Hi! A simple question to all of you, if you would.. :) thanks for taking the time

[mpento]

Well the two similar functions of a knife are stabbing and cutting. Both of these actions can be applied to items to modify and improve their function to my advantage. Probably the biggest application is opening a container like a shipping box or mail. Another common use is in food preparation where I cut away undesired pieces and modify the shape and size of my food for better cooking and consumption. Another would be modifying a tool to function better like sharpening a stick so I can stick it in someone's foot and so not get blood on my knife. Then there are situations where I don't have time to undo someone's bindings but with a knife it can be accomplished quickly and sometimes with one hand while my other hand can be used to push them off the bridge or over the cliff. Other random applications that come to mind, car accident where I need to release someone from their seatbelt, enforcing discipline with my children as in, "you kids better get to bed right now or so help me I'll skin this puppy right now!", financial negotiations, "could I have some money please?" Saving someone from damnation by rendering his inflatable doll unusable. Getting to second base(those damn clasps!). Sometimes it is important to appear to be the crazy person in the relationship, "hey mother-in-law its great to see you, its been so long since your last visit" Getting a date with a coworker, "oh wait Mary let me help you open that UPS box. Yes, see how easy that was. Hey, by the way......"

 

[ThirdTooth]

Why is there such an avid interest in knives? How different can they get? The way I see it, there are two parts; the handle and the blade.

that's like saying; "why be a beer conesure? whats the difference between on beer and another? way I see it its all just fermented hops." but even more so because just looking at the different knives that are out there they even appear vastly different from one another, but once you learn what to look for you will find that there are even more differences aside form the aesthetics. blade steel and handle material could be compared to the hops and other ingredients used, heat treat and fit & finish could be compared to the fermentation and filtering process, country of origin could be compared to the... country of origin. oh yeah.... there's some variety

as for me I use my knives for just little utility tasks mostly, preparing fruit, opening packages, etc. most of it I could do with my hands or find some scissors or kitchen knives for sure, but its not nearly as efficient and not nearly as fun. I also cut a LOT of paper into strips, just for fun, its oddly cathartic. when I'm camping or doing yard or garage work I absolutely NEED my knives though

 

[bubba in c.a.]

I carry a swiss army 6 blade and use the tweezers and screw driver as much as the blade. My shop, daypack, and truck each have a minimalist multitool (the original is an old Leatherman, the other 2 are cheap knock offs of same). I use the thin nose pliers more than anything else. I have machetes and 4-5 inch hunting style knives fro hiking trips and working in the yard, which could be better-than-nothing defensive tools in some situations.
For defense, a knife is a desperation measure when all else has failed. If you are young, heathy, and willing to put in buku time for training, you could make your knife into a better desperation measure!
A knife is a great offensive weapon for unarmed or unsuspecting targets but poor for defense.

 

[jill jackson]

I just enjoy looking at many of the knives I own. I only use about 20% of them. The rest are just 'eye candy'. If we all only owned just what we needed we wouldn't have much!