edc'ing customs?

danroot

danroot

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Oct 28, 2004
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is there anyone here who has carried and used a $400+ custom knife? i just cant see myself doing it, but then, whats the use of having a knife sit on a shelf or in a box? im looking to buy my first custom fixed blade, one of randy doucettes knives. the knife im looking at is such a beutiful piece that i couldnt bare the thought of scratching it or worse. but then, i also dont want it to collect dust on display.

anyone care to give me your thoughts/opinions on carrying custom knives?

thanks,

-dan.
 
It's not a "custom" but I do EDC a $420 dollar knife. Large regular Sebenza with dual silver thumb studs.
 
i also edc an expensive strider, but im working from another angle, in that a strider/sebenza is made to be used but customs, however functional, are also works of art which i would hesitate to blemish.
 
Might as well, they don't do much sitting in a sock drawer. this has been seeing pocket time lately, $425 invested:


mpt1_resize.jpg
 
I have several expensive Graham Knives and a couple Randalls. If I can't use it, it aint' worth the money. I don't mind paying the price if the knife is usable.
 
Buy a few customs for collecting purposes and buy one for using. I have a number of customs that sit in a case to look at and play with and one or two that I use.

Danroot I was looking at that very knife last night, to me it seems a bit large for edc, depending on where you live.
 
well, how about my knife in question, does it look like a practical user or a show piece?
 
Carbon fiber scales and G10 bolsters says user to me. Now if it had mammoth ivory or MOP scales I probably wouldn't be using it. Or maybe I would but not hard use.
 
Not my type but it appears to be built well. At least it is built with the right materials for a user. Only one way to know for sure. So when you get it, let us know how it does. :D
 
Oh, I see your point. Makes sense. I wouldn't buy a knife that I wasn't going to use but then I'm not a collector-type person. I don't understand people that collect stuff whether it's knives or Beenie Babies, with the exception of doing it strictly as an investment. ;)
 
DaveH said:
Might as well, they don't do much sitting in a sock drawer. this has been seeing pocket time lately, $425 invested:


mpt1_resize.jpg
Click to expand...

Dave,

Tell us about this PT. That is one sex6y looking little strider. What did you have the G-10 slab replaced with and what is taht finish on it?
 
danroot said:
is there anyone here who has carried and used a $400+ custom knife?
Click to expand...
Knife collecting is an addiction, give up and enjoy it.

At first it is hard to justify buying a $35 knife, but you eventually give in. The quality difference over the cheap junk is unbelievable!

After a while you start wondering if a $100 knife can be that much better. At first you (or your wife, girlfriend, etc) say no way! But the question keeps eating at you until finally you find a reason to rationalize buying the knife. Again you are amazed at the quality difference.

After you cross over the $100 mark it is easier to buy more expensive knives. You buy a knife with Speed safe, the latest steel, different locking mechanisms or the newest model.

Eventually you form an idea of the perfect knife, but it is not available from a factory. So you start surfing custom knifemaker websites. You choose a maker and order a knife. Waiting for the first knife is torture! You are used to instant gratification and this isn't it! Eventually the wait is over and the knife arrives. You spends hours looking at, opening, closing and inspecting the knife. The wait was worth it!

However, you want to show friends so they can share in your happiness, but they are not at your house. The first time you slip the knife into your pocket for carrying you are nervous. You keep checking your pocket every few minutes to feel if the knife is still there. People who watch you think you have a nervous disorder or really like yourself.

After the first day of carrying you decide it was not that bad and try it again at a special occasion. After carrying several times you decide to slip it into the EDC rotation.

After you've EDC'd the knife you carry and use it almost like a factory knife. You may still carry a factory knife to do tasks not worthy of your custom. You get a thrill when some asks to borrow your knife and they remark about the quality. At this point you are totally addicted.

The next big step, buying and carrying a $1,000+ knife! :thumbup:
 
All my edc's are customs! :)

It's like getting a new car you treat it with kid gloves at first then get used to using it(without abusing it). Also with a custom you've got the story of how it was made when showing people which is satisfying.
Mitch
 
Same here, in a sense. Every knife I carry has been significantly modded by me - both my SAKs have nice wooden scales, and my opinel is reprofiled to a lambsfoot with the handle shortened. Although none of them cost much (and one was free :)), losing or breaking a peice of my own hard work would be much worse that a peice of someone elses, however much it cost! But I still carry them, because that's the point of a tool! ;)
 
danroot said:
is there anyone here who has carried and used a $400+ custom knife? i just cant see myself doing it, but then, whats the use of having a knife sit on a shelf or in a box? im looking to buy my first custom fixed blade, one of randy doucettes knives. the knife im looking at is such a beutiful piece that i couldnt bare the thought of scratching it or worse. but then, i also dont want it to collect dust on display.

anyone care to give me your thoughts/opinions on carrying custom knives?

thanks,

-dan.
Click to expand...

It's not quite that expensive by I carry a Protech Godfather custom.

http://www.protechknives.com/default.asp

I'm careful and don't bang it about (I keep it in a nylon sheath) or continually cycle the auto blade mechanism. The Godfather has replaced the Gerber-Paul folder I used to carry.

http://lonewolfknives.com/store/pages/designers-poehlmann.shtml
 
I EDC a 700$ custom folder, and in the particular case of this knife I do not have much of a problem doing so. It was made to my specifications, both the design/shape and the materials. There is only that one knife of this design, and if I ding and scratch it, then so be it, it remains my personal, unique knife with its personal, unique dings and scratches that reflect its history.

Kristofer
 
i edc a $400 knife that seems to laugh at whatever i throw at it. my SnG looks better and better them more i take it out. the only thing i'm afraid of is losing it. but it's got a pretty stiff clip... i don't think it's going ANYWHERE....
 
I have $350 knives I carry often and don't think twice about it. Knives are meant to be used. Generally I stay clear of pocket jewelry and prefer users but there are some high end users out there. I consider the Sebenza to be such and animal.

I have my Bill Vining Ouparator Jr. that is a beautiful knife dolled up to look pretty but it is surprisingly user friendly as well. Only problem carrying an expensive custom or midtech is the fear of loosing it. Just make sure it is on you often and enjoy. Thats what I do.

Steve
 
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