EXPENSIVE Knives: Used or Socked Away"

[Confederate]

In the past we've discussed whether a knife should cost as much as a gun, and I still ponder that. Just recently I checked the prices on the Sebanzas and came away just stunned that a non-display knife could cost so much! Then I recalled the numbers of people who talked about their "beater" knives and I wondered if people use these expensive knives often, or do they use beaters while their precious knives remain in the cool, dark stillness of their safes? And if they do use them, where, and doing what?

Now most of these knives are made of the finest materials, primarily super steels and titanium. In the days of Davy Crockett, when smiths would turn out expensive handmade knives, those knives would be used. People also talk about throwing away their Moras once they get a little marred, while some Moras are used so much they've barely got a blade left. (Not everyone can afford new ones!) We live in a disposable world, so what else could one expect?

In modern times, super steels are advertised to do MORE work without maintenance, plus they offer unparalled strength. But are they used or pampered?

In short, if they found you dead one weekend out in the middle of nowhere, a victim of a massive coronary, would they find you with your Sebanza or some cheap beater? (Or perhaps both?)

 

[Alberta Ed]

Hopefully, they would have found me fallen upon my Dozier...

 

[silenthunterstudios]

You don't know until you try.

My EDC consists of

either large micarta Sebenza or Strider SNG
Camillus demo camp knife
Swamp Rat Howling Rat
David Farmer EDC

I have other customs that I rotate too, including

a David Farmer small edc that I will use as a necker at home, a J Neilson Jerzee Devil EDC, a Butch Harner EDC/hunter, and a Scott Gossman PSK that will get wood handles and a kydex sheath soon.

 

[T.K.C.]

If I was found dead tomorrow, they would find a Rick Hinderer XM-18 & A Charles May Fireant, as well as a Mc Gizmo Mc Lux III PD. YES, I DO use my custom knives! They were made to be used.

 

[Colog]

I would either have a Sebenza or some higher end Kershaw sprint run, ZDP or Damascus leek probably.

 

[js16301]

My EDC is a medium Carson M4, which replaced my large Carson M4. I have also carried a Emerson custom CQC5 for about a year. I find customs more reliable and pleasent to use.

 

[Unsub]

I would much rather have a fine expensive knife and a cheaper rifle because there are so many good cheap rifles. For hunting a Stevens .308 and a first rate hunting knife and a decent hawk are perfect. I am also a fan of Milsurps. A Mosin or my Parker Hale Enfield and
a Scrapyard or Swamprat and a way to light a fire is really all you need in the bush.

 

[flipe8]

For the better part of two years, I've EDC'd a Sm. Seb every day. It gets used regularly, BUT, a SAK or Spydie are reserved for the rough stuff. Without offending, far too many high-end knives shown on the Forum are too pristine to be used for anything other than light cutting tasks, IMO. I'm willing to include mine as well.

 

[xxguitarist]

I'll never buy a knife that I'm not willing to use hard (not abuse, just use hard)

 

[Torm]

I'll never buy a knife that I'm not willing to use hard (not abuse, just use hard)

Thats my thoughts on the matter as well. Peronally, I'm not too interested in having safe queens that never get used.

 

[rfbadger]

If I can't shoot it or cut with it I don't want it.

 

[Johnny11758]

I use my large micarta Sebenza every day, and it shows. After all, what is a tool for?

 

[Matador]

My beater BG-42 Large Regular Sebenza or one of my beater Emerson's, probably the 13. No safe queens here.

Matador-

 

[Halfneck]

They'd fine me with my Emerson CQC-12 or Persian, my Boker Wharcom, and my Atwood Gasbaby.

 

[Bkultra]

My EDC is a $1500 MSC XL BFF

 

[So-Lo]

I do not have the money to buy knives I don't use. My higher ($400+) knives ALL see normal use. I will sell or trade anything that does not get used.

Maybe we should have a ($400+) user knives picture thread? Proof that these higher end knives are in use.......

 

[rackness]

there are no safe queens in my collection everything i own gets used. the only safe queens i could understand are art knives but unfortunatly they are out of my league.

if they found me tomorrow they would find a hinderer flame and a dozier buffalo river hunter.

 

[knivesanonymous]

I use half of my customs. I find that they are more dependable than production knives when it comes to strength and Sharpness. They would find me with my Elishewitz Pirate, Anubus, Ernie CQC5 which is a monster, or any of my Sebenzas. I do carry a waved Delica for really hard cutting and prying because i would rather chance breaking my cheaper knife then my custom knife. I could always reshape a cheap blade and not worry about it but i probably be a little butt hurt if i snaped a custom.

 

[knivesanonymous]

SO-LO that is a good plan.

 

[hardheart]

Type of use would be nice to have defined. I've only had a few knives that were north of $350, and I didn't use them. Had a few others not so expensive that got carried when I knew it wasn't going to be a working day. Beaters were used on the back of a workboat, under the hoods of autos, carried on field exercises, used while cutting/welding, woodworking, home improvement, etc. Opening envelopes and scraping paint are both 'uses', but they sure ain't the same.