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DO NOT get wrapped up by minor issues
- Thread starter dragonsprayer
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Now there is a coincidence, I too am using a Kudu to slice an apple into two pieces.
I think his first post was saying cheap knives have their place and that just because you own $400 knives you shouldn't dismiss $30 or $50 or $70 knives. Also that different sized blades, different opening mechanisms, and different locking mechanisms all have their place as well and some suit some people more than others. Also not to get too hung up on grinds, steels or stuff like that, and just try out different things. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be directed at people who are new to knives.
In the second post, I think he's saying he has a friend in Pakistan who made him 3 knives, and he wants us to test them to prove or disprove notions about the quality of Pakistani knives. I haven't figured out if he's giving them away for us to test, if he's loaning them to us to test, or if we're supposed to be buying them though. I'm also not sure what tests we're supposed to be running, but I believe sharpness is not one of them. I dunno, honestly it gets a little murkier and harder to decipher here.
In the second post, I think he's saying he has a friend in Pakistan who made him 3 knives, and he wants us to test them to prove or disprove notions about the quality of Pakistani knives. I haven't figured out if he's giving them away for us to test, if he's loaning them to us to test, or if we're supposed to be buying them though. I'm also not sure what tests we're supposed to be running, but I believe sharpness is not one of them. I dunno, honestly it gets a little murkier and harder to decipher here.
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^
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Possibly. The rest of us are very confused.
I hate to nitpick and I'm fairly new here but why is it that I see at least several posts per day that are unreadable due to grammar and sentence structure. It's the internet so I'm not expecting perfection but good God....
sorry OP. I think I understand what you want to do but if you want to run tests and be taken seriously, you have to lay it out so everyone can understand.
sorry OP. I think I understand what you want to do but if you want to run tests and be taken seriously, you have to lay it out so everyone can understand.
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Okay In trying to decipher your broken english I've come to the conclusion you are either trying to sell these knives which means you posted in the wrong spot or you want to lend them out for testing which also means you posted in the wrong spot.
Now I could be wrong and you could just be going on about how much you love cheap pakistani knives again, but if that's the case do you really need to make another thread about it?
Now I could be wrong and you could just be going on about how much you love cheap pakistani knives again, but if that's the case do you really need to make another thread about it?
r8shell
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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OP:
I sympathize with your eye problems, but the questions about whether English is your first language isn't a joke. Here is my advice(for what it's worth):
Try adjusting the brightness settings on your computer monitor. Type your message, go have a cup of tea, come back and reread it before you post. Maybe correct some of your typos, if you can.
You seem like a nice guy, with things to say, but your posts are hard to understand.
I sympathize with your eye problems, but the questions about whether English is your first language isn't a joke. Here is my advice(for what it's worth):
Try adjusting the brightness settings on your computer monitor. Type your message, go have a cup of tea, come back and reread it before you post. Maybe correct some of your typos, if you can.
You seem like a nice guy, with things to say, but your posts are hard to understand.
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I have no problem using inexpensive, or expensive knives. Performance is all that matters to me, followed closely by comfort/ergonomics. I've used and collected knives for 40 years, and have accumulated far too many representing every continent except Antarctica.
In 40 years and over 300 some knives owned ( not counting ones I bought to sell when I was a dealer) I have found, seen, held and used dozens to possibly hundreds of knives from pakistan. I have never found any of notable quality. Pakistan knives have become synonymous with junk in my mind. Consistent junk. The names change, the styles change but the lack of quality has already remained. Out of the box most of them even smell bad. That's not meant as a joke or exaggeration.
I have even encountered chrome plated plastic blades. Yes, fake steel. Lots of pot metal that didn't harden. You name the problem and chances are I've seen it.
China means quality in comparison to Pakistan. Epic fail! I would very much like to see otherwise. I currently have a few "sawmill" brand knives made of chinese files. These are about the best I've seen but in no way compare to US or European knives made from files ( I've never tried any japanese file knives). They do pretty well on the surface but are not through hardened. Almost like case hardening. Once you lose the outer layer you lose the performance. The initial performance is better than any of the other pakistani knives I've tried at least. They are cheap enough to buy to play with so if you want me to PM info on where to get them drop me a line.
Other than that.....Don't waste money on made in Pakistan knives in my opinion.
Joe
In 40 years and over 300 some knives owned ( not counting ones I bought to sell when I was a dealer) I have found, seen, held and used dozens to possibly hundreds of knives from pakistan. I have never found any of notable quality. Pakistan knives have become synonymous with junk in my mind. Consistent junk. The names change, the styles change but the lack of quality has already remained. Out of the box most of them even smell bad. That's not meant as a joke or exaggeration.
I have even encountered chrome plated plastic blades. Yes, fake steel. Lots of pot metal that didn't harden. You name the problem and chances are I've seen it.
China means quality in comparison to Pakistan. Epic fail! I would very much like to see otherwise. I currently have a few "sawmill" brand knives made of chinese files. These are about the best I've seen but in no way compare to US or European knives made from files ( I've never tried any japanese file knives). They do pretty well on the surface but are not through hardened. Almost like case hardening. Once you lose the outer layer you lose the performance. The initial performance is better than any of the other pakistani knives I've tried at least. They are cheap enough to buy to play with so if you want me to PM info on where to get them drop me a line.
Other than that.....Don't waste money on made in Pakistan knives in my opinion.
Joe
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agree and disagree with what (I think) the OP is trying to say.
on the one hand some of the highest recommended knives on here are ten dollar opinels and moras with simple carbon steels. Next to that are knives like the tenacious and rat 1 with entry level stainless steels. So we're certainly not set in stone with expensive pocket jewelry, he's kind of preaching to the choir here.
I really do like his sentiment of "don't worry so much about what it is, just go out and use it." and it does seem to me like the growing population of modern knife users are reallylosing any knowledge of how to use a knife, and what it's capable of.
However, I think blade grind is tremendously important. not necessarily flat vs convex vs hollow, but in the quality of the grind. a bad maker could put a flat grind on a knife leading to be way too thick at the edge to be good for anything... As long as the maker knows their stuff I'm happy with any of the three main grind types.
Circling back to the use part, I am of the firm opinion that everyone needs to go on some backpacking/hiking/camping trips armed with only a Swiss army knife, opinel, or other thin bladed traditional folder. I think this would really open the eyes of all the guys who talk about needing a busse or two, and some bomb proof ten ounce folder as their "light duty" camping knife everywhere they go.
To sum up, steel (including heat treat), and grind ARE extremely important, but don't get bent out of shape on what's new and hot. Both must be quality, but not necessarily name brand.
Also, a lot of us that have been around for awhile don't trust the average Pakistani made knives because most that see their way over here are barely more than non functional, decorative pieces with shoddy quality. Obviously to label EVERY knife from this country in the same boat would be unwise, but many of us tread very lightly there because of the number of knives we have seen that barely even qualify as knives. I'm sure there are some very skilled makers producing knives with a lot of utility, especially considering the more rural lifestyle most live in in that country. I'm sure plenty have need of quality knives...
on the one hand some of the highest recommended knives on here are ten dollar opinels and moras with simple carbon steels. Next to that are knives like the tenacious and rat 1 with entry level stainless steels. So we're certainly not set in stone with expensive pocket jewelry, he's kind of preaching to the choir here.
I really do like his sentiment of "don't worry so much about what it is, just go out and use it." and it does seem to me like the growing population of modern knife users are reallylosing any knowledge of how to use a knife, and what it's capable of.
However, I think blade grind is tremendously important. not necessarily flat vs convex vs hollow, but in the quality of the grind. a bad maker could put a flat grind on a knife leading to be way too thick at the edge to be good for anything... As long as the maker knows their stuff I'm happy with any of the three main grind types.
Circling back to the use part, I am of the firm opinion that everyone needs to go on some backpacking/hiking/camping trips armed with only a Swiss army knife, opinel, or other thin bladed traditional folder. I think this would really open the eyes of all the guys who talk about needing a busse or two, and some bomb proof ten ounce folder as their "light duty" camping knife everywhere they go.
To sum up, steel (including heat treat), and grind ARE extremely important, but don't get bent out of shape on what's new and hot. Both must be quality, but not necessarily name brand.
Also, a lot of us that have been around for awhile don't trust the average Pakistani made knives because most that see their way over here are barely more than non functional, decorative pieces with shoddy quality. Obviously to label EVERY knife from this country in the same boat would be unwise, but many of us tread very lightly there because of the number of knives we have seen that barely even qualify as knives. I'm sure there are some very skilled makers producing knives with a lot of utility, especially considering the more rural lifestyle most live in in that country. I'm sure plenty have need of quality knives...
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This is my most used knife. It is made from bearing steel by a local smith, and it cost me around $14.
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Firstly, it's wootz.
Secondly, your comparison of an art/technique lost to us 250-300 years ago simply because Pakistan lies inbetween Syria and India is just plain silly.
Right on! I guess...
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