I am still confused by knives and uses

[EChoil]

Another thing along these lines is how do you feel about people putting sub $200 knives (or $100 even) in +$300 sheaths?? A lot of people ask this. For instance, my ESEE 5 rides in a deluxe Hedgehog Leatherworks sheath... Which costs more than the knife by far... And people always ask why I'd put that knife in a sheath that costs so much more.. Why? Again, why not? It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, just exceptional work, I like it and how it rides.....

So what? The sheath is going to be seen a lot more than the knife when you're carrying. Leather can be just as beautiful and expressive as a knife; sheaths are art too. Maybe it just takes an appreciation of it. Why hide a beautiful knife in plain brown leather all day? IMO it sure beats Kydex.

 

[BuckSlayer]

So what? The sheath is going to be seen a lot more than the knife when you're carrying. Leather can be just as beautiful and expressive as a knife; sheaths are art too. Maybe it just takes an appreciation of it. Why hide a beautiful knife in plain brown leather all day? IMO it sure beats Kydex.

I totally agree on all points... That was my point... Lol. I was just saying that people always ask why I'd pay more for the sheath than the tool.... Which seemed to fit with the topic pretty well so I brought it up...

 

[rustysocket]

I'll tell you and anyone else who wonders this the same story.

A few years ago on "that other knife site" we had a similar question from a gentleman looking to get a knife for his son, and another for himself. He'd recently lost his work knife after 20+ years of daily use. It was a cheapo Smith & Wesson blade, nothing fancy and I don't even recall the model. Likely wasn't more than $20 (and there are some fantastic knives for that price by the way, although S&W isn't one in my opinion.) That knife served him and served him well for decades. He was considering getting a similar one but was open to suggestions.

The problem was, he couldn't understand our hobby/interest. Much like you, a cheapo knife that served his needs worked well, and spending anything above that seemed frivolous. Although different and better knives can do a cutting job better, he'd had no problems with his knife all those years. And that's great. But it made it difficult, nigh impossible, for him to walk in anyone else's shoes here. That isn't really a problem, and it's neither his fault nor the fault or forum goers, it's just the way it is. He wasn't stupid or anything, it just wasn't something he was going to ever understand, because he didn't have the mindset capable of understanding it. In the end, you simply cannot explain certain things or interests to people who don't, at least in part, share same. Explaining knives as a hobby to someone not interested is, essentially, pointless. And there's really nothing wrong with that.

That guy ended up getting another $20 knife and was very happy with it. Which I think is great. Better he buys what he knows he'll like and will do what he needs it to than spend more money than he wants to on something he feels is vastly overpriced.

The truth is we have a lot of logical reasons for liking the knives we like. None of them are going to make sense to you, I can tell you that right now. And that's okay. We're all like that in some areas of life.

A guy who restores old cars and spends a ton of money restoring them to perfection could likely go on for hours--and quite sensibly so--about the value of his hobby. But by the end of that conversation, I'm still not going to get it (obvious beauty of said restored cars notwithstanding).

We purchase these knives because we do. Although I can list about 50 other reasons, to save time, I'll just stick with that one. It's the only one that will work. And again, that is A-OKAY. :thumbup:

Buy what you like, and buy what works for you. If the current Wally World special is what works, I say, buy that knife and enjoy it, good sir.

Well said! It took me several years to purchase my first expensive knife. I knew I wanted one, but didn't know why. Once it was in my hands it was immediately clear that I had waited too long. Since then I have acquired many more, some of them have no use to me other than their aesthetic value. I consider them a form of art. Another, I EDC because I happen to like the way it slices my daily apple. People have asked why, if I worry about losing them, etc. Of course, they are expensive, but I would have the same problem if I lost my watch, my wedding ring, or my wallet. Yet I put those things in my pocket everyday and don't think twice.

I have also learned here on the exchange that with few exceptions if I were to purchase a knife that just didn't do it for me, if can be gone in a day, with little lo

 

[cchu518]

You could also just trying doing what many if not most of us had gone through. Have fun while learning. I've only been on the forum for two years. In that time I have purchased, used, kept sold, traded away 5 or more each of the majors like Kershaw, Benchmade, Spyderco, Boker. I don't know if Boker fits in with the other three btw in my head, but that's one of those knife nerd dilemmas that we sometimes ponder about.

In that time I've learned a lot about the qualities and spirit of a blade. It's almost zen like to me in many ways the use and comparison of knives. It's as if they have soul to them, intrinsic qualities that make that blade for what it is. A $9 will burn through cardboard. This weekend I took off some of the girth of that said mora and it cut through cardboard even better. This morning my little $9 Rough Rider's pen blade burned through a cardboard box that my wife asked me to open I was really surprised, as I've had more expensive knives, like 20 times more expensive not be able to do that. Then there are sleepers that surprise you like the Kershaw Blur in Elmax with a bit of a recurve. At $85 or so pound for pound one of the best knives I've ever used at any price. Then there's the cheapie Byrd line in 8CR13Mov, people crap on that steel but you can take it saltwater fishing, it ends up all wet, bring it back forget it in your tackle and it's going to be rust free just like the more expensive H1 steel. All in all they all cut things, have different attributes and most of all are really fun tools.

I've never in my life whipped out my 18V cordless drill and said to myself holy s*&@ this is a really cool tool, lemme go get another one in 12V size, maybe it's different. Or sit in front of the TV opening and closing a spanner wrench. There's something artistic about knives and they appeal to me on a very primitive/base level.

 

[Brommeland]

I like having a knife thats sharp and stays sharp when I need it, a flashlight that works when I need it, guns that go bang when I pull the trigger...you get the idea. I never bought really cheap knives but I have a whole box of cheap flashlights that don't work, lesson learned. For me the sweet spot for knifes is in the $100-175 range, lots of knives with good steel, and build quality in that range. I've bought some that cost more and was really not so impressed. I'm sure there are some full on hand fitted customs are better I just haven't had one in my hands. I use my knives and I'm not rich so I'll be sticking with knives in the range I mentioned, but I do get the guys that buy the ultra high end stuff. I also get the people that think they're crazy. I think anyone that spends money on golf clubs is crazy...just depends on what you like.

This.

 

[gitarmac]

I can't really. Although most of mine are not that expensive, not relatively anyway.

I like to USE my knives as well. That's why I hit the back button when I was seriously looking at a nice damasus folder. I'm not poor, I could have afforded at least one of those, but I lose things too much. And I enjoy using them.

Near 100 bucks is the average cost of my knives, although I've paid more. I don't think any of mine has cost 300 bucks though, but some of my bark rivers have come close. I like to cut open clam packs with pretty things made of nice steel. I actually get pleasure by doing that.

I have a bookcase in my parlor on which I arrange my knives for display. I select my daily carrier when I walk by it. I wouldn't mind having a curio cabinet in which to put all my knives, maybe someday I will.

I can skin several deer with my bark rivers and they are as sharp as the first deer. I always have a selection of my collection on my nightstand just to admire and fondle. I like looking at pics of other peoples knives when I'm browsing forums such as this one.

The thing I don't understand is how few of them look used. I can understand not using some really nice ones, pretty damasus blades, exotic well crafted handles. . . But most of them are high end production knives that are meant to be used.

It's the same with guns. Mine have been drug around in the woods, they have scratches from briars, they've gotten rained on. I clean them and make sure they are in good working condition and not rusty, but you can tell they have been used.

I just ordered a spyderco stretch super blue, which is a little spendy for me these days. I can't wait to use it!

 

[gitarmac]

People spend more than 2 grand to get a folder that costed $600 to make. When they get it, it'll spend its life in a box. To me, thats lunacy.
When I start getting knives in the $100+ range, I become more critical of what I'm spending on. I consider the aesthetics, warranty, durability, performance and materials used.

Yes, everyone knows the guy who swears by the $10 mora or a $20 swiss army knife and that its the only knife that you ever need. For most people, thats all they need. Others need actual quality blades and others just appreciate the higher end ones. Most of the old farts in my hunting camp carry a buck 110, a SAK, or some generic wal-mart and thats all they care to have. They make fun of me (and a little mortified) that I'm bashing open a deer's pelvis with a ax that costs as much as a glock.

My first "expensive" blade was a ESEE Junglas. My old man is absolutely infatuated with it. In fact, he probably uses it more than I do. But he refuses to spend that much money on a knife (and continuously drops the hint that I should get him one of his own).

It was probably the only nice knife that I bought for a good number of years and the ESEE 3 came next. Generally, what I use it for, it performs just as well as my $10 Mora. It really only shines when I take it to a extreme like digging out boar tusks or someone trying to chop through bone (that one annoyed me). But ultimately, I enjoy using the ESEE 3 more than my $10 Mora. Thats enough to justify the price.

The thing that I don't understand are people that use dull knives, cheap or expensive. I was shocked when people were trying to dress out a deer, or finish it off with a dull knife. It amazes and befuddles me at how many folks have dull knives! If a knife isn't sharp then it's not really a knife, or a broken one at best. I get a kick out of showing such folks what a sharp knife is like.

 

[gitarmac]

That reminds me of the $2000 scope on a $600 rifle thing (or how AR accessories cost more than the rifle lol). I used to question it until I realized its hardly a issue if they actually use the blades. I keep on debating on getting a loaded Skystorm sheath for my Junglas...

I was going to post the same thing. My friends dad always reacts with much surprize when one of his friends puts a nice scope on a rifle, that costs more than the rifle.

It should cost more than the rifle, it kind of does most of the work! I guess he doesn't really see it that way.

 

[gitarmac]

I have probably $20k in movies too. I bet that will fluff your feathers. Haha...

I also have an impressive headlamp and flashlight collection. It's my soft underbelly.

Important things that I use everyday, things to cut, and things to light up the darkness. Oh, and packs. Something to put those other things in.

 

[RX-79G]

When an individual buys a knife like lets say a ESEE 3,,bout $100 bucks or so.. what do you guys use this knife for? I seem to have trouble seeing something like this for an EDC.. opening boxes etc with a hundred dollar knife seems kind of silly to me..so I ask you guys..when you buy a knife in this price range,what are these and other knives this price and higher being used for?

Really, it isn't about what your knife has done. It is the potential to do something above and beyond that excites people that buy "emergency gear" - guns, flashlights, SUVs, knives, boots, backpacks, etc.

A good knife is both an everyday functional item that has an adventure waiting in it. It's how adults satisfy what is missing when they got "too old" for toys.