- Joined
- Sep 23, 1999
- Messages
- 3,831
OK forumites, on Satorday, May 22nd I marry an amazing, beautiful, intelligent, and warm girl. I am lucky to have her. As I am moving in the process, I will have very limited access to the net. So, to all you knife nuts, thanks for all the chats, the sharing, the knife stories, the life stories, etc.
In my somewhat absence, I'dlike to leave you all with a quick and dirty summary of all my knowledge regarding knives thusfar:
Buy quality, and only cry once is true enough. That $100 Canadian I spent on a cool looking Frost Cutlery bowie would have been better spent on other knives! GRR! So, newbies, ask a lot of questions and do a lot of searches here; it will save you time and grief.
The first rule of knife collecting is get what you like! I'd rather have a knife that I enjoy which holds an edge for 2 months, than a knife that I hate using which holds an edge for 6 months. My knife collection is a hodge-podge, but it is seeing some structure now. Being a "relatively" old knif enut now, I know what I like much better than when I was just starting out. Buy what you like and you will be happy. I don't care how cool stag is, I won't ever own a stage knife! Just ain't my thing. But Phil and I will happily trade stag antlers shed by fine animals for micarta antlers!
Many factors go into making a good knife, but studying knife geometry will help you along the way a great deal. Tinner knives cut better and hold their edge longer, for the most part. Higher grind lines usually mean better slicing ability, while somethign with a strong, thick spine will offer a lot of strength. Don't forget to consider knife geometry vs. edge geometry!
Custom knives are worth their price. Wanna find out why? Buy a 1x30 grinder and find out! I've made 30ish knives now, and a few forumites have some fo my work. If I had to count up the hours and estimate a value of the labor, etc., I'd feel liek charging $800 US for a Sebenza! There is a lot of skill that goes into handmade knives.
This point is related to the previous one: Some collect for utility only, while some are in it for relationships developed. Either is fine! If I had a pal going overseas to fight in, say, Afghanistan, A Cold Steel SRK would be a fine knife to send alogn with him/her. However, I'd rather send a Strider. But you know, either would be OK, depending on many factors. point is, don't worry about buying a Schrade knife for #20 is it does all your cutting chores for you! Conversely, enjoy the $350 MoMike Obenauff folder you bought, because you're getting a great knife from a skilled man, taught by one of the best in the business, who has a talented wife, etc.
Knife nuttiness is as much about relationships, if not moreso, as it is it about knives. Please stop for a minute and think about the forumites that come to mind, and what you know about them. How many knife nuts do you know who are gettign married, mourning the passing of a loved one, starting a new job, worried about their kids, etc. For me, I enjou knives now because of the relationships I have developed, more than the particular geometry of the knife or the materials used.
A final piece of advice before I must diasspear, is this: enjoy this hobby of ours. Sometimes I get frustrated with knives and knife collecting. I have little discretionary income, so I can't buy the latest factory knife or save for a custom as easily as many other membors. It is OK to take a break from the forums and just enjoy your knvies, reading a knife mag or 2. Always make sure you are enjoying knives.
I'm sure I left things out, but I can address them later. For nowl, make sure your knvies are sharp! Take care all!
Karl Rejman, happiest guy alive.
In my somewhat absence, I'dlike to leave you all with a quick and dirty summary of all my knowledge regarding knives thusfar:
Buy quality, and only cry once is true enough. That $100 Canadian I spent on a cool looking Frost Cutlery bowie would have been better spent on other knives! GRR! So, newbies, ask a lot of questions and do a lot of searches here; it will save you time and grief.
The first rule of knife collecting is get what you like! I'd rather have a knife that I enjoy which holds an edge for 2 months, than a knife that I hate using which holds an edge for 6 months. My knife collection is a hodge-podge, but it is seeing some structure now. Being a "relatively" old knif enut now, I know what I like much better than when I was just starting out. Buy what you like and you will be happy. I don't care how cool stag is, I won't ever own a stage knife! Just ain't my thing. But Phil and I will happily trade stag antlers shed by fine animals for micarta antlers!
Many factors go into making a good knife, but studying knife geometry will help you along the way a great deal. Tinner knives cut better and hold their edge longer, for the most part. Higher grind lines usually mean better slicing ability, while somethign with a strong, thick spine will offer a lot of strength. Don't forget to consider knife geometry vs. edge geometry!
Custom knives are worth their price. Wanna find out why? Buy a 1x30 grinder and find out! I've made 30ish knives now, and a few forumites have some fo my work. If I had to count up the hours and estimate a value of the labor, etc., I'd feel liek charging $800 US for a Sebenza! There is a lot of skill that goes into handmade knives.
This point is related to the previous one: Some collect for utility only, while some are in it for relationships developed. Either is fine! If I had a pal going overseas to fight in, say, Afghanistan, A Cold Steel SRK would be a fine knife to send alogn with him/her. However, I'd rather send a Strider. But you know, either would be OK, depending on many factors. point is, don't worry about buying a Schrade knife for #20 is it does all your cutting chores for you! Conversely, enjoy the $350 MoMike Obenauff folder you bought, because you're getting a great knife from a skilled man, taught by one of the best in the business, who has a talented wife, etc.
Knife nuttiness is as much about relationships, if not moreso, as it is it about knives. Please stop for a minute and think about the forumites that come to mind, and what you know about them. How many knife nuts do you know who are gettign married, mourning the passing of a loved one, starting a new job, worried about their kids, etc. For me, I enjou knives now because of the relationships I have developed, more than the particular geometry of the knife or the materials used.
A final piece of advice before I must diasspear, is this: enjoy this hobby of ours. Sometimes I get frustrated with knives and knife collecting. I have little discretionary income, so I can't buy the latest factory knife or save for a custom as easily as many other membors. It is OK to take a break from the forums and just enjoy your knvies, reading a knife mag or 2. Always make sure you are enjoying knives.
I'm sure I left things out, but I can address them later. For nowl, make sure your knvies are sharp! Take care all!
Karl Rejman, happiest guy alive.
