do I dare use my NIB Schrades?

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
3,002
Obviously, if I were a real collector I wouldn't, but....I just don't feel right if I have a knife that's not sharpened and used for SOMETHING.

one is a 2004 Ducks Unlimited Trapper- definitely my favorite of the bunch, real pretty with a very nice thin blade, oak handles and brass bolsters

second is one of the Old Timer Commemorative Stockmans beind sold at AG Russell last summer, the gift tin, button, etc.

Third is a plastic lock back in the plastic stuff with a partially serrated blade and the 100th Anniversary emblem.


So, once again, I probably shouldn't use them, but....I'm just not into sitting on a knife. I guess my overall question is how hard am I likely to kick myself in the butt if I do use these? Any particular one that holds more significance over the others?

Thanks!
 
Knives are first and foremost tools . These knives are your tools. Limited edition knives are a bit more rare than common production knives, but I doubt those were made in lots of ten. You can do with them as you please. But if you want to preserve their value, resale, heirloom, etc., buy production models of each to use. When I buy a NIB now, I usually buy a user too. Your knives, your decision though. I like that name "Runs With Scissors"! You'll put your eye out! Ha Ha HA!
 
Tis only an opinion but there are several reasons to collect knives. one is certainly to preserve these items in a virgin state. If that is your desire then go for it. Frankly I who have several rather nice examples ( I have a decent collection) believe that while preservation is dandy. Never using a piece for its intention is somehow a violation. It is great to have all the equiptment in the world but it is a waste never to use it. Especially in the animal kingdom to which we are certainly affialiated but also in the world of tools, If I was a knife , and had cognizance, or was the designer of such an item I damn sure would never be satisfied if I sat or only saw my creation in a display instead of fulfilling my purpose or intended purpose. Now please remember I am a dreamer I am of the idiot ilk that does not throw out old appliances because, I feel they have been my friend ( I for some reason see the people who made these items and I as such I dislike letting them slip away as being broken and no longer having ever served a purpose. )I do not discard things because, I remember the memory of our pleasures of the past. I realize these items are inanimate. However if we differ there purpose for other than monetary gain, ( which unfortunately is viable) then aren't we treating them with a lack of reverence that certainly they deserve. So should they be saved I believe they should and should they be used, I feel experience or use like everything else in life only improves it. LT
 
If you want to use your knives, go right ahead. You paid for them and you should get out of them what you want. If they were bought on spec with the intention of reselling down the road, then keep them mint. I use all mine, except for the ones I've put back for the kids when they grow up a little. I want them to have a NIB Schrade of their own when the time comes.
 
They're your knives - so if you feel like using them - then use them.

There is an intrinsic value to a tool that is actually used.

BUT like you I have an 100th Anniversary 34ot in tin etc. also bought from AG Russell last summer.....

I haven't really used it, other than light test of sharpness and action, plus "posed" for photos - so it is basically still NIB -

I did buy it as a memento of Schrade's ironic passing in its 100th year -
and I have enough knives that I don't need to really use this one
- so I don't.

note: I have closed the knife for storage, so it is not left in its opened/fanned out state as received
(partial opening/fanning out of the blades puts stress on the backsprings - and over the long term can weaken/damage the backsprings).
--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
Sage advice from LT. I use a lot of my Schrades (own too many of them to use everyone, of course.

Vincent wrote: "note: I have closed the knife for storage, so it is not left in its opened/fanned out state as received
(partial opening/fanning out of the blades puts stress on the backsprings - and over the long term can weaken/damage the backsprings)."

Wonderful advice there. I have done the same thing with the 34ot in the tin I have stashed in the safe for my little grandnewphew.

Phil
 
It's your decision, Personally I do not have any knives that I have not cut something with, but I have some knives that I want to preserve in new condition, I have cut a couple of cigars with my stag handled Schrade stockman but I have not used it for anything that may cause even a small scratch.

Luis
 
heh....guess y'all can disregard my post here....Traded the two tempting ones off to a friend that's a more avid collector than I, so...the Schrades can remain nice an' purty, and I can go buy a few different slip slipjoints that I won't feel bad using. (The only other SJ's I had were the Chicago Cutlery I've had for sixteen years, given to me by my father and the Remington Stockman that's technically my sons..he toothed on it when he was a baby. Obviously neither of those get much use)

Thank you very much for the replies- It gave me some info for the future. (and the thing about folding the slipjoints was something I had been previously unaware of)

Thanks!
 
I am honored that you prize that knife that much. I also only pullout a certain hat that I have with a rather unique hatband for special occasions. Thankyou again LT
 
Runs With Scissors said:
(and the thing about folding the slipjoints was something I had been previously unaware of)
Click to expand...

Neither was I - and in fact I probably would have pooh-poo'd the idea...
since I had seen so many knives displayed and photographed in the fanned out state - I thought this was quite "normal".......

Until this happened to me, while taking a photo of this knife with the tools fanned out - and it couldn't have been more than a few minutes - definitely less than about 1/2 hour:

SwissBuckBSpring.jpg


Look at the positions of the corkscrew and main blade - no, I have not propped those tools open -
try that on any Victorinox SAK - and it's just not possible, as those tools would have snapped shut long ago......

Yes, this is probably a rare and severe case - but I would never even have suspected it - much less on a knife made by one of the Swiss Army Knife makers - (the knife is a SwissBuck - made by Wenger and sold by Buck)

Blah!

No, it's not an isolated case - it also has happened to two other Wenger SAKs -

Please see this thread:

UNBELIEVABLE!!! SAK Quality....

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
I bought the last Senior Stockman OT at the local ACE. It was the display model that had been posed half-open, perhaps for years. It's nowhere near as 'snappy' as a new out-of-the-box Old Timer, but it's still functional, unlike Vincent's SwissBuck.

As to whether you should use them or not... If you bought them to use, go for it. If you bought them to save, then stash them away or display them. Their value to you is what's important, so do whatever will give you the most satisfaction.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
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