knives I love but don't use

B

BruceMack

Joined
May 20, 2015
Messages
106
I have a quirk of not using something I love but fear to damage. In the past, this included fine handplanes and chisels. There were so many workarounds that I could do good work without using my best and now I will use whatever tool comes to hand. Similarly, with knives, I carry my Ontario Rat 1 D2 and leave a PM2, Para 3, Manix 2, American Lawman CTS-XHP, Manly, Viator, and Ferrum Forge Gent and Crux in the knife tray. I enjoy the Ontario more from knowing I have its mates sharp and safe in the box. Weird, but harmless to others
 
I intentionally throw away every box for every knife I receive. The reason being, I don't want to be thinking about resale. I buy knives to use. I may not carry all my knives as much, but they each have a role and purpose. I do lament when I get a ding or I put an unfortunate scratch while sharpening, but not because of value lost, but because I appreciate a pretty blade.
 
Depending on the knife, I may just ease into using it rather than putting a smack down on it right away. My Helle Dokka was that way. Still my most expensive knife and I think it is really a beautiful piece of work. Took me a while to start putting it to real use. Just needed to get past the first scratch and ding or two. Now it is a regular carry item when I am out in the woods, hunting or fishing. I try to buy knives I will use. Some see more carry time than others, but I am happy to say none of them are unused and that is the way I like it.
 
I have a variation on that problem. Realistically, I have enough large fixed blades to last the rest of my life, and I just can't seem to get out to the woods to use them enough. Maybe when my kids are older we will go more, but even then I have enough Beckers that I could have a carry rotation. It's such the first world problem to have too much good steel and too little opportunity to use it.
 
Yeah, I get to this point from time to time then I have a purge sale of all nonusers and start over. I think I am close to that now. Mulling over selling 1/2 my collection actually. I think being afraid to mess up your higher end pieces is very common.
 
Only "safe queens" I have are family heirlooms, for fear of losing them with the exception of a CRK Yarborough, for fear of damaging it.
 
Edm1 said:
I can't keep many knives unused. I want to carry and use them all. I do have a few fixed blades I havent used because I havent had the chance.
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This does speak to just how great the Rat in D2 really is to you in the real world vs the others on paper. I've been battling this and trying to carry some of my other knives to see if they are actually as great as an edc as I think they are in my head.

For instance I've always disliked the PM2, I've had 4 diff ones. Never carried it. I've warmed up to my most recent one though. It doesn't excel in any category but it is a great all rounder...
 
All my knives are damaged, used, modified, lost, rusted... I call it personality :D...The only safe queens I have are really only of sentimental value and I never use them. The exception is a Bark River Aurora that I cant resolve myself to use from fear of damaging it :rolleyes:. I Got myself a Ka-bar MK1 for fun last week and it`s already out of warranty :confused:.
 
Thanks for your replies. I vow to carry each knife in rotation, reserving the right to not open a package bound with acres of duct tape :)
 
BruceMack said:
....and leave a PM2, Para 3, Manix 2, American Lawman CTS-XHP, Manly, Viator, and Ferrum Forge Gent and Crux in the knife tray.
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I also keep many of my knives that "might be used" or at least looked at/handled frequently in a tray. I think you're the first person to ever mention "knife tray" other than me. I use which ever knife I feel like using and don't care if some are never used. The problem is that I really like Vic SAKs and they cover most of my ordinary day to day knife tasks. The others.... knife tray... ;) Heading for the woods.... fixed blade, but they don't get used often there.
 
I understand the way you feel. I have some knives that I just can’t bring myself to imperfect and they’re only production knives lol. But pretty knives are pretty and I don’t blame you for preserving them
 
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