Have you ever purchased a knife then felt that it was too pretty to use?

[NJBillK]

I was thinking about some of the higher decorated knives, Benchmade Gold class, spyderco damascus LEs, things like that.
I know they are tools, and I dont Think I would have reservations about using a Gold class, but... Solely based upon that hesitation, I don't know if I would purchase one.

On the other hand, I wouldn't feel awkward using a Sebenza, Curtiss or something else more "plain" looking though equally expensive or more so.

So have you ever purchased a knife with the intent on using it, and thought it too pretty to use?

 

[Silvanus]

I bought a Hinderer 3.5" Wharnie and carried it like normal. Then I built it up with full blue Ti hardware and a smooth carbon fiber scale and it was just too nice to use. I never used it so I sold it off and bought a custom Emerson that I use and carry all the time.

 

[KAEDC]

Personally no, I just can't deal with the idea of not using something I paid for, tho gifts are harder admittedly. I use and carry my 0454, and it already shows a bit and I'm ok with that.

 

[evilgreg]

If I own it and like it, I'll carry it. There are few exceptions--when I opened up my brand new Sebenza and found it intensely uninteresting, I babied it. I played with it for a while, very gently, before carefully packing it all back up so I could tell the truth when I sold it as being in perfect condition, BNIB, etc.

Generally speaking if a knife was so blingtacular that I would never carry it, I wouldn't buy it in the first place.

I'm not really a collector though, just a guy that likes knives who is better at buying them than selling them. I carry and use this recent purchase because I like it:

Who cares if it gets scratched up? It's a great knife that I enjoy carrying, that's why I bought it . . .

 

[Pittknife]

About 2 years ago I had 2-3 knives: smith & wesson something, kershaw cryo & a walther something. I wouldn't buy a spyderco or ZT because dam they were $100 to $200. That was ridiculous to me and I would feel bad to use them.

Well... I say an RJ Martin Q36 & Shirogorov on a video and had to have it. I was shocked to see that Q36s are $1800+ if you can find one, Shirogorov $1000-1300. I wanted one real bad but was conflicted because there is no way I would use it, why would I buy a knife I wouldn't use? I took the plunge and bought a brand new Shirogorov mod 95 w/SRBS with the intent to use it. After getting it, there was no way to use it, its art to me. The level of quality and artistry was insane. Next thing I know, I got 13+ customs, some very expensive stuff. Yesterday I just got a custom Hoback A10 that I swore I was going to carry, after getting it, it again is just too pretty. Today I'm getting a custom Direware with damasteel and I won't be using that either.

Sometimes, knives are just art and I don't feel like I can use them. That's just me, I have become a collector. I still carry my kershaw cryo and use it for anything.

Here is some knife porn, none of these have ever been used, and I don't feel the least bit guilty anymore. Just accept it, too each his own, lol:

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[jill jackson]

Most of my knives aren't used, because I would consider it a waste to keep buying them just to use. I only need a few to use, they all pretty much do the same thing anyway. I can justify buying nice ones to keep mint, because I could get my money back if I ever needed. Besides I like looking at them in pristine condition.

 

[Tmack]

I use all my knives. I can't spend money just to look at them. But a few have found their wah to my collection that I just don't want to ugly up.
I have Chris reeve knives that look like they've been tumbled in gravel, hinderer xm that have been slide across concrete, but my
Large 21 Damascus gets light duty. Still gets used, but only for little things. Still managed to get a couple snail trails.
And my custom made matching pair of Kyle Hanson fixed blades are just too beautiful. I went through the whole process of having Kyle make them just right. But I'm sure one day, they will be just as scuffed and dinged as the rest.

 

[JDunn709]

It's definitely happened to me! Any knife I can't bring myself to carry ends up getting sold however!

Latest example was a Rassenti Snafu with a two tone blade, happy to report the new owner has made it a user though!

 

[BDbrad]

Just like KAEDC stated. I buy it to use it, I'm not plunking down hard earned cash for something that sits in a drawer/safe to keep "pretty". Knives aren't investments to me, they are tools and made to be used as such. I spend my hard earned money on something I know I can depend on and will be in my pocket when the time comes. I'm not saying one way is right and one way is wrong but for me personally, I buy dependable, quality knives, and with that comes pride of ownership for me. 99% of people do not know what my knives cost and that's fine with me. I currently only own 4 knives and will probably never be above 5 or 6 as I'm not a collector. My favorite 3 are a Hinderer Slicer, Wharnie, and a Gen 2 Spanto leading the favorite charge. The 4th is a Tanto Umnumzaan. All get carried, all get used. Every time I slip one in my pocket, I get a little smile on my face and that a good feeling to me!

 

[Tmack]

Same here. In the morning I get to pick from the best knives and lights in the world. It's a great feeling, and a horrible time deciding! That's why I end up leaving the house with so many!

OK I want this one today. Oh but I have to take you! And you! , oh and a fixed blade, and a light. Oh and a backup key chain light.

 

[fishdevil]

I struggle with this every time I get a new knife. I've always sworn to myself that I was a knife user and not a collector, but part of me just wants to keep every knife pristine and perfect. I just got a Kwaiback Midtech in trade yesterday, and the whole day I was fondling the knife and thinking about how I might just tuck it away into my collection and visit it occasionally. Then as I was closing the blade to put it away my hand slipped and I ended up getting a pretty good bite on the top of my thumb. Naturally, I've taken that as a challenge and decided that it's going to be my new user.

 

[Tmack]

Hahaha nice. If knife bites are the knife challenging me, then I need to go home and throw my balisongs in the forge and melt them into a hub cap. Bastards.

 

[Lycosa]

Yup!
That's why I bought my HD7 used. I don't hesitate to use 'er now.

 

[22-rimfire]

So have you ever purchased a knife with the intent on using it, and thought it too pretty to use?

Yes, frequently, especially in the past. I look in my knife stash and wonder sometimes why I never used them for something. But now, years later, I would rather just use newer blades as tastes change. I have pared down the knife buying to things I will use (vs intend to use). There are still times I hesitate, but for the most part it is not the "too pretty to use" aspect that stops me from using a blade.

 

[livewake]

Matt Diskin Fire. I have more expensive pieces but I hated the thought of messing up the polished pivot or the one-of-a-kind hand sculpted scales, internal mechanism, screw and stud anodizing... Beautiful piece I knew I would be too hard on.

 

[winchester73]

Yes a Canal Street D'Holder Bowie with Madagascar Ebony scales that came with a half moon trapper. For what I paid I hate to use it until the well known zombie apocalypse.

 

[Inazone]

There are a couple that I bought strictly because I appreciated the designs, knowing that I had no particular use for the knives as part of my daily routine, specifically the Benchmade 300 and ZT 0801. Not that I would have any reservations about using them if the need arose.

In general, most knives I buy are those that appeal to me visually but would be useful tools as well. The reality of it is that my demands of a working knife are pretty ordinary, so buying a truly nice knife is strictly because I like it, not because I need it.

 

[dwong]

just one:

 

[benchwarmer380]

Only one. Had a small Alan Davis folder for a little while. Loved the looks and feel of it but just couldn't put it in my pocket on the off chance that I'd lose it.

 

[TravisH]

Sorta inherited a hunting knife that I'm having second thoughts about using.

When I first got it, I couldn't tell exactly what it was, there was no sheath and it was wrapped in packing tape. Attempting to clean it up, I could tell it hadn't been cared for, handle was dirty, bolsters were tarnished and scratched, and everything covered in tape goo. I soon realized it was a Buck 113 Custom Ranger Skinner!

I read here that folks were sending their Bucks in for the "spa treatment" so I did the same. Later I got a call from Buck answering some questions I had included with it and telling me they'd work their magic to return it to 'like new' condition.

Gee, I already got a couple of hunting knives. And from the pics I've seen, I'm thinking this Custom 113 is going to be "too pretty to use".