How do you deal with EDC Anxiety?

[jc57]

That's why I like buying 'users'. Once somebody else has knocked the 'new knife shine' off of it's much more likely to be used by me.

This. The only GECs I regularly carry are those I bought used from the Exchange forum here.

 

[bush-haus]

It depends on how I plan to use the knives. I know which ones I can abuse and those I can't afford to. I use them all but only aggressively use my cheaper ones (RR's ). They all get pocket time however.

 

[r redden]

I have three distinct and separate ways I deal with my knives first my displays I like to set up display cases for my knives some by pattern some by brand and some by age these never get used but I really enjoy them setting there on display in a really nice case. Right now Glennbad has seven of my knives to mod with stag handles and I am having a custom wormy chestnut case built to house them. Then my users I have a cardboard and glass case I bought on a trip to SMKW with 50 or so knives everything from folders to traditional of all ages, conditions and patterns that I grab one or a few to throw in my pocket each day. And finally old traditionals and fixed blades in knife rolls that I seldom look at. I think my whole problem can be summed up as I have lost my mind.:disillusionment:

 

[Habiru]

Ah yes, the old "too nice to use" quandary. So what ends up happening is that really nice, perfect knife you bought never gets used, and your daily, constant friend and companion is the el-cheapo beater you purchased. Doesn't seem logical, does it?

At least at your estate sale, some collector is going to get some nice pristine samples. Your grandkids will cherish the $20 beater because that's the one grand-dad always carried.

Oh - and the way I deal with it? I carry the inexpensive knives that I bought so as not to mess up the pretty ones, which is pretty foolish because it means I wasted a lot of money on knives that I don't use. Turns out the inexpensive ones work just fine.

Definitely kind of how I see it now, but I specifically bought the Ebony Tidioute so I wouldn't feel like I was using jewelry, but a good solid tool. Still, even at the price I paid, it's probably still the most I've ever spent on a knife!

That said, i don't buy any just to collect, so i don't mind using them for whatever comes up. I find as long as you take care of them and don't abuse them they will hold up just fine.

I think this piece of advice is probably the biggest thing I've heard that put my mind at ease using it. I don't "collect" per-se. And by that I mean I don't have any drawer queens. I buy my knives to find "THE ONE". Give it a go, and if it isn't it, it goes into the box to trade at some later date in hopes of finding it. I find i accumulate most things because they were a failed attempt at finding the right one, and I know that I won't unless I give it a go. It's been the same way with bags, pipes, knives, guns... you name it. In a few cases I have succeeded, and my family knows that I always have X with me, X being whatever it was that I finally found that fit me just right. I do wonder if the reason I'm like this with the Grinling is because it's Ebony, and not bone. There's just something about a bone handle that does it for me, now that i think about it.

I'm not a big-time collector, but I do have several knives. I try not to own anything I don't/won't use, especially when it comes to tools, so I either use a new knife or sell it off. I'll admit, though, there's something to be said for art. I can certainly understand keeping a gorgeous knife (or many gorgeous knives) in pristine condition if that's what makes you happy.

Maybe just try to enjoy using the Case and keep on admiring the GEC. One day, you may be comfortable using the GEC as it was designed to be. If not, it's still conveniently portable art. Just try not to stress out over not using the GEC for now. Alternatively, go dismantle a few apples with that GEC, and you'll likely have no problem using it moving forward. Nothing lasts forever, and that knife is, at the end of the day, just a "thing." You can't take it with you, so maybe you're better off just enjoying the use of the knife.

It all depends on whether you derive more enjoyment out of using a knife or maintaining it in pristine condition. Like you, I'm careful with and take care of my pocket knives. They ride in a leather pocket slip to protect them. They get oiled, but I definitely use them as intended. I also stop to admire them once in a while.

BONUS: If you do somehow manage to wear out the GEC, you get to buy another one!

That last line got a chuckle out of me for sure! I also agree, I'm attracted to the beauty of them (I went to art school with a major in Industrial Design). But I like the beauty of it BECAUSE of the purpose. Form following function if you will. The same reason I like an old Land Rover Defender over a Porche Cayenne. Everything is there because it has to be, not because it looks cool.

As for the GEC, the day I got it home it went through enough fruit to make apple futures jump, then it got a nice Vinegar bath. Protect it, and get the shiny out of the way. I don't know, that old Case just "talks" to me. It's a weird thing, and one I hadn't encountered up to now.

Count my many first world blessings and don't worry about it.

VERY true. When I say I grew up in very slim times in my family, I'm being generous. Whenever I wanted something I either made it, or found it broken and learned how to fix it. My bush knife is a prime example. I shelled out the dough for a Kellam Puukko blade, and whittled the handle out of some white oak I had kicking around from the cord of wood I just had delivered for the wood stove. The leather sheath and fire steel were no exceptions to this either. It's what actually got me started in Leatherworking!

That's why I like buying 'users'. Once somebody else has knocked the 'new knife shine' off of it's much more likely to be used by me.

Yup, the Case was meant to be a user, and i had a blast making it so. I thought I could make a user out of a new knife...lol... tougher than it looks!

Thanks for all of the replies guys, you're a HUGE help!

 

[jc57]

Remember - just because you find yourself in the company of other lunatics doesn't change anything. You are still crazy.

 

[mrknife]

I have three distinct and separate ways I deal with my knives first my displays I like to set up display cases for my knives some by pattern some by brand and some by age these never get used but I really enjoy them setting there on display in a really nice case. Right now Glennbad has seven of my knives to mod with stag handles and I am having a custom wormy chestnut case built to house them. Then my users I have a cardboard and glass case I bought on a trip to SMKW with 50 or so knives everything from folders to traditional of all ages, conditions and patterns that I grab one or a few to throw in my pocket each day. And finally old traditionals and fixed blades in knife rolls that I seldom look at. I think my whole problem can be summed up as I have lost my mind.:disillusionment:

ah i just bought a 2 bladed 48 and was hoping to get glenn to mod. it was new in tube error 48?, and i dont think i have it in me to attempt a mod like splitting it in half. he did mod a 15 for me that i still cant bring myself to carry because although it was bought used, it is now quite a unique 15 clip with end caps. i did modify my heritage jack and took it out of its new condition, same for that poorly sharpened queen work horse. both in the edc box now.

 

[Ryouchijtx]

You can't use money when you pass, which is the basis for myself spending money on my knives.
The same goes for the knives you buy. They aren't gonna be with you when you pass either so why not use them if you spend the money?

If you're a collector I can see the reasoning (I collect custom Bret Dowell knives that may be carried but rarely used) Perhaps one day.
I will use my custom Gene Wiseman without guilt though as well as many of my GEC's.

If you're afraid about patina buy a knife with stainless steel, and as many have said above, buying a user makes it much easier to use the knife in the future.

 

[draggat]

I like knives, and have some disposable income, so I buy knives. Doesn't matter if it's a $7 Rough Rider or a $500 custom, if I feel like carrying and using it, I do. Hobbies aren't supposed to cause stress, they're supposed to alleviate stress. If you wanna carry one, do it and enjoy it. If you don't wanna carry it, but just keep it nice and enjoy that, then do that. But don't stress about it. They're your knives, and ain't no wrong way to enjoy them.

This really hits the nail on the head for me. I love the hunt and I love the collection. The problem for me is choosing which one of the few hundred I actually want to carry. Believe it or not, the custom made ones are often the carry knives. Heck, if you have one made for yourself, why not use it?!

When I'm at work, I carry a cheap beater for scraping concrete and loaning, and I also carry a good one that I use for non abuse but it never gets loaned.

Some knives are just enjoyed by looking at and others by using. Whether or not they eventually get sold after I die is beside the point. I find enjoyment in all of them, even the ones I consider lemons.

 

[draggat]

I buy my knives to find "THE ONE".

In the beginning, I did this. Then I came to realize that there isn't just ONE. I enjoy different knives for different reasons. I do, however, sometimes sell knives that don't speak to me. As for finding just one that does it..... it will never happen because there are just too many variations I love and it really depends upon my mood. It's kind of like saying you'll only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life. I commend those who can do it, but I certainly can't and I wouldn't even attempt it.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Just use them, you live once-no reason to enjoy life the best you can. It is not logical to keep in a safe great looking knife and use a cheaper one, for what purpose?

Mike

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I have 3 sets of "EDC" knives. Or rather 2 sets of EDC knives and a set of "EFO" (every formal occassion) knives.

One set is the knives I use and carry every time I leave the farm and "go public".

One set is the knives I use and carry working around the farm.

The EFO knives are the set I carry when I am headed to a "formal" occasion, church, wedding, funeral, quinceanera, etc.

That way I have no decisions to make, just 1 or 2 questions I have to answer - "Am I leaving the farm today?" "If yes, when?"

I have lots of knives I have bought that never get used.
- Some are backups for the current users.
- Some are "contingency" knives that just sit in their little emergency bags in the storage areas of my vehicles hoping to be used someday other than a monthly cleaning and oiling.
- Some are sitting in the wings waiting for state law to change so that I can carry them (blades longer than 5.5" and/or double-edged however slightly).
- Some are sharp pointy objects that I collect because I like them even though they will never be carried and used (except under extreme duress situations) such as sword bayonets, swords. I mean, really, how often am I gonna need to use a 1913 Patton Cavalry saber?? But if I ever do need one, I have one.

 

[McSharpmeisterJ]

I usually carry three pocket knives. Not sure why. 9 times out of 10 when I need to cut something I will look for a pair of scissors or a razor knife or whatever else I might be able to use so as not to scuff/dull/use one of the knives in my pocket. My wife thinks I'm ridiculous, and she is probably right. I always sleep with a couple knives within reach and sometimes in the middle of the night I will grab one and just feel it in the dark. I don't think the love of a good blade needs to be explained. It is what it is. I personally just love having a nice, sharp knife on me. Guess that doesn't help solve your dilemma. Carry them both.

 

[sitflyer]

If it's a carbon steel knife, have a few snookers one night and stick that main blade right into a potato and leave it there till mornin'. There will be black and red on that blade when you wake up and realize what you have done, but it will be too late to undo it then, so just clean it up and use it like it was built for from then on

 

[Carboniferous]

When I spend ~$100 on a knife I figure I might as well use it. That's what they're made for, afterall, I might as well get my money's worth. And when it comes to choosing between the knives in my collection I try not to stress too much, I only have like ten knives so I can carry all of them almost every week.

 

[meako]

dear oh dear oh dear.
you do have a problem don't you?
Let uncle meako help you.
Firstly.Why do you have only 2 knives in your today heap? You need three.
One to coon finger ,one to chicken eye and one to nit pick.
righto then. Stop moping and go find another.

 

[pertinux]

Habiru,

Maybe you're a one-knife man who also likes to have an additional, stellar three-bladed pocket-knife-shaped object along Just Because...?

Given the knife in question, and the overall aesthetic of your work and accoutrements, my entirely subjective vote is that you begin using the Grinling. As much as you respect and admire it now, I believe you'll be astonished at how much more you flat-out love it as it becomes an extension and means of whatever tasks are at hand throughout your days, and takes on the patina of your use.

I understand an affection for bone, but ebony is a workhorse, suitable for workhorses.

Go for it.

~ P.


[As has been mentioned above, only you can determine/discover what you are at peace with regarding a given knife or selection of knives. Also, only you can prevent forest fires, but that's another topic.]

 

[Habiru]

Remember - just because you find yourself in the company of other lunatics doesn't change anything. You are still crazy.

HAHAHAHAHAHA, yeah. Ain't it the truth!

You can't use money when you pass, which is the basis for myself spending money on my knives.
The same goes for the knives you buy. They aren't gonna be with you when you pass either so why not use them if you spend the money?

Very true, however with one caveat. You know all of those stories of people who came back from the other side (and I'm not talking Jedis)? When they say they saw grandpa, or some other dear departed they're always clothed. Lord knows you can't take it with you, but I've come up with a theory, and I think it plays into my hunt. When you find something you really love, it imprints itself on your soul, or maybe you leave a little bit of your soul in it. When you get to the other side, there it is either on you, or just maybe in your pocket.

I want to find that one so that one day, hopefully a long time from now when my kids and grandkids finally come to to see me on the other side of the pearly gates there I'll be, sitting on a shady bank by a lake filled with the fish caught form a thousand good fights with a piece of wood in one hand, and my knife in the other. I know it would make them smile, and feel a bit more relaxed at arriving.

In the beginning, I did this. Then I came to realize that there isn't just ONE. I enjoy different knives for different reasons. I do, however, sometimes sell knives that don't speak to me. As for finding just one that does it..... it will never happen because there are just too many variations I love and it really depends upon my mood. It's kind of like saying you'll only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life. I commend those who can do it, but I certainly can't and I wouldn't even attempt it.

A man can hope though, can't they?

As for one kind of food, it's funny you mention that, and it's something my wife laughs about with me. While I'm not a one food guy, I AM a one dish guy. Let me explain. On those rare occasions I get to go on a date (and most of them with my wife even!), I'll go to a restaurant not because of the variety, but because I want one certain thing from them, and it's always the same thing. Each restaurant has one dish that i love, and that's what I want. I don't pour over the rest of the menu, just that one dish. Each restaurant may have a different dish I've added to my own personal menu, but it's always just that one dish. I go out to a dish, not a restaurant. I guess I found that "one".

My wife thinks I'm ridiculous, and she is probably right.

They say behind every good man is a woman rolling her eyes. I haven't found a reason to argue with that yet!

When I spend ~$100 on a knife I figure I might as well use it. That's what they're made for, afterall, I might as well get my money's worth.

Now that's advice I can hold on to!

dear oh dear oh dear.
you do have a problem don't you?
Let uncle meako help you.
Firstly.Why do you have only 2 knives in your today heap? You need three.
One to coon finger ,one to chicken eye and one to nit pick.
righto then. Stop moping and go find another.

That got a laugh or four!

Habiru,

Maybe you're a one-knife man who also likes to have an additional, stellar three-bladed pocket-knife-shaped object along Just Because...?

Given the knife in question, and the overall aesthetic of your work and accoutrements, my entirely subjective vote is that you begin using the Grinling. As much as you respect and admire it now, I believe you'll be astonished at how much more you flat-out love it as it becomes an extension and means of whatever tasks are at hand throughout your days, and takes on the patina of your use.

I understand an affection for bone, but ebony is a workhorse, suitable for workhorses.

Go for it.

~ P.

Thank you. Both for the kind words, and your opinion. The allure of what you just said has definitely rung a chord, and I think I'm going to give that a go. At least until my Peanut gets back from Case, and I fulfill my promise to Carl. Then the peanut may be my second. I do like my 'nut, but a tiny handle doesn't speak to comfort when you're whitting for a few hours, especially in these meaty paws!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Carry them all at one time. I always have my peanut on me, sometimes I have my Pioneer (great knife for bottle opening duty). I usually have my Tribal Spear with my peanut outside of work. Then I probably have my Gene Wiseman barlow, and Tracy Larock folders. The peanut gets the most use, but I take the others out and check them out here and again.

When you get knife nuts to go "What the heck...", you know you're on the right path.

 

[NirreBosse]

That pristine Grinling you can't bring yourself to use is going to be one heck of a deal at your kid's garage sale some day.

Little Out of topic. Just the other week i needed to use an axe. I sent Olle, my youngest son into the workshop to get one. He came Out With my most lowed axe, a gränsfors my brother gave me 1994. A few years later he died in an axident and i got to attached to the axe to use it for normal chores. After that i bought a duplicate that i since have used. When Olle came With the axe Lars gave me i went into the garage and changed to the beeter axe. Olles response to that was -i didnt want to take your best axe as i thought you was afraid to use it when doing ruff work. Wery much wourt some thought. Even more important after all theese years also i lowe the useraxe most. That is my tool, the treasured one i got from Lars is just a thing i keep for nostalgy. I plan to use that one when i Hunt in the future, just like Lars ment it to be.

 

[major_works]

Remember - just because you find yourself in the company of other lunatics doesn't change anything. You are still crazy.

“A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.'”

- St. Anthony the Great, from The Sayings of the Desert Fathers