Is Dull, Drab, Ugly and Agressive the New Measure of Beauty?

65535 said:
Me personally I don't care for a flashy blade, I like the look and feel of a textured blade, doesn't show scratches as easily or grease and stuff like that. I like black and metallic colors, drab colors do it for me.

I wouldn't buy a bright yellow or pink knife. I might go orange, but again I like the color. Just my taste. Not because it's tactical. Hell I like machinery and raw metal, it's not about mil spec.
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I like this post:thumbup:

.....Not that I won't go nuts for a well done satin finish. BTW, what about stonewash? I think a good stonewash finish looks extremely handsome on a good folder, even if it is just tumbled with some sort of medium to "scuff" it up:D
 
jonnymac44 said:
I like this post:thumbup:

.....Not that I won't go nuts for a well done satin finish. BTW, what about stonewash? I think a good stonewash finish looks extremely handsome on a good folder, even if it is just tumbled with some sort of medium to "scuff" it up:D
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Stonewash really never did anything for me. Whenever I get a new stonewashed blade, I take it apart and start with 320 aluminum oxide paper. Finish it with some Flitz and Mother's mag polish on the buffer and I'm happy.
 
SPXTrader said:
Stonewash really never did anything for me. Whenever I get a new stonewashed blade, I take it apart and start with 320 aluminum oxide paper. Finish it with some Flitz and Mother's mag polish on the buffer and I'm happy.
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Don't tease me, old man. That description was.....AWESOME:thumbup::p
 
I love traditionals and modern blades. Tactical stuff I never really go for except for the Spyderco military (I'm a sucker for those). I mainly go for the "Functional" knives (all the stuff that is needed and nothing that it doesn't; i.e Spyderco,or CRK) I mainly buy for the performance not looks.

I always carry a "combo" of a larger modern blade and a smaller traditional (Endura 4 and a small slipjoint)
 
I don't mind tactical style too much, as long as it's not overdone. But I don't mind that tactical is the new (or rather, current) black. Give the public what they want; that means the style I prefer will have less demand, and will hopefully thus be cheaper.:)
 
I tend to like a variety of knives. I like some tactical knives like the spyderco para. However, I like slip joints etc as well. Just use what you like :)
 
I tend to lean towards od green alot anyway even subconciously lol

although I do Like deep blues and silvers put together or silver and green good colors
 
a lot of the younger generation like myself look at a stockman and see their grandfather's knife, and then they see a spyderco and see a nice upgrade, and yes a slightly more attractive knife. as far as all the tacticool marketing out there, young knife enthusiasts have always been fans of their respective military's (or vise versa). back in the day you would be hard pressed to find such tacticool knives, only a few like ka bar would have been easily acquired. that is perhaps why they have grown in popularity...we now have the ability to produce them.
 
walleyeguy7 said:
we now have the ability to produce them.
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Good point.

Advances in materials technology, I think, is a big part of the answer to the OP's question.

Materials such as fiberglass reinforced nylon and carbon fiber which didn't
exist until relatively recently.
 
I buy what I like and what is visually and ergonomically appealing to me.

I see a knife as a tool and not "man jewelry".

The dark colors, drab materials, etc. when used in the proper combination are great looking. I like that. It looks like a tool.

I use everything I buy - I have never made a purchase so I could put the knife in a glass case.

Flashy, glossy, colorful knives do not hold an appeal for me. No offense to the makers.

It's got to be as cool to me 6 months after I buy it as it was on the first day or I sell it or it sits and collects dust.

I also have big hands, and the smaller knives (which tend to be the ones that are more ornate) are just not comfortable for extended use. YMMV.
 
Rick, and others who see know need for "tactical stuff" like large single blade titanium frame locks and guns with composite stocks and matte barrels with some finish like dura coat.

I hunt and fish in south Louisiana and have for 30 years. Let me see would I rather have a composite stock dura coat matte finish barrel semi auto benelli so theres no reflection in the duck and goose blind and its MUCH easier to clean, maintain and on my shoulder or shoot an old Winchester model 12 pump or remington 870. Same goes for my knife, while I'm soaking wet with brackish or salt water, covered in mud while hunting, fishing or froging. Hmmn, do I want that buck 110 with wood handles, and two hand opening or do I want a ti frame lock with pocket clip and one hand opening. let me think about that.

While I think there is something to the marketing thing and the coolness factor, I also think your grossly over estimating that and missing the point entirely as there are many of us out here in what you probably think of as FLY OVER COUNTRY that actually still spend a lot of time out of doors catching and killing our supper. My bad, I mean dinner so as not to offend your delicate sophisticated urban sensibilities. YES, some of this tactical stuff helps, especially in terms of ease of use, maintenance, upkeep, and overall longevity and toughness.

So you do what works for you in LA and I'll do what works for me here in LA and hopefully never the two shall cross, but nice going in your attempt to bash everyone who doesn't think a yellow celluloid case slip joint is the king and sees no need for anything else. Never, on this site have bashed slip joints or the people who like em, if thats what suits there needs so be it, why do you feel the need to bash someone elses choices because you don't see the need? Are you that short sighted and insecure?
 
Preferences vary, the market will sort things out ;)

But hey, there are plenty of custom makers out there :)
 
MikeC said:
Rick, and others who see know need for "tactical stuff" like large single blade titanium frame locks and guns with composite stocks and matte barrels with some finish like dura coat.

I hunt and fish in south Louisiana and have for 30 years. Let me see would I rather have a composite stock dura coat matte finish barrel semi auto benelli so theres no reflection in the duck and goose blind and its MUCH easier to clean, maintain and on my shoulder or shoot an old Winchester model 12 pump or remington 870. Same goes for my knife, while I'm soaking wet with brackish or salt water, covered in mud while hunting, fishing or froging. Hmmn, do I want that buck 110 with wood handles, and two hand opening or do I want a ti frame lock with pocket clip and one hand opening. let me think about that.

While I think there is something to the marketing thing and the coolness factor, I also think your grossly over estimating that and missing the point entirely as there are many of us out here in what you probably think of as FLY OVER COUNTRY that actually still spend a lot of time out of doors catching and killing our supper. My bad, I mean dinner so as not to offend your delicate sophisticated urban sensibilities. YES, some of this tactical stuff helps, especially in terms of ease of use, maintenance, upkeep, and overall longevity and toughness.

So you do what works for you in LA and I'll do what works for me here in LA and hopefully never the two shall cross, but nice going in your attempt to bash everyone who doesn't think a yellow celluloid case slip joint is the king and sees no need for anything else. Never, on this site have bashed slip joints or the people who like em, if thats what suits there needs so be it, why do you feel the need to bash someone elses choices because you don't see the need? Are you that short sighted and insecure?
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I couldn't have said it better my self kudos to you. And this is the major thing that defines knife users. People who want to protect themselves and others who don't see the need and they never will so its like talking to a brick wall why bother they won't change their stance on the subject. Myself I like the best of both worlds. So to everyone who doesn't see the need for "drab" colors and "tactical" things keep that to yourself, no one cares. I don't make critical of your choices why do it to mine? And to say one more thing I'm sick of having debates over, why do you guys need tactical items I see no need for it. For each their own just leave it for that.
 
Rick said:
If you look at the popular knives of yore, the steel was more-often-than-not brightly finished, and they were handled in beautiful natural materials, polished metals and attractively colored celluloids, etc.
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People also used to dress like this.
FashMen1.jpg


We don't anymore. While some would also lament this, I do not.

I do however like my knives, the custom ones anyway, to be a bit more unique and heirloom, so I get what you're saying.
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
First , the polite thing to do before reposting a pict of my kids would be to ask.

And as for the picture , those knives were Christmas GIFTS from Mick & Josh at Strider knives a few years back , and they LOVE those knives....

my kids love camo , as do many adults. Doesn't mean they have been in the military , just like owning a AR15 doesn't makes one a military man , or driving a hummer , and owning a Vette doesn't make you Mario Andretti.

My kids have tacticals , traditionals and modern knives (other peoples descriptions not ours ) we just call em knives.

again , thanks for asking to use the picture..:thumbdn:
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I do hope they wrote thank you notes :p
 
I think the knife industry is in cahoots with the clothing industry. Today's hi-tech knives go with today's hi-tech clothing. I can't imagine these old timers, in their plaid shirts and suspenders, carrying a Spyderco. :D

campfire_tales.jpg
 
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