can't even bring myself to get rid of them. It did teach me that "the best knife in the world is the one you have in your pocket when you really need one".
 
Yes, I just bought a knife in part because I love the handle material. In my case it's a G.E.C. with their "brimstone" scales. How the Sun ehances a handle counts for a lot for me; as does the ability to imagine the scales getting prettier with age.
 
I sure have Keith. Sometimes I will even buy a knife with a blade steel that I don't prefer for the same reason.

A good case in point of a knife that really appealed to me but isn't a pattern I normally like would be my scagel fruitport. I just couldn't resist the ivory and all together I really like the knife A LOT even though the standard GEC 48's don't do a thing for me.

I say if it moves you then go for it :)
 
I definitely have a few knives that were bought just because of Scale material. I am looking at one now, just cause it's a color I don't have.
It's a sickness, we are buying knives just because we can. :eek:
 
Mmmmmm no, not really.
Looks are a very important feature in a knife, and so is handle material...but I've never bought a knife just for the handles, nor I can see myself doing that anytime.
Nothing wrong with it, though :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
johnny twoshoes said:
I definitely have a few knives that were bought just because of Scale material. I am looking at one now, just cause it's a color I don't have.
It's a sickness, we are buying knives just because we can. :eek:
Click to expand...

Absolutely Johnny. It is quite a luxury to indulge in.

Come to think of it my most recent Case Bose Dogleg was almost all because of the bone. I couldn't resist.
 
All of my current traditionals were chosen for handle material and pattern, except my oldest a stag Win. Moose. I did get it for the stag and not the pattern at the time. At that time I didn't know it was a moose, and I was completely ignorant of the pattern! Some things just work out, as this is now one of my favorite patterns!
 
Used the Autumn bone scales as an excuse to pick up a Case slimline trapper. The long, narrow blade doesn't do it for me functionally, but it's a great looking piece.
 
johnny twoshoes said:
I definitely have a few knives that were bought just because of Scale material. I am looking at one now, just cause it's a color I don't have.
It's a sickness, we are buying knives just because we can. :eek:
Click to expand...

Probably is. I Know I can be like a crow or seagull when it comes to bringing home shiny colorful (and most often worthless) objects (ha, or rusted ones for that matter). For instance the scales on our 2011 knife knife took on such character when the sunshine hit them that I'd find my self just starring blissfully at them, and would probably have been almost as content if I had a small piece of the stuff to carry as a pocket piece.
 
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