My thoughts are that even if a knife was rare and valuable, but you would never sell it due to it being a gift( I feel the same way) then its value to anyone else is pointless. Now there are 2 ways to look at a gift, one: keep it pristine enjoy its beauty and never use it because its a gift of friendship and special, or two: use it and and enjoy it as a daily reminder of friendship because its special. I personally go with use it and enjoy it. I have 2 GEC's that are gifts from great people here on the porch, both have dark patina, and the Bullnose in particular is scuffed up and dinged up. It is my first ever GEC,and was I believe give in the spirit of giving me the experience of their quality at a time when I was financially unable to do so. It also went a long way to helping me through a dark chaper in my life that was thankfully coming to a close at that time. I believe the giver of that knife derives happiness that it was well received and has been well used. I also believe the giver of your knives has read your posts and gathers that like me your more the "user" type and gifted knives he thinks you'd get much enjoyment in the use of. Just my 2cents
The young man who sent the 610211 also sent a 852211 (Stag) Harness Jack, a Case TB61028W Dam tear drop, and a Grohmann R350S.
We both agree that they are all too nice to just sit around in the tube/box in a drawer or sit on display and gather dust.
I've never had much use for "safe queens" (if I had a safe I might feel differently?) or "wall hangers". I always figured knives, firearms, muzzle loaders, fishing rods and reels, and archery stuff, were made to be used. I have always tried to use the ones I have. Perhaps not as often as I'd like .... but they do get used.
My ... "difficulty" ... is if something were to happen to these, I would never be able to replace them, even if I could find another "just like it". If for no other reason my budget is more (BTI) Imperial, maybe with an Old Timer, Rough Rider, and offshore made Marbles, once in a while.
Hivoltage
I'd rather not wear these out for the same reason. I'm pretty sure if I used them as hard as my grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and so on, used their pocket knives, I could wear them out in 2 to 5 years, which used to be the "average" a pocket knife was expected to last. (Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway: "Our forefathers used their pocket knives a heck of a lot harder than we do today.")
Of course so far as I know, they only carried one at a time, whereas I carry at least 3 or 4. So it might take me a little longer, perhaps as much as a year or two, to wear them out.
I did break down and put a Marbles 278 "Demo knife" back in my pocket, along with a (BTI) Old Timer 858OTB. Since the "Demo Knife" is 100% 440A, I put it in a thin vinyl sleeve that came with my Bundeswehr, so it cannot scratch the other 5 that are in the same pocket.
(left wrist is messed up from a hereditary bone disorder, so I can't use a left trousers pocket.)
No coinage, so I don't have to worry about scratches from that. My keys (when I have need to carry them, which at the assisted living, ain't often) get clipped onto a belt loop.
I think I'll get some additional knife sleeves when I get paid on the 3rd, anyway. A leather slip for an Opinel #7 and #8 is under $2.50. A couple of those should work.
A needle, thread, and a couple cheap wash cloths to cut up to make sleeves are also an option.
(nothing"wrong" with a guy knowing how to sew, and/or cook. Cooking a meal can be cheaper than McDonalds et-all.)
