Field grade or presentation?

Starkman1

Starkman1

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
329
Fellas,
I recently purchased a few custom knives so I am new to the custom knife scene. I bought these knives to use, but I think they are just to nice to get "dirty." I store my knives in a gun safe and wipe them with an oily rag and wrap them in a cloth.
1.) What would you consider to be a field grade knife vs. a presentation piece (i.e. under 250.00 for a hunter/skinner, what about a Bowie)?
2.) I recently noticed on my skinner there are a few stains from where the oil appears to have "dried." Is this normal? I understand high carbon (skinner is 51/60) stains from use. Am I worrying too much...its like getting the first scratch on a new car.
Thanks,
Bob
Pair2.jpg
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Hi and welcome to the forums. My answer to your first question depends on how rich you are I suppose, if I were a millionaire I wouldn't mind using any knife no matter the cost. Unfortunately I haven't won the lottery yet so my limit for a user would probably be around $500. As far as your blade spots go these will probably polish out easily with Flitz or some other chrome polish and then if I were you I'd invest in some Ren wax. BTW you're right, those blades are just too darn pretty to scratch.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums Bob. Please give us some info on your two pictured knives... they are beautiful! Who made them? materials? dimensions?
 
I think it depends on whose knife you want to use and what you consider a lot of money.

I've done been putting my Burt Foster Camp knife though I think $600 is a lot for a user. Specifically though, I wanted a larger user knife and I liked the Burt Foster Camp knife. Now, the Bowie I have on order will likely be much higher, and for me far to pretty, far to expensive to be a user.
 
Thanks for the welcome fellas.

Mongo,
Rusty Polk made the knives, I believe he is a JS and may be testing soon for his MS. The Bowie measures 14.5" overall, blade is 1095 and 15N20 damascus 9 5/8." The skinner is desert ironwood handle, blade is forged 51/60 5.5" and 10" overall. I don't know if its appropriate to post prices, but the "asking" price on the skinner was $275.00. The bowies typically sell for "around" $600.00. I think the prices are modest, especially for a Bowie. I have not seen many skinner sell for under 200.00 and Bowies under 500.00...but I am new to the scene and learning lots.
Bob
 
Those prices seem very reasonable for what look to be high quality knives. You won't usually find pattern welded bowies made by a JS that sell for anywhere near that price.

I don't consider price to be the determining factor when classifying knives as presentation grade or field grade. To me it is the materials chosen, the degree of finish and the embellishments done to the knife.
 
I consider some other factors besides the price of a custom knife when determining whether to use it or not. The first few things I need to admit right off are: 1) I've only used a couple of my customs ever. and 2) I'm a little ashamed of that...:o and 3) I ain't rich enough to devalue too many of even my most modestly priced custom by using them;)

I also consider how easily and timely a particular knife could be replaced, and it's market value. If I know I can sell a particular knife for substantially more than I gave for it--I ain't likely to use it--I admit that is sad, but that's how I see it. Hey, I've lost money on guns all of my life:D It's nice to have a hobby that produces a little profit here and there! This unfortunately has kept me from enjoying some of the knives I'd love to use the most. I promise I'm gonna use one of my favorite pattern knives...when I get one more for my collection:rolleyes: ...but I think I said that last year too
 
Rusty Polk has come a LONG way in a very short time. I remember seeing his knives a couple of years ago, and wasn't super impressed with them. They were nice, but nothing to write home to Mom about. Now, I believe he could probably pass the ABS Mastersmith test. :thumbup:
 
One determining factor for me is how a maker stands behind his knives. Some makers will tell you to use the knife at will and send it back for a tune up, periodically, free of charge. They'll make it look brand new, within reason, and all you'll pay is shipping. These guys love to see their knives being used and really stand behind their product 100%. I'd use such a knife without too much concern, even if it's pricey. Some guys, on the other hand, are a bit more hesitant to offer that sort of service. Either their product is not as rugged or perhaps they have had bad experiences with customers taking advantage of them. Maybe there are other reasons. I'd be less inclined to use such knives as freely, particularly if I thought I might want to sell or trade the knife someday.
 
It's all in the eye of the owner, but an older friend of my father I was pheasant hunting with gave me an excellent working definition of the difference between a "show" gun and a "field" gun. He said a field gun you part the briars with. A show gun you part the briars for. I think the same is true for knives...

If you see something that needs cutting, and you hesistate because you don't want to scratch the knife- that's a presentation knife (to you).
 
Patapsco Mike said:
It's all in the eye of the owner, but an older friend of my father I was pheasant hunting with gave me an excellent working definition of the difference between a "show" gun and a "field" gun. He said a field gun you part the briars with. A show gun you part the briars for. I think the same is true for knives...

If you see something that needs cutting, and you hesistate because you don't want to scratch the knife- that's a presentation knife (to you).
Click to expand...

You hit it right on the nose, Mike.
 
Patapsco Mike said:
If you see something that needs cutting, and you hesistate because you don't want to scratch the knife- that's a presentation knife (to you).
Click to expand...

That's as good of a working definition as I have seen. :D

The gut-check dollar value will vary from person to person. But the choice is ultimately yours. Some guys simply can't enjoy a knife if they don't use it and make their purchases with this in mind. Others don't use ANY of their custom knives, keeping each one pristine. And there's lots of middle ground between those extremes. What works for you is entirely dependent on you and not anybody else.

Roger

PS - I like Rusty's knives.
 
Sending a knife for a "tune-up" does not restore original un-used value. If you truly use your knife, a refinish and re-grind will be noticeable to anyone (as Levine says) who "can read a knife." I've had knives refinished by the maker, and was totally satisfied, because I use my knives. However, there is no way I would (or could) sell them as new.
 
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