Found Money: User or Display???

Well, first of all I would never, ever find $750 in MY pants... and if I did, my wife would have smelled it like a bloodhound and went on a shopping spree! <just kidding - she is definitely the more "financially responsible" one.> but seriously, she WOULD find it!

Since it's hypothetical, and we're all dreaming here, I think I'd get a very nice and well made 10" - 11" custom bowie. And I would use the HELL out of it. I have no use for a car I can't drive, beer I can't drink, knives I can't use, etc...

Of course, if it didn't have to be spent on knives it would make a hell of a down payment on a new motorcyle! Or maybe that Kimber .45 I've been eyeballing...

wiping the drool off my keyboard!:D
 
Hmmm....I wouldn't get any knife just for display, as everything I have, is for use; knives, watches, guns, etc.
I would probably spend some on a Busse Assault Shaker, a Natural Outlaw and buy my wife some nice jewelry and a good dinner with the rest!:-)

Bo
 
My following question is asked with all due respect. I do wonder, if the people saying they would never buy a knife they wouldnt use, and thus not buy high-end, heavily worked customs, have ever really had the opportunity to hold in your hand, and manipulate a really fine custom, to see the incredible fit, finish, and craftsmanship, and the rare and beautiful materials used, and how it all comes together so perfectly and beautifully. I do believe that one must first be exposed to something before one can truly appreciate it. So i do wonder how many of you might become "converts" once you see for yourself how amazingly nice these high-end customs can be. For those that appreciate fine art, its the best of both worlds, you have a very fine piece of art, and its a knife at the same time, how can you NOT like this?:)
 
I have LOTS of knives that I think are beautiful. I just think they aught to be functional too. I have had the opportunity to handle expensive customs - hell I even own one or two. I still use them. Of course, I don't own anything with mammoth, jewels, meteorite, etc. on it... I really don't think I'd use something like that, so I don't buy them.

By the way, I'm an artist by trade (graphic designer) and I can appreciate the beauty in all things. I love the looks of a nicely built custom folder, and I can also appreciate the clean lines or great design of a cheap production. That being said, I'd buy a knife I'd actually use. It can still be "purty" but I'd use it just the same.
 
Somehow I think this would be the biggest clip/drop point Mayo TNT for me. Although that would never happen :p
 
Well i think I would go and find another 25$ and buy a Bayou Hunter from Mad Dog Knives:D.
 
Originally posted by AntDog
Of course, I don't own anything with mammoth, jewels, meteorite, etc. on it... I really don't think I'd use something like that, so I don't buy them.
Click to expand...


Well, i think the solution is obvious, when you buy a high-end custom, you buy twins, use one, keep one perfect. As crazy as it sounds, IF i had serious money, thats exactly what i would do, because i WOULD/DO want to use them. Alas, i can barely afford to buy a single custom in the firstplace, and so i have to choose between using or displaying, so i choose display. Id use it if i wasnt a certifiably nutty perfectionist. :D :) ;)
 
I have a fair quanity of blades, some in the 600 and 700 dollar range. They are users.

My answer, a good blade is a work of art, a working work of art.
 
Megalobyte;
I have no problems appreciating a fine made custom knife, although I belong to the "user" kategory.
I'm simply not a collector type of person and I need to use and carry the knives I have to really appreciate them and feel there's a reason for having them.
Another thing is, that I simply can't afford to spend a lot of money on a knife. I have to put my wife, our home and our more "real" needs first!
I have seen many beautiful high end production and custom knives in my time and I really
am in awe when I see the level of workmanship in some of them.
A good buddy of mine who is also a BFC member, collects knives I could only dream of and only uses a few of them. I respect that a lot and I have no problems understanding him and his reasons for doing so.
I have been into mechanical (mostly vintage) watches for the last six (or so) years and belive me.....if high end knives are expensive, it's much worse with watches!:)
Actually I think my "user" mentality grew out of the watch thing. I simply grew tired of
having watches that were too "fine" or too fragile to use and spent their "lives" in a watchbox. I ended up with a few new and vintage wacthes that all see at least occasional use. (For the watch nuts here: Fortis Pilot, Invicta 8926, 1969 Omega Seamaster De Ville and 1967 Omega Speedmaster Professional)
I have seen, held wanted and admired several Lange & Sohne, Patek Phillippe, Jules Jürgensen and high end IWC's that cost anywhere from $ 10.000,- to $ 40.000,- and they are truly wonderful!
And as with high priced custom knives, I wouldn't mind owning them but I would find it hard to use them out of fear for getting scratches and dings!
That brings me back to the need to use things to appreciate them. Just the kind of person I am, I guess. But should I by some stroke of luck, get a fine custom knife that I thought too nice to use, I am sure I could adjust and live with a single non user! Oh yeah, the same goes for wathces! I wouldn't cry myself to sleep over having a nice white gold Lange 1815 in the safe, even if it only saw little use!:D
There it is, The Porcupines "early moring philosphy!"

Bo
 
Hi Porcupine. Thanks for the post. I should make something clear. If i could afford to buy a custom knife, keep it perfect, and then another identical one to use, i would joyfully use the duplicate, because i would LOVE to be able to use these fine knives, its just that in no way can i afford to do that, so, i have a very limited number of customs (3 to be exact), and i just cant bring myself to use them, because much as i would like to use them, it would kill me to damage them. Its definitely a tough choice, to use and damage them, or to not have the satisfaction of using them, but being satisfied because you keep them in perfect condition. I wonder how many of the high end custom makers actually intend for their pricey knives to be used? There are knives out there that are priced at $4,000, even more! Does anybody REALLY use them? I doubt it. Hmmm, do ya think Bill Gates is into knives? If so, he, and he alone might use a $5,000 knife. :)
 
Hey Megalobyte, I definitely see your point! When I find a design I like, I buy one to use and one as a "backup". I have done that with LOTS of knives. It's really the best solution if you REALLY like a certain design.

I can see keeping one just to look at and one to use. That would really be ideal, but like you were saying, some customs are so expensive that you can only afford one. When I have a brand new knife that was expensive (to me anyway..) I am careful with it for a while. Some knives that are really expensive I am almost afraid to use at first. Once they get the first few scratches, it makes it easier. (sometimes not much easier.)

Hey man, I see where you're coming from and I respect your point of view. :)
 
Hi Megalobyte! Yeah, I could probably go for a solution like that too, provided I had the cash!
Bill Gates should a fair chance of having two of whatever custom knife he wants, even if they should happen to be made of "Unubtainium", "Wonderlon" and covered with diamonds!:D

And the fact that I use my knives, doesn't equal to a love of scratches and dings, I have to admit!
Jeez, I remember when I got the first scratch on my BM 720 (and that's a user, just for the record), I didn't feel good at all!:rolleyes:

Bo
 
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