Don't worry so much.

E

Eric J

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
392
For anyone concerned with slip-joint usage, don't be. The other day at work I had to cut off a section of a rug that is used to cover up computer cables. The thing was in bad shape and was curling at all the corners. It was a tripping hazard for sure! Without any thought about slippage or usage anxiety I took out my Texas Jack and went right to work. It went through the rubber and nylon? with no closing or hanging up. This was some tough stuff to cut and the Jack needed a little stropping afterward, but the job got done with no issues. Don't worry about using your slip joints! Use your GECs, CASEs, Remingtons, Schrades, etc. Buy them, coon finger them, and use them! That is what they are for.
 
Eric,I agree with you. I for one have a hard time using a new knife , but once you get a few scratches and a little patina It's really yours and you can truly enjoy it.
 
Your right Eric these slip joints we love and carry are tools to use for our cutting needs. They have been in hard use for many years resulting in time tested proof of their ability. These patterns have been engineered and made to serve us without concern for.failure. The modern folders with their titanium scales and M390 super steel blades can do no more than a simple Barlow or even a Peanut and IMO offer nowhere near as much style and class of the traditional slip joint. I for one carry and use my slip joints for most all of my cutting needs.
 
:thumbup: Jackknife, your posts got me into slip joints, Craftsman 4 way drivers, and P-38 can openers. The Grand High Muckba never worries! Now I don't either! :D
 
Traditional knives made me realise the importance of blade geometry. Quite often, they just work better than overly thick modern one-handers with funky grinds... :)

Here's a gratuitous knife pic just because a thread needs photos!

gecradio02_zpsxpe2rit9.jpg

GEC #15 Radio in antique yellow jigged bone

-Brett
 
Eric J said:
:thumbup: Jackknife, your posts got me into slip joints, Craftsman 4 way drivers, and P-38 can openers. The Grand High Muckba never worries! Now I don't either! :D
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Thank you, Sir! Glad I have helped in any way.

And timber weasel is right, this thread needs pics.
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indeed, ive been stuck in the its too pretty to carry mindset. i often buy two of the knives i want, or even a used version, just so i wouldnt feel bad.
 
I don't worry about such things. I am not concerned about using a traditional knife for any task I choose.

After you accumulate a small pile, you have way more choices than you are likely to need to use and then you can save a few to keep nice, use some, and keep the rest in waiting.

On the too pretty to carry issue.... I don't collect knives. I buy to use and I usually choose handle materials that I think are durable in the pocket. That said, my larger slip joints get carried in a leather sleeve to protect them for all the other metal crap that I keep in my pockets. The only one that is not protected is my Vic SAK and I have a number of replacements for that one should I need to replace it.
 
22-rimfire said:
I don't worry about such things. I am not concerned about using a traditional knife for any task I choose.

After you accumulate a small pile, you have way more choices than you are likely to need to use and then you can save a few to keep nice, use some, and keep the rest in waiting.

On the too pretty to carry issue.... I don't collect knives. I buy to use and I usually choose handle materials that I think are durable in the pocket. That said, my larger slip joints get carried in a leather sleeve to protect them for all the other metal crap that I keep in my pockets. The only one that is not protected is my Vic SAK and I have a number of replacements for that one should I need to replace it.
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righto! if its in the edc box it will get pocket time
 
I've never worried about using whatever knife i have in my pocket for any task it is suited for. There's a reason I keep them as sharp as I can- that's so that I can use them. Ever since I learned how to sharpen a knife on the bottom of a coffee mug and strop it on a piece of cardboard to get a working edge back, I've never worried too much about dulling a blade from use.
 
Amen to that.

Not many people know this but the WHOLE blade is made of steel! All the way up to the spine!! If your edge dulls, there issteel right behind it that will perform just as well. Use it, sharpen it and use it again until it is used up! They will still be making knives by the time you have sharpened away all that steel. I know for myself, I have plenty of worthy replacements...
 
Amen, Eric J. I've always said there's no such thing as "hard use" of a knife ... just use, and abuse. Knives were meant to cut things (duh).
 
I do carry (in a separate bag) additional tools for things that knives are not suited for. A multi-tool, a full-size multi-bit screwdriver, a small pry bar, etc. So I'm only going to be using a knife blade for things that blades are intended for, such as cutting, slicing, piercing, carving and shaping softer materials, light scraping. For prying, turning screws, scraping metal, and other tasks not suited to a pocket knife, I use a more appropriate tool. I also carry a SAK in my pocket which gives me a few other tools so that blades can be reserved for blade tasks.
 
mrknife said:
indeed, ive been stuck in the its too pretty to carry mindset. i often buy two of the knives i want, or even a used version, just so i wouldnt feel bad.
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Mrknife, you need some immersion therapy to help you move past that. I certainly understand the "to pretty to use" thing. I have bought a number of GEC knives with the full intention of carrying and using them, but when it comes down to it I usually drop a Case or Buck in the pocket instead - after all, they all cut stuff pretty equally.

So my suggestion is this - pick any one of your nice knives, just one, and make it your only carry for an entire month. All of the others will be nice and safe on the shelf, but you are going to carry, use, maintain, sharpen, and bond with that one knife for a whole month. If it's a horrible mistake, well, you will only be out that one knife out of all of the others you have.

An alternate suggestion is to quit buying knives that are too nice to carry in the first place, unless they are intentionally for collecting. I am giving you this advice as someone who has the same affliction, so don't think I'm being judgemental. Just some suggestions to help you get over your angst. :)
 
I don't collect. so I have no qualms whatsoever about putting a brand new knife to use. For that matter, I don't hesitate to put a brand new knife to a grinder or belt sander or any other shop tools to modify them to my tastes. I've taken all sorts of brand new knives right from the tube or packaging to the shop. So using a new knife is no consideration for me.
 
jc57 said:
Mrknife, you need some immersion therapy to help you move past that. I certainly understand the "to pretty to use" thing. I have bought a number of GEC knives with the full intention of carrying and using them, but when it comes down to it I usually drop a Case or Buck in the pocket instead - after all, they all cut stuff pretty equally.

So my suggestion is this - pick any one of your nice knives, just one, and make it your only carry for an entire month. All of the others will be nice and safe on the shelf, but you are going to carry, use, maintain, sharpen, and bond with that one knife for a whole month. If it's a horrible mistake, well, you will only be out that one knife out of all of the others you have.

An alternate suggestion is to quit buying knives that are too nice to carry in the first place, unless they are intentionally for collecting. I am giving you this advice as someone who has the same affliction, so don't think I'm being judgemental. Just some suggestions to help you get over your angst. :)
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the messed up 2014 blade forums knife has been volunteered for this project, will report back :D

whats funny is, i have just added 6 knives in the last two weeks, clinic just gave the annual holiday bonus. and i just pulled the trigger on a schatt and morgan barlow in stag, 2 heritage jacks, a tear drop schatt and morgan, a lock back queen that ive been eyeing for some time but couldnt find without the swing guard and a #90 schatt and morgan single blade jack in stag as well.
 
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