I think that some of the negative spins on replies to posts could be in part a result of the nature of the post. Stiletto, your post said clearly, "Best fixed blade under $75" O.K., you know that you can dismiss anyone who says, "buy a folder" because this isn't what you asked, but for the most part you won't get these types of responses, as people *should* be listing FIXED blades UNDER $75.
However, there was a post not that long ago that asked what we thought of a certain knife; I believe it was a tacticaldeathmaster or something like that. I believe it was from United cutlery and it was made out of 420j2. Notice that this person asked, "what do you think of this knife". That opens up the doors, in my opinion. In these types of posts, I warn against 420j2, probably with sarcasm added. I did say that it would make a nice wall hanger, but if the person was lookign for a real user, I suggested they find something else. If they had said that they only had X dollars and wanted something that looked cool, and this knife was the best deal at that price, I would have said, "go for it". Get the best you can afford. Ever use a Craftsman drill? Ever splurge and get a DeWalt? BIG difference in quality!!!! Same things I said above would apply when recommending a drill to a friend. If they are looking for a really great drill, I'd recommend the DeWalt without reserve. If they asked what kind of drill they could get for under $100, I would offer suggestions, but also probably tell him/her that they may want to keep saving for the DeWalt, or at least consider it in the future. I carried a Fury pocket knife made of "440" steel for a year, then I bought a benchmade, and now I have another. I see a similar trend with others too, and it is not wrong to suggest to others that they go for higher end stuff, as in knives there is often a performance reason that they are higher end knives.
Also, many people do use knives of 420 quality or lower every day. No argument there, and they do work. Stick a Spyderco kitchen knife in their hand, and they immediately feel a difference. Often these poeple are not knife nuts, and believe that those knives that say, "never need sharpening" actually never need sharpening, or things like you can't cut steak inless you have a serrated knife. My aunt ALWAYS uses the Cold Steel kitchen knife I bought for my Mom on Mother's day when she is over every week-end. Reason being is that it works so much better than what she has. Many people only buy $100 or less bicycles and ride them everywhere and can't understand how a person could drop $1500 and WAY more on a bicycle. I went from a sears nuclear bomb proof bike to a Trek which was something like 4-5 times the price. HOLY CRAP!!!! I'll never go back now, and wil only buy higher and higher end bikes now.
What I am gettign at is that we often take things out of context on the forums, or do not specify our context enough. Don't ask, "can you recommend a good knife that I'll use for hiking.." as that is very vague. IF you intend on spending no more than $40, SAY SO!!!! Or else you'll get many posters listing $300 customs. If you are looking for xyz steel or such and such properties, SAY SO!!! THis will help our posting and replying out so much better. Also, If someone posts a question about fixed blades under $75 and you want to tell them to get folders, consider whether your "reply" would make a better brandnew "post". A post about folders that offer more performance for certain criteria at a given price range over $75 fixed blades would prove more fruitul and interesting than telling a guy who asked specifically about FIXED BLADES and a certain rpice range to go out of that price range and knife type.
Don't think I am getting down on you Stiletto; I think that this is an excellent post, and a great reminder for us. I will watch the sarcasm, and ensure that I am extra helpful to new members. That being said, if anyone asks how I like 420j2 blades, I'll offer my opinion, unless it doesn't fit their criteria!!! Oh, I liked what you said about thinking before hitting the reply button: Same holds true for the new post button too. And for everyone, your sack full og grains of salt should be handy when reading posts. Math soembodyorother (sorry I forgot your name) made a post about self defence/killing and such, and got a plethoric amount of posts that were quite vicious. I hope math and those that read/post take/took their grains of salt, as it was a discussion of a serious matter, people shared their opinions, people argued, and sometimes it got a bit hot. But I am happy that MAth posted it as it is a very interesting subject and very much worthwhile discussing. And anyone posting a question of that nature or posting a reply ought to know that it will get hot in advance. If I mad e apost that said that Sal Glesser makes ridiculous knives out of inferior material and should switch to another business, as he and Spyderco are ripping us off, I should very well expect a volly of vicious responses. If I feel that way and want to still post, then I should do so. But again notice how unqualified my made up question is. What do I mean by Inferior material? Ripping us off? Ridiculous knives? If I said that Sal glesser makes the model ABC which is made out of a lesser quality steel, not as functional a design for its intended purpose, too soft on the heat treat and twice the price as compared to knife XYZ by someone else, I would get quite a different response!!!
Good post Stiletto. I shall think before posting, take my grains of salt, and let'em have it when they ASK for it!
P.S., after benchmades, what am I supposed to collect?
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"Come What May..."
