My friend's recent purchase

T

T.L.

Joined
Sep 20, 2012
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554
Many of you may have experienced something similar

All of my friends know I collect and thoroughly enjoy all kinds of knives. One friend in particular likes to handle my knives and see my new ones. However recently he really disappointed me. Without even asking for my advice he went out and bought a Gerber survival knife, I think it is the Prodigy, at some outdoors store for like $70 bucks which is about $20 more than Amazon (I could have purchased it for him for cheaper and free shipping). He told me in a text and message after he had already purchased it. He brought it over my house to show it off and I noticed he had already chipped the tip and rolled a portion of the edge to the point where I don't think the store would accept a return. He didn't even seem to notice that the blade was completely f**cked up. It literally looked like he had been stabbing a pile of loose dirt with rocks in it. I didn't want to tell him how extremely unimpressed I was because I know he was seeking my approval. :confused: So I said "sweet man! hope you like it!" I don't know how to tell him he made a bad decision without hurting his feelings, and I want him to have a knife that I can be proud of.
 
You live and you learn.

Also, your last statement doesnt make much sense to me.
T.L. said:
I want him to have a knife that I can be proud of.
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If he's proud of the knife and enjoys using it, why would it matter to you?

Why not help him straighten and resharpen it?

Also, maybe tell him about the forums so that he can read up and get more acquainted with different options.
 
dartheo said:
If he's proud of the knife and enjoys using it, why would it matter to you?
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You bring up a good point. I should have stressed how much it seemed he was seeking my approval. I just remember being much happier when I bought my first knife, but then again I became addicted shortly afterwards.

I did fix the rolled edge but I didn't have enough time to work on the tip. This happened a few weeks ago and he has since taken the knife to Pennsylvania with him. You are right though if he likes it I can't be that disappointed. I guess I would have enjoyed helping him make a better decision and I know he would have been happier with any of my choices. I know this because I showed him some Ka Bars and his eyes almost visibly lit up.
 
Knives are different things to different people. Many people, like those who occupy this forum, tend to look upon knives as valuable (and sometimes precious) tools, collectables, treasures. But a lot of people in this world look upon a knife as nothing more than a "cool toy", something to play with, throw at trees, etc. Or a disposable tool, something to be used and abused, even destroyed without mercy, if that's what it takes to get the job done.

Try as you might you can't force your attitude towards knives onto others, even friends.

Sometimes with friends we have to walk a fine line between wanting to educate/help them, and not wanting to offend/insult them. Sometimes we just have to let our friends be who they are and hope that eventually they will learn on their own.
 
Everyone has their own personal preference with knives.

He MIGHT be happy with your suggestions, but he also may be happy with a knife that he can beat up and not have a second thought about.

My comfort zone is <$100, mostly even <$50. While I completely appreciate 'high-end' knives. I think I'd be subconsciously paranoid about damaging them.
 
I used to be like you dartheo and was very hesitant to make the jump to knives costing between 100 - 300 dollars. I thought they were so nice I would be scared to use them and they would just be expensive safe queens.... Until I bought my first ZT. LOL something clicked opposite in my head and my attitude is that they are worth the money and since I spent so much on it I am going to use it and get my money's worth out of it. I appreciate my nice things and don't abuse them but I do use them hard for what they are intended for, even surprised myself by doing so.
 
BrentD86 said:
I used to be like you dartheo and was very hesitant to make the jump to knives costing between 100 - 300 dollars. I thought they were so nice I would be scared to use them and they would just be expensive safe queens.... Until I bought my first ZT. LOL something clicked opposite in my head and my attitude is that they are worth the money and since I spent so much on it I am going to use it and get my money's worth out of it. I appreciate my nice things and don't abuse them but I do use them hard for what they are intended for, even surprised myself by doing so.
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I hope it doesnt click for me anytime soon... there's no way my wallet could handle that!
 
dartheo said:
but he also may be happy with a knife that he can beat up and not have a second thought about.
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I would have suggested a Ka Bar in 1095 which costs less and can take more of a beating so...

And doesn't my post tell you that the knife he bought can't take a beating? It chipped and rolled first use.
 
You're right that there are better options out there.

I got side-tracked, my main point is.. don't be concerned with his taste in knives.

It never hurts to throw your opinion about what you like, but leave it at that imho.
 
I have had this very same experience with so many people who purport to like knives its not funny. I used to get pedantic about good, steels and brands after I discovered and learnt more about knives. There was once a time, not too long ago, when I would have been proud to own a Gerber BG knife. At least your friend bought a Gerber. A recognized (if not too respected currently) company with the name of a recognized survival expert on it. Few people have anything to compare Bear Grylls to and his TV show was both pioneering and highly rated. In economic terms these things increased his willingness to pay and made him spend the extra $20. Plus, had he asked you before he threw down the green, I am certain you would have pointed him the right way. But that never happens, does it. Getting all advisory on someone after they have spent the money usually hurts them and possibly you in the bargain. You pretty much did the right thing IMHO
 
If you were really his friend you'd have given him a bit more guidance in the first place.

:p Just teasing... it happens, he was excited and bought something cool-looking... who hasn't?

Invite him and his knife over to cut stuff, and help him make the best of what he's got - beef up the edge or thin it out, advise him to be more precise or more aggressive with it, as the situation warrants. Help him have fun with it, then show him other knives that might be better for what he needs. Don't bore him to tears with alphabet-soup and esoteric features.

If everyone bought the perfect knife their first time out, the whole industry would wither on the vine. :D
 
This is what a guy I know bought recently:

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I was pretty happy with these before I found the forums...

I have "better" ones now but I'm still not as happy as I was before. Ignorance IS bliss...:D

chinaknives.jpg
 
we all have to lie at times but make up for it in the long run. even tougher than the OP's experience is receiving a knife gift from a non-knife person. imagine that? my wife and sister-in-law gifted me with knives because they knew of my obsession. good or not, a well-intentioned gift is something you should should feel thankful for.
 
Actually, the Gerber Prodigy doesn't look too bad for a beginner. Easy to sharpen, tough, 420HC steel. Full tang with a big, chunky grip. I haven't owned a Gerber in years, and they aren't the best knives but it will serve him just fine.
 
TriviaMonster said:
Actually, the Gerber Prodigy doesn't look too bad for a beginner. Easy to sharpen, tough, 420HC steel. Full tang with a big, chunky grip. I haven't owned a Gerber in years, and they aren't the best knives but it will serve him just fine.
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I would have been fine with his decision but I mentioned that he payed $70 bucks for it, when I could have gotten it between $40-$50 AND he would have Amazon's return policy rather than some stinky, failing outdoors store.

I have the Buck 119 Special in 420HC and it is definitely good steel when it is hardened correctly and has an even bevel, but I just can't stand behind Gerber after everything I've seen and heard, especially at 40% mark-up from the online price.

dartheo suggested "you live an you learn" which I guess is the process my friend has just begun. I wish I could quicken the process without coming off as a know-it-all or making him feel stupid. (background info, my friend is a proud Greek and was the pledge master of his fraternity, so he is extremely inclined to arguments and verbal conflict)
 
james terrio said:
If you were really his friend you'd have given him a bit more guidance in the first place.

:p Just teasing... it happens, he was excited and bought something cool-looking... who hasn't?

Invite him and his knife over to cut stuff, and help him make the best of what he's got - beef up the edge or thin it out, advise him to be more precise or more aggressive with it, as the situation warrants. Help him have fun with it, then show him other knives that might be better for what he needs. Don't bore him to tears with alphabet-soup and esoteric features.

If everyone bought the perfect knife their first time out, the whole industry would wither on the vine. :D
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If you were REALLY his friend you would've given him a knife!
 
Sometimes even if you give them advice they still won't listen. I recently found out a buddy of mine was in search for an "EDC" but he knew nothing about knives. He did some quick research on his own and decided he wants either a cold steel or a SOG. I advised him to take a look at the spydercos (para 2, manix 2, delica) and he completely ignored it and bought what he wanted anyways.
 
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