How picky are you with your knives re. finish

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I bought my Kulgera because I wanted a knife I could use really hard that wouldn't get "ruined" beyond repair and would last for a long time.

Then once I discovered how much I really liked the quality of craftsmanship in it, it became hard to use it.

Eventually I got over it though and just started using it for whatever and appreciate it much more. Mine even has custom offset thumbstuds now. Not because I made a conscious decision to do so, but because I started using the thumbstud as an angle-guide to sharpen--turns out it gets your edge very close to 30* inclusive.

So since doing that I just remind myself, "Well, it's not prestige anymore," and just use it for whatever I was hesitant to at first, and I've found I appreciate it much more after seeing how well it fairs in a lot of situations. I mean, I've had the thing scraped up against glass for 15 minutes, and even got angry at it one day when I nicked the edge disassembling so I decided to "start over" by running it across a wrench. It was not a well-thought out thing to do at all, but it came out of it just fine.
 
I've become more and more anal about F&F over the years. I also started buying more expensive knives, so it's not that weird to expect better craftsmanship.

I use all my knives. That's how I enjoy them. My dad is the type of collector who'll have two or three knives that he actually uses and the rest stay in their boxes in the safe. I gave it a try for a while but I just didn't like it as much as using them.
 
Raining said:
You've been registered here for 8 years and you haven't bought a knife??? :eek:

I don't think I lasted 8 minutes... :o
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This came up before, I joined here years ago as I was interested in getting a knife but then other priorities came up and I lost interest, now I am back.

I have owned knives in the past, but haven't bought anything recently.
 
Ah ok, hey that's cool.

I am a user but I appreciate a well made knife - fit and finish is important to me because I simply like using knives I consider beautiful. :cool:
 
I buy them to use them, and how much I spend and where I can see that money going determines what I expect in terms of the fit/finish. If I spend $200 on a knife I want it to look it and feel it, but minor blemishes don't mean much to me even though I'd rather be the first one to scratch it! :D Fit/finish matter to me, but only as far as making sure I'm getting what I payed for.

My favorite brand is Condor, and their fit/finish is nowhere approaching what you find in North American knives, but what draws me to them is the price/performance ratio--not how pretty they are. One of my favorite hard use knives is by them and it's ugly as sin and has sloppy grinds because it was a first-gen example. For $25 who am I to complain? :p
 
Can't stand looking at them and not using them...I'm down to one fixed and six folders now. I will admit some are carried and used carefully while others get used hard like my Leafstorm.

Some are used on special occasions...Lone Wolf Harsey T2 with titanium liners and best S30V Rc60 blade I own is only used once or twice a year on canoeing and portaging trips and is allways clipped on the back of my shorts as the back up.

Bought a PT from Neil at a knive show last year and have carried it twice. Ranger green,flamed Ti, Digicamo blade,centered tip, and lock up settled at 65%. Great cool looking folder and I don't use it. Haven't figured out why. Just pulled it out and fondled it again (the PT). Eventually I'll start using it or move it on.
 
flashlife said:
I have 'users' and 'future heirlooms'.
The users get used...altho' I go along with Payette's "mirror edge" statement.
The future-heirlooms are stored...carefully...and treated like fine jewelry or antiques, for the day when my sons get them, and hopefully their value has increased substantially.
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X2

Although I'm not convinced they will appreciate, it is more appreciation of the craft, than appreciation of value.

I generally look for excellent fit and finish and high quality steel, but since I'm partial to natural handle materials, I'm also realistic and understand that natural materials will have blemishes, so I don't expect perfection.

I have a few "high end" users in my kit, and they do not get babied.

Kevin
 
I own only few folders, EDC them and use them like they should be used.
My fixed blades though, almost always have to be carbon and with natural materials. Then you can darken them and put patina. If by any change there is coating, it gets wiped away. I can't stand clean sterile knives. :D
 
flashlife said:
I have 'users' and 'future heirlooms'.
The users get used...altho' I go along with Payette's "mirror edge" statement.
The future-heirlooms are stored...carefully...and treated like fine jewelry or antiques, for the day when my sons get them, and hopefully their value has increased substantially.
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This is my dad.. his wife ended up keeping all the really nice ones..

:(

Damon Hopkins
 
Mathew J said:
do you buy them to use or collect?

Just curious as I am relatively new to the scene and have yet to buy a knife, before finding this board I was of the belief that most were bought to use and abuse but now it seems much like the high end watch/pen boards I frequent where alot care greatly about detail work and finish overall.
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I buy them to soften the grushing weight of a nihilistic worldview.

Kidding.

I won't buy a knife I won't use. That being said my "use" can vary greatly, depending on the blade. I won't use a super expensive custom for something that will ruin the finishes or damage the blade.

Also, some blades, that I buy as commemoratives, won't be used hard as they can't be replaced.

The simple solution is to carry 2 knives. One for fun\enjoyment and one for abusing. Welcome to this awesome hobby!
 
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