Knife Purist

[Thomas W]

Was curious, heard the term a few times but didn't know what to make of it, what is a knife purist?

 

[2brothers]

purist
webster def. a person who adheres strictly and often excessively to a tradition

wiki def. desires that an item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences.
Use of the term may be either pejorative or complimentary, depending on context. Because the appellation depends on subjective notions of what is "pure" as opposed to "adulterating" as applied to any particular item, conflict can arise both as to whether a person so labeled is actually a purist and as to whether that is desirable.
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So, does that only make you a knife purist if you're using a spear or knife-like instrument made from stone?

It also throws up the question, What is a "pure" knife? Something we all can't agree on I'm sure.

Just saw "it" being used on Amazon.

To many professional chefs, carbon steel knives are the only way to go. Carbon steel can be honed to the sharpest edge possible. For these knife purists, XXXX XXXX XXXX knives offer impeccable balance in the hand and are a pleasure to sharpen.

Does that mean only purists will purchase a knife if it has carbon steel / impeccable balance?

I'd like to hear someone's view on the subject.

mike

 

[RLR]

My guess is Carbon Steel Bone Handled in Traditional Pattern such at Trapper, Peanut, etc...

 

[GregY]

Would seem to be completely context-dependent, because of the subjective definition of what is "pure". For the purist, if the knife doesn't meet their definition of pure then it must be vile, unusable garbage.

I've seen "pure" =

carbon steel only (no stainless need apply)
forged only (cooking schools apparently apply this brainwashing, no bolster= not in my kitchen)
natural handle materials only

 

[elkins45]

My guess is that a purist is someone who rejects modern designs and materials in favor of the more traditional. I don't think this goes all the way back to knapped flint and sinew, but there might be a few out there who are that 'pure'. I suppose that begs the question about the difference between a 'purist' and a 'throwback'

I think of purists as those guys I see at gun shows who have roll after roll of slipjoints, all of which are old, rusty and have natural handle material. Of course, there are some old synthetics like celluloid that are probably OK with the less strict purists. Maybe traditional is defined as if it was widely used before you were born???

So purists like older designs, carbon steel and natural handle materials??? Maybe.

Maybe purists can be defined by what they reject? I'll bet purists don't like:

G-10
micarta
modern stainless
any design that Grandpa couldn't have picked up at the hardware store
zytel or other newer synthetics
pocket clips
one-hand openers (except for the 'one-handed man' design slipjoints)
locking blades
kydex sheaths
'tactical' designs
bright colors (purists HATE pink Delicas)

A purist would love a birch-handled Mora but hate a Mora Clipper. How's that for a definition?

 

[Morrow]

Well, if we are going the purist route...I'd say anyone not knapping their own cutting tools out of obsidian or stone is a poser.

Call yourself whatever you want....buy whatever you want....just don't act or talk disparaging towards others for not doing what you do. Unfortunately, I see a lot of self-proclaimed "purists" doing that very thing.

 

[Twindog]

It's a flexible term.

To me, the term "knife purist" best refers to a person who judges and acquires knives purely on the basis of function and workmanship.

A Kershaw Leek or Spyderco Military or Benchmade 710 or Dozier Skinner are "pure" in that sense. A Coldsteel Rajah II or Dark Ops "combat" folder or Frost fantasy knife rank lower on the "pure" scale, but still have high appeal to people less restricted in how they judge knives.

 

[J85909266]

My guess is that a purist is someone who rejects modern designs and materials in favor of the more traditional. I don't think this goes all the way back to knapped flint and sinew, but there might be a few out there who are that 'pure'. I suppose that begs the question about the difference between a 'purist' and a 'throwback'

I think of purists as those guys I see at gun shows who have roll after roll of slipjoints, all of which are old, rusty and have natural handle material. Of course, there are some old synthetics like celluloid that are probably OK with the less strict purists. Maybe traditional is defined as if it was widely used before you were born???

So purists like older designs, carbon steel and natural handle materials??? Maybe.

Maybe purists can be defined by what they reject? I'll bet purists don't like:

G-10
micarta
modern stainless
any design that Grandpa couldn't have picked up at the hardware store
zytel or other newer synthetics
pocket clips
one-hand openers (except for the 'one-handed man' design slipjoints)
locking blades
kydex sheaths
'tactical' designs
bright colors (purists HATE pink Delicas)

A purist would love a birch-handled Mora but hate a Mora Clipper. How's that for a definition?

This is how I always saw it. The traditional forums would be full of purists.

 

[SOLEIL]

To me it is purely a relative term applied when someone wants to feel that what they are using and the way they are using it is special or better than the majority of others. There are purists in every category. From fly fishing to model building to car collecting etc. Being a purist is just fine, but being a snob is not. Unfortunately some people who claim to be purists will denigrate anyone that they feel is not up to their standards. Then they fall into the snob category. Especially when they pontificate their views to people who really don't care to listen.

 

[roughedges]

Personally, I think the meaning largely depends on whether one is being called a purist or if one is proclaiming himself a purist.

 

[coop1957]

I don't know what a knife purist would be. I do know that I am not one. Most of my 59 folders are production. I don't think there is such a thing as a "purist" left anymore.