How Tastes Evolve

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

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Like most of you , I've been into carrying , using and collecting knives for years. It wasn't until 2007 when I got a bit more serious about knives (i.e. : learning about various steels , different lock mechs and discovering which knives I preferred for a particular job). There's no substitute for experience.

Recently having gone over my knife collection , I can see how my taste in knives has changed over the years. A type of evolution one might say. I used to be dead-set on small folders. Nothing that would feel uncomfortable in my front pocket. The BM 707 Sequel was my go to knife for a while. And I was all about 154CM. Then I got a limited edition 707 with S30V and after figuring out how to sharpen it correctly (it was quite different than the softer 154CM) I loved it. Still do.

From there I started becoming interested in larger knives but was hesitant to buy since I didn't think they fit comfortably in my front pocket. So I tried a back pocket carry and voila ! A whole new world just opened up. That's also when I was introduced to Spyderco , ZT and CRK. So my choice in knives has gone from smaller folders to larger ones. Though I have many favorites in all sizes from different makers , at the time of this post I'm most content with my BM 710. Clip removed carried in my back pocket. Not that BM is my fave manufacturer. They are not. But for me the 710 represents EDC perfection. I'm still evolving and I hope I never stop. I have yet to try a true custom knife. But I'm certainly interested and looking.

So how has your taste in knives changed and evolved over the years ? Or hasn't it ?
 
Started with a tac force type of knife pos. Then I wanted something cool looking and went with Kershaw lifter because I was dead set on another tanto. I did and still do think spyderco knives are ugly as a bulls *** but I held one and bought a delica because besides looking like crap to me I liked the feel. I went large to smaller. Tho when my delica breaks I'll probably get something beefier like a cold steel


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These days I also prefer folders that hide almost all of the blade when closed. The 710's blade all but disappears when closed. The Manix2 (that I rarely carry anymore)has a lot of steel still visible when closed. I like and enjoy both knives. But the slim design of the 710 wins me over. Also , I'm not a Sebenza fan but the sleekness of the Seb is one aspect of the knife that I like.
 
I moved away from fixed blades in the early 90s when I found I could not get big stainless blades really sharp on either stones or the early (way too fine) DMT diamond hones, and most big blades were stainless and saber ground back then.

Folders were simply much sharper, particularly the fully serrated ones, and that alone probably counted more than ease of carry in my shift away from big "survival style" fixed blades... I have always despised dull knives, and I could not get big stainless knives sharp, it was that simple... A Randall Model 12 would have solved my issue, but it was out of my price range back then...

And for 15 years (1997-2013) I owned nothing other than a Spyderco Civilian (A CRKT Apache making a lasting good impression until it partially oppened in my pocket, because of the dual thumb stud, despite being tip down, and poked through my pocket, injuring me badly: That was pretty much the end of liner locks for me).

Today very aggressive, very coarse Dia-Sharp diamond hones are easily available (the old DMT ones I could find 30 years ago were always much too fine, and wore away their limited coarseness almost instantly).

Because of the much more aggressive Dia-Sharp hones, easily found online now, I can make very sharp low-sabre grind stainless knives that used to defeat me completely in the 80s... I just easily succeeded on a Gerber BMF for instance...

But strangely enough, just when they became useable, big 9-10" stainless survival knives also became far less common, and have mostly been replaced by ugly utilitarian blades made of inferior Carbon steel, just as Carbon is no longer needed... Esee Junglas, Ontario SPs or Rtack IIs, Busse etc... Endless reams of the same thing over and over... Only the convexed Cold Steel Trailmaster has remained from the old days, and even that is not as thin-edged as it used to be...

So it is back now to buying roughly the very same big stainless knives I wanted 25 years ago, before my folder period, (but now custom models I could only dream about back then, like Liles) and only finding them in mint condition in the collector's, or, more often, the high-end custom aisles...

Gaston
 
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I used to consider strength a knife's most important characteristic until I understood my needs better. Opening speed also used to be important to me. Nowadays I like my knives to offer the user a little more finesse and cutting performance; I'm really not into the sharpened prybar thing. I'm also not obsessed with modern materials like I used to be.

Nowadays I'm most concerned with ergonomics, ease of maintenence, and how well a knife cuts. My ideal knife nowadays has a thin tip, a comfortable handle, a FFG blade and steel I can sharpen.

Some things haven't changed; I still like lockbacks, I still like G10 and I still think the idea of a Ti framelock being a "super tough knife built like a tank" is silly.
 
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Yep, it's so true. I started with all lockbacks, now am focusing on traditional folders, mostly Case. Taste's change over time ...
 
In the last 6 months, I've gone from waved megafolders to large fixed blades.

[video=youtube;bWofK2To3A8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWofK2To3A8[/video]
 
I started off with cheap military knives and went to more "tacticool" blades where I came across the Junglas where I started appreciating higher end knives.
Eventually I grew a distaste for G10/Micarta blades. To me, it became synonymous "crappy ergonomics" so I started going after more "traditional" fixed blades.

For folders, I'm not as picky. I carried a leatherman for a good number of years. Went to several G10/Titanium knives, disliked all of them. Couple Microtechs, a BM Grizzly Creek where I learned to hate recurves with a passion. Now I'm in a slipjoint phase, loving my Boker Camp Knife.
 
Funny how your taste can change. In the '80-90s I thought Buck and CRKT were the bomb. Most of their stuff I won't even consider anymore. Now, I find that I really enjoy the Axis lock so Benchmade has become a good friend.

Much to my surprise, today, I have a cheap congress in my FRP. Two years ago the idea of anything traditional (except a SAK) would not even have crossed my mind.
 
I use my knives so buy things that are useful. I prefer to buy something that will last and a high quality but it the design that has to work. That means the shape and thickness of the blade should be right and cut correctly. Far too many modern designs are built too solid and poor at cutting deep.
Folders are pretty easy as most work exceedingly well. The old classics and just anything well done. As I have a few that keep on going I haven't needed to buy any, other than the odd one to replace one lost, but then I've found a new old one because I know them.
Folders its all to do with weight, and how to carry them. Front pocket, back pocket or belt pouch. The lighter, the slimmer, the better.

Better steels or a new take on a design has got me to buy, especially for bigger blades. Bigger blades mans to me choppers. They have to be practical without fantasy. Recent purchases have been from Survive Knives (small fixed) and Dorset Blades, Ben Orford (both UK small producers and both a parang) and the Finnish Skrama.

Where my taste has changed is in Combat or Survival knives. One knife doesn't do it. I think a small and very big is so much better, or even a small and a Silky saw. Folders and small fixed do the small and I think I've found my perfect big blade in the Skrama (bigger than that and its an axe). I'm not a fan of the very large survival combat knives as too many are built heavy and still don't cut big stuff (a Battle Mistress Busse has it so wrong, though many think they are the biz; while I'm at it the bushy bushcraft designs aren't that great either, sorry Ray, I don't like them).

So yes, my taste has changed over the years.

I don't mind carbon steels, but they need to be interesting.
 
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I've gone more in the opposite direction over the last 15+ years that I've liked quality knives. I started out liking medium to large folders, often tantos and recurved blades. Now, I prefer much smaller folders, typically 3 inches and under, as ease of carry is important to me. Also, while I still find the recurve an attractive blade-shape, I mostly tend to buy the simpler spear and clip-points.
 
My taste has changed in the sense that I have gone for quality, now that I have more knowledge. I also know what lock types I like and what I don't care for. I know what materials I like, and what I don't. The big deal for me is the importance of a good pocket clip! I have spent $150 repairing a custom knife, because the knife fell out of my pocket, and hit the ground.The maker actually adjusted he clip on that knife. I LOVE frame locks the most, and is the primary the type of knife that I buy. I know I like a blade length between 3-3.5 inches, and that is what I carry. I have learned a lot about what I like and what I don't over the years.
 
Wolverine666 said:
From there I started becoming interested in larger knives but was hesitant to buy since I didn't think they fit comfortably in my front pocket. So I tried a back pocket carry and voila !
Click to expand...

Little bit off topic but not really. I wanted to take the next step and carry a second folder. The natural conclusion was to carry the second in my back pocket. I did this for a few days before I realized I was scraping my car door with the clip of the knife in my back pocket each time I entered the car. That little venture didn't work out for me too well. I went back to carrying one.
 
I have a couple of fixies from way back. For all practical purpose never used, preferred a Buck 110 style, then got an actual Buck 110. For EDC, when I was real young I liked the look and feel of Barlows. Being one to misplace/lose/loan never to see again, I'd get whatever Schrade or Case or whatever was available at the sporting goods or hardware store. Then one day I got a SAK. Well that' it, went through a few models but SAKs became my primary. I tried a one hand tactical style folder for a month. I really liked it but no good when I needed a screwdriver or can opener. However, my next knife will probably be one of Vic's on hand Ranger or Soldier knives. They don't have a lot of what I like, but they have the 95 percentile of what I use, and that they are geared for lefties is a bonus to me.
I don't change much. My problem is when deciding to make a change I always ask myself,"How is this an improvement to what I have and how often will I use it?". Hence I have become very boring, but definitly appreciate what I have.
 
I got into knives when my dad took me camping as a pup. I have more of a fixed blade outdoor background than folders. Got into folders about Jr. High and continued through college with traditionals and Italian switchblades.

I got back into fixed blades for outdoor stuff for several decades, still coming into possession of the occasional quality folder from time to time.

Bought a couple Benchmade Walker locks in the early '90's, including an Emerson collab 975 I later lost and regret to this day, that started me on 'one handers.'​

My current collection resulted more from participating in favorite activities over time (motorcyclilng, mountain/whitewater, backpacking, general camping, etc.) than any conscious decision to "collect knives." Suddenly it was just.....there--once I assembled them all from around the house, motorcycle bags, packs, gear stashes, garage piles, etc. many years ago.

Once I started buying more for pleasure and limited collecting, I ran the whole dollar gamut. Did this for a period of years until I shifted course a few years ago.

I found myself selling off a lot of the higher-dollar knives I'd kept in the vault for years. I shifted my concentration from fixed blades to folders for a few years and forbade myself from purchasing any more fixed blades, though I still research and window shop them. :)

The latest trend I find in my folders is that I have moved toward slightly longer blades, now preferring the 4"-range or more, and I find I have shifted unknowingly from a very diverse collection to where I am now zeroing in on certain brands and blade styles....something I never thought I'd do. Not sure when the change took place, just suddenly noticed it had occurred. I don't see it changing as my plans include a number of new knives from a couple of what I now consider favorite brands....those I have just gravitated to and am comfortable with. Kind of a new situation for me.​

Be interesting to see where things evolve from here.....
 
When I started carrying knives all we had were slip joints. When I first found knives with thumb studs, then pocket clips, then one-hand closing, I switched to those and never looked back.

At one point I was looking at combo edges, thinking they were the best of both worlds. I eventually decided I preferred plain edges.

Recently I have evolved to carrying larger folders, they work better for my uses than the smaller folders.

Years ago I was buying custom fixed blade hunting knives for my collection, not to use. I had a few that would be considered military combat knives. I have evolved to buying a few medium size fixed blades that could be used for outdoors stuff and a few smaller ones that could be used for utility, perhaps EDC.
 
Swiss army knife in scouts. I was always jealous of the kids who had Bucks. Then as a youngster I was into all things ninja, and the flea market tantos reflected that ideal. Through high school and college I was more interested in chasing tail than knifes but I always had one on me, had a chunky SOG folder and a old school spyderco with the plastic built-in clip. Now as the gun hobby/collection grew knives were a purely utilitarian tools put in bug out bags and so on. It wasn't until I had the gun stuff squared away that I got back into knives seriously. Stepping up edc gear helped as well. I went on a edc knife spree and built myself a nice little collection starting with a couple m-16 crkt's, then kershaw, a mini grip, a manix2 lw, then ZT, and finally ending up with an xm-18. It's what's in my pocket now.
 
My tastes have moved from larger to smaller, and from wanting the "hot new thing" to wanting the rarer, less well-known thing. For example, a couple years ago I would have arrived at a knife show and ran straight for the Shirogorov table, or lined up to try to buy a Chaves Rendencion or something. Nowadays I'd go straight for something like this Steve Hostetler folder (purchased at the Knife Expo last month):

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