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

[John T Wylie Jr]

What is it that draws today's consumers in such abundant numbers to the aesthetic of the first knife?

Again, please don't tell us which one is "better." I'm only using these two examples to illustrate a puzzling aesthetic trend.

Pretty fair question ....

For me Rick , while I can appreciate the white handle knife , for me it would get dirtier easier , and I find that a polished finish or buffed finish tends to look like crap after you use the knife. Now , I don't baby my knives , all get used. So I tend to choose what I buy this way:
1. Does it fit my hand ? It has to feel good , and not be cumbersom or clumsy for me to use.
2. Does the blade shape / finish / grind / edge thickness work for what I will use it for ?
3. How will it look after it has been used for awhile ?
4. It is a knife that I find appealing to my eye ? After all I am the one who will be using it.
5. If the knife gets marred up , can I easily bring it back to decent condition myself ?
(( I don't buff blades , so that is one reason a polished/buffed blade does not appeal to me , well that and they show fingerprints like mad )).

Interesting collection you have there. Especially the last one , I don't recognize the maker , mind telling me who made that masterpiece ? (( Disregard , you answered while I was slowly typing -- typing with a knife in hand is tough..no worries , its a slip joint ))

 

[ZombiesEatFree]

I'm not so sure if he's just talking about strider as ZT, Microtech and the like have the same bold aggressive styling. I honestly would also like to know why these have become so popular. The "mean" look has really picked up it seems, and I don't have anything against it at all. I just like understanding why people do what they do. It'd be interesting to see a demographic report from Strider, ZT, ect... and see just what it reveals! I'm sure it appeals to a specific demographic, but who? It's not just knives and guns either, many things have a sinister name or look these days. Take these as an example: Black Berry Storm, Black Berry Storm, Samsung Rogue (all these names are more angry than friendly) flames and skulls on everything, the popularity of the Hummer..... There seems to be a huge trend in scary, sinister and just "blocky" things. Look at the cycle of car design; it goes from blocky, to bubble/curved, to blocky, back to curved and so on...

So is it people? Is it good marketing fueling some primal need to mean things? Or is it simply a cycle that we have no control over??

Like I've said, I like dull finishes and rough scales because they work for me and I don't want to do anything extra.

I'm no one to listen to but please keep this on topic, I'd hate to see it get closed before it's due time! (in other words play nice)

"If it were about compensating for perceived short-comings, then I'd be carrying the Mercenary Sword around, as it's 4 feet of steel compared to 4 inches."
LMFAO!!! Kudos!!

And Rick, you get sick of that Begg I'll GLADLY give her a good home!!!! Or any of your blades for that matter!!! Sucks not having the coin for one of those bad boys!!!!

 

[sambo.]

In an attempt to keep this thread on topic, I'll pose an example: What is it about today's knife consumer that draws them to this (with its appropriately pugnacious "Nightmare" moniker):

Rather than this?

Putting aside cost and minor functional differences for the moment (please), they're both one-hand opening, screw-assembled, medium/large folders with (I assume) excellent steel, ergos, edge geometry and modern materials, but the American offering (and its maker!) goes out of its way to appear as menacing, inelegant and intimidating as possible, while the Swedish knife is comparatively elegant, timeless and benign-looking.

What is it that draws today's consumers in such abundant numbers to the aesthetic of the first knife?

Again, please don't tell us which one is "better." I'm only using these two examples to illustrate a puzzling aesthetic trend.

personally, that's a lay-down misere kind of choice.

that Fallkniven is pure sex, the other thing is downright ugly.

 

[mmarkh]

In an attempt to keep this thread on topic, I'll pose an example: What is it about today's knife consumer that draws them to this (with its appropriately pugnacious "Nightmare" moniker):

Rather than this?

Putting aside cost and minor functional differences for the moment (please), they're both one-hand opening, screw-assembled, medium/large folders with (I assume) excellent steel, ergos, edge geometry and modern materials, but the American offering (and its maker!) goes out of its way to appear as menacing, inelegant and intimidating as possible, while the Swedish knife is comparatively elegant, timeless and benign-looking.

What is it that draws today's consumers in such abundant numbers to the aesthetic of the first knife?

Again, please don't tell us which one is "better." I'm only using these two examples to illustrate a puzzling aesthetic trend.

I believe what draws people to knives like the Strider with the Nightmare Grind is the fact that they are hand ground and the grinds are difficult to do, hence the name. There is a certain artistry behind those grinds. The other knife is nice but a run of the mill production model.

 

[mmarkh]

Here are a few of the more aggressive knives that I own, or have owned recently. Are they traditional?

Now, about that "huge bias..."

Obviously you fall for the supposed "marketing techniques" more than most. You ask people why they need to carry certain knives and you throw out pics of tactical customs and autos.

 

[Amaranth]

If we're talking fugly knives, can we all agree this takes the cake:

 

[Rick]

You've made some good points here, Jake. I appreciate your candor.

You wanna hear the why, how about we wanna hear the why not?

You tell us why not, without insulting, you'll get better answers.

Well, for starters:

As has already been pointed out, the ugly-is-cool marketing campaign has trained far too many consumers to settle for quick 'n' cheap "tactical" finishes, rather than demanding the high quality, labor-intensive finishes that they're, as often as not, actually paying for.

Nothing inflames the irrational anti-knife goobers quite like hundreds of thousands of adolescent boys (of all ages ) brandishing completely over-the-top militarized "tactical" knives, that are specifically designed to be as intimidating as humanly possible, even to the point of severely compromising their performance as utility knives, as opposed to wannabe weapons or validation trophies.

And not get too far afield, but America's number one export for almost a century has been a well nigh continuous state of wasteful, destructive and frankly insane guns 'n' butter (military contracts and oil) war. Do we really need to pervert our tools into exaggerated and grotesque icons of that horror?

 

[ZombiesEatFree]

If we're talking fugly knives, can we all agree this takes the cake:

AGREED!! My eyes hurt!!!

 

[mmarkh]

You've made some good points here, Jake. I appreciate your candor.



Well, for starters:

As has already been pointed out, the ugly-is-cool marketing campaign has trained far too many consumers to settle for quick 'n' cheap "tactical" finishes, rather than demanding the high quality, labor-intensive finishes that they're, as often as not, actually paying for.

Nothing inflames the irrational anti-knife goobers quite like hundreds of thousands of adolescent boys (of all ages ) brandishing completely over-the-top militarized "tactical" knives, that are specifically designed to be as intimidating as humanly possible, even to the point of severely compromising their performance as utility knives, as opposed to wannabe weapons or validation trophies.

And not get too far afield, but America's number one export for almost a century has been a well nigh continuous state of wasteful, destructive and frankly insane guns 'n' butter (military contracts and oil) war. Do we really need to pervert our tools into exaggerated and grotesque icons of that horror?

Knives are tools. They are made to cut things. From the looks of the pics you posted those knives were never used. Do you use any of those knives or are they just to look at?

 

[SteelSnob]

For the record I'm not opposed to quality knives that could be considered tactical but don't go out of their way to be tactical just to be tactical, if that makes sense. For example Galyean pro series, Yuna,Sebenza,XM18,Anso,Spydercos and Benchmade are all very strong knives that could or would be considered tactical yet they all have exceeding quality rather than just aiming for a tactical image to sell.

I like how tumbled finishes don't show scratches and darker colors don't show dirt. I guess what I'm opposed to is the darkops style advertising being leaned on heavily rather than a consistant quality product. And yes I tried a darkops that was a gift and after a little chopping the handles were looose and rattling. I like traditionals too though. I think it's a good thing that we have a lot of variety available but I could do without the low quality companies that are beating their chests about how tactical and deadly they are but not delivering a quality product.

To me it's kind of like a con game or a charade the way some of these companies use these slogans. "High speed tools for hardcore people" and you can barely open it? Or "The best fighting knives ever made!" and the handles loose after a little chopping?

 

[Leftoverdj]

If we're talking fugly knives, can we all agree this takes the cake:

Looks like a prime example of knife choice as evidence of mental illness to me.

 

[GronK]

If so, then my ex can win a beauty contest for sure!

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

So tell us Rick , what draws you to Microtech ? Is it their sub par service ? From talking to many custom makers , they don't speak highly of the founder.

What's makes Microtech so uber cool to you ? Have you looked at their ad campaigns ? Notice how TACTICAL they are ? Personally I find their designs ugly , the OTF's are cool for their design ( well until they break ) , but useful to me ? Nope , not all all. But hey if you like them , rock on , I won't go around saying nobody should like them just cause I don't. (( Ugly chicks need love too.. ))

You question the use of Tacticals like the Striders , yet you can't even carry the auto's in Calif can you ? So how practical are they ?

Come on dude , just be out with it , you have a gripe against Strider , period. Everyone else here has noticed it , you may as well just fess up to it and accept it .

 

[sambo.]

If we're talking fugly knives, can we all agree this takes the cake:

THE HORROR, THE HORROR!!!

dear lord. that's the fever induced, deranged imaginings of one sadly disturbed individual.

yes, i'll agree that thing takes the caek for FUGLY knives.

 

[jakeyjake4528]

You've made some good points here, Jake. I appreciate your candor.



Well, for starters:

As has already been pointed out, the ugly-is-cool marketing campaign has trained far too many consumers to settle for quick 'n' cheap "tactical" finishes, rather than demanding the high quality, labor-intensive finishes that they're, as often as not, actually paying for.

Nothing inflames the irrational anti-knife goobers quite like hundreds of thousands of adolescent boys (of all ages ) brandishing completely over-the-top militarized "tactical" knives, that are specifically designed to be as intimidating as humanly possible, even to the point of severely compromising their performance as utility knives, as opposed to wannabe weapons or validation trophies.

And not get too far afield, but America's number one export for almost a century has been a well nigh continuous state of wasteful, destructive and frankly insane guns 'n' butter (military contracts and oil) war. Do we really need to pervert our tools into exaggerated and grotesque icons of that horror?

I'm not exactly disagreeing with you. The ugly is cool marketing campaign..what if someone doesn't think its ugly? Post a photo of a S&W extreme homeland security deathblade knife. Few here would stick up for that.

But post a custom strider?

The people that would buy that probably aren't in the same group neither of us like, young thugs flashing black blades at old ladies and thus paving the way for new anti knife laws.

You talk about consumers...which ones? Of course a large majority of knifes for sale in this country are cheap, crappy..but their are cheap traditonal, hunting, etc knives besides tactical. Yes, cheap tacts are the majority, but not the only. Consumers have mostly stopped demanding quality in everything.

Consumers like me and you seem to drive the quality market, and demand. People like us demand tactical and even weapon like knives of high quality and custom, because?

That's what we like, we don't buy to use, we collect, we already have every type of knife made in the last century, but what's next?

Ugly is cool as you put it was next, only it got a lot more ugly as it trickled down from custom to high quality production to mid, to cheap, to throwing stars at the gas station.


So is it our fault?

 

[Alann45]

Rick, without making any editorial judgement, that gave me my best chuckle of the day.....Thanks. Is it a copyrighted response?

Personally I find the aesthetics of that Fallkniven much more to my liking than the other choice. But I find almost all frame locks aesthetically unpleasing, while not doubting their functional worth at all.
However, I have several "tactical" knives that I find aesthetically pleasing that are radically different from Fallkniven.

Aesthetic judgement is subjective and a case where everyone can be correct in their relative judgemnt of what they find pleasing.

After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...thank goodness. All my ex-girlfriends thought I was attractive. Didn't understand that, and they may have been lying, but I wasn't going to ask for details.

 

[Amaranth]

What's wrong with the AK-47 knife? It looks JUST LIKE the machine gun!

It's the weapon that's killed more people in more countries and used by every third-world revolutionary and religious zealot worth a damn.

And like it's namesake it's cheap. Only $29.95. I'm a gonna get me one a dem. (sarcasm intended)

 

[Rick]

Obviously you fall for the supposed "marketing techniques" more than most. You ask people why they need to carry certain knives and you throw out pics of tactical customs and autos.

Geez; you just can't win either way. I'm accused of a "huge bias" because I've mentioned traditional knives in point of contrast to "tactical" knives, and now I'm taking a hit for owning a few gray knives.

Guys, this inquiry isn't specifically about me, or you, or any one knife company. It's an attempt to understand what drives our collective purchasing decisions as knife aficionados with regard to the exaggerated militarization of our favorite tools.

So tell us Rick , what draws you to Microtech ?

That's a fair question, since they make "tactical" knives and sport the usual ridiculous hardass military image. I have a few MT OTFs because they're novel, well executed designs that make good pacifiers *click click click.* They're relatively attractive case-queens, and I've learned from past experience that they tend to appreciate in value over time.

I never carry or use them - what would be the point when I have plenty of EDCs (mostly custom slipjoints) that are far better suited to my needs? In short, they're fun toys. Ugly? Perhaps. Aggressive? maybe, if I carried 'em. Hell, one's the size of a toothpick, and one's bright purple! Over-the-top military grotesques? Nah - they're noisy, fragile playthings that no serious "hardcore" wannabe would ever take seriously.

 

[tjsulli790]

In an attempt to keep this thread on topic, I'll pose an example: What is it about today's knife consumer that draws them to this (with its appropriately pugnacious "Nightmare" moniker):

Rather than this?

Putting aside cost and minor functional differences for the moment (please), they're both one-hand opening, screw-assembled, medium/large folders with (I assume) excellent steel, ergos, edge geometry and modern materials, but the American offering (and its maker!) goes out of its way to appear as menacing, inelegant and intimidating as possible, while the Swedish knife is comparatively elegant, timeless and benign-looking.

What is it that draws today's consumers in such abundant numbers to the aesthetic of the first knife?

Again, please don't tell us which one is "better." I'm only using these two examples to illustrate a puzzling aesthetic trend.

What about the possibility that they are drawn to both?

Example: Me, I've owned both a Strider (granted it wasn't a custom with that grind) and also a Fallkniven PXL.

Which one looks better? PXL by far, but guess which one I still own and which one I sold. It's the Strider I still have. The PXL had better fit and finish and it had great aesthetics but it was like holding a heavy stick of a butter. Whereas the Strider was comfortable for me. I made a decision on a preference and it wasn't looks and it wasn't completely performance either, I could have gotten by with the PXL.

There's two thing I look for in a knife. Do I like it? Am I comfortable with it? If so I'll probably keep it. That's why I own a Strider but I also own several GEC slipjoints and come any day either can be my pocket.

Marketing and aesthetics is not everything. At least for someone that uses their knives I don't think it is. And honestly I think for the majority of knife aficionados, militarization of a product has nothing to do with their knife preferences.

 

[Alann45]

If we're talking fugly knives, can we all agree this takes the cake:

Note: Photo intentionally not copied cause I'm sure no one wants to see it again.

It may not be the winner, but it's definitely a contenda.

I've been staring at it (and yes that is kind of painful) trying to think of something positive that might be said for it.

Best I can come up with is: For a fat girl you don't sweat much.