Mona Lisas and Couches

[Megalobyte]

OK, now that i have your attention, i have a question. As a relatively new admirer of high-end custom knives, i have come to keenly appreciate their form, fine materials and often flawless workmanship. How on earth can you actually USE one of these beautifully crafted pieces of fine art as a tool? I would rather be disected and pickled alive by curious aliens than actually use and damage one of my custom beauties. Using one of these masterpieces as a tool simply because it happens to resemble a knife is like using the Mona Lisa to reupholster your couch because it happens to be a piece of fabric. How can you guys do it, i know i cant, and i cant imagine this ever changing. Surely there are knives better suited to use as actual cutting tools. Surely these beautiful objects arent meant to be used and in effect destroyed?---Ari

 

[TorzJohnson]

At the risk of sounding pedantic (and also neatly sidestepping your point entirely) I believe I read somewhere that the Mona Lisa was painted on wood.

 

[dsvirsky]

Simple rule of thumb, as far as I'm concerned: if it brings you pleasure to use it, then you should; if it brings you more pleasure to leave it pristine in a display case, then that's fine, too.

There are some knives that are intended to be art pieces (saw some great ones at the Blade Show); on the other hand, there are other beautiful, functional knives out there that, while just as expensive, are intended by the maker to be used.

 

[redvenom]

For "using" knives, I figure if i do not use them, when I am dead and gone, the next owner may be using my carefully babied $500 customs to scrape barnacles of a boat. The first scratch is the killer though. After that, the knife usually works a whole lot better.

Andrew Limsk

 

[YoungCutter]

Depends on the knife.

"Art Knives" I don't buy and could never use.
But I believe that certain customs are "happiest" when used, I was looking over a picture of a Simonich S30V Combat Raven and noted that in spite of it's incredible workmanship and $300 price tag, I don't feel I'd have any trouble using it because it just CALLS to be used.
Some knives are just like that.