No more CRK safe queens!

Tasmaniac

Tasmaniac

Incurable Bladeaholic
Joined
Feb 18, 2011
Messages
793
I will reluctantly admit that I have tended to coddle my ever-growing collection of CRKs. I have a couple of designated users, but most of them have stayed in the safe and have only been fondled.

Well, that practice is going to stop. I recently acquired a large 21 at Blade with raindrop damascus and ebony inlays. It's the best-looking member of my collection and it has particular meaning attached to it as the box was signed by Mr. Reeve. This morning I thought to myself, why don't you just carry this beauty rather than acting like Gollum with his "precious". That led to a decision to carry and use ALL of them. If and when they acquire character from being used, so much the better.

I suspect based on what I've read in this forum that many of you have either had a similar epiphany or you bought them with the express intent of carrying and using them. However, it took me six years to come to this realization.

Your thoughts on this topic (which I do realize has probably been discussed many, many times) are very much welcome. Just thought I'd share my recent revelation. :D
 
I am still very much on the fence on how I feel about using exceedingly pretty knives. I used to be one that thought, if you bought it, you should use it (if it makes you happy). Now I am not so sure. I've carried, fearlessly used, and sharpened a Damascus CF Sebenza for just about a year now. That made me think "if I can use this like it's cheap, why should I be worried about any knife I carry?" Well now, every time I look at my recently acquired UG Damascus Sebenza, I think to myself "you have other knives that are already well used, why mark it up?" I have cut things with the UG, mostly paper and plastic, and I feel like it might be wiser to save the very pretty knives for light use and just use your dedicated users for the scar worthy jobs.
 
I have just recently reduced my small collection of 6 down to 2. My thinking was that I only need two, a large and a small. The others never get carried, either because they are to pretty or they don't fit my needs. So now I'm down to a plain Jain large with ladder Damascus for work carry, and a small ladder Damascus ladder CGG for weekends/going out. I find Damascus holds up extremely well to hard use.
 
I'm mainly talking about edge retention, and overall cutting performance. As far as the finish goes, it does tend to lighten and wear a bit. That doesn't really bother me though as it makes the knife mine.
 
flyingjon said:
I'm mainly talking about edge retention, and overall cutting performance. As far as the finish goes, it does tend to lighten and wear a bit. That doesn't really bother me though as it makes the knife mine.
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In which case you are spot on, my friend :) It does hold an edge pretty dang well huh?
 
Zeta33 said:
In which case you are spot on, my friend :) It does hold an edge pretty dang well huh?
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Oh yeah! I'd say it's on par with S35vn. I don't do any scientific tests but with my type of use I can tell little difference. I'd like to say it holds a working edge a hair bit longer but I'm not sure about that.
 
flyingjon said:
Oh yeah! I'd say it's on par with S35vn. I don't do any scientific tests but with my type of use I can tell little difference. I'd like to say it holds a working edge a hair bit longer but I'm not sure about that.
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Every person I've talked to on here about that has agreed. The DT blades do seem to hold their edge longer than S35vn. Hopefully OP finds our back and forth useful :D
 
Zeta33 said:
Every person I've talked to on here about that has agreed. The DT blades do seem to hold their edge longer than S35vn. Hopefully OP finds our back and forth useful :D
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I find it extremely useful! I'm already thinking that actually using my damascus 21 is bold talk for a two-eyed old man.
 
Zeta33 said:
Every person I've talked to on here about that has agreed. The DT blades do seem to hold their edge longer than S35vn. Hopefully OP finds our back and forth useful :D
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I'm glad to hear I'm not alone! I myself used to baby DT blades but have realized that they're really a useable work of art! Not worthy of being safe queens at all. [emoji4]
 
Tasmaniac said:
I find it extremely useful! I'm already thinking that actually using my damascus 21 is bold talk for a two-eyed old man.
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I'm glad!

Well, see on your plain jane Damascus model, the blade will hold up to use aesthetically better than anything else on the knife. Guaranteed you will see snail trails and handle scratches long before the blade does. When the damascus scars from use, the great thing is that the scratches fade into subtlety as the etching of the damascus blade starts to wear. There are shiny scratches I got on my blade last year that have vanished over time. Most scratches and wear will only ever show up in the etching itself!

Example

Scratches from several months ago...

IMG_20141103_234037.jpg


and two weeks ago

upload_-1.jpg


I understand the position and lighting are different you get the point.

edit: just realized that your inlay model is the one in question. Everything I said still applies however, I would be even less worried about the ebony inlay model. There's just less exposed Ti that is likely to be scratched up and I have yet to hear of wood inlays taking on notable damage under regular use.
 
I don't believe in safe queens in guns or knives. I get some folks are collectors of art. That's what you basically have if you buy nice knives and leave them in the safe. You have art that isn't even on display for others to enjoy or for you to enjoy readily. I mean that's fine if that's your thing. However, I have always found once I determine over time that something isn't getting used I sell/trade it for something I will use.

Side note - I have never considered a Damascus blade but this thread makes me consider one .... for a user though. :D
 
Every CRK (3 so far) has been bought with use in mind, although they aren't exceptionally "pretty" knives. I think I would love them so much less if I never did any work with them.

I am looking to order a Ladder damascus blade for a small micarta insingo that I received today, and I would absolutely love to use it! The wait time is gonna be a while, though. :P
 
Zeta33 said:
just realized that your inlay model is the one in question. Everything I said still applies however, I would be even less worried about the ebony inlay model. There's just less exposed Ti that is likely to be scratched up and I have yet to hear of wood inlays taking on notable damage under regular use.
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That's reassuring. The only other inlay I have is micarta and I was worried about the ebony. I'm just not going to stress about it too much. As far as the blade, I'm not overly concerned after reading the great comments on this thread, though I don't think I'm going to be using it for sheet rock work or anything. :)
 
Zeta33 said:
I'm glad!

Well, see on your plain jane Damascus model, the blade will hold up to use aesthetically better than anything else on the knife. Guaranteed you will see snail trails and handle scratches long before the blade does. When the damascus scars from use, the great thing is that the scratches fade into subtlety as the etching of the damascus blade starts to wear. There are shiny scratches I got on my blade last year that have vanished over time. Most scratches and wear will only ever show up in the etching itself!

Example

Scratches from several months ago...

IMG_20141103_234037.jpg


and two weeks ago

upload_-1.jpg


I understand the position and lighting are different you get the point.

edit: just realized that your inlay model is the one in question. Everything I said still applies however, I would be even less worried about the ebony inlay model. There's just less exposed Ti that is likely to be scratched up and I have yet to hear of wood inlays taking on notable damage under regular use.
Click to expand...

Like this? [emoji3]
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1435178896.448361.jpg
 
I have a problem with not using pieces I value highly, but when I bought my one and only Sebenza I told myself that I would ONLY buy it if I was going to carry and use it. I'm so glad I did. You never know what life holds for you and you could die tomorrow. How bad would it suck if you crocked and never carried your favorite knife!

I respect both sides of the fence though and I still have collector pieces (non Sebenza) that I do not plan on carrying.
 
Carrying my new 25 Damascus daily. Planning on bringing it w/ me to California next week for some backpacking. Glad to see there's other "users" out there.
 
Hatts off!
My users are more basic; then i found - the more i use, the more i enjoy.
red mag
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
I have a problem with not using pieces I value highly, but when I bought my one and only Sebenza I told myself that I would ONLY buy it if I was going to carry and use it. I'm so glad I did. You never know what life holds for you and you could die tomorrow. How bad would it suck if you crocked and never carried your favorite knife!
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+1 for sure.

In the past, I have lost every valuable possession to my psycho ex-wife who stole all my stuff, including some VERY valuable knives, lights, guns, etc... that I had never used due to their value and collectability.

Never again. I use my high-value stuff now. No shelf queens for anything. Ever. Tomorrow may never come.

Plan for tomorrow, but live for today. USE your CRK's, folks. You honor Mr. Reeve and all he has done for us when you do. :)
 
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