How usable would you consider this knife?

I

ItsKYRO

Joined
Sep 17, 2017
Messages
79
Hey guys, I received this knife a few years ago from my wife (girlfriend at the time!) and I knew nothing about it, just saw it as a decorative knife and it's been sitting on a shelf for years.

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I decided to pull it out tonight and take a look at it and realized how much i love the look of it, the scales are great, it's got my initials, a thumb stud (which is pretty stiff to open) and a blade that looks like a Buck 110 blade and a locking mechanism the same as the Buck 110.

It says "stainless steel" on the blade, the tip appears to be a bit rounded? I'm not sure if you guys can tell from the picture, and I haven't asked or and not sure if she would remember but i'm guessing it was probably only about a $20 knife being that it came from the website below and this is the closest model I can find to it on their website:

https://www.thingsremembered.com/heritage-pocket-knife/product/606310

TL,DR: Should I keep this knife on the shelf or would you consider it a good enough blade to use every now and then? (box cutting, package opening, letter opening, etc.)
 
I would not consider it usable. I mean, yeah it might cut, but it doesn't look like something that could be used regularly. The quality looks bad, so the blade probably won't hold an edge and the locking mechanism might not be secure. You'd be better off picking up a real Buck 110 to use.
 
Cow51 said:
I would not consider it usable. I mean, yeah it might cut, but it doesn't look like something that could be used regularly. The quality looks bad, so the blade probably won't hold an edge and the locking mechanism might not be secure. You'd be better off picking up a real Buck 110 to use.
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Fair enough, definitely too bad because the handle is beautiful on this thing, it's very thick, hoping one day i'll come across a Buck that has a similar handle. Thanks for the reply
 
Cow51 said:
I would not consider it usable. I mean, yeah it might cut, but it doesn't look like something that could be used regularly. The quality looks bad, so the blade probably won't hold an edge and the locking mechanism might not be secure. You'd be better off picking up a real Buck 110 to use.
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I would absolutely consider it usable to a degree, as long as you done expect too much out of it.
Sure it's no Buck 110, but I've had some pretty cheapo and crappy knives as a teenager and they never failed on me during use.
They didn't hold an edge forever but if you just want to give this knife some light use here and there in appreciation of the gift then I see no problem with it.

Too many people act like a cheapo knife will close on your hands and cut you, but when do you cut with the spine of a knife ?
It's a safe practice to pinch the blade of a knife for control when trying to pierce things anyways.

It's your knife, if you can get a good edge on it and want to carry it every once in a while I say go for it.
 
Realistically, yeah that knife is probably not great. It won't pass muster at Bladeforums. However, 3/4 of the knife that most people carry are cheap crappy knives that would not pass muster here and that fact doesn't stop most people from carrying and using their crappy knives.

As much as we hate to admit it, a knife, if used for simple EDC tasks like cutting open a package or slicing a piece of fruit, even cheap gas station quality knives will suffice. For more strenuous tasks, then yeah, the wheat and chaff separate pretty quickly.

But if your daily routine does not involve primitive shelter building, that knife is probably going to be ok. Just keep in mind that it's life span is going to be shorter than a quality knife, and that every time you use it, you're bringing it closer to its expiration date. Also keep in mind that you'll likely need to spend more time sharpening it because it may well use sub-par steel.

Edit- Damn. @Hickory n steel beat me to it by just a hair.
 
If you want to use it for light duty tasks, have at it. I would say to keep an eye out for any potential failures, like if you notice blade play starting to happen in any direction, I would retire it the letter opening drawer.
 
19-3ben said:
Realistically, yeah that knife is probably not great. It won't pass muster at Bladeforums. However, 3/4 of the knife that most people carry are cheap crappy knives that would not pass muster here and that fact doesn't stop most people from carrying and using their crappy knives.

As much as we hate to admit it, a knife, if used for simple EDC tasks like cutting open a package or slicing a piece of fruit, even cheap gas station quality knives will suffice. For more strenuous tasks, then yeah, the wheat and chaff separate pretty quickly.

But if your daily routine does not involve primitive shelter building, that knife is probably going to be ok. Just keep in mind that it's life span is going to be shorter than a quality knife, and that every time you use it, you're bringing it closer to its expiration date. Also keep in mind that you'll likely need to spend more time sharpening it because it may well use sub-par steel.

Edit- Damn. @Hickory n steel beat me to it by just a hair.
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You added some things I didn't mention, so you could say my comment was incomplete.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I would absolutely consider it usable to a degree, as long as you done expect too much out of it.
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As I mentioned, it will cut, not the best but it is a knife, so if it is tasked with cutting open envelopes, packages and the occasional apple it will be serviceable. However, I rely on my knife for more than the above mentioned so a knife like that just won't cut it for me.

Hickory n steel said:
Too many people act like a cheapo knife will close on your hands and cut you, but when do you cut with the spine of a knife ?
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I don't think it will cut them in the case of most failures, but that they will break or fail under normal use and result in a broken knife. Only time I could see it falling on the users finger is if they were trying to stab something.

Hickory n steel said:
It's your knife, if you can get a good edge on it and want to carry it every once in a while I say go for it.
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Good point, I neglected to mentioned that, it really boils down to carry what you like. It's your money, time, property, decision etc. so carry what makes you happy.
 
Many people even here use folders that don't lock at all . People outside BF use all kinds of very cheap knives for years . Worse looking than yours by far . Treasure it as a gift. Use it lightly and carefully and you'll be fine . What everyone already said ! ;)
 
Thanks for the responses! :)
I'm going to use it as a letter opener for now on so i can get use out of it
 
ItsKYRO said:
Thanks for the responses! :)
I'm going to use it as a letter opener for now on so i can get use out of it
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There ya go.
Years ago I was bought a cheapo " survival knife " for Christmas and I knew it wasn't a good knife, so I religated it to being a cool looking steak knife.
It stayed sharp enough for the occasional steak and the one who bought was happy that I actually used it.
 
Getting given a knife like that can be a hard thing, as your tastes grow and change, its easy to make the person who got it for you feel like they didn't do a good job. If you have a display or a desk where it will get used, then by all means, use it for letters, pencils, and enjoying. If you want to get a carry knife that is of similar style, then DLT is a forum supporter, and I'm sure will hook you up.

Welcome. As an aside, linking to non-sponsor retailers is against the rules.
 
My brother has been using a knife id venture to say is lower grade than your knife, for years, and its still working fine. Tip broke off, scales are cracked, thing is pretty rusty everywhere too. But he's stubborn, and it locks and cuts.

Id say use the heck out of your knife, it'll mean even more when its scratched up just don't lose it!
 
1. Use it for letter opening (one of the tasks you listed). Keep where you put your mail.
2. Wife will see that you are using her gift. Bonus points for you.
3. If you like beefy handles, check out the Kabar Mule for $50.
 
I’ll suggest it’s probably just right for opening the gifts under the tree. My grandchildren have grown accustomed to asking me if I have my knife as soon as their little hands can’t rip open a present. Children’s toy packaging with all the tie wraps can be the toughest use your blade gets.
You may even get some sharpening practice after the festivities die down a bit. Be sure to show the kids how to do it. Never to early for that lesson. I have very fond memories of my grandfather teaching me how to use an old whetstone. (I never could get the results he did)
I sure you keepsake will rise to the occasion and make you a hero. MORE MEMORIES!
 
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