Do you continue using a discontinued knife?

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

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I've got a few knives that are discontinued, and because of this I don't use them as often or as hard as my other knives. I often find myself holding back because I'm thinking about the potential value degradation and the chance of damaging the knife with no way to replace it. But it really doesn't make sense, because to be honest, all of the knives we're using will be discontinued at some point in the future whether it's 2 years or 10 years from now. Are we merely being nutty knife guys when we do this, or do you think it's a good idea to preserve "history"?
 
If you collect pristine examples then put them away. If a knife is meant to cut stuff (which I feel is the purpose of knives), then cut with the damn thing! Discontinued or not! I guess you have to decide if your knife is a cutting implement or a commodity. My knives are never sold, so they aren't commodities once I get my hand around them, then they cut.
 
The two knives I carry every day are both discontinued- a Bradley Alias 1, and a Wilson Tactical model 25. I'm not the least bit reluctant to use them, because that's why I bought them (bought both in 2008, been carrying/using them ever since).

I don't see anything wrong with buying knives as collectors items, or keeping ones knives in pristine condition if that's what a person wants to do, but all of the knives I've ever bought were purchased as users with no intentions of selling them. They haven't all seen a lot of use, but that's just because I have a wide selection to choose from and I lean towards some more than others.
 
I buy a $6-$30 knives for used as my EDC, and I buy those modern and discontinue of $10-$2000 as my collection-_- Still, if it look odd then its a collectors
 
I buy them to use, I'm sure some members here would be appalled at some of the, now discontinued, knives that I have used and abused. But for me, that's why I get them.
 
For many of the knives I use, the maker is discontinued.

If you buy knives as an investment, you are likely to be disappointed.
 
Use it your knife it is sad sitting there collecting dust, who will appreciate it if not you? No seriously when you pass on is there anyone in your family who appreciate it or will they see it as just another hunk of metal that crazy knife nut family member collected and toss it in a $5 bin at a yard sale if your lucky. Sounds evil, mean, sadistic, etc to think of it this way but it helps with making all those nice knives users as you only live once.
 
I have a very few knives that I do not use. They are not really for "investment" (I have never sold a knife and only traded one) but some are more for looking at than using. That said, the vast majority of my knives are for use and those that reside in my safe are a small percentage of the total. Value isn't a typical concern because I know that I won't get rid of any unless times get really bad or I simply don't like the knife (the case of the one that I traded - a LNIB Military, just didn't like how it fit my hand).

So, no. Being discontinued does not really play into how I use my knives. YMMV. :)
 
My collection is one of users. One of my favourite knives is the Spyderco Chokwe which is discontinued now (And heavily discounted at most retailers I suspect because of the looks, which is a shame because it's probably my smoothest knife and the ergonomics are WAY better than you'd think looking at it)...to the point where I've considered buying a spare but I don't think I will. I want to try out more different steels, handle materials, ergonomics, lock types etc. And in doing so, I'll have enough life in all of my knives to last as long as I need them to. The more I have, the slower I'll wear them out, and at 25 (Spydercos which I carry almost exclusively) I can still use them all regularly, and sharpen them from time to time.
 
You only live once and should enjoy all of the things you can afford to. I don't see the point in a safe queen since I don't invest in knives for profit. I don't plan on handing down my knives to my children since they may not enjoy them as much as I do.

So I continue to use my ZT0777 knowing that I could most likely sell it for profit and knowing that I most likely can't replace it if it is damaged. That being said, I use it like a knife. I don't abuse it.
 
Do it all the time with my large regular Sebenza and my Microtech LCC. They are already used, what's the point in stopping now? It's not like they are going to magically become NIB again.
 
I've been fortunate to be able to find spares for some of my favorites that were discontinued. That goes not only for the "nice" knives I bought for collecting purposes, but for dedicated users as well. Of course, that's easier when talking about budget EDC knives - the difference between a $20 Kershaw and $120+ ZT for instance - but if I really, REALLY like a particular knife and know I won't be able to get my hands on another one, I'm admittedly less likely to use it any more than absolutely necessary. Of course, I suppose that's where having an EDC rotation comes into play.

On the other hand, it's only through frequent use that some knives truly earn favorite status. The knives I carry most often were bought strictly as tools, nothing more. They won't be retired unless the day comes when they can't perform safely and effectively.
 
00ChevyScott said:
Do you continue using a discontinued knife?
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The vast majority of my knives are discontinued. The companies closed and their plants were shut down. So, yes, I carry discontinued knives.


I've got a few knives that are discontinued, and because of this I don't use them as often or as hard as my other knives.
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A tool is not a tool until/unless it has been used, so if you use it at all (vs keeping BNIB as a collectable) might as well use it often and for what it was intended. Don't mistakenly think a production knife can not be replaced. On the secondary market, almost every production knife can be replaced. So unless you have kept it BNIB and intend to keep it that way, go ahead and use it.
 
I do in limited rotation. Spydercos native frn with hollow grind is soon to be discontinued for a ffg native frn. That knive was my edc until I found out it will be gone soon so now it was relegated down to limited use. Don't want to lose it it's one of my favorites and soon to be irreplaceable.
 
Yes, it's bad to let 'em rot. Besides, the company has all of the models in their library collection, so why duplicate?
Some discon'd folders are favorites of mine...to use. e.g. Michael Walker linerlock, Native5 EDC forum in S110v by Spyderco.
 
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