Is it just tradition?

T

thedancingsousa

Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
40
I've noticed a certain trend while browsing. Obviously there's the tactical/new/wicked looking blade trend, but there's another major trend, as well.

There are many people here who will deride something because it isn't traditional. For instance, while I was looking for information on the Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener (which is an amazing piece of equipment, by the way) most of everything I found had comments that sounded something like this. "Who needs that new crap? I use a stone just like my pappy did." Also, "Screw that. Spend money on a set of stones."

I get it. People used to get by with a lot less than we have now. However, technology advances and sometimes new is, in fact, better.

So, why do people who have never used some new tool immediately deride it based on the fact that it's new or that they can do a "better" job with less? Especially when it's something like the WSKTS that makes the job 1000x easier?

Why is there a class of, at least in my eyes, snobs?

Is it just because new technology isn't traditional?
 
That's funny. LOL

But yeah you have a point as there are certain types who believe that sharpening freehand makes them somehow at a level above everyone else so to speak...

Personally I don't use power equipment to sharpen with..... And never will.... ;)

I have an Edge Pro to set the bevels and it's fast with the stones I use...... Then I do touch ups freehand... Once the bevels are set it's very fast to do touch ups, usually under 30 seconds for me...
 
I don't think it's technology specific. The thing is, we all like what we like. Try telling a Chevy guy that Ford has better "xyz", I doubt you will change his mind. Also a lot of it is basic human resistance to change in general. Don't get so upset by it, just go with the flow.
 
Just because it's better for you, does not mean it is better for others. There are a lot of variables.
 
The truth is, retro is in, big time.

For whatever reason, something is now lacking in our society, so that many folks pare looking back to a time they remember more fondly. Look at the booming rise of the Harley-Davidson cult in the 90's as a reaction to the swarming growth of the Japanese super bikes of the 80's. In cars, the auto makers are trotting out retro models like the new 'old' VW, the new 'old' Fiat 500, the Ford T-bird that looks like the '56. The 'new' mini that is reminiscent of the one from the 60's. Selling like hotcakes. In firearms, Cowboy action shooting is the fastest growing segment of the shooting sports. More people, for whatever reason, are going out and buying single action revolvers and lever action rifles, and the wardrobe to go with it, than any of the black gun shooters. Both of the gun shops in my area have had to expand by knocking out the wall and taking over the shop next door, to keep up with the demand for the cowboy shooting shooters. The black guns are one small corner of the store. The owner of one shop says for every Glock going out the door, there's two Ruger Vaqueros going out.

You don't have to like it, but retro is here, and that's what some people like. In the end, it is a Ford vs Chevy thing. Just get in your Dodge and move on down the road.
 
thedancingsousa said:
I've noticed a certain trend while browsing. Obviously there's the tactical/new/wicked looking blade trend, but there's another major trend, as well.

There are many people here who will deride something because it isn't traditional. For instance, while I was looking for information on the Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener (which is an amazing piece of equipment, by the way) most of everything I found had comments that sounded something like this. "Who needs that new crap? I use a stone just like my pappy did." Also, "Screw that. Spend money on a set of stones."

I get it. People used to get by with a lot less than we have now. However, technology advances and sometimes new is, in fact, better.

So, why do people who have never used some new tool immediately deride it based on the fact that it's new or that they can do a "better" job with less? Especially when it's something like the WSKTS that makes the job 1000x easier?

Why is there a class of, at least in my eyes, snobs?

Is it just because new technology isn't traditional?
Click to expand...

Is it really better though, when people can get edges that are just as good or better using classic sharpening techniques? Frankly, (and I'm speaking as the owner of a Sharpmaker) all of these new tools are generally for people who don't know how to sharpen and never bothered learning. Why bother trying to learn something? Just keep the blade vertical, rake it down the sticks, or rake the stone over the blade at a mechanically forced angle. Let the tool bother with all the things that normally would require things like skill and technique to accomplish. I mean, right? You could get a fantastic edge with some sandpaper and a mousepad...if you know what you're doing.

So, don't act surprised when people who are good at sharpening the "traditional" way* look down on tools which are made to let people who don't feel like learning how to sharpen knives, sharpen knives.





*Which was learned through long hours, the result of which is a real and relevant skillset
 
jackknife said:
The truth is, retro is in, big time.

For whatever reason, something is now lacking in our society, so that many folks pare looking back to a time they remember more fondly. Look at the booming rise of the Harley-Davidson cult in the 90's as a reaction to the swarming growth of the Japanese super bikes of the 80's. In cars, the auto makers are trotting out retro models like the new 'old' VW, the new 'old' Fiat 500, the Ford T-bird that looks like the '56. The 'new' mini that is reminiscent of the one from the 60's. Selling like hotcakes. In firearms, Cowboy action shooting is the fastest growing segment of the shooting sports. More people, for whatever reason, are going out and buying single action revolvers and lever action rifles, and the wardrobe to go with it, than any of the black gun shooters. Both of the gun shops in my area have had to expand by knocking out the wall and taking over the shop next door, to keep up with the demand for the cowboy shooting shooters. The black guns are one small corner of the store. The owner of one shop says for every Glock going out the door, there's two Ruger Vaqueros going out.

You don't have to like it, but retro is here, and that's what some people like. In the end, it is a Ford vs Chevy thing. Just get in your Dodge and move on down the road.
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty much whatever the latest fad seems to be the sheep will follow... LOL

Yep, I drive either my Dodge or Jeep....
 
How you gonna sharpen your knives when the power goes out, bro? Worse yet when the SHTF?!

Lol, I have a KOWS and enjoy using it. I also have a few stones which, to this point, I haven't been able to do well enough for my liking.

If the power goes out (and stays out) I'll have plenty of time to learn how.
 
Quiet said:
*Which was learned through long hours, the result of which is a real and relevant skillset
Click to expand...

Some of us learned the traditional way long before some of those others even knew what a knife was or were even born.... ;)

And we still can and do sharpen that way when we want to, but have chosen to buy a system to speed things up some like say the Edge Pro for example.
 
Ankerson said:
Some of us learned the traditional way long before some of those others even knew what a knife was or were even born.... ;)

And we still can and do sharpen that way when we want to, but have chosen to buy a system to speed things up some like say the Edge Pro for example.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Same here. I spent many long hours learning to sharpen using simple stones bought at Wal-Mart when I was younger because most knives that were in my price range as a kid and Boy Scout were...less than ideal edgewise. Also, don't get me wrong or mistake what I'm saying in my first response. While I recognize that tools like both the Edge Pro and the Sharpmaker (yours and mine, respectively) speed things up, they can't be defined as Sousa claims as "better".
 
Maybe some of this comes from the point of view that some marketing messages to create demand for "new and innovative" (and in the eyes of a turbo-traditionalist, "unnecessary") products are kinda flimsy. The old story about how, for example, if the Lapp people didn't need common/mass-market blade-industry innovations like a sharpening stone attached to the sheath/saw back spine/thick 1/4" full tang supersteel stock/a compass in the pommel, then a typical weekend warrior, for certain, doesn't need them either.

I am all about tech development and innovation (stabilized pine cone scales?! be still my heart lol) but "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away" perhaps??
 
I've got a WSKTS and it's great but it is not a substitute to know how to sharpen free hand. As handy as it is, you can't carry it everywhere with you. A pocket stone will fit in, well, your pocket ;)
 
Quiet said:
Agreed. Same here. I spent many long hours learning to sharpen using simple stones bought at Wal-Mart when I was younger because most knives that were in my price range as a kid and Boy Scout were...less than ideal edgewise. Also, don't get me wrong or mistake what I'm saying in my first response. While I recognize that tools like both the Edge Pro and the Sharpmaker (yours and mine, respectively) speed things up, they can't be defined as Sousa claims as "better".
Click to expand...

I dunno, people would have a very hard time matching the bevel I can put on a blade with my Edge Pro in a very short time.... It's very fast compared to free handing....

Touch ups I do freehand and it takes seconds.... :)
 
Ankerson said:
I dunno, people would have a very hard time matching the bevel I can put on a blade with my Edge Pro in a very short time.... It's very fast compared to free handing....

Touch ups I do freehand and it takes seconds.... :)
Click to expand...

Maybe that's true. Personally, I can usually return my knives to shaving sharp with a couple of minutes of love with an Arkansas stone. But hey, either way, if your contraption breaks (or I lose my Sharpmaker) I think you and I are covered in the "being able to sharpen" category. :thumbup:
 
Quiet said:
Maybe that's true. Personally, I can usually return my knives to shaving sharp with a couple of minutes of love with an Arkansas stone. But hey, either way, if your contraption breaks (or I lose my Sharpmaker) I think you and I are covered in the "being able to sharpen" category. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


Yep, that's for sure. :thumbup:
 
One would be surprised how fast things can really be, this knife using this sharpening stuff touching up in seconds with the dark stone......

DSC_4489.JPG



Translates into this. :)

[video=youtube;eF_Zxi51_xA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF_Zxi51_xA[/video]
 
I can use a set of stones to put a decent edge on a knife. I used the Smith's Tri Hone system before I got the WSKTS. I could put an edge that would slice through paper just fine, even came close to a razor edge once, but I never got there, and that was after months of practicing. The very first day I had my WSKTS I managed to put razor sharp edges on about 10 knives in under an hour (following, of course, practice on a few cheapo kitchen knives for about 30 minutes).

I don't know, but I would say that with these results on that steep of a learning curve, it's a pretty significant tool and it's worth a little admiration. haha
 
thedancingsousa said:
I can use a set of stones to put a decent edge on a knife. I used the Smith's Tri Hone system before I got the WSKTS. I could put an edge that would slice through paper just fine, even came close to a razor edge once, but I never got there, and that was after months of practicing. The very first day I had my WSKTS I managed to put razor sharp edges on about 10 knives in under an hour (following, of course, practice on a few cheapo kitchen knives for about 30 minutes).

I don't know, but I would say that with these results on that steep of a learning curve, it's a pretty significant tool and it's worth a little admiration. haha
Click to expand...

Which, hey, that's great, and I'm glad you're getting better results. The only comment of yours that I took exception with from the initial post was:

thedancingsousa said:
So, why do people who have never used some new tool immediately deride it based on the fact that it's new or that they can do a "better" job with less? Especially when it's something like the WSKTS that makes the job 1000x easier?
Click to expand...

So, as you can see, many of us DO use one of the sharpening assist solutions that are on the market. However, you used the term "better", which really, I understand now from this last post, meant "Better for me." I am good with my Sharpmaker, but it's never given me an edge that I couldn't have put on in the traditional manner. Therein lies the difference, and it's that way for a LOT of people. Look at Ankerson's video. He could have gotten that lightsaber edge the traditional way if he so chose, so therefore, the claim can't really be made that his Edge Pro is "better". Easier? Quicker? Absolutely, no argument. Better? No. And that's why you see people on this board who are snobs (in your eyes).

Now, all that said, hey, whatever works for you, awesome. A sharp knife is better than a dull knife, no matter HOW you get there.
 
Quiet said:
However, you used the term "better", which really, I understand now from this last post, meant "Better for me."
Click to expand...

When I said that I was referring to how other people immediately write off a new tool, like the work sharp, saying that they can produce better results on a stone, not that the work sharp was better for me (although that is also true).
 
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