I like "nice" knives.

[kamagong]

My most carried pocketknife for the past year-and-a-half is a stag GEC Scout. It's the closest thing I've had to an EDC since I've gotten into slipjoints.



"Madness!" some of you might shout. A man doesn't need anything more than a sodbuster or maybe an SAK of some sort. Perhaps, but those knives don't do anything for me.

As a child I had cheaper knives. You know the type -- cheap, with plastic covers, mystery steel, and so-so fit and finish. I don't have anything against them; I was quite happy to own those knives and very thankful to the men who gave them to me. They're the usual introduction for a boy to the world of sharp and shinies. Good thing too, as you never quite know what a boy will do with his knife (mumblety-peg anyone?).

Now that I'm older I find I want a bit more. I'm not as interested in basic, utilitarian tools. For some things sure. I don't need a mastersmith forged, koa handled screwdriver. But knives are different. They're special. It's not about just doing the job. I want something beautiful, something that makes me smile when I take it out to cut a piece of fruit.

Having a fine knife in your pocket is one of life's simple pleasures.

I hope this doesn't come off as a rant, that is not my intention. It's just that we so often hear people sing the merits of budget knives that I wanted to give the other side a chance.

Let's see yours!

 

[Alnamvet68]

" Dollar for dollar you'd be hard pressed to find better quality than these old Schrades."

A very wise and astute BF member

 

[black mamba]

Christian, stag is always a winner, and this Queen baby doc has beautifully matched covers. I've been carrying it for a while now.

This Northfield bullet jack also sees considerable use.

 

[link2derek]

Had something similar in my pocket today too - Case Mini Copper Lock (sorry about the crappy cell phone pic):



Got it on sale at Tractor Supply Co. for $39.99 - excellent value, for sure.

 

[sitflyer]

I too like nice knives. It does feel good to take a moment to admire them upon use, and before returning to the sheath or pocket from whence they came.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Very well said I feel exactly the same about it. In middle age now, to me a pocket knife is a special companion. I enjoy the ritual of taking it out of my pocket and opening it to perform a task. I enjoy the feel of it in my hand - it's heft and the texture of it's scales. I enjoy maintaining it and always knowing it's right here in my pocket when I need it. I find that a classic old traditional pocket knife has made me take pause and enjoy that little ritual that before was basically just a task of little meaning other than cutting that feed bag or hay bale string or slicing that package, etc.

A fine, quality pocket knife is something I find I enjoy immensely, far out of proportion to what I would have ever thought it would in the past. It's hard to describe to a NKP, but nonetheless I'm sure my fellow addicts here know what I mean.

I don't have a bunch of knives. I have 10 of them. Nine are GECs and now 1 yellow Case Sodbuster Jr in CV. I appreciate each for it's quality, beauty and usefulness. I carry two at a time, 3 or 4 of them quite often and the others see pocket time periodically.

If I had to pick one favorite it's this simple gem here...

 

[Peregrin]

Well said, Christian. I too appreciate carrying and using a finely made tool. Life has allowed me to accumulate a few. I'm thankful for that and the many other things I've been blessed with.

A pic of two that I carry now and then.

 

[leghog]

I like nice knives too. Doesn't mean that's all I own. A knife, first and foremost, is simply a tool.

Case Half Congress. Bone. 1940-1964

Smallest fixed blade I own. Hand made. Black Palm. Made sometime over the last ten years (I've got a card somewhere).

Hen & Rooster Coffin Jack. Stag. Date on blade etch speaks for itself.

 

[quattromori]

Christian,
as you might have suspected, I do see your point, and have a similar experience to share...

It has, obviously, nothing to do with needs, it's just a matter of passion and taste, and, fortunately for me, to be able to spend a little money on one of my favourite hobbies.
My first knife was an old cellidor SAK that I still own and carry, and I still love it; I never owned many knives, nor wished for them, and currently I'm further downsizing (and about to start a new giveaway). I also like nice knives ("nice" being quite a personal definition, of course), and I like carrying one.
I'm also convinced that, if something makes you happy, and doesn't harm anyone else, why should you keep away from it? My choice is to own few knives, and carry mostly the one pictured above, but in the end, it's all about what makes you happier, and I know you're fine with your GEC, so why worry?

Fausto

 

[coop7]

That's a really nice swayback Ohta Gary, that one's on my grail list.

 

[Halfneck]

Grew up poor and the 1st knives I had were gifts from my Grandfather. Later the only knives I could afford were the Schrades & Craftsman ones at the local Sears. Funny but the old Shrades still do something for me. Last year at BLADE I picked up a Schrade 34OT stockman. I bought it because it reminded me of the 2-3 I owned as a kid (I was an idiot and used the sheepsfoot as a screwdriver). Fit and finish is good, but not as nice as the GEC knives I own. Not really a fan of the stockman pattern either. That said I smile when I use it because of the memories it brings back.

 

[kamagong]

Nice knives guys. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I don't often wax philosophical, but a thread from another part of the forum struck the wrong chord with me. Basically, the OP mentioned that he had no desire to own a custom knife. Fine, lots of people don't want or need a custom knife. The thing that got me going was that the same person said that he owned 500 knives. Hahaha... While I was at the hospital awaiting surgery for the hernia I suffered from laughing so hard, I did some calculations in my head. I didn't bother with trying to assess the value of the guys collection. There was no way I could do it, I had no idea where to start because I don't know what types of knives he likes. So I just calculated the shipping for all those knives he has squirreled away. Assuming he spent $5 on shipping for every knife he bought, that guy easily spent $2500. That'll buy a knife from Bose or Bagwell, two of the best ever at making their respective types of knives.

It's even money that anyone on this site has a fair amount of knives. It's par for the course. Who else would be so interested in knives that they spend their free time on this forum?

I'll let you in on a secret. A person probably only needs a couple of knives, a folder and a fixed blade. For most people, a good knife will last decades, maybe even a lifetime of use. Anything more than those two is a luxury. Unless the person speaking has only a Mora and an Opinel, I don't think anyone has the standing to question the choices of others.

That thread made me remember an old conversation I once read.

i need to know what a $300.00 knife does that a $60.00 knife doesnt

For some, absolutely nothing.

Am I seeing things or is the whole world "going soviet" these days? Just ten years ago I could not even imagine a situation that it would be necessary to explain the concept of "luxury" to an american.

Sometimes I just want a thing. No explanation needed.

 

[leghog]

I don't often wax philosophical, but a thread from another part of the forum struck the wrong chord with me. Basically, the OP mentioned that he had no desire to own a custom knife. Fine, lots of people don't want or need a custom knife. The thing that got me going was that the same person said that he owned 500 knives. Hahaha... While I was at the hospital awaiting surgery for the hernia I suffered from laughing so hard, I did some calculations in my head. I didn't bother with trying to assess the value of the guys collection. There was no way I could do it, I had no idea where to start because I don't know what types of knives he likes. So I just calculated the shipping for all those knives he has squirreled away. Assuming he spent $5 on shipping for every knife he bought, that guy easily spent $2500. That'll buy a knife from Bose or Bagwell, two of the best ever at making their respective types of knives.

Mayhaps Bose and Bagwell do nothing for him.

I know guys with top of the line hand built benchrest .22LR rifles going after the elusive tiny one 0.224" hole group. My reaction is, meh...to each his own. I prefer USA (mostly) .22LR sporter turnbolts from the 1930s-1950s. I could easily have built or build a few benchrest rifles for what I have in old .22LR sporters, but I would find no pleasure in that. For me with knives, it is much the same. Perhaps it is much the same for the OP in the other thread you mention.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I am reminded of a poem by a one Thomas Tusser, published in the mid 16th century, which my Mother was always fond of quoting when we boys just had to have something we really didn't need,

"A fool and his money be soon at debate,
which after with sorrow repents him too late."

Cliff Notes version: A fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[SAK Guy]

Older SAKs and Schrades always make me smile because of their connection to my past but I like to carry a fine (to me) knife on occasion. Can't really afford "nice" knives any more but this big German Eye Trapper was always one I admired and carried often on special occasions. It was a gift from my ex wife so it has fond memories attached as well....

 

[Alnamvet68]

Nice knife SAK, and if I had a wife that would give me a knife like that, she'd definitely be a keeper; just sayin'.:thumbup:

 

[SAK Guy]

Nice knife SAK, and if I had a wife that would give me a knife like that, she'd definitely be a keeper; just sayin'.:thumbup:

Thanks bro, she was for 31 years then things changed...it's life, we move on and buy knives with the proceeds from the house sale! :thumbup:

 

[okbohn]

My most carried pocketknife for the past year-and-a-half is a stag GEC Scout. It's the closest thing I've had to an EDC since I've gotten into slipjoints.



"Madness!" some of you might shout. A man doesn't need anything more than a sodbuster or maybe an SAK of some sort. Perhaps, but those knives don't do anything for me.

As a child I had cheaper knives. You know the type -- cheap, with plastic covers, mystery steel, and so-so fit and finish. I don't have anything against them; I was quite happy to own those knives and very thankful to the men who gave them to me. They're the usual introduction for a boy to the world of sharp and shinies. Good thing too, as you never quite know what a boy will do with his knife (mumblety-peg anyone?).

Now that I'm older I find I want a bit more. I'm not as interested in basic, utilitarian tools. For some things sure. I don't need a mastersmith forged, koa handled screwdriver. But knives are different. They're special. It's not about just doing the job. I want something beautiful, something that makes me smile when I take it out to cut a piece of fruit.

Having a fine knife in your pocket is one of life's simple pleasures.

I hope this doesn't come off as a rant, that is not my intention. It's just that we so often hear people sing the merits of budget knives that I wanted to give the other side a chance.

Let's see yours!

I hear you. You said it as well as I have heard. Here was me trying to say the same thing.

[video=youtube;sym7eqAFXVw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sym7eqAFXVw[/video]

 

[kamagong]

I am reminded of a poem by a one Thomas Tusser, published in the mid 16th century, which my Mother was always fond of quoting when we boys just had to have something we really didn't need,

"A fool and his money be soon at debate,
which after with sorrow repents him too late."

Cliff Notes version: A fool and his money are soon parted.

LOL. Who doesn't agree with it? But do you always live by Tusser's words? Do you have exactly the size of house you need, or did you fall prey to the bigger is better mentality? Do you have a sensible car, or did you pick the eye candy? Maybe the really fast one with a powerful engine? Do you have an Express or did you splurge for the Wingmaster?

We all enjoy our little luxuries. They help make life enjoyable.

 

[sierra11b]

Well put OP.

While I do carry my expensive customs I also carry production folders frequently and as part of my rotation. I've been on a vintage Schrade buying kick at the moment and it sorta goes in waves until I move on to my next interest in knives. But what always remains is my love for the traditionals, custom or production, as they have real character and life, and I always have one on me. Life is too short to carry garbage as far as I'm concerned... Luckily for us knife nuts quality can come in all sorts of relatively attainable ~$50-150 packages [and well beyond]

Btw, that stag on your Scout is fantastic!