High dollar customs...to use or not to use.

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
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Its an easy question for me. If I can't justify using it then I can't justify buying it. I'm not trying to say that is the "right" attitude to have about expensive knives, it just happens to be my attitude. I'm curious what others think around here? I know a lot of you have some very nice customs. Are you shy about using them or do they get a workout just like any other knife?

Here's a couple of shots of my Gayle Bradley flipper working some trout today. Obviously this ball bearing pivot m4 folder is not the ideal choice for this dirty work but I'm traveling right now and this is what I brought with me so this is what got used. You can actually see a bit of rust by the hole in the first shot from wading around the rivers with it for the last few days. It got some meticulous cleaning and oiling afterwards (the rust wiped right off) but I didn't think twice about actually using it for the work. What about you guys? Feel free to post pics of your customs at work.


 
I don't ever plan to buy a knife I'm not going to use. So far, that doesn't include anything most on here would consider high dollar. But, I won't be buying anything I'm not going to use.

Gayle Bradley should be paying you commission. Every time you post pics of that knife you make me want one. If you keep going I might own a high dollar knife sooner than I think.
 
timbo813 said:
I don't ever plan to buy a knife I'm not going to use. So far, that doesn't include anything most on here would consider high dollar. But, I won't be buying anything I'm not going to use.

Gayle Bradley should be paying you commission. Every time you post pics of that knife you make me want one. If you keep going I might own a high dollar knife sooner than I think.
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Haha, he might skin me if he saw what I'm doing to the pretty knife he made me. ;)
 
I feel the same way. For me... if someone were to ask me "what do you use THAT knife for" I would be embarrassed if I didn't have a real answer. This is the "test" that runs through my mind before every knife purchase.

That aside...just saying'...I'm totally freakin' jealous of that GB custom you have there! It's awesome! Gayle is awesome! Use it and love it, life is short!
 
That knife was meant to be used, and that's the reason you bought it, right ?
I'm thinking you'll be using that knife for many, many years, and it will serve you well.

Nice mess of Rainbow :thumbup:
 
I'm with all the rest. I can't afford to own safe queens and so I buy the best I can afford and use them, even if they are not in the EDC rotation they will get used on a regular basis. The "will get used" is referring to my upping my own knife ownership with a couple of customs currently in the work and yes I was inspired by your posting of your custom GB.

Use and enjoy. :thumbup: I bet Gayle Bradley would rather sell a knife to be used than to be stuck in a drawer.
 
Surfingringo said:
Haha, he might skin me if he saw what I'm doing to the pretty knife he made me. ;)
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I'll bet he would be real happy to see that it is being used!

I've bought a lot of fixed blade knives with no intention of ever using them since I rarely do any hunting. I did pull out one the other day that is a good size for carry and I carry it around the house some on weekends for various light chores. OTOH I always buy folders with the intention of using them. I don't have any that I won't use. I picked out one of my basic customs to use in case I ever had a chance for a hunting trip but haven't been hunting in over 15 years so it is still clean and unused.

And I do like using my Mule. (Not high dollar custom but somewhat limited production.) Still way too hot here to work in my garage but when it cools off a little bit I'm going to put some nice wood scales on this one, and another Mule for my daughter.

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Now that we are in general discussion I can post a photo of my custom knife that I do use. This was made for me a long time ago by a local maker so it isn't real high dollar. It has nicely polished ATS34, good grinding, and great ironwood, about 8" total length. (on the bottom in the photo)

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That Gayle Bradley flipper is M4 is a true dream folder, I'm sure.
I'm such a light user that I'm not likely to hurt my folders, but have enjoyed reading about your kayak adventures and the H1 steels...
 
To me a knife is a tool. Just like my name other tools for respect it and care for it so that I may continue to use it. But I don't spare it when it comes time for cutting. I have some that get used harder than others, but they are used all the same.
 
As many know, I've got a $900 custom in the works with Alan Davis. I plan to use the hell out of it. Only knives I won't are those I've bought and done like when I get them. They get sold.
 
Most makers I know like knowing their knives get used, when I pulled my SJ75 out of my pocket at Blade show to show to Mick he was thrilled that an SJ was getting pocket time.
 
I use to be afraid to use my more expensive knives. But once I starts using my cheaper ones a little harder i realized they cold not hold up. So I started using my more expensive ones and they took the harder use. I dont own high end customs, my most expensive knife is $200. At a certain point you start to see you get what you pay for.
 
No way-- I love seeing knives, both production and moreso customs being used for its intended purpose. That is a GREAT shot of your Bradley doing some trout cleaning. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the maker would LOVE to see that pic with his work in action. Custom knives forum right below General Blade discussion has a thread of picturing custom knives being used to dress game...hands down the coolest thread ever. Enjoy your knife, and most importantly enjoy using it.
 
I only have a couple customs and they are far from high end. I do have some productions that I likely won't use (also not high dollar). However, most of my knives are users. It is hard for me to buy a knife and not use it. I do have some high dollar knives (at least for me) that I have no problem beating the snot out of, literally. Always love your pics surfgringo, thanks for posting em.

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Great input so far from everyone. I kind of figured that would be the general sentiment around here. I really should have worded the title differently I think. I guess I was simply wondering if most of us were willing to use even our more expensive knives. Whether that is a $1000 custom or a $100 production knife is not really the point. Just was wondering how many folks around here bought knives that they considered too nice to use...sounds like not many. I'm not sure why but that kind of makes me happy. :)

Edit: And this knife in particular? It feels like every single detail that Gayle designed into this model is there to make this knife as efficient and functional as possible for actual carry and use. I think I would be ashamed to own this one and not use it.
 
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stog75 said:
No way-- I love seeing knives, both production and moreso customs being used for its intended purpose. That is a GREAT shot of your Bradley doing some trout cleaning. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the maker would LOVE to see that pic with his work in action. Custom knives forum right below General Blade discussion has a thread of picturing custom knives being used to dress game...hands down the coolest thread ever. Enjoy your knife, and most importantly enjoy using it.
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Here's that thread I was mentioning..... My favorite thread on this forum.
Awesome knives doing awesome jobs.
Who could ask for more...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1108602-Custom-Knives-At-Work
 
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