- Joined
- Apr 3, 2008
- Messages
- 369
When I leave the house nowadays (and for the last few years) I typically have, at the very least, two knives on my person and another couple in the car.
If it's winter, there's another one in my coat.
Lately, while I try out new things, I commonly have at least three. As I type this, I'm sitting with a Case medium stockman (yellow/CV) in one pocket, a Buck Cutback (signed) in another, and a large Böker sodbuster in another.
Yesterday, the sodbuster was a Case (large, yellow, CV), and the stockman was a Schrade Uncle Henry. The week before that, a Kershaw Vapor rode in place of the Buck.
Normally, I also carry a Leatherman Wave on my belt.
Now, all told, the dollar value of that assemblage isn't particularly impressive -- maybe $200 or so in total -- but it's a lot of hardware.
For more than 25 years all I carried was a Gerber Silver Knight. The current "load out" is the result of my impatience with trying to test and assess as many patterns and brands as I can in a short period.
After a while, once I'd pretty much picked what I liked, having the extra pieces was more of a habit.
I seldom feel "over-knifed" but I've noticed that if I pull out more than one within a five minute span, I get some looks. While *I* may not feel over-knifed, it's evident that "normal" people may see it that way, though it should be noted that the multi-tool earns more "oh, look at the geek" looks than "too much hardware" looks.
However, even when carrying my most expensive pieces, I don't feel like I have "too much value" on my person. I'm not carrying them to impress anyone, I have them to use.
In truth, I'd be happier if open carry of fixed blades was still commonplace. There are those moments when a good small-to-medium fixed blade is exactly the right tool.
If it's winter, there's another one in my coat.
Lately, while I try out new things, I commonly have at least three. As I type this, I'm sitting with a Case medium stockman (yellow/CV) in one pocket, a Buck Cutback (signed) in another, and a large Böker sodbuster in another.
Yesterday, the sodbuster was a Case (large, yellow, CV), and the stockman was a Schrade Uncle Henry. The week before that, a Kershaw Vapor rode in place of the Buck.
Normally, I also carry a Leatherman Wave on my belt.
Now, all told, the dollar value of that assemblage isn't particularly impressive -- maybe $200 or so in total -- but it's a lot of hardware.
For more than 25 years all I carried was a Gerber Silver Knight. The current "load out" is the result of my impatience with trying to test and assess as many patterns and brands as I can in a short period.
After a while, once I'd pretty much picked what I liked, having the extra pieces was more of a habit.
I seldom feel "over-knifed" but I've noticed that if I pull out more than one within a five minute span, I get some looks. While *I* may not feel over-knifed, it's evident that "normal" people may see it that way, though it should be noted that the multi-tool earns more "oh, look at the geek" looks than "too much hardware" looks.
However, even when carrying my most expensive pieces, I don't feel like I have "too much value" on my person. I'm not carrying them to impress anyone, I have them to use.
In truth, I'd be happier if open carry of fixed blades was still commonplace. There are those moments when a good small-to-medium fixed blade is exactly the right tool.