Knives that speak...

namaarie

namaarie

Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
1,499
For me, an important aspect of whether or not a knife is right is how it speaks to me. I know, that sounds corny, but I'm serious. My favorite knives are not necessarily my best, but when I hold them, they feel like they were made for me. Like they want to be in my hand. Kind of like a loyal pet, they're just right for me.

My most recent knife really surprised me. I finally bit the bullet and got a Chris Reeve Sebenza. Wow, what a knife. I didn't expect too much character from a production, titanium-handled piece, but I was pleasantly surprised. It spoke to me right out of the box and has been in my pocket ever since. :)

I'd say that, my Sebenza and my 16.5" BAS that Yangdu picked out are my most talkative and my most prized.

How about everybody else? Which of your weapons "speak?" :)

Chris
 
All of my knives speak to me...but I'm probably borderline certifiable:p They all have different personalities and voices. I have some that just ooze a vibe of bloodshed. You just know that they are going to bite you if ever given the opportunity. I also have some really loyal knives that just feel safe and protective.

My first khuk, a 15" Kumar Villager model feels like it would never let me down. Like it KNOWS that I own it. I have a Seax that bites me every chance it gets. Right on the tips of my fingers. I have an odd ball M43 that just feels crazy. I don't like to turn my back on it, and I keep it upstairs. No jokin:eek:
I have a very strong vibe coming from my new chit bowie. I haven't figured it out yet, but there is something special about this one
 
From the days when he lived in Davenport and handmade his knives.
Dad took me out one late december day for breakfast and suggested we stop off at a little house nearby. Inside was his showroom and I fell in love with that expensive little devil.
Now Boye lives somewhere in the mountains of AZ and seems to only sell small folders with synthetic handles that look like they have no soul. I hear they cut really good, but just lack aesthetics.
 
There are a few. My first khuk, a big WWII by Kumar. It speaks of confidence and quiet strength. My 15" AK, the little engine that could. When a job doesn't require the mass of the WWII this little guy says "I can do it". A Camillus USMC, this one stikes me as more...sneaky? grim? Sinister? And a Reflections of Asia batangas bolo. It's like a steadfast hardworking friend who's not afraid to cover your back in a tight spot.

Frank
 
My three-blade Kabar pocket knife, my first knife. Its source, my father, speaks through it.

Eric
 
All three of my HI khuk's are prized, but the one which really has an affect on me is my 21.5" horn-handled Chitlangi by Sher.

The way the handle is shaped and the size of it...it fits my hand like it was made intentionally for me. The balance and weight is absolutely perfect for me. The first time I touched it I felt more like I had been reunited with it instead of scoring it on a Deal 0f The Day.

And it has a sort of protective aura about it. I used to think if TSHTF, my 20" Ang Khola (by Kumar) would be my Khukuri-of-choice for surviving WW3. Now I don't think so. The Chitlangi must be with me.

I early on had the impression that the Ang Khola and the Chitlangi were kin to each other somehow and liked being near each other when not in use... then I later find out Sher and Kumar are brothers...



Another favorite is my old beat-up Camillus "kabar" knife. I've had it forever and put it through all sorts of use and abuse and it's never let me down.
 
I agree Chris. I've mentioned the 'soul' of a knife before. I think the knives I tend to carry are dependable friends. I look for curves. And I don't fix 'personality' that the blade achieves during use. (Except edge damage)
 
I would agree with the M-43 feeling. My BAS feels like a california Surfer Stoner...... I can just hear it saying "no problemo Dude"

On the other hand my M-43 just feels plain dangerous....Kinnda like a rabid hungry wolf......that blade just feels like it wants to destroy something for whatever reason but mainly just for sheer destructions sake.

My Museum Model is like the professional and experienced 200lb bar bouncer. Displined, but more than willing to put a serious hurt on ya if ya mess with it. BTW it bit Yangdu.

All are serious knives that will get the job done but they have diffrent personalities in how they will do it.

Marc Adkins

Steely_Gunz said:
All of my knives speak to me...but I'm probably borderline certifiable:p They all have different personalities and voices. I have some that just ooze a vibe of bloodshed. You just know that they are going to bite you if ever given the opportunity. I also have some really loyal knives that just feel safe and protective.

I have an odd ball M43 that just feels crazy. I don't like to turn my back on it, and I keep it upstairs. No jokin:eek:
I have a very strong vibe coming from my new chit bowie. I haven't figured it out yet, but there is something special about this one
Click to expand...
 
I've a few knives that speak. My Kumar WWII (my first HI), a Sher 18" AK graciously provided by Sarge ... a couple of knives which were my late father's, and one I made from an old file of his.

For me, objects get more value as they accumulate use. Their social value to me - reminding me of people, of events etc., enhances their use value.

t
 
The blades that beckon I use them most are my Opinel #6, Maynard Linder Fish River ulu, Sgt. Khadka Samsher, and Valiant Trading Company Survival Golok L. My Valiant parang lading and Tora Dui Chirra want to be used too, but they're too pretty... and I've got other blades in similar size classes to beat around.
 
Not so much, although I have a couple of oldies that I wish could speak.

I do have some that can keep me as entertained as any Wilbur Smith book though, just thinking about what they've seen. The knife my grandfather carried through WW2, an old post WW2 Jarvenpaa Puukko, etc. Some of them are just filled with pleasant memories, such as the Chicago Cutlery Stockman my father gave me when I was fifteen.

Right now I'm wishing either a BRKT Nebula or Bravo-1 would speak, so I can decided which to keep!
 
Also, I forgot to mention my BRKT Aurora. BEAUTIFUL burled wood handle, full convex grind, fits my hand well, and the sheath even has a useful loop for a firesteel. It's a comforting knife. It says, "No matter what happens out here, you just gotta have me and your wits, and we'll make it."

I love this stuff! :D

Chris
 
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