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

No.

IMG_20141103_234037.jpg

IMG_20141102_213725.jpg
 
I am really bad about buying knives with the intention of using them and then not because they are too pretty. Because I realize that about myself, I have purchased a few that were already light users; those I have no problem using. Though I would love to have a NIB one as well, I do love my user ZT 0500 MUDD, and carry and use it fairly often.
 
Last edited:
NJBillK said:
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 jntent on using it, and thought it too pretty to use?
Click to expand...

IMHO, buying a BM gold class is different than buying a high end knife. I've said it in another thread, but the gold class is like taking a Honda Civic and putting a turbo, bigger engine and body kit on it, whereas a Sebenza, William Henry, etc, is a whole different class, like an Acura, BMW, etc. The gold class still has the soul of the original knife.

I don't buy knives I won't use. Superficial aesthetics just don't appeal to me. I'd much rather have an M390 Ritter Grip than a Gold class grip. The closest thing to a "pretty knife I didn't use" was my Brian Tighe mini Tighe Rod. But it wasn't because it was pretty, it just didn't fit my hand right.
 
K.O.D. said:
IMHO, buying a BM gold class is different than buying a high end knife. I've said it in another thread, but the gold class is like taking a Honda Civic and putting a turbo, bigger engine and body kit on it, whereas a Sebenza, William Henry, etc, is a whole different class, like an Acura, BMW, etc. The gold class still has the soul of the original knife.

I don't buy knives I won't use. Superficial aesthetics just don't appeal to me. I'd much rather have an M390 Ritter Grip than a Gold class grip. The closest thing to a "pretty knife I didn't use" was my Brian Tighe mini Tighe Rod. But it wasn't because it was pretty, it just didn't fit my hand right.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the point you're trying to make but your example is awful. Acura = Honda. They are the exact same car. Same. Everything. The only reason Acura exists is so people who judge Honda negatively can feel okay about spending extra money, on the exact same car. Apparently it's working though, if someone can compare Acura to BMW, thinking it's somehow superior to Honda and on the same level as BMW. Acura NSX = Honda NSX. Acura RSX Type S = Honda Integra (Type R: actually has a BETTER engine than the Acura version).
 
yes, I have a GEC #15 that I just baby, small cutting tasks and whitting coz I don't want to bang it up by accident. Although having said that I only ever use my knives to cut stuff so I probably wouldn't damage it even if I took it as my work knife.
 
Tmack said:
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.
Click to expand...


Prepare to be ditto'd!

I ditto this statement fully

Every time I get a new knife I have a hard time taking one of the 'older' ones out of my pocket because I just love them all. Generally if it's not in my pocket(s) it gets transferred over to the EDC bag so I can still use it when I need it. Each one fills a certain cutting task for me in the day. I use them all but I will always discriminate between cutting tasks for each of them (consciously or subconsciously). I know this is inversely proportional to their intended use (more money generally means better quality / more durability) but taking that 'chance' just eats away at my OCD hehe.
 
OK who's been here?.

Running late for work.
OK I have to be there in 30min and it takes 20 to get there. (not dressed yet)
Roll over, take out the EDC box(s)
OK, grab top tier folder, fixed, light. Close box, jump up start walking out the....... Wait!!
I need my xxxxx for xxxxx I guess one more can't hurt. OK grab box(s) , dig for xxxxx, before finding it , oh $#! +, I gotta take xxxxx, I might have to xxxxx today. Ask yourself, "should I put one back?" as your pulling out the driveway.......... Nahhhhhh :D


We all have it bad!
Buy a knife, open it, admire it, then immediately check the exchange for a knife to "USE" haha.
 
Only till the first scratch comes. :)
Once the first scratch is there, game on! :D
 
If you do keep buying knife after knife just to use, it seems wasteful to me. You already own a number of perfectly good users and you keep buying more just to use? I can justify more because they are limited, may go up in value, or just because I want them to collect and hold NIB, in case I do need a replacement down the road. But, I couldn't own a couple of hundred knives just so I can put wear on all of them. Just my veiw point, there's certainly no right or wrong way to look at it.
 
I can see wanting to use every knife I buy, but they all pretty much just cut stuff. Sure there's small differences in the way they perform, but given the way expensive knives go down in value once used, I just can't use them all and feel good about it.
 
Yep, I have bought knives for the sole purpose of admiring the rarity and quality of the piece and I've got intended users that may never get into the EDC rotation. One day I'll reduce the number of knives I have, but not today.
 
NJBillK said:
So have you ever purchased a knife with the intent on using it, and thought it too pretty to use?
Click to expand...

A Spot on question!
You've just described the perplexing situation I face with all my possessions.
But at times one's hand is forced into action minus regret.
And such critical junctures making it highly irrelevant on the most part.
We just have to brave it and think of tools as easily replaceable tools and nothing more...
 
Yes I have. But, I either made myself use them or sold or traded them off. I don't keep stuff I don't/can't/won't use. It's not a self-imposed rule or anything. It's just the way things always go for me. Everybody knows it too.... When I show my buddies a new knife I bought, they always say "ok, are you gonna use this one so you'll keep it?"

It doesn't hurt that I firmly believe that a well used (and therefore trusted, and loved) knife looks much better than a brand new one. Just so much soul and character. I love the kind of marks that a well used knife develops.
 
YesI bought some Coopers over the years, use one as my hunting knife, skinner. Put away about 10-12 in a box in plastic wrap, after oiling well. 30 year leter I found out they did better than stock investments. Sold em all, and bought something with the money I lusted for.
 
jill jackson said:
If you do keep buying knife after knife just to use, it seems wasteful to me. You already own a number of perfectly good users and you keep buying more just to use?
Click to expand...

I get bored just using the same knife. :)

Your argument could apply to clothes and shoes too: why get more pants when you already have a perfectly good pair to wear? I mean, I could see having a few pairs so you aren't stuck pantless while the others are in the wash, but beyond that? Wasteful, wasteful I say. :D

(actually, I do have way more knives than pants, shirts and shoes...)
 
I carry all my knives, and will probably continue to as I buy higher end ones in time. Now my top is at about $200. I just carry more than one knife, so if there's a task I don't wanna mess up a nice blade on I can use another. Most blades get a lot of their cost from the steel, so I don't see the point of buying real nice steel just to not use it. That's part of the fun, and a big part of it to me. But I could definitely understand some people's hesitance when it comes to knives that are very expensive.
 
I buy most of my knives because being an engineer I like all the different designs, materials, and locks. I just like to fondle them and enjoy them. I rarely use any knife even the ones I carry everyday/rotate. I really don't have the need for them but that not why I buy them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top