Knives making a comeback?

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Gideons

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Hey BF,

Are knives starting to make a comeback? I was searching articles to see who else had written articles about EDCing knives, and was surprised to see articles from companies like GQ & New york times, also on youtube many guys whom live in the city that could be considered "hipsters" liking knives and talking about carrying them. To many, it is almost a fashion accessory to some "hipsters" now a day. Anybody else noticed this trend?


EDIT: I should clarify, that I'm not talking about how functional knives are, or their place in the history of mankind. I'm talking about the social acceptability of knives.
-Gideons
 
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Ya, the 'fashion accessory' knife guys always seem to pair up their custom flippers with a damascus flashlight, a tactical / bolt action pen, a brass knuckle keychain, prybar, and some sort of spinner or top. And they've got custom beads hanging off everything. It's not my bag, but it is beautifully made gear... and not cheap by any means.

Instagram is full of this sort of thing. Worth checking out. I'm not a fan of the colorful Timascus for myself, but it's a work of art when executed well.
 
I'm not sure about making a comeback ... I think they have always been relevant and used by those that live in areas and work in professions and take part in activities where knives are very useful tools.

But I have noticed some news broadcasts or articles about pocket knives and how some that have never probably carried or used knives other than in the kitchen ... are starting to carry certain knives ... and as you stated more of a fashion accessory than a tool ... so I do think GQ and some other media is writing articles about carrying knives and refering to them as "man essential items" as most men from past generations carried a pocket knife always.

I noticed a tv show about entertainment and they showed Steve Austin showing he carried a Sebenza ... and then someone in a suit (I can't remember who) ... that had a nice looking small traditional but I didn't catch what brand it was.

So I think it might be a passing fad for a section of the population that hadn't normally carried knives.

JJ
 
I didn't realize knives had been down recently. In fact, the last ten years or so the plethora of knives of all types, sizes, country of origin, and price that have flooded the market is staggering. There are more knives out there than ever before IMO.

Not sure I'd take the sign of hipsters carrying knives as a good thing.
 
I didn't know they ever went anywhere. Nearly every man and woman I know carries some sort of knife.

Rich
 
It's geographical, knives have always been around and the people I associate with have always carried more than one knife daily. Is it man jewelry? Sure it can be and that's nothing new. Here's an EDC from the mid 1800s, you can't look at that and tell me it wasn't meant to be man jewelry back then. This is the epitome of what jewelry is,

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Early 1900s

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Oh and in answer to the OPs op, no I don't think they're makin' a comeback, I don't think they ever left.
 
As long as I've been alive, I've been around knives or know someone who has been around knives so no, I don't think they ever left as well.
 
For me it never went away but I think there has been a resurgence the last few years. I think the prepper/zombie apocalypse/survival scenarios that are popping up on youtube, tv, etc are helping drive the gear and knife products to a bigger audience.

I started carrying a pocketknife at 15 or so. My Grandpas and Dad both carried one and they gifted me one. I've been carrying a knife for the last 30 years.
 
Honestly I have noticed a surge in recent years of the social acceptability of knives, and I do like it. Even like 7 years ago when I started collecting knives, they weren't super socially acceptable, but contrast that with today I'm seeing most guys have a pocket knife on them, and a lot of women are even starting to carry them.

I'd say knives were never out, so to speak, but they sure as hell are in now.
 
I was thinking about this the other day. Practicality vs. the fad and fun of having knives. Humans seem to "play barbie" with all kinds of stuff. We all just about have to have transportation, shoes, clothes, etc. But man... look at all the fads and styles and options of all these things. And it's all just for the fun and enjoyment of the variety and style. With knives in particular I think it's really cool if it's becoming or is a fad.

A guy or chick walking around sporting a dog gone tool like high dollar designer stuff (cause it is) almost seems like something you'd do if you were a medieval knight fresh from the black smith with a shiny new sword, and you know the Samurai made their's stylish...This knife fad, to me, is just about the modern version of that and it's really cool.

"Cool" or not wire doesn't skin itself, neither do deer or fish. and if they do I don't want 'em ;)
 
It's obvious that carrying knives in an urban setting in America has become unusual enough that hipsters view it as anachronistic and outside of the mainstream, hence their adoption of the practice. I agree with the guy who wrote this article. I don't care why they're doing it, I'm just glad to see more people carrying and using knives. :thumbsup:

http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2015/07/will-hipsters-save-the-pocketknife/
 
Korean Hog said:
I was thinking about this the other day. Practicality vs. the fad and fun of having knives. Humans seem to "play barbie" with all kinds of stuff. We all just about have to have transportation, shoes, clothes, etc. But man... look at all the fads and styles and options of all these things. And it's all just for the fun and enjoyment of the variety and style. With knives in particular I think it's really cool if it's becoming or is a fad.

A guy or chick walking around sporting a dog gone tool like high dollar designer stuff (cause it is) almost seems like something you'd do if you were a medieval knight fresh from the black smith with a shiny new sword, and you know the Samurai made their's stylish...This knife fad, to me, is just about the modern version of that and it's really cool.

"Cool" or not wire doesn't skin itself, neither do deer or fish. and if they do I don't want 'em ;)
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Oh man you're gonna be missing out. Soon we're going to get some of those fancy genetically modified deer that once you take them down their skin and guts just pop off like an airbag. The future of hunting! Haha.
 
This has been going on since the beginning of "EDC lifestyle" brands, knife price mania for work by unknown makers on instagram, etc. In my opinion (or perhaps just my hope) that the mania peaked about a year ago, when I saw a slab-sided titanium framelock went for $20k at a show, and Bob Terzuola did a bit of public eyerolling. It's my hope, because I think the mania is driving up MSRP/MAP for positioning folders as "veblen" goods, and driving a wedge between quality and functionality.

All that said, I do think it's nice that people are returning to concerns about owning things of real quality. It's the most redeeming aspect of the "millennial" generation. Many a poor twentysomething today would rather spend $35 on a beat-up vintage Buck from a flea market, than some piece of modern junk. I think that's great.
 
When i see the whole hipster thing, i see, lumberjack, nature, axes, knives, manual operation of stuff, vintage, beards, flannels, leather, and camping.

So to me, it does seem knives are a comeback of sorts for thus type of culture.

Im not sure if... normal, everyday, non-hipster urban people are into this though. So i guess it is making a come back on a very small scale.
 
Riz! said:
When i see hipsters, I see dudes that look like luberjacks but have never once swing an axe, killed their own food, or camped for real.
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Yes. I think the whole point is to seem... sort of clean & modern lumberjack. Not sure how that works.
 
I dont think knives are making a comeback. They never left. Instagram is just making exposure to anything faster than ever.

Like a picture with a knife in it and it blows up your feed with knives. Then like a pic with a hot girl and it blows up your feed with hot chicks. A couple days later suddenly it is now showing you hot chicks with knives!
 
I did see a book about the venerable SAK in a Chapters the other day... but it lacked anything about sharpening! Go figure.
 
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