I ain't fancy.....

flyfishrman

flyfishrman

Joined
Jul 23, 2006
Messages
506
I was sifting through my knife box today looking for the luck EDC for the day. As I was working to make my decision I came to a realization. I gravitate toward certain knives all of the time. The common thread amongst my favorites...nothing fancy! I have a decent collection at this point and I simply have knives that are too fancy for me to carry. I've been working my way out of those knives for some time now, but I to still own a few. My favorites to carry, an old US made Uncle Henry Stockman I picked up from Morablades in the for sale forum, an old Case stockman I picked up in a trade, my Vic Soldier, Vic mini-champ, an old Shrade two blade jack, and so on and so forth. You get the picture. I own knives worth more than some of the rifles I shoot, but I still love to carry my old beaters that I couldn't get 20 bucks for. Don't get me wrong I gravitate toward the latest and greatest like most folks, but I've been fighting it as much as I can lately. I find the older I get the less I care about what's new, the less I care about whether my clothes have a little horse or alligator on them. I'm not completely cured of my materialism yet, but I'm headed that way. I find the older I get it doesn't matter how much I spend on a knife, I just like what I like and usually it ain't fancy. Just the way it seems to work with me.
 
I go back and forth constantly with a quite a few customs that I carry and use and some knives that barely hit the 20 dollar mark some of which are quite old; there is pleasure out of using them all.
 
Hi,

Perhaps our choices reflect more about those items we see as "old friends". Or as having a tie to someone or event that we wish to keep close.

I know I have several knives that I keep and use simply because they were gifts from family or friends. And none of them are worth more than a few dollars. But, the finest handcrafted custom in the world can't replace any of them.

The knives that I buy for myself tend to be inexpensive. Perhaps because I have a perverse delight in finding the most for the least. Or maybe I fear what SWMBO might do if she found out how much I paid for a "silly" pocket knife.:D

dalee
 
I don't buy Customs because most of what I buy become users.
I have a new Case stockman that I have carried for about two months that all ready looks well worn with scratches on the Blades and Bolsters, just from everyday use.
To me a Knife ether works for you or it doesn't. Kind of like that Old pair Jeans, they may not be pretty, but they feel right.

BTW my EDC's are Buck, Case, Queen with others thrown in as needed.
I also try to carry all USA made knives.
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

Perhaps our choices reflect more about those items we see as "old friends". Or as having a tie to someone or event that we wish to keep close.

I know I have several knives that I keep and use simply because they were gifts from family or friends. And none of them are worth more than a few dollars. But, the finest handcrafted custom in the world can't replace any of them.

The knives that I buy for myself tend to be inexpensive. Perhaps because I have a perverse delight in finding the most for the least. Or maybe I fear what SWMBO might do if she found out how much I paid for a "silly" pocket knife.:D

dalee
Click to expand...

I can identify with alot of you just said.

For a long time i had a cigar box of pocket knives of departed family or friends. I would now and then carry one and it was a priceless feeling that part of the person was still with you. No amount of money can be put on a knife from loved ones. Its personal.

I too preffer plain using knives of moderate cost. its alot of fun to use a "lower" cost item that does its job flawlessly. Like a Wenger SI or an Old Timer carbon steel pocket knife.

And after a very long time with my better half, I too must plead guilty to hiding a new purchase or its price tag.:o

its a heck of a life if we don't weaken.:D
 
It's all about the enjoyment... Doesn't matter what it costs if ya don't enjoy it as much.
I have an old 340t that I picked up at a pawnshop a few years ago, it was dirty and didn't have much of an edge. I cleaned it up and put an edge on it that I still can't believe( I'm not the best at sharpening). There is something about that knife, even though it is nothing special and I got it for 10 bucks :D
 
338375 said:
It's all about the enjoyment... Doesn't matter what it costs if ya don't enjoy it as much.
Click to expand...


Right you are, Mike. One man's ceiling is another man's floor. (Or so Paul Simon said. ;))
 
I must admit I wouldn't mind owning a nice custom slip joint. Based on my current usage pattern and habits I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to force myself to use it. I guess the only way to find out is to get one and see for myself.:D:D I will say that my taste is a bit different in fixed blade knives. My hunting and fishing knives are both customs done by a local fellow.
You know how us knife nuts are though, 6 months from now I may be posting about how I couldn't picture myself carrying anything but a custom slippie:p
 
Knives of all values bring me enjoyment to use , though I am not into flash. I am into quality though. I am not one for fancy scales , or embellishments. I wasn't 100% positive I would be willing to use my Erickson as a user daily , but after getting it , making it a pocket sheath , I quickly new that I was going to have no problem putting this one to work. I don't beat it ( nor do I torture any of my knives ) , I do pick the best tool I have for the job at hand.

Earlier this week I flew to Tucson ( business trip ) , staying there for a few days and taking checked baggage , I was not chancing getting my Erickson jacked from my bags.
I took a Kissing Crane and a Ruff Ryder Slip...and a pocket flat stone.

Just something about the slipjoint , regardless of the price , as long as it is quality , that just gives you a nice feeling when you use it.
 
I try to steer clear of the custom discussions, sticking by the old adage if you don't have anything nice to say, better to not say anything at all. Fact, is high dollar custom knives don't interest me one bit. Not one iota. To me, pics of old Cases and well worn slippies of all stripe are sort of like knife porn. I just think they're that gorgeous. But a $450 file worked jobbie from [INSERT CUSTOM KNIFE MAKER NAME HERE]? Just bores me.

I don't think I've paid more than $35 for any of my slippies: Harvest orange peanut, Old Timer Middleman Jack, Case Trapper and Soddie Jr. in CV, SAK Tourist and Soldier and Adventurer, and so forth. I recently "splurged" and bought a Gerber LST (not a traditional, I know) for $15 total, with shipping.
 
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I don't go for fancy knives myself. Any knife I buy is subject to be a user. I love them when they show character from carry and use. A simple $20-$50 Case is great for me. Nothing fancy, just a trusted friend.
 
Well I certainly ain't fancy. I like all slipjoints and Lockbacks. Production or Custom. I have a few of both Antique and Modern. I sure would like to have a new Bose Knife though.
 
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