I only wanted ONE knife!!!

[TomMarker]

About a year and a half ago, I decided I wanted a decent folder I could use for utility and self-defense if necessary, and I decided at the time to stick with the BM Ascent. I thought I was going to be set until someone (ie my martial arts instructor) showed me his Spyderco worker..

now i've got too many knives! (according to the females in my immediate family anyway)

I just upgraded the Ascent to an AFCK, and I figured "heck, i might as well get a dedicated utility blade" so I grabbed a new Endura. Then I almost cut my hand off

As usual, shaving sharp right out of the box, which is fine, since I ruined my last knife when I took it to the Sharpmaker

Now there's this ladybug/dragonfly deal, and I *do* need a little knife for carrying on planes and stuff

I already own a cricket (older model) but its usually my money clip at best.

I will be buying several dragonflys for people in my MA class, as it is a practical "starter knife." Soon, they too will understand my addiction...

Thanks a whole freakin' lot!

...tm

 

[Paul Davidson]

tm
Just curious, how did you ruin a knife on your sharpmaker?

 

[Jackal]

I ruined my Eddura as well on a fine stone. IT's real easy to ruin a knife. Gimme a knife and a stone and I'll have it destroyed in less than 5 min.

I just can't stand the scratched up blade and the uneven grind. -AR

 

[TomMarker]

well, 'ruin' may be a slight exaggeration. I think I just had the wrong angle, because the knife went from being moderately sharp, to being a butter knife with serrations

The knife in question was a Cricket. I can do a plain edge with little problem, but for some reason, those serrations kill me.. I always tend to wear the blade more in the corners (where one tooth stops and another starts) when i sharpen it..

either way, the knife is useless until i get off my butt and send it in to be sharpened by a pro... well, it does make a nice moneyclip.

I guess I'm just a doofus

 

[Sal Glesser]

TM - If we can meet at a show, I'll teach you how to make things very sharp on the Sharpmaker. I'm sure your not a doofus. It is difficult to learn from the book alone. Easiest if you see someone use one. That's why we're working on a video.

Perhaps you might imquire among the females in your immediate family as to "how many pairs of shoes they own?"
sal

 

[James Y]

TM:
You are now hopelessly addicted to knives and there is no cure!

Actually I originally thought I was alone in my plight until bladeforums. I always assumed most people bought a knife, stuck it in (or clipped on) their pocket and that was it. I find myself very promiscuous with my knives, NOT carrying only the same knife day in, day out. However, I actually find that once I've done that first resharpening, I start to truly enjoy the knife. It becomes truly my own, and therefore some knives get more attention than others.
But now others loom on the horizon. The Cold Steel Scimitar. Spydie Native. BM Mini Axis Lock (in future). Spydie Military (still under heavy consideration, hoping for a rolling lock version!). And then there's also...

Jim

 

[Heyns van der Merwe]

Tom,
this is the NICEST addiction that may befall you - don't fight it (but do yourself a favour, stick to the Spydie knives!

).
Anyway, IMHO you should not buy a utility knife with the aim of using it for self-defense as well. Rather get yourself a decent knife exclusively for that (self-defense) purpose, keep it razor-sharp, don't use it for ANYTHING else and carry it concealed... It is also a nice excuse to carry a utility knife as well as a self-defense knife! (I carry the serrated Military (LARGE FOLDER - utility), a serrated Rookie G10 (SMALL FOLDER - serrated) and a concealed Harpy G10 (for cutting "ropes" according to the Spydie booklet

)). The utility knives I often swop for one of the other Spydies in my "arsenal", like the Wayne Goddard, Endura, Delica or Native, depending on my mood and what the job at hand demands.

I also carry my Cricket on my keyring, just in case...

I guess I'm just a Spydie-nut. Welcome to the knifenuthouse!!


[This message has been edited by Heyns van der Merwe (edited 09 April 1999).]

 

[Bob Irons]

tm,

Sounds like both of us should probably buy the new Sharpmaker and watch the new video.

Do the females in your family carry? Since only 1 of my 3 carry, I'm wondering if I can get away with buying the oldest non-carrying female a new ladybug. I'm wondering how it looks and feels from a non-knife nut perspective. Does it scare Sheeple?

Also, I love Sal's shoe thing comment! I should have thought of that one since I'm outnumbered that way at home!

 

[Paul Davidson]

Tom,
It didn't even occur to me that you were talking about a serrated model. Obvious things go right over my head sometimes. You can get serrations sharp but they never seem to be like they were. You might send it in for a factory refurb. I guess you should ask Sal (or Danelle or one of the other helpful Spydycrew). I'm sure you're not a doofus too.

Jackyl,
If the uneven grind bothers you, you could invest in one of the sharpening systems that hold the knife at an angle for you. I broke down and bought a Skarb sharpener at the last Blade Show. It wasn't cheap (roughly the cost of a decent entry level Spyderco) but if it keeps your knives the way you want them then it's worth it IMO. I don't use it every time, just when I want to start fresh on a badly dulled blade. I was even able to get my FFIL's (future father-in-law) Gerber Gator Jr "sharp" (not by my standards, but he was happy-gotta by him a real knife-one with a hole in the blade

) That Gerber had the thickest edge profile I have seen on a folder. I can remember when Gerbers were some of the best. Oh well.

Sal,
How about a Blade Show seminar on the Sharpmaker? I'm usually satisfied with my results, and I've practiced quite a bit, but who knows what subtle nuance I am not getting. It would be nice to watch a pro do use one. As soon as new ones come out I'm getting one. I've been waiting patiently since last summer (can't rush a good thing).
To be honest (and I'm sure a lot of people think that I'm brown nosing) the Spyderco booth is the first place I rush to when I go to the Blade Show. A Spyderco was the first knife I bought when I got back into knives (as a teenager I was preoccupied with girls and music-imagine!). I would not own a custom knife today if it weren't for your company. I bought that first Terzuola with the Al handles and I was hooked (I already had a Delica but the Bob T pushed me over the edge). Custom makers balking at the idea of a factory collaboration should realize this.

Bob,
I can't imagine that a Ladybug would scare anyone, it's so darn cute. I know a guy that has one on his keychain and that is the ONLY knife he owns or carries (I suppose he has some kitchen knives). If all one does is open mail, cut twine, and open boxes it would be plenty. I got my fiancee a SAK Classic. I would like to give her the CF Dragonfly that is on its way, but I don't know if she is ready for that. I'm working on it. Try showing the ladies pictures of high end art pieces and miniatures for a while. Most people don't realize what a work of art a knife can be. A couple of times she has even taken the magazine out of my hand for a closer look! good luck

Paul
The Long Winded Forumite

 

[James Mattis]

A mere cute little Ladybug scaring the sheeple? We know an attorney who had to leave his with security at a Los Angeles county courthouse metal detector?

Three or four people have told me they were hassled in my same county, when reporting for jury duty, for Swiss Army Classics, and The Wife had a stainless steel salad fork removed from her briefcase at San Fernando Superior Court. Never understimate fearfulness.

------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com

 

[Paul Davidson]

I had my Mini Dyad (Dyad Jr.) taken from me (and returned) at the courthouse in Fayette co KY where I used to live (traffic school

). I told them it was a "dangerous weapon" and they were right to take it in as sarcastic a voice as I could muster. Not too cool on my part but I was mad because they had already taken away my Altoid tin. I told them my breath was way more deadly than that Dyad!

I actually apologized when I was leaving, the guards don't set policy but it is quite frustrating. Half the men up there had open folder sheath on there belt where they had handed over their knives.

James,
I really appreciate your attitude about knives and the role/image they have in society. A knife is a tool first and foremost and to me a last ditch only method for self defense. It is comforting to have a Endura or whatnot in your pocket when walking city streets at night, but my number one goal is to get out alive and unhurt and it does not hurt my pride to run if I think I am in real danger. This doesn't mean I am a rabbit (at 6'3" and 250 lbs the only rabbit I could be would be Harvey-except people can see me) but self preservation is the key. Now that I go most places with my future wife though, it's nice to know that I could at least give some creep pause to think. Like I believe you say on your site "choose life" or something like that.



------------------
Paul
Keep Em Sharp

 

[Cronnacht]

You know, back to the original sharpening topic...The easiest way to get a spydie sharpened if you're not comfortable with it is dropping it in the mail to Spyderco, and they'll take care of the task.
Which reminds me that I need to send them my old over-sharpened Endura (a 1992 vintage) to have it knocked back into shape. When you've got such good customer service at your fingertips, you'd better enjoy it. Multiple kudos to Sal, Danelle, and the Crew!-
Jim

------------------


[This message has been edited by Cronnacht (edited 11 April 1999).]

 

[Jack Goertz]

I'm a late, LATE, bloomer to this knife thing. The sharpening questions interest me. Up to now I have had only a couple of fillet knives and used 2x4 diamond "hone" (I guess you'd call it); one of those deals stuck on a wooden block. After years of screwing around I can pretty much keep the bevel where it's supposed to be and get an edge. I've never seen the Spyderco sharpenng systems (other than pictures). How do the ceramic stones work? Do most of you get 2 or 3 different grits so you can do course, fast cutting, as well as more refined finish work. And, do you use the stick as well. I think I'm going to need to upgrade more than just my knives.

Jack

 

[sing]

Jack,

Look back in the last 40-75 days in this forum. There are several threads on the sharpmaker.

Also, in the Blade forums' FAQ, Joe Talmadge did a great piece on sharpening, including with sharpmaker. Actually, if you got time, you should look at all JoeT's pieces, on blade geometry, steel, etc. Gives a head start on answers to various questions.

sing