Form or Function?

Which would you choose for EDC?

  • Boring Workhorse

    Votes: 47 68.1%

  • Good Enough Showpiece

    Votes: 22 31.9%
  • Total voters
    69
You can easily have both in one knife, so there is no need to compromise.
 
It is a false dichotomy, especially when “function” means the higher-quality steel. None of my knives has real high-end steel, but in general, the ones with better steel tend to be the better-finished knives.

Any knife I own is more than capable of doing what I ask of it. I do have knives that aren’t particularly good-looking that do what they do very well, but not because they use high-end steel.

Next question.
 
Mechanical Advantage said:
Say you had to choose between two knives to carry as a general EDC knife. Not for work, not hard use, but not formal dress or minimalist carry either. They are similar price and the same brand, so you could expect the same quality and fit-and-finish.

One is a perfectly adequate design, no real flaws in any way, but nothing fancy either. It might be a little plain-Jane or even ugly to your taste, but it's outstanding feature would be what is considered the "top-of-the-line" blade steel. It might be boring and generic, but it'll outperform anything.

The other has a perfectly adequate steel. Still high-end, but maybe not "premium". But it's outstanding quality would be that it has a design that just speaks to you. It's still perfectly functional and not a mere novelty, but it's fun to use, and you like the looks of it.

Which would you choose?
The boring workhorse?
Or the good enough showpiece?
Why?
Click to expand...

The Q isn't a scenario that I live in, But I will try this for an answer.
When off work and going into the City, I need to be very minimalistic due to knifelaws and only take what I might have a legitimate use of.
One of these will do.
IMGP6518.JPG

So off work and not going to the city, I'm either at home, on private property or out in Nature.
At home or on private property, I use whatever knife I have at hand.
Going out for fishing, camping or sailing, I take some of my nicer outdoor knives.

IMGP6482.JPG

On my person I like to have a wellmade mediumsize slipjoint.
Something like this one from GEC, where form follows function.
IMGP6411.JPG
Not too far from what my Grandfather used to have in his pocket. It worked for him and it works for me.
I think this one is a boring workhorse to some, but for me it's also a good enough showpiece.

Regards
Mikael
 
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I agree Mikael there's something beautiful about a well used well maintained quality knife . It's the best of both worlds . I guess it's first a visual thing , once handled you can tell if it's a keeper. Antiques don't last that long without having the quality. All the rough areas are gone , easy to keep the blade sharp and what's left is a treasure . Now it in your hands .
 
CW308 said:
I agree Mikael there's something beautiful about a well used well maintained quality knife . It's the best of both worlds . I guess it's first a visual thing , once handled you can tell if it's a keeper. Antiques don't last that long without having the quality. All the rough areas are gone , easy to keep the blade sharp and what's left is a treasure . Now it in your hands .
Click to expand...

Yes and I was quickly aware of that this GEC was a keeper. I ordered 3 more, two as gifts to our girls boyfriends and one more as a spare.
About antiques, my grandmother gave me her fathers pocketknife in 1968 and I still have it.
folders 008.jpg
I sometimes carried it during my boyhood, but it doesn't hold the edges for long, so it is kept as an heirloom.


Regards
Mikael
 
Mikael
I guess once we get into the knife world we open it up to others . I bought one for my Son and Son in Law . Be Well

Chris
 
Lol at the guys choosing a plain Jane Sebenza as a “boring workhorse”. I once knew a guy who drove an Acura NSX “because it got him from point A to point B” too. Yes, no sh!t.

It’s all relative, but I would never consider any CRK a “boring workhorse”, simply due to the price, workmanship, tolerances, etc.
 
If it's not for work or hard use, the differences matter less.
Also profile and grind can have a profound effect on real world use.
'Top of the Line' steels can be a PITA to sharpen too and I do like a keen use. To a certain extent design can trump steel - like a well chosen roster and good coaching can beat a team with a lot of talent.
 
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