How do you decide to use it or keep it mint?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
7,743
I just got a BM 950 Rift in a trade and I'm almost positive that I want to edc it, but there's that little nag in the back of my mind that tells me to keep it almost new.

I'm sure those with para2s and other highly sought after blades struggle with this.

So what puts you over the edge?
 
I'me almost tempted to buy 2 of each knife - the ones under $200 - and keep one clean and use the other. For more expensive knives, that is a real dilemma. Everyone says knives are to be used, but try to sell a "used" knife....yeah, let me know the answer to this one.
 
I try to buy things in 2's. It gives me better value when shipping.

If I could buy something again I'd have no issues about using it. If not it will be a big factor in me deciding to not use it..
 
A knife isn't worth much to me if I can't use it. I used to baby my knives and being afraid to use them, but that's over now.

I have very few knives that I only collect and look at. If I don't sell them soon I think I'll use and enjoy them.
 
Last edited:
Strigamort said:
So what puts you over the edge?
Click to expand...

When you die someday after a good, long life, and your wife remarries, do you want her new husband to inherit your nice, NIB Rift in pristine condition, or a Rift covered with apple pie crust, hog blood and brake dust? I say that you remind him of who was there first.

20120913_095659.jpg

950 Rift, bottom. Ready for apple pie.
 
I have never bought a knife with the intent of keeping it unused and mint. If I am not going to use it, I don't buy it.
 
Live it up! At the end of the day, it's just a knife..

You can't take'em with you when you check out, you might as well enjoy them. Or like post #8 suggested, if you don't have plans of using it..don't buy it.
 
I don't buy it if I want it mint :p. I have no need of knife shaped paperweights
 
If I buy it, it is with the intention of using it. If I find I don't use it, I sell or trade it.

Of course, I am not a collector. If I were one, I'd probably buy duplicates of knives I wanted to use.
 
linuxology said:
Knives are meant to be used
Click to expand...
Knives are meant to be enjoyed whether they're used or not.

As opposed to the parochial attitude of a lot of BF members, some people collect knives the same way others collect coins or stamps. They collect them for the pure joy of owning them. And who's to say there's anything wrong with that?

In my case, I'm a collector and a user. Whether or not I use a knife depends on a number of factors. I'm not bounded by the restriction some folks impose upon themselves of never being able to buy knives unless they intend to use them. I can actually buy knives simply because I like the way they look or because they embody certain characteristics I'm looking for or because they're made by maker whose work I admire or because they have the potential to increase in value. And as a collector, I actually provide a valuable service to the knife community. When I get tired of owning a knife or when it has appreciated to the point that I'm willing to let it go, I can put it back on the market in pristine condition and give someone else the chance to own it. Oftentimes these knives have long since been discontinued.

I'm not a dealer, but I've sold a number of knives in mint or near mint condition. And this much I can tell you. Regardless of why someone purchased a knife from me, I've never heard a single one of them complain about the fact that I didn't use it before I sold it to them.
 
Last edited:
I don't buy knives with the intent to sell them "sometime" in the future. So, I use my knives.

I find I get more enjoyment out of 'using' my knives then just 'owning' my knives.
 
Well said.
bld522 said:
Knives are meant to be enjoyed whether they're used or not.

As opposed to the parochial attitude of a lot of BF members, some people collect knives the same way others collect coins or stamps. They collect them for the pure joy of owning them. And who's to say there's anything wrong with that?

In my case, I'm a collector and a user. Whether or not I use a knife depends on a number of factors. I'm not bounded by the restriction some folks impose upon themselves of never being able to buy knives unless they intend to use them. I can actually buy knives simply because I like the way they look or because they embody certain characteristics I'm looking for or because they're made by maker whose work I admire or because they have the potential to increase in value. And as a collector, I actually provide a valuable service to the knife community. When I get tired of owning a knife or when it has appreciated to the point that I'm willing to let it go, I can put it back on the market in pristine condition and give someone else the chance to own it. Oftentimes these knives have long since been discontinued.

I'm not a dealer, but I've sold a number of knives in mint or near mint condition. And this much I can tell you. Regardless of why someone purchased a knife from me, I've never heard a single one of them complain about the fact that I didn't use it before I sold it to them.
Click to expand...
 
The point I'm trying to make here, VL, is that knives like many other collectibles have both an intrinsic and extrinsic value. The prevailing view around here is that people who purchase knives for anything other than their extrinsic value (i.e., their ability to cut things) have no reason to live. And that's what I take objection to. If you buy knives because you want to use them, that's fine with me. But for someone to suggest that it's not OK for me to buy knives because I may not want to use them is intolerable.

Get it?
 
Last edited:
I am both a collector and a user of knives. I LOVE just holding, looking at them, and just displaying them. And, I LOVE to use them. The only ones that I collect are my older knives. I have a few that are older knives, and they don't get used. I just keep them oiled and pull them out to enjoy looking at them from time to time. My modern folders get used. But, even though I enjoy using them, I also enjoy collecting them and just looking at them and handling them. I try to take real good care of them. And, any extreme or hard use is done with fix blades. I have several that I use for the hard stuff in the field or garden/yard. The folders are enjoyed with a bit easier use. I even use my limited editions or exclusives. I like the upgrades in steels and such. Its fun to try them out and use them.
 
I acquire some knives with no intent really on using them, I just like the way they look or think they're cool.

Some of the Emersons I own are just too big for every day carry. Add to that, I work in an office environment so I'm more inclined to have a smaller blade on me. The Emersons don't see much hard use but I still enjoy owning them and collecting them. I realize its blasphemy to own a bunch of hard use knives that don't get used but what the heck, it's my money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top