New to traditionals with a question

[wroughndt]

I recently decided that I need some traditional knives. Last week I did some trading for a couple of Case knives and ordered a Rough Rider sunfish. The real surprise was the sunfish, I had read and had been warned about the stiff pull on them. The pull is actually very light and it came hair popping sharp. Not bad for a $15 knife. My dilemma is that the bottom Case in the picture is a 1988. It is in very good condition and appears to have never been used or sharpened. Should I carry it and let it get all scratched up? I don't have any other knives that are safe queens. I think I will feel bad if it made it a quarter of a century unscathed, only to have my put an edge on it and use it for cutting boxes, plastic, animals, etc. I. Sure this has been covered many times but what do you guys think? Here is a picture of the knife at hand:

 

[9blades]

I think if you want to go ahead or just use another knife and have a safe queen!

 

[quattromori]

Welcome to the coolest BF subforum
Disclaimer: this is a very personal answer. You, and only you, should decide whether to use the knife or not.
I think that, unless you are a collector (therefore willing to preserve a knife in mint condition), or unless you stumble into a rare and/or old knife (which should be preserved for historical reasons), any knife should be used. I don't think your Case stockman to belong in any of the two exceptions, therefore I would use carry and use it.

Fausto

 

[wouldestous]

i have no advice to offer on the old knife, but i am in fact pleased to hear that you got a rough rider sunfish that opened ok.
i was looking at some in a store and the secondary blade was so terribly hard to open that i abandoned entirely the idea of buying one. perhaps i will revisit the pattern sometime. i think its an interesting pattern.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I agree, to use or to just look is a very personal decision. I respect those who can hold on to something to preserve it. But I've learned I want to get the flavor from it. And the only way to get the taste is to use it. I don't think much harm can be done by using your knife.

But only you can decide.

Dale

 

[wroughndt]

Thanks for the quick replies! Quattromori, I think you summed it up well and told me what I wanted to hear. I think I will get over the scratches pretty quick. I might just put an edge on it and bring it to work with me tomorrow.

 

[Jack Black]

1988? I've got socks older than that! No, really!

I'm sure you'll only add a bit of chracter to this knife Wroughndt, a shame it's been unused so long.

Welcome to Traditionals

Jack

 

[Knife-Nutty]

Sounds more like that knife has been dieing to get out and live! An un touched and unused tool is like a misfit toy waiting for santa claus, i agree its personal but i don't think your the person whos gunna "mess it up" but instead the privaleged (chosen?) one who finaly gets to use her!

 

[dannyp]

I think Fausto summed it up pretty well. The only other reason I can think of for not using a knife is because of sentimental value such as something passed down from a family member. Of course in that case it is unlikely to still be in new condition. I wouldn't worry about using it, there are plenty of people here who regularly use knives more than twice that age.

 

[Brian.Evans]

Yes, twice that age---1936-52:

Or even four times that age 1909-1920:

I will echo the above, unless it is a one of the kind that should be saved for posterity, sharpen it and carry it. I carry both of those above. Neither are particularly valuable or special, just older. Use them man!

 

[markpmc]

Sharpen it and use it. I have a 42yo Uncle Henry stockman in my rotation. Sharpen it up and help it meet it's destiny as a cutting tool.

 

[FarmKid]

Use the trapper! Great looking knives!

 

[TLARbb]

1988? I've got socks older than that! No, really!

I'm sure you'll only add a bit of chracter to this knife Wroughndt, a shame it's been unused so long.

Welcome to Traditionals

Jack

Jack, They're not collectors items, are they? To wear or not to wear...

If I've got any socks that old, they're lost and been that way for that long.

Anyway, the Case knife will make a fine user. Won't be a high dollar collector item until sometime after Case goes out of business, if they do. It is a nice stockman, but I'd use it if it were mine. If I had two just alike I might put one up to have a spare or a special gift down the road.

Ed J

 

[wroughndt]

I should check my threads more! I went ahead and did it, put a killer edge on it on packed it with me to work today. I took a picture but photobucket isn't cooperating. It's funny, I never think twice about batoning or chopping with $200-$400 custom fixed blades but the thought of scratching this Case got to me. Really though, what good is it not being used? I'm sure when I'm gone, my son would rather have a knife that I packed around and put to use then a safe queen. Thank you gentlemen for helping me find my man pants. They feel great.