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

bld522 said:
No. But to assume that your question doesn't have a ton of baggage associated with it is naïve. There is a prevailing view here that those who don't use their knives have no reason to live. A cursory review of threads like yours will lead to that shortsighted conclusion. And unless you can't see it, your thread is already bending in that direction. I mean, how may people have posted that they only collect high-dollar customs? I know they're out there and so do you. But they don't want the absorb the stigma attached with being a "collector" or worse yet, an "investor/flipper" . . . God forbid.
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Really? I see the opposite, most people have tens of thousands of knives stored away unused you also see the myth that knives are fragile and will take horrible damage if used roughly. It's nice to see people who take expensive knives out and use them. There's nothing wrong AT ALL about collecting unused knives, but some. people don't realize you can use those knives too.
 
I buy knives that I like, regardless of whether I think I will use them or not. Sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. I have bought things I had no intention of using, and used them, and I have bought things I fully intended to use that just sat around. Neither of these are very problematic. There is no reason why this shouldn't work for anyone else.
 
SBaker34 said:
Really? I see the opposite, most people have tens of thousands of knives stored away unused you also see the myth that knives are fragile and will take horrible damage if used roughly. It's nice to see people who take expensive knives out and use them. There's nothing wrong AT ALL about collecting unused knives, but some. people don't realize you can use those knives too.
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Oh I don't think they lose sight of the fact that their high-end knives can be used, they simply buy them for esoteric or artistic reasons and prefer to admire them rather than use them. My guess is that those folks represent the MAJORITY of high-end knife purchasers, not the minority.
 
CapitalizedLiving said:
I buy knives that I like, regardless of whether I think I will use them or not. Sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. I have bought things I had no intention of using, and used them, and I have bought things I fully intended to use that just sat around. Neither of these are very problematic. There is no reason why this shouldn't work for anyone else.
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None whatsoever! :) And as always, one man's ceiling is another man's floor. What one person would consider "use" another might consider "abuse". It's all a matter of perspective . . . and need.
 
bld522 said:
No. But to assume that your question doesn't have a ton of baggage associated with it is naïve. There is a prevailing view here that those who don't use their knives have no reason to live. A cursory review of threads like yours will lead to that inevitable but shortsighted conclusion. And unless you simply can't see it, your thread is already bending in that direction. I mean, how may people have posted that they only collect high-dollar customs? I know they're out there and so do you. But they don't want to absorb the stigma attached with being a "collector" or worse yet, an "investor/flipper" . . . God forbid.
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Ok, but honestly, until you posted I didn't really feel like anyone was telling others what they should do with their knives. It still kind of feels like you are implying there is some sort of secret agenda to this thread. You say the thread is bending in that direction...you mean the direction of implying "that those who don't use their knives have no reason to live"?? Is that really what you see when you read the responses? I just felt like i was reading a bunch of members post answering a question; the majority of whom share the opinion that they enjoy using even their nicer knives. What is it about that that you find offensive? That your point of view seems to be in the minority (within the opinions offered in this thread)? Nobody is implying that your point of view is wrong, even if they don't share it. At least not that I have seen. It just seems like you are defending against an attack that does not exist. Anyway, that's none of my business. I won't apologize for asking a question but I will assure that there is no judgement in the question I asked. :)
 
Surfingringo said:
Ok, but honestly, until you posted I didn't really feel like anyone was telling others what they should do with their knives. It still kind of feels like you are implying there is some sort of secret agenda to this thread. You say the thread is bending in that direction...you mean the direction of implying "that those who don't use their knives have no reason to live"?? Is that really what you see when you read the responses? I just felt like i was reading a bunch of members post answering a question; the majority of whom share the opinion that they enjoy using even their nicer knives. What is it about that that you find offensive? That your point of view seems to be in the minority (within the opinions offered in this thread)? Nobody is implying that your point of view is wrong, even if they don't share it. At least not that I have seen. It just seems like you are defending against an attack that does not exist. Anyway, that's none of my business. I won't apologize for asking a question but I will assure that there is no judgement in the question I asked. :)
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Yes, I understand. Now look at the posts in this thread, do a search on threads of a similar nature, and you'll see that the agenda is all around you. It's just waiting to pounce on posts like yours regardless of how innocent they may be at the outset.
 
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OH boy :topsy_turvy:

My reading of this responses in this thread and (Surfingringo's opening question) is to conclude that we agree:

• Buy your knife and do what you will with it.

• If you choose to use your expensive knife - ENJOY!

• If you choose to own a knife to add to your collection - ENJOY!

No subtext needed.
 
I'm new to the blade world.....and a veteran in the pool world for 40 years.
I look at knives a lot like custom pool cues of which I have a few.
The cue I have used for the last 4 years is a magnificent work of art worth at least $4,00.....it has been used at least 4 times a week since I got it. Hits like a dream and it is just gorgeous!!
It still looks brand new......use don't abuse.
My cue maker, Dunkel Custom Cues, prefers his cues to be used so he can get continuous feedback to make improvements.
I have the same view in regards to my blades.....use don't abuse.
On the other hand......I won't break 9 ball with that cue and I won't use my Southard to pry concrete.
 
some of mine and if I use them.

Loveless safe queen
TM Dowell user
3 D'Holder's 1 user
Sean Mc Williams user
5 Jerry Rados's 2 users
Ron Lake user
Randall made knife , too many to count but 2 everyday users
3 Morseth all users
Lewis, user
Sebenza, user
a whole bunch Buck, Case, Schrade, Mora, Spyderco, and other more common grade, all users.
 
My opinion: If you can't use it, why bother? There are much better investments than knives. (or better investments than antique/vintage automobiles, Real Estate, wood lots, sow belly and/or corn futures, General Motors ...)
 
This is a hobby and there is no way to do it wrong and nor does anyone need to understand how another person does it. Sometimes we just buy things because we like them......
 
craytab said:
This is a hobby and there is no way to do it wrong and nor does anyone need to understand how another person does it. Sometimes we just buy things because we like them......
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^ This. I like to use all of mine but I completely get the idea of buying a knife simply as art or a collection piece. I take a lot of enjoyment out of using mine like a knife but if another guy enjoys it simply for the appreciation of its quality of build or artistic design (or simply enjoys handling it from time to time) then that's just as good a reason to own one. The funny thing is, even though I got this Bradley Flipper as a user I wasn't positive how comfortable using it I would be until I actually had it. I quickly learned that I am quite comfortable with using it for anything I would use my $100 paramilitary for. I was just curious how others see it. Seems like most folks on here are in the habit of using even their more expensive knives.
 
I have a lot of knives that I don't use, but none unused except for a few that I hope will be gifted - I never gift a knife unless it receives highly uncommon and genuine interest.
All the used ones are either old knives that have sentimental value, or ones I tried that didn't work out.

Although I don't collect (in the traditional way), I'm glad people do. It might help people like me acquire a favorite we've wore out and has been discontinued.

Although I don't have a knife anyone here would refer to a "high dollar custom", I have unsparingly used everything I own.
 
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I know I should and have some really nice ones. My wife got me one that is a beaut and said, put it in your pocket and use it. The way I cure my aversion is I now try only to buy used knives. Then I have no choice. I am not saying not using them is right, it is just me.
 
I love custom knives. I was very fortunate to get started when the price was reasonable. Randall started at $45/$50 for the average blade, Loveless was $175, so you could collect and display them without feeling stupid. Using a custom is nothing like a mora or Buck, nothing wrong with them, but there is a definite difference. My Dozier gets used like people use a mora, big difference in price but worth it in performance. they both cut but after 40 yrs of cutting, I can tell which one feels better.
 
Use for me is different from a lot of people as I am retired and disabled I can no longer fish, hunt or spend time in the woods. I have also sold all of my "high end" knives to go in the direction of traditional knives. That being said my problem is probably the same as many of you I have way to many knives to use them all unless I put a different one in my pocket everyday for a very long time. I still however continue to buy and accumulate knives on a regular basis. I feel there are many folks like me that simply love knives and will never use them all. I also believe this is a good thing because it helps support the industry and custom makers by giving them another outlet to sell their products thus securing an additional revenue stream that allows them to continue their craft.
 
Once you start using a knife, it makes it your knife. If you are not using it or at least carrying it, it is merely being stored by you for use by someone else, at a later date!
 
Yep. That's the prevailing point of view, all right. It's not possible that someone could collect knives for their artistic value, right? :rolleyes:

So here are the dominant POVs around here:

1. If you don't use your knives, you've got no reason to live.
2. If you collect knives and don't "use" them, we'll tolerate you . . . barely.
3. If you invest in knives or worse yet, flip them, you are the scum of the earth.

If you think I'm wrong about that, stick around awhile and keep your eyes open. You'll see what I'm talking about sooner or later . . .
 
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bld522 said:
Yep. That's the prevailing point of view, all right. It's not possible that someone could collect knives for their artistic value, right? :rolleyes:

So here are the dominant points of view as I see them:

1. If you don't use your knives, you've got no reason to live.
2. If you're a collector and you don't "use" your knives, we'll tolerate you . . . barely.
3. If you invest in knives or worse yet, flip them, you are the scum of the earth.
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Are you personally affronted? This issue seems quite close to your heart, though I don't think others see it as an issue. I agree that there is a slight stigma against pure collecting and a definite stigma against flipping, but why the uproar? There are a lot of cliques, stigmas, and such on this (and probably every) forum.
 
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