Do you 'retire' your old knives?

golok · Jul 23, 2004

I have a couple of old-timers in my drawer which I used most sparingly. To my mind, they have more or less "retired".

It's not that I don't love them anymore but I figure they have earned their keep and are stashed away but not thrown away for sentimental reasons.

Newer knives have come into play. They are fancier and inherently stronger and tougher. Old blades, in my opinion, can and do "retire". Actually, it depends on the owners.

But sometimes when the mood sets in, I do lift them out of their "retirement home" and bring them out to play.

Never look down on an old steel which had seen better days.

Knifeclerk · Jul 23, 2004

There is nothing wrong with retiring a knife, especially when it is attached to some very fond memories. What is terrible is when those knives are broken or, worse yet, lost! With some of the blades I'm less attached to but still feel as though they have done their duty, I like to give them to friends/family or sell to my coworkers for dirt cheap... just so I know they are getting a good home.

JD Mandrell · Jul 23, 2004

Yes...I have a small bone handled pen knife my older brother gave me when I graduated the 8th grade in 1981, that I recently "retired" for fear of loosing or brreaking it. It now rests in a small 4X6 shadow box display under glass.

ACMarina · Jul 23, 2004

I don't retire mine, I usually give them to somebody I know both needs them and can handle them safely.

iubigred007 · Jul 23, 2004

i typically will retire them for a few months, but then i clean them up and find them a new home, for another life of good using

i most of time will give them away to others who are in need, but once everyone i know is stocked up i turn to eBay and get a little back from them. then put the $$ to the purchase of another knife.

DB1 · Jul 23, 2004

I retired my first knife from carry, an Old Timer Stockman that I received when I was 7, out of sentiment. The knife has plenty of life left in it, but I don't want to lose it. So it gets its fair share of whittling time at home

Easyrider · Jul 23, 2004

I have retired a Buck model 500 Duke that my Father gave me when I was still a kid. The knife has literally traveled all over the world with while I was a KC10 Crewchief. It has too much sentimental value for it to remain my EDC so it is now retired in honor.

guy g · Jul 23, 2004

My first knife, a Wm Rogers fixed blade, my first pocket knife, a Hammer Brand, and my first Buck knife, 112 bought in 74 have all been retired to the display case.

Trout Tamer · Jul 24, 2004

Yep, my first EDC was a CS medium, tanto, serated edge folder. It was one beater of a knife when a friend gave it to me. I cleaned it up, sharpened it as able, and carried it for 1 1/2 years, until I got my Griptillian, my current EDC. The Voyager remains near and dear to my heart, though, and currently resides in my top dresser drawer. Maybe I'll look into getting a case...

Good thread, by the way.