Feel like I'm moving backwards...

Maybe you're moving forwards.
Realizing that you could have saved yourself 370 bucks seems like a rather useful revelation.
 
Yeah haha I wish I had only spend $370...I just find it so weird that I would rant and rave about my expensive folders, but I could never get any work done fearing what would happen if I didn't baby them. I actually do get more enjoyment out of using my cheaper knives
 
manowar669 said:
More like $3700
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Whow, slow down there. You, don't want to throw those kind of numbers around; our significant others might get corcerned.:o Just keep telling them you sent in a few box tops for the knife.:)

It is very common to change directions while you are collecting. When you get bored of a particular type, it is fun to move onto a different theme.

n2s
 
manowar669 said:
I've carried sebenzas. Now I either carry a $20 victorinox soldier or a $7 Opinel. I'm happy. Maybe I'll sell off my collection (and start over). Anybody want to buy a NIB micro dyad in black pearl? I bought it because it looked like a really nice little knife (and it is), but why? I won't use it, so it's in the safe.
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I couldn't sell any of the knives I carry on a regular basis for more than $20 (okay, I guess I'd get more than that for the Leatherman Wave but it spends most of the time sitting in the kitchen drawer).

I get by just fine toting a SAK, or Schrade 33OT, or Case peanut, or Opinel No. 8, or Gerber LST, or Buck 55, or Case trapper, or Buck 303.
 
The choice of what to carry should mature with experience. Initially, I carried what was given to me. Then I carried what visually appealed to me. After learning the differences that separate average quality from high quality knives, I carried those brands that other, more knowledgeable, people recognized as superior. Now, after acquiring more personal expertise and learning from the experience of others I carry what I want because I want to. I no longer need the seal of approval from experts as to what constitutes a good knife to address the tasks at hand. Expert opinion is always welcome but my opinion is the one that counts. I carry a well worn small Sebenza and a cheap no name slip joint. They both suit my purposes. Old people and children have a lot in common. They both don't really care a lot about what other people think. OldDude1
 
I have a a CRK Umnumzaan, small Sebbie, and a Snody but I always find myself carrying my CF Spyderco Stretch, I just really like that knife, I like the way it feels in my hand and I like the Carbon Fiber and the ZDP steel. Today though I'm carrying a Manix 2 which is also a great high value knife from Spyderco.
 
I definitely don't see it as "moving backwards" so much as simply realizing that the difference in practical use between a decent quality inexpensive knife and an ultra high end blade isn't really that big.

I was collecting a large stockpile of very, very expensive fixed blades (by my standards anyway), and I realized that, while they were great knives made from awesome steels and all of that, that there were certain design features that I didn't really care for on some of them, so many of them have found new homes, and I've been more interested in custom knives, which are often actually LESS expensive than some of the stuff I was buying before, but I get to choose exactly how I want the blade.

Are super expensive knives TRULY worth the extra money? In my opinion: rarely. That's not to say I won't continue to own and thoroughly enjoy some of my ultra expensive knives, nor will I stop paying huge sums of money for knives that I simply "must have". That just means I don't delude myself into believing a $600 knife has twice the performance of a $300 knife. The performance gains are sometimes significant, especially under extreme circumstances, but they aren't world changing.

My spyderco sage or old SAK are likely to get more use than any other knife I own, despite being much, much less expensive than most of them.
 
I own knives ranging from $40 to $200 and everywhere inbetween. I get the same joy EDCing my Leek as I do my Ti JYD. There's nothing my JYD can do that my Leek can't and vica versa. I think everybody has the "Eureka!" moment at one point and value quits meaning anything and you enjoy the knife for it's utility.
It's a moment all of us have had or will have.
It sure saves a lot of money in the long run.
 
I understand where you are coming from, but have gone to carrying three different CRK folders (which were on the higher end of my collection versus lower). I'm sure I'll change my mind one day, but have sold off most everything else.
 
I have hundreds of knives--none of mine cost over $300, but I have started EDCing a $20 handmade Filipino balisong with stag inserts. It takes and holds a razor edge and the rare Filipino stag is so beautiful to me! I think the combination of sheer value, utility and beauty it embodies appeals to me.
 
Robot Mania Fu said:
Lately I've been noticing cheaper EDC driven blades
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I have literally thousands of bucks tied up in EDC various folders, including many spendy ones (Sebenza, Strider, ZT0300, etc.), but have a $30 Spydie Persistence in my pocket right now.

The less spendy knives cut just as well for most of us, especially where heavy use and edge retention is not an issue. And you don't cry as much when you lose it, or it gets banged up or gets a little blade wobble.
 
I carry usually sub $25 victorinox most. Then there are $50 Delica 4, $ 130 Caly 3 and my Custom Friction Folder (Sub $ 130)... To me its not about really a money, but good function and that it suits my hand well.

This years two most carried EDC knives were under $140 and over $100. But I changed $ 130 Caly 3 into $ 50 Delica 4. I don't think what you're doing is going backwards. You just want something different now. That is also reason why most of blade enthusiastic keep rotating their EDC's.
 
My English teacher once told me about a nice hardbound leather journal that his wife had purchased for him. In spite of the fact that he had been writing in journals for most of his adult life, he never used the journal that his wife purchased for him. later he reflected that the reason he never wrote in the thing was because he didn't feel that his daily ramblings, ideas and thoughts warranted such a nice restingplace. For him, an off-the-shelf composition book, was the equivalent of a "beater knife." I imagine most of us probably also own nice dress clothes, but wear them only occasionally and much prefer cheap bluejeans for daily use. So it's probably the same with knives.
 
I have gone from high-end to low-end and back again always singing the praises of whatever my current fascination was. Right now I am really enjoying a Buck Vantage Avid and a Case Texas Jack, both of which would be considered mid to low cost knives by the folks around here. I do find I get more work done with lower cost knives because of the ability to replace them easily should anything unfortunate happen.
 
I guess it depends on where your coming from and how you look at it. I've always loved my knife/knives. I don't collect and never wish to. I also have not and never will purchase a knife I don't plan on using. Everything I have I love to use and see it age over time and get marked up. Sure, nothing I own is over $250~ CDN or so. My EDC in a Spyderco Chinook 3 and a Vic Farmer. Odd time the Farmer is replaced by a leatherman wave depending on the days tasks. Not sure where I'm going with my response I guess... but point is I've never got into the real pricey knives and don't have any urge or wish to. I've found (relatively) cheap knives/multi's that should last a long time and suit my needs, as they where down, if they ever do I will retire them and replace with something new or maybe even the exact same model if avaialble.
 
I like 'em all. I EDC a combo of an XM-18 and a $40 Case Trapper. I have a Custom Strider on order and I plan on getting a Kershaw Zing soon. More expensive doesn't always mean "better", but still being interested in lower priced knives doesn't change the fact that I'd love to own a bunch of customs.
 
I would call it an evolution. As you buy more knives over time you start to hone in on what really makes you happy. Not everyone is turned on by a $400 knife.

I have been carrying my XM-18 ever since getting it from Rick. About a week ago I picked up a Spydie Gayle Bradley and it has been in my pocket since. Totally different price point and scratched a totally different itch that my XM-18 doesn't.
 
After almost a decade of buying and carrying higher end production knives, limited editions, Sebenzas, and a few customs, I find myself only wanting a Delica 4.
Guess my curiosity is satisfied, and the Delica 4 has the features I want in a locking folder with nothing left out or left over. Gotta get one of those full flat grind ones, though...
 
generallobster said:
I imagine most of us probably also own nice dress clothes, but wear them only occasionally and much prefer cheap bluejeans for daily use. So it's probably the same with knives.
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I couldn't agree more with you. Perfect example. I guess what I'm saying is taking a man that is so caught up with his business constantly wearing expensive dress clothes and finally putting him back into jeans and a tee shirt. It's a weird feeling. I never thought I could go back to the pricepoint of knives I started on and still get the same satisfaction. I was so caught up in the latest expensive hard use or elegant folders I never sat backto think of cheaper knives that would getthe job done. Carried my kershaw skyline for my EDC work and went back to my still ever so cheap but great s30v native in my back pocket when I had a task that would require alittle more edge retention
 
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