Knives you've tried out, from beyond your "comfort zone "

DocJD

DocJD

Basic Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
11,772
:) This is not about any particular knife or type of knife or brand .

It's about trying out something beyond your normal experience .

Taking a risk on something new to you . Maybe from boredom or just curiosity .

I can give some examples that apply only to me , but I wonder about how this process might work for others .
*************************************************************************
Just today , I received my very first "keychain" type knife . Never had one before in my life .

It was cheap , used but like new and I decided to give it a whirl , on impulse .

I know many here have them and seem to enjoy their use .

Never had any appeal to me before , for many reasons . But it's something new to experience .

Maybe it will become a new area of interest for me ...or just a learning experience .
*************************************************************************
Recently ( another example ) of my personal deviation from my normal , was the acquisition of two large size SAKs . Both RangerGrip models .

Never had any SAK before or wanted one , but I kinda like these big ones .


It's very easy to get into a rut , at least for me . Trying new things is always a risk but can also be rewarding . ;)
 
For me, the first one is the Voyager XL. Before that knife I generally limited myself to folding knives with 3” to 4” blades.

I’m really glad I picked up that knife. It carries surprisingly well for a large knife, I like the Aus10a steel, and it gives you a lot of cutting edge for everyday tasks. The butt end sticks out a bit when you use the pocket clip, but it doesn’t scream big blade to unfamiliar eyes. I love it.
 
DangerZone98 said:
For me, the first one is the Voyager XL. Before that knife I generally limited myself to folding knives with 3” to 4” blades.

I’m really glad I picked up that knife. It carries surprisingly well for a large knife, I like the Aus10a steel, and it gives you a lot of cutting edge for everyday tasks. The butt end sticks out a bit when you use the pocket clip, but it doesn’t scream big blade to unfamiliar eyes. I love it.
Click to expand...
Ironically , your XL Voyager is more like my "normal " . :p
 
I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about, but I like to try out new locking technology...

Over the years I have bought and tried so many locking folders:
Lock back
Liner lock
Frame lock
SNAP lock
Compression lock
Button lock
LAWKS
Opinel collar lock
Axis lock
Arc lock
Neeley lock
Rollock
Phantom lock
Ball Bearing lock
BladeLOCK
Piston lock
And some that I have forgotten.

Some were brilliant, and some, not so brilliant.
But if I see another new (to me) lock for a folder...I'll probably buy one, unless the price is just too rich for me.
 
All my knives now are something different for me.
I got rid of almost all my folders and decided to carry fixed blades.
Don't really know why; maybe I just got tired of having my pocket weighed down.
Getting used to having a sheath strapped to my belt.

I also went away from 'traditional' blade types and now carry Wharnclifffes almost exclusively.
There are also some 'odd' blade shapes and handle materials I was able to try going to fixed.
 
Not long after joining this forum is was a two handed non locking folder, then a while later came a much smaller folder than I really liked before and more so carrying just that small knife by itself when I never thought of anything that small as a capable primary EDC knife.

Now all my folders are two handed traditional pocket knives and lately I'm gravitating to even smaller knives lately.
I stepped out of my comfort zone to try these relatively smaller two handed traditional pocket knives and never looked back.

I can admit that pocket clips are very convenient even though I no longer use knives with them but I truly don't miss the one hand opening.
 
allenC said:
I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about, but I like to try out new locking technology...

Over the years I have bought and tried so many locking folders:
Lock back
Liner lock
Frame lock
SNAP lock
Compression lock
Button lock
LAWKS
Opinel collar lock
Axis lock
Arc lock
Neeley lock
Rollock
Phantom lock
Ball Bearing lock
BladeLOCK
Piston lock
And some that I have forgotten.

Some were brilliant, and some, not so brilliant.
But if I see another new (to me) lock for a folder...I'll probably buy one, unless the price is just too rich for me.
Click to expand...
Thanks ! Yes , exactly what I'm talking about . Lock types , size , fixed vs folder , etc ...just whatever is different for you to explore .
 
I've always liked the unique, different, etc. I have bought out of my comfort zone, whether it be features, style, or price. Most I didn't keep.

Brian Tighe mini Tighe Rod: First and only $500+ knife. Sold it as it didn't fit my hand (curved handle was a bit short) and I needed to pay some bills.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley: My first Spyderco, my first +$100 knife, my first purchase since I joined BF. Still have it. It was $145 in 2013. I hemmed and hawed over the look of the round hole. But, it started my love for the brand.

Chambriard Le Thiers: I'd never been a traditional type guy, but I got an offer in trade. I wish I would have kept it. Beautiful knife. Still not into traditional folders, though I have a few.

Spyderco Jot Singh Khalsa: Another trade. WTF was I thinking? Truly hideous. Sold it.
 
DocJD said:
:) This is ...about trying out something beyond your normal experience .

Taking a risk on something new to you . Maybe from boredom or just curiosity .
... ;)
Click to expand...

tried the bk2
and it felt
so outta dis world.
i image this would
be exactly how it
feels using a mora
on jupiter or something.
naw, pass....mora forever :-)
 
The last knife I bought was a Maserin slipjoint from Collectorknives. Other then a SAK (I tend to use the tools more then the blade), I haven't carried a dedicated slip joint in 15+ years. I figured if I had to carry a knife, I might as well have a lock. The slipjoint I bought had some nice thick micarta handles and I've enjoyed carrying it.

I might try more slipjoints in the future. I'm glad to see more modern slipjoints with G10 and micarta. I don't like the look of stag or bone handles. Or a lot of writing on the blade. A GEC #97 with maroon micarta might be my next purchase.
 
I like a little bit of everything, so it’s hard to think of a knife I’ve bought that was off the wall. The most recent that comes to mind is the Kershaw Launch 12 I bought to occasionally carry. I won’t lie, despite the fact that it’s completely legal for me to carry, I always feel a bit nervous popping that one open in public.
 
x66YInA.jpg

DvmClBt.jpg


I've been a SAK user for many years, and once I realize SAK is just a modernized traditional, it's been a wonderful to rediscover all these wonderful patterns of Traditionals.
 
Like Hickory n steel Hickory n steel my biggest variance from my norm to that point in time was to try using and depending on smaller folding knives for normal day to day stuff. This happened a couple years ago evolved from almost always carrying a small and larger knife to carrying mostly a small knife. In my case, it's the Vic Small Tinker that I eventually settled on. To me it is quite small and it is sometimes accompanied by a larger modern knife. The second knife now is something I would choose now & then on a daily basis rather than just doing it.

I have purchased many folding knives just out of curiosity. But I don't know if I truly would call that stepping outside my usual box as at that time the "box" was developing preference. AO's and flippers really caught my attention, but eventually decided neither was what I want to carry.

The keychain multi-tool was definitely a step outside my normal preferences to that point. I had purchased a number of regular sized pliers-based multi-tools (MT), but really didn't want to carry one on a regular basis. (I do keep one in my truck all the time however, just not on my person.) Tried a few small things out of curiosity (tiny utility knives, pry bars, pliers, or the usual stuff we see). Settled on carrying a Leatherman Ps4 Squirt to the point of having one on each keychain (ones with car keys). So I pretty much have one with me most of the time. At present I am considering shifting to a non-bladed MT for edc use.

Regular carry of a small fixed blade was a definite stepping outside my habits.
 
There are collectors/enthusiasts who stick to one thing, and those that spread their collection out over a bunch of areas. For me, it's like what we tell my 4-year-old about eating new things: "you won't know if you like it if you don't try it." Honestly, it's frustrating for me when I can't try something new because it's sold out, sprint run, limited production, etc. But, there are lots of knife enthusiasts who buy dozens of the same model, like the ones who pick up every sprint run of a particular Spyderco knife. Or the ones who have hundreds of similar-looking traditional folders, and that's all they like. I find a lot of joy in the variety and novelty of trying different things, but if someone likes what they like, that's cool too.

Honestly, it's the same way in most collecting hobbies. Some people branch out, some people stick to one thing from the start, and some hunt around until they find something that works for them and then slow down.
 
In my experience, the best way to try out new designs/types of knives is to allow yourself to shop online at 3am after having way too many drinks. lol
 
I got bored with modern locking folders, and decided to try slipjoints. It started with an Alox Electrician, which has gone to work with me every day for the past two (three?) years.

I was pretty sure I didn't "need" another gee-whiz locking knife to do the things, and I was right. I'm full up on modern folders for now, so I collect old electrician's knives....
 
I agree with Orangeblue. My collection is extremely varied. The one thing I never could get into was fixed blades.

For me, even color and material variety is important. Hence my collection of folders;

nwlkXVP.jpg


Forgot this one

zeVRiKe.jpg
 
Last edited:
I got a BM-42 years ago. That was when a flipper was something else. After twirling it a few times, I put it away.
 
K.O.D. said:
I agree with Orangeblue. My collection is extremely varied. The one thing I never could get into was fixed blades.

For me, even color and material variety is important. Hence my collection of folders;

nwlkXVP.jpg


Forgot this one

zeVRiKe.jpg
Click to expand...
o_O At the risk of derailing my own thread , what's the story with that weird bullet tip in last pic ? :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top