Funny how regardless of how many knives I've bought throughout the years or

R

Radioactive

Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
143
Drool over the prospect of new ones, the fact remains, my simple Victorinox Classic on my keychain remains to be my most useful one. It pretty much has all the tools I need on a daily basis. I guess I just finally realized I don't like carrying too much stuff in my pockets. Even a light pocket knife that is bigger than a Classic is too inconvenient. I really do think that this whole knife obsession is just a need to horde things I don't need. It's fun. But pointless.

Let's be real, 99.9 percent of us don't need anything more than an envelope opener in our every day lives. And if we do need something a little bigger, well, it's probably something we wouldn't want to carry around in our pockets anyway. But I suppose it's fun for most knife fans to pretend their lives depended on them carrying a "tactical" folding/fixed blade knife should ninjas plan to assassinate them one day.
 
Could not agree more. :thumbup::thumbup: The older I get, the more time mine spends in my pocket. It replaced my beloved Case Red Bone Peanut.

I think the only salvation for us Classic fans/knife junkies is that Vic makes the classic in a ton of colors. If they didn't, we'd have nothing to spend our money on except gas and food.
 
Radioactive said:
Let's be real, 99.9 percent of us don't need anything more than an envelope opener in our every day lives. And if we do need something a little bigger, well, it's probably something we wouldn't want to carry around in our pockets anyway. But I suppose it's fun for most knife fans to pretend their lives depended on them carrying a "tactical" folding/fixed blade knife should ninjas plan to assassinate them one day.
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I think this part's a bit presumptuous and dismissive. If you've spent any time on these forums (and it would appear you have), you'd see that there are a great many folks (and not just forum members) who have need of a sharp knife that goes beyond what you find personally comfortable.

I work in construction. I imagine I don't have to tell you the size and scope of this industry. A medium to large folding or fixed blade knife is utterly commonplace in the pocket or belt-worn sheath of most individuals on a job site. It gets used frequently and is essential. For myself, the utility of a good folding knife that exceeds the dimensions of a Vic Classic extends to my at-home life and has nothing to do with self-defense or some other tactical purpose. I imagine this sentiment is probably echoed by most of the Bladeforums community.

Retail, shipping, factory work, forestry, restaurants, boating, emergency and rescue services, military and law enforcement, gardening and landscaping, electrical, woodworking, carpentry, upholstery... the list of trades and professions in which a sizable blade is not only useful, but often absolutely necessary is staggering. This doesn't even include at-home day-to-day use, as well as activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, etc.

99.9% of BF members don't need anything more than a letter opener? Really?

I can understand your situation and it is humorous, but I don't think it's representative of the majority of members here. Just a guess. And for the record, I love the Vic Classic. :thumbup:
 
I think I can speak for the majority of knifeknuts: it's a want, not a need.
 
allyourblood said:
I think this part's a bit presumptuous and dismissive. If you've spent any time on these forums (and it would appear you have), you'd see that there are a great many folks (and not just forum members) who have need of a sharp knife that goes beyond what you find personally comfortable.

I work in construction. I imagine I don't have to tell you the size and scope of this industry. A medium to large folding or fixed blade knife is utterly commonplace in the pocket or belt-worn sheath of most individuals on a job site. It gets used frequently and is essential. For myself, the utility of a good folding knife that exceeds the dimensions of a Vic Classic extends to my at-home life and has nothing to do with self-defense or some other tactical purpose. I imagine this sentiment is probably echoed by most of the Bladeforums community.

Retail, shipping, factory work, forestry, restaurants, boating, emergency and rescue services, military and law enforcement, gardening and landscaping, electrical, woodworking, carpentry, upholstery... the list of trades and professions in which a sizable blade is not only useful, but often absolutely necessary is staggering. This doesn't even include at-home day-to-day use, as well as activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, etc.

99.9% of BF members don't need anything more than a letter opener? Really?

I can understand your situation and it is humorous, but I don't think it's representative of the majority of members here. Just a guess. And for the record, I love the Vic Classic. :thumbup:
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I don't give two hoots about a Vic Classic. But everything else he says is right on TARGET!
Sonnydaze
 
Radioactive said:
Drool over the prospect of new ones, the fact remains, my simple Victorinox Classic on my keychain remains to be my most useful one. It pretty much has all the tools I need on a daily basis. I guess I just finally realized I don't like carrying too much stuff in my pockets. Even a light pocket knife that is bigger than a Classic is too inconvenient. I really do think that this whole knife obsession is just a need to horde things I don't need. It's fun. But pointless.

Let's be real, 99.9 percent of us don't need anything more than an envelope opener in our every day lives. And if we do need something a little bigger, well, it's probably something we wouldn't want to carry around in our pockets anyway. But I suppose it's fun for most knife fans to pretend their lives depended on them carrying a "tactical" folding/fixed blade knife should ninjas plan to assassinate them one day.
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Guess I'm in the .01%

I use several types a day
 
I'm agre with allyourblood. Now on the other hand I probably own more than I need but do you have more than one watch? With cell phones why even own a watch. I use my knife what ever it may be that day atleast 30 times a day. Again my job finds it to be a necessary everyday tool. So I think we're at 99% or so now. ;)
 
I agree to some extent, it's really more a want than a need and most of us have more knives and more sturdy knives than we need.

I'm a electronics technician, but I work in an office-like environment too, and a SAK or multitool does everything I need, from opening packages to food prep, and thats what I carry most of the time. SAK always, leatherman sometimes, and a little fixed blade or OHO folder.

If you work construction,landscaping etc that's another story, but even then, folks back in the day worked with slip joints or maybe Buck 110's. I see a lot of leathermans with working folk here, probably the most socially accepted knife after the SAK.

I don't NEED most of the knives I have, I don't need a 190€ DPX HEST, I don't need a 7" Tanto fixed blade and I don't need to have >15 knives ( I know some here have A LOT more) But I enjoy having a nice knife in my pocket, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Nuttin to do with any knife-fighting fantasies, some people like stag-handled traditionals, others like G10-scaled tactical folders.
Different folks, different strokes
 
I hear what you are saying, but don't think the Vic classic would work the same way in my life...and yes I have one on my keys as well. For me a knife just has to be a bit more, like the mini tinker, or even better the camper. But personally the knife that I carry and use the most is an Opinel.
 
Radioactive said:
Drool over the prospect of new ones, the fact remains, my simple Victorinox Classic on my keychain remains to be my most useful one. It pretty much has all the tools I need on a daily basis. I guess I just finally realized I don't like carrying too much stuff in my pockets. Even a light pocket knife that is bigger than a Classic is too inconvenient. I really do think that this whole knife obsession is just a need to horde things I don't need. It's fun. But pointless.

Let's be real, 99.9 percent of us don't need anything more than an envelope opener in our every day lives. And if we do need something a little bigger, well, it's probably something we wouldn't want to carry around in our pockets anyway. But I suppose it's fun for most knife fans to pretend their lives depended on them carrying a "tactical" folding/fixed blade knife should ninjas plan to assassinate them one day.
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Here here!
Last year I sold the majority of my knife collection. My end goal is to own no more than 10 knives at a time (not counting Leathermans or the mutilated modification disasters that no-one would want).

At the same time, I still have a lot of fun trying new stuff. What I'll probably end up doing is buying knives just to handle them for a week, take some pictures, and sell them again. If I keep them in "like new" condition I can probably get away with handling three or four knives for the same cost as keeping one. That way I'll get to try lots of knives and stay realistic about how many shiny expensive toys a guy really "needs".
 
Somehow we spend our lives doing all sorts of unnecessary things (watching movies, going for a hike, or a drive, listening to music). But we generally don't consider them frivolous or... "pointless". They are essential to our well-being, our happiness, and part of what makes us unique and individual. Knife collecting and usage coincides with that sentiment precisely. We take something which is, more often than not, necessary, and we embellish it and add variety to make it more satisfying. Add flavor, pursue different dishes. That is human. We must eat, but must we eat the same meal endlessly when we have a choice?

I want to mix business with pleasure. I own multiple knives that serve the same function.
 
I guess I'm also in the minority then. I carry a medium sized folder at work and use it probably close to 50 times a day. The majority of my work revolves around atm machines and there is no end to the bags and boxes that need to be opened and other little tasks that need doing. A SAK just won't cut it for me. And at home I generally carry- and use- a large folder, sometimes paired with a small fixed blade.
 
I am sure every member here needs to utilize a large heavy hard use folder for daily and continuous abuse but judging from the picture threads there are allot of safe queens floating around...
 
I am definitely in the minority apparently. At work I am breaking down cardboard, dirty tarps from boats being shipped on the road, rope, zip ties, all manner of things. I certainly won't be breaking down any cardboard boxes that are tough enough to ship trolling motors in with a letter opener. Another thing is, sometimes you don't realize how useful a knife is, until you go to reach for it and it isn't there.
Three days ago I had to unpack four boats that were shipped into us. I carried a M390 Para 2 that day and it got all my cutting done and could keep on trucking pretty well. It wouldn't shave anymore, but I made more cuts than I can count. Two days ago I carried a CPM-154 Blur to do the same job, CPM-154 is no slouch, but it didn't hold up as long as the M390 did. Sure it still did all the work, but not as efficiently for as long.
 
Have you ever tried to break down 80+ boxes in a day with a Vic Classic? I am going to guess no, because anyone who has will tell you that a Vic Classic just isn't going to cut it. *pun intended*
 
I tend to get the most use out of my VSA Super tinker. It has everything I need on a daily use basis which is why it looks like crap!! Truth be told ,though, I enjoy my less useful knives the most because they are fun to play with when I'm not working!
 
SAKs get a little think in the pocket at times, I just ordered a Cadet w/ Alox in hopes of getting a more multi functional thinner carry; I have the tinker and camper which are great in kits, not so much in the pocket...
 
I think Allyourblood has his finger on the pulse of why we use and collect knives. How would most of you feel if you were unable to use and hold your knives on a daily basis? For me I also feel a connection to the beginnings of mankind when I hold a knife. The most simple and basic tool that has survived thousands of years of evolution in man's hands. I'm not quite ready to dismiss this tool as irrevalant.
 
I am amazed at how much less masculine these forums have become over the last 3-4 years.

Need knives?

We really don't need spare tires and lug wrenches. We can always call the auto club to change our tires.

Anyone know of a good knitting class?
 
allyourblood said:
Somehow we spend our lives doing all sorts of unnecessary things (watching movies, going for a hike, or a drive, listening to music). But we generally don't consider them frivolous or... "pointless". They are essential to our well-being, our happiness, and part of what makes us unique and individual. Knife collecting and usage coincides with that sentiment precisely. We take something which is, more often than not, necessary, and we embellish it and add variety to make it more satisfying. Add flavor, pursue different dishes. That is human. We must eat, but must we eat the same meal endlessly when we have a choice?

I want to mix business with pleasure. I own multiple knives that serve the same function.
Click to expand...

Variety is the spice of life (within reason).

To elaborate on the food analogy, lets say I have every restaurant and every chef in the world at my disposal to make food as I please. I can still only eat three good meals a day, otherwise I'll just get sick of food altogether. Would you keep ordering from the Burger King menu? Probably not, chances are you'd never even look at it again, so why even keep the option around? So you trim a few thousand items off your menu, now you only have a few thousand more of the best dishes ever to sort through. Theoretically it would take a long, long time before you would make use of all the dishes left available.
That's not the end though. Even before trying everything, once you find something you particularly like you'll probably take it many more times, you already know you like it and would rather have that than take a gamble on something you may enjoy less. Eventually, I can just about guarantee that a pattern would develop, consisting of only a few dozen meals. While I'm sure there would still be some change, the desired amount of change would be so gradual that keeping a large selection on the menu would just seem like a waste of time.

Everyone will have a practical limit for the number of knives that they use. The limit for me is pretty small, with about two dozen knives on hand the number that I use regularly is about five (and one of those is used exclusively for punching holes in beverage cans), when I had three times as many knives I still didn't use much more than that. Moreover, using the great variety of knives available actually became a chore, "well I'd better use X knife today because it's been sooo long since I've touched that one", when really I would much rather just use the same amazing superawesome knife as yesterday. Maybe that means I need more superawesome knives, but that doesn't reduce the number of less than superawesome knives I have.
 
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