How has BF helped you (stories)

JDRanger

JDRanger

Joined
Aug 14, 2017
Messages
399
I’ve been collecting knives for about 8 years and joined Bladeforums in 2014. In my years of collecting I’ve gained a ton (exactly 2000 lbs. worth) of knowledge from YouTube but mostly from BF.

I was wondering if some of you could share some specific stories where BF helped you learn something new, chose a knife, stayed away from a knife, fixed a problem, or learned about a new knife, sharpening, etc.

I’ve got three that stand out; one discussion was about American Tantos and two guys did a great job of explaining tantos to me. Recently I needed info on Heretic knives and two people stepped up and helped me make my buying decision.

The other one was right after I joined and was interested in buying a Quartermaster. An entire herd of BFs took the opportunity to “educate” about that stellar brand.

Anyway, I know BF has helped a lot of people in a lot of ways and think many of us would like to hear specific stories.
 
Last edited:
Off the top of my head, I can think of a couple ways. I learned of numerous manufacturers I didn't know existed. Prior to being on this forum, I was pretty much a Spyderco, Benchmade, SOG, Gerber, CRKT, Case, and Buck only customer. I also learned here that knives are counterfeited fairly often, a fact of which I'd been completely unaware.
 
That knife knowledge is never ending. And that the knife community is full of some pretty amazing people.
 
I always had my doubts on higher end slippies, but love my GEC's today...

Also finally bought into the hype on the Sebenza, and got myself a small... a large bogwood is in my sights for 2020, if/when I land the perfect one...

Also gave me a place to vent, conversate, and appreciate my passion for sharpened slabs of steel with folks who passionately love the same, even when different, which is priceless in my world where even my closest friends who do "appreciate" a good knife, still don't have the "passion" for it like I do...
 
I have a bunch of examples, but the most recent was helping me with a quality torx driver brand (Wiha)

And then there's the wine & cheese subforum helping me not be bored during the slow part of work, when I'm staring at my machine for 20 minutes straight
 
Oh man, I could be more long winded than usual if I got down into the weeds with all the ways this forum has helped me.

I'll keep it to the top one: Uncle Bill and Yangdu Marrino of Himalayan Imports inspired my business model of how I run my family business. Kindness, generosity, trust of their customers, and putting other things besides profit as important aspects of commerce. My interactions with them while a poor college kid have cemented a philosophy I try to instil into my employees. Good businesses do well. Great businesses do good.

I owe them a debt that I can never repay for that, but as Uncle Biled to say, "Debt is good."
 
I've been a knife-knut for a good 15 years (had a long lapse in my activity here.., recently returning a little over a year ago).

BF has easily done more for my hobby in the last year or so than in the whole 15 years before. I have learned so much about knives, and interestingly, my own interests. I discovered that I really like traditional knives after years of carrying moderns. What a surprise!

I like history in general and learning about the different patterns, their uses and countries of origin has been quite fascinating.

Then there's the world of customs.
BF is the place to go for unique and beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces.
Since returning, I've bought two knives from Spain @ArtesaniaHerreros

IMG_20190525_32512 by D P, on Flickr


And another from Montana @Redmeadow Knives

Serrano Day! by D P, on Flickr


I look forward to acquiring more customs from the talented folks here, as well as continuing to learn about the tools and processes they use in an art that's as old as hammer and fire.

BF has enriched my hobby greatly. Thanks BF.
 
Last edited:
strategy9 said:
I always had my doubts on higher end slippies, but love my GEC's today...
Click to expand...
Me too and that goes or handmade/custom slippies too.

I knew almost nothing about blade steels.... without BF, I probably wouldn't even know anything beyond.... it's a so & so knife brand, so it must be good. Look at the price. I have purchased many more knives than I can imagine buying as a result of the enabling done here day in and day out.
 
Well, for starters I don't have to worry about how to spend my time on rainy days any more. And I'm running out of room due to collection. And my library has several shelves of rather obscure books that nobody else wants to read. But it's rare I don't learn something daily from the folks on this forum.
 
I have a lot of downtime at my job and I’m fairly new to the hobby so reading the 10+ years of discussion is a great way to learn and kill time between tasks at work.
 
I joined roughly a year and a half ago. My initial interest was in vintage axes and the Axe, Tomahawk and Hatchet subforum was what first drew my attention. Information I found there helped me find quality vintage axe heads and rehang them for use. I have restored several and use them all heavily.
Then I started buying knives and the information here (not to mention the photographs) helped me buy anything from quality made budget knives to some that were modestly more expensive. I have not felt that any of the knives I have bought were mis-represented here.
And finally, I found I wanted to start working with leather. I wanted to make axe masks for my accumulation of vintage axes as well as belt sheaths and pocket slips for my knives. I was able to dive right in and make these items reasonably well from the knowledge shared in the Sheaths and Such forums.
As a way to express my gratitude for such a large volume of interesting and useful information about edged tools, I recently bought a subscription. My deepest thanks to all who participate here and share their experience and information.
 
Been into knives for 45 plus yrs.. Sooo...
Renewed my interest in BUCK knives.. Those folks over on the BUCK Forum are awesome..
Made me appreciate that Vic SAKs are not just a novelty knife but real users.. Been edcing 1 everyday for the past 6-9months.. Thanks guys!!!
John
 
Used to have one or two good users and a collection of cheap junk knives, because of BF's I switched to an accumulation of users and got rid of the junk and am much happier.
Feels good to have the intention to use what I buy and knowing I actually can vs something something I'm just going to look at and probably wouldn't be very usable if I wanted.
 
Last edited:
When I came to BF, I didn’t know too much about knives. I had a few that were interesting to me, and that I valued as tools. I had almost no knowledge of traditional slip-joints or modern one-handed openers. At a BMW rally, I saw somebody stab open a can of beans with a Ka-Bar, and thought that must be the most wonderful camping knife imaginable.

After a few years here, my knowledge has expanded, and my interests have broadened consiiderably.
 
for the first two years I learned how to sharpen and maintain my knifes both freehand/ edge pro system and using right stones, at that time I owned a bunch of Spyderco's and practiced my sharping skills until I could put a razors edge on them, I also moved up a tad when picking the best production knife a CRK's sebenza vs most others! all learned hear on BF's over time, for this I give thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top