Do you actually need your knives?

[MikeH]

I absolutely need my knives, all of the estimated 200 of them. My knives, my money, my definition of "need". I accept no one else's opinion on whether I need them or not as valid, except that of my wife. And she's ok with it.

 

[Nietzsche715]

Blasphemer!!!! I mean I don't think I generally need to carry around a knife designed for operatives storming Osama Bin Laden's bunker, but I do find I use my knives quite often. Heck in today's day and age it's almost like I have the village knife. I work at a place that employs 20-30 people most nights, and I'm often the only person with a knife in the building. My knife has saved the day at least a couple times over the years. I will also admit I've often pondered how cool it would be to have a job that I needed to use my knife all the time at. Every time a guy shows me his beat to s**t re-profiled blade with blunted tip I do feel a sense of envy. A manager of a nightclub just doesn't need to use a knife very often, and it's seldom hard use.

 

[Funzy12]

A knife is like a condom rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it

 

[jc57]

I have found that having a pocket knife on me provides sufficient utility and convenience to make it worth the purchase cost and the minimal effort required to carry it.

Convenience and utility is not "need". I don't need a car - I could walk, ride a bus, take a taxi, ride a bike. I own one because the convenience and utility outweighs the costs for me.

Very few of the modern tools and conveniences we all own and use rise to the level of need.

 

[Bladenoobie1]

I hope this thread didn't offend anyone. It was more of just curiosity to see the response to this kind of thread. I apologize if my topic post was a bit vague or came across offensive. I wanted the responses to be as genuine as possible so I didn't provide a very thorough explanation to my viewpoint.

After reading many responses I could say yes, I do need a knife. While for the most part I don't need them all the time, having them around has come useful or handy. Much like the condom analogy provided by Funzy12 I would say the same applies to many of us including me. Sometimes those times when you genuinely need a knife can warrant carry for all the times you don't need it. I can agree with the stance of many individuals here as it is a balance between need vs want. Now I still uphold the position that I don't really need my knives (other than a multitool at most), but I want them for the utility they provide, the joy of carry them, and to use them when possible to further justify purchasing more This is still a fairly subjective matter, but please continue vote based upon your own opinions and not others!

 

[sticknstring73]

I would say only a few on my already modest collection are necessary. Perhaps two or at most three would do it.

 

[leghog]

Convenience and utility is not "need". I don't need a car - I could walk, ride a bus, take a taxi, ride a bike.

I remember once thinking that way and having to live it about 35 years ago, but after about a year of biking a forty mile round trip everyday, regardless of weather, season (in the winter is was also in the dark both ways everyday), where there was no public transportation, and in the days I just couldn't afford a taxi twice daily made me relook that belief. Three plus decades later I don't think I could do it again for a year.

I certainly know I couldn't go a year without a small folder in my pocket, as I quit working harder rather than smarter a LONG time ago.

 

[davek14]

I hope this thread didn't offend anyone. It was more of just curiosity to see the response to this kind of thread. I apologize if my topic post was a bit vague or came across offensive. I wanted the responses to be as genuine as possible so I didn't provide a very thorough explanation to my viewpoint.

After reading many responses I could say yes, I do need a knife. While for the most part I don't need them all the time, having them around has come useful or handy. Much like the condom analogy provided by Funzy12 I would say the same applies to many of us including me. Sometimes those times when you genuinely need a knife can warrant carry for all the times you don't need it. I can agree with the stance of many individuals here as it is a balance between need vs want. Now I still uphold the position that I don't really need my knives (other than a multitool at most), but I want them for the utility they provide, the joy of carry them, and to use them when possible to further justify purchasing more This is still a fairly subjective matter, but please vote based upon your own opinions and not others!

I don't think anyone was offended. Things can be picked apart for fun here.

Plus, many of our significant others have asked us if we need all our knives. We're practicing for that.

 

[evltcat]

Yea. I'm the one everyone else always asks for a knife. If I didn't have my knives, presents wouldn't be opened, zip ties wouldn't be cut, and oh God, the insanity in the kitchen!!

 

[Humppa]

I don´t need all of them - at least not at the same time
But I need them on occasion. Some are EDCs and some are put out for special occasions (events), others are just collectors things.

 

[Woodcamo Nut]

A knife is a necessity if you consider yourself a man. End of discussion.

 

[stabman]

A knife is a necessity if you consider yourself a man. End of discussion.

No, that's testicles you're thinking of.
They are a different thing.

 

[cncpro11]

Even animals use tools in their day to day lives, so it stands to reason that humans would use them as well unless we consider ourselves lower than animals.

http://m.livescience.com/9761-10-animals-tools.html

 

[Stubai]

I seriously doubt that Maslow ever used anything more than a common bread knife or folder, but, who knows for sure? Most probably all of us could get by with just a simple folder or a small hunting knife. These days, if you live in a big city, many folks don't carry knives. Our foods can be purchased pre-cut and processed.

Simple cutting tools make life easier. Those of us with larger collection of cutlery don't really 'need' our knives as tools. We are addicts plain and simple.

 

[The cow]

My daily need for a knife has been getting less and less the older I get. As of 3 years ago, my Leatherman Surge's blade will accomplish about 95% of my need of a blade. The surge, for the most part, is my primary EDC because of the extra utility. There are very few times when I opt to carry something else besides it (usually when I don't want that 1 pound behemoth dragging basketball shorts to my ankles) or when I'm innawoods.

I'm still a fairly active hunter/hiker/camper even though going back to school has really put a hamper on that. Because I do those activities, a decent blade is a necessity. Obviously, it raises the question if I really need a $100+ knife. My answer would be no. There are very few tasks that I do that a Mora couldn't (I don't baton through wood) but there is something to be appreciated bringing out a well made knife amongst your friends

 

[upnorth]

Apparently I need them more than money.

Tsk, tsk. I thought that you were in university Stabby ? Hell, I remember being so broke in my first year that I made a bottle of liquid body soap last a month.

 

[stabman]

Tsk, tsk. I thought that you were in university Stabby ? Hell, I remember being so broke in my first year that I made a bottle of liquid body soap last a month.

Nah, I graduated to the wonderful land of work.
Now I'm in the wonderful land of looking for a new job...
I may go back to the land of school yet again, perhaps college this time to see if leads to work better than university did.

 

[Woodcamo Nut]

No, that's testicles you're thinking of.
They are a different thing.

That's something you are born with.

The necessity I'm talking about is something that you have to acquire. Knives are one of the tools men need and should carry to get things done, therefore a knife is a necessity.

 

[davek14]

I seriously doubt that Maslow ever used anything more than a common bread knife or folder, but, who knows for sure? Most probably all of us could get by with just a simple folder or a small hunting knife. These days, if you live in a big city, many folks don't carry knives. Our foods can be purchased pre-cut and processed.

Simple cutting tools make life easier. Those of us with larger collection of cutlery don't really 'need' our knives as tools. We are addicts plain and simple.

I wonder what Sisyphus used?

Had this sign up at work for a while.

 

[stabman]

Knives are one of the tools men need and should carry to get things done, therefore a knife is a necessity.

Knives are handy, yes.
I had to use mine to open the blister pack the SAK came in that one of the groomsmen at my brother's wedding was trying to tear open with his teeth.
It looked manly in a caveman sort of way as he gnawed at it...but my knife worked far better.