I was asked - again - if I used my CR knives!

S

Stainz

Joined
Jun 24, 2007
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I was in the local sharp-thing emporium yesterday, when another customer asked me if I owned and ever carried an expensive knife like a Sebenza or Umnumzaan. As I only own a small plain S35VN Sebbie, a StarTac Umnumzaan, and a Nyala, I'm hardly a CRK 'collector'. But - I love the CRK's I have - and especially love using them. While I find them attractive as my idea of techno-art, they are pretty plain Jane in looks. My Buck Custom Shop 110 in teardrop Damascus, NS bolsters, and flaming Koa wood scales, now, that's a 'looker' - it's mostly in a display case at home. Anyhow, I first presented, from my pockets, my BM 755 MPR as my favorite EDC knife for the last two years (It predates my first CRK by several months.), followed by the DPX HEST/f 2.0 I had bought there the previous week - returning to show the salesman how well - with help - it had broken in. Finally, out comes the StarTac 'zaan in a CR sheath. I pull it, clipless, like all of my pocket knives, out and proceed to raise a few hairs with it. I then described some of it's chores from earlier that day - and earlier that week. Cutting open envelopes, cutting out newspaper ad coupons, opening a clamshell package, and opening Amazon packages, too. I didn't mention stripping some copper wire with it - that just seemed wrong. But, hey - it's a tool. He seemed shocked that I would spend $430 on a pocket knife... and use it! And that wasn't the first time - the last time was when I presented my small Sebbie - same store!

Why do folks find it so incredulous that we would spend so much money on a knife - and then use it?

Let's hear your similar experiences.

Stainz
 
People spend tens of thousands for an automobile, hundreds of thousands (or more) on a house, engagement ring (don't even ask), and they all get used. A few hundred for a knife or 2 (or more) and people can't believe you spent that much and much less have the nerve to USE it...

My cheapest pistol cost more than my basic CR. The first thing I did was shoot the heck out of it.

A few weeks ago I bought a Mnandi and a friend's son asked to see it. He knew how much it cost (his dad was with me when I bought it) and he asked why I would spend so much on a knife and use it. I reminded the lad (he's in his mid twenties) that I knew how much he spends on fireworks every fourth of July. He said "so what?" I told him on July 5th I'll still have my pocketknife that is fireworks to me.
 
...because i think you are in the minority when it comes to using very (if not moderately) expensive knives. the true collector of knives is even smaller.

i also have a HEST 1.0 and it looks well used because it is. the umnumzaan i just got is going to do the same duty as that HEST, just as the Ti Tyrade and Ti Bump have been for me. i've used these knives for the special qualities their makers designed them for.

expensive knives can do more for you than be a flipping or showoff toy.
 
Great thread!

I get the "how much did that cost?" question at work everytime I get a new knife. It's always followed by "what?!".

I definitely use my knives and though I may not be gutting a grizzly with them or fending off angry natives in the Amazon, they do get used! (cardboard boxes fear me).

For what I pay I'm going to put them to work:thumbup:
 
Tell him once you buy a knife with your money, you can do whatever you want with it.
 
Just yesterday used my Mnandi to scrape off about 30 feet of old caulking around the molding I'm painting. No damage done other than the edge needed a touch up. That's easy though because as soon as I bought the knife I put a real edge on it with my Edge Pro. No fear in using this knife.
 
People have no problem replacing a $200 - $300 cell phone every 2 years but spending a bit more than that on a knife that will last a lifetime is weird? :confused:
 
I carry a Sebenza or Umnumzaan every day and use them often for anything and everything. I also carry and use hand made knives that cost a lot more than a CRK. I personally have very little time for people that feel they can tell me what I should or shouldn't have done with my money and do with my things. I don't talk numbers with people that are either unfamiliour with the knife world or are just not as into knives as we are. I don't much enjoy explaining why a CRK is 100's of dollars or why a hand made custom knife can be $1000's of dollars to people that are just not going to get it, so I don't do it. If they do know the numbers and still find it odd that one would use such an "expensive" item then it's time to start covering up my watch, flashlight, pen, and gold teeth too. :p:thumbup:
 
What Haze said. Every day in every way I am saddened by the rudeness that passes for social interaction anymore. Who raised these people?
 
tomsch said:
Just yesterday used my Mnandi to scrape off about 30 feet of old caulking around the molding I'm painting. No damage done other than the edge needed a touch up. That's easy though because as soon as I bought the knife I put a real edge on it with my Edge Pro. No fear in using this knife.
Click to expand...

holy crap; don't you know a mnandi is only supposed to be used for pocket decoration and shave paper after sharping LOLOLOLOL...
 
Hog Feet said:
People spend tens of thousands for an automobile, hundreds of thousands (or more) on a house, engagement ring (don't even ask), and they all get used. A few hundred for a knife or 2 (or more) and people can't believe you spent that much and much less have the nerve to USE it...

My cheapest pistol cost more than my basic CR. The first thing I did was shoot the heck out of it.

A few weeks ago I bought a Mnandi and a friend's son asked to see it. He knew how much it cost (his dad was with me when I bought it) and he asked why I would spend so much on a knife and use it. I reminded the lad (he's in his mid twenties) that I knew how much he spends on fireworks every fourth of July. He said "so what?" I told him on July 5th I'll still have my pocketknife that is fireworks to me.
Click to expand...

It's the relative cost that's alarming to non-knifenuts.
Sure, houses, guns, cars all cost more than knives, but you can't find an acceptable car/house/gun for $100, unlike knives.

I suppose it's the ignorance of the many different reasons why people choose to own knives.
Some see a knife as a tool, some see it as jewelry, some see it as a cool gadget.
None of those people are wrong.

A $400 knife is barely any different than a $100 knife, when it comes to it's ability as a tool. (As long as you chose the right tool to begin with.)
When you calculate in other factors, the $400 knife begins to show it's worth.

If you see a knife a simply a tool, then it is hard to understand a $400+ knife.

"All good, just different." :)
 
Knives are tools, purpose built as tools!! I cannot grasp why people do not use them!
I own a mnandi, small 21 and 21insingo and a large 21, and I use all of them. Not all of them as frequently as I would like to, but they are all users!

Bravo for the people here that use their 1000+$$$ knives, I wish I could afford!
I'm really happy to find out a lot of people here use their CR's as well.

And'uhm....... I prefer my EdgePro edges on my CR as well

Enjoy using your knives in the future!!

NvG
 
Look at how much people blow at casinos once or twice a month. Or every friday, with not a thing to show for. Hundreds lost. We spend hundreds or thousands. Yet at any moment you can turn around and sell a CRK for face value or lose maybe around 10-12% They hold their value obviously. Most items that are popular these days, i.e. Apple products lose value quickly. But if you collect I-anything or a Guccie/Coach purse, these things are more respected or understood.

I see disrespect for CRK knives all over youtube in peoples replies. If you want to see some funny one guys, go to humans4targets2 Sebenza videos and read the replies. Mainly his "World's Best Pocket Knife review and Chris Reeve Small Sebenza." Hilarious!
 
I guess the salesman yesterday summed it up when he told me about selling a fellow a $1295 William Henry - he was proud to meet someone who could both afford and appreciate such a knife! I feel fortunate - no, blessed - to be able to afford my 'goodies'. I show my appreciation by utilizing them. My favorite picture of my 'zaan is this one, also depicting probably my favorite S&W revolver:

IMG_4546.jpg


What's so special about that picture? I had shot the poop out of that PC627 that morning - cleaned it as I ate my lunch - cut the rotten hunk from my pear - and my sandwich - with the 'zaan - cleaned it. The next day - back to the range to filthify my revolver once again. The picture caught them both clean at the same time - not easy!

As to value/cost. My wife recently presented me with a Kershaw Tilt... it is invaluable to me, whatever her cost. I appreciate it, and, more importantly, her.

Stainz

PS My cell phone is the 'free' one - with big numbers, so I don't have to have my dollar store readers to use it. My clothes came from WallyWorld & K-Mart. I drive a seven year old Jeep Liberty - my previous ride, a '90 Shadow ES Turbo 5sp having lasted over 14.5 yr. My shack is paid for. I don't smoke, drink, or gamble - I live an austere life - but I have nice toys & tools - it's what is important to me.
 
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