No reason not to have a nice knife....

Jazzman

Jazzman

Joined
Jan 11, 2001
Messages
2,750
If you think about it, there really isn't any thing keeping people from having a nice or at least a semi decent knife. I came to this conclusion after my cousin showed me his newest "baby", a $5 Fury knife with a liner about as thick as a sheet of printer paper. At any rate, I thought, if he were to "splurge" and add another 3 bucks, he could have bought an SAK Sentry or another quality knife. If he really had his heart set on a tactical, he could have saved for a few weeks and bought an SOG AutoClip, Spydie Dragonfly, a CRKT, Kershaw Vapor (awesome knife for only 20 dollars!) or even a BM Mini Griptilian or Mini AFCK (eventually). It just seems that alot of knife companies are producing at least one or two pieces with fairly low prices. Why the hell would you want anything less?
Done with my rant,
Matt:rolleyes:
 
0206cg.JPG
 
Oh, forgot to mention....Mayo is the master of the nice knife!!!!
Those sebs are SWEET!!!
Matt:D
 
My wife and I have the same problem; we get something nice, and then worry about banging it up. The latest incident happened this weekend. We bought my wife a mid-priced suspension bicycle (to throw in a truck) so her 2,200 dollar racing bike doesn't get damaged on mundane trail rides.

I ordered a stout knife and I am selling off my "too pretty" knives and the junkers I bought to protect them.

I don't know how, but at some point the tools quit serving us and we start appeasing the tools. It drives me nuts (well, that's not fair, I am nuts, perhaps the right word is 'nuttier') because I really want useful implements.

Oh, that 11 year old pair of perfect Tony Lama boots, I'm gonna wear 'em, someday, I promise.
 
I have the same feeling about car bras. People buy the bra to "protect" the bumper, hood, etc. Now you are protecting it but you can't see it...And guess what happens when you remove it? The paint is now a different shade then the rest of the car and guess what??? The paint was damaged by the bra... Some protection. Should have just enjoyed it the way it came with the knowledge that it would get damaged no matter what. That's life.
 
But surely there are some knives that are too nice to use, and you appreciate them on a different level, not as a mere cutting tool, but as an all too rare example of ultimate precision, perfection and a level of craftsmanship no longer found in our cheap, mass produced world. Very few man made objects are finely enough crafted, with exceptional attention to detail and the use of fine materials to satisfy the perfectionist in us, the part of us that longs for something of extraordinary quality and beauty. Think of the very high-end customs, in my opinion, they are no longer merely knives, not mundane cutting instruments, but beautifully crafted pieces of fine artwork that happen to resemble a cutting tool. Personally, id rather have several exceptionally fine knives in a display case, than oil paintings on my walls, and there is nothing wrong with choosing to consider your finer knives art, and thus, they are not meant to use, but to be admired and appreciated for their beauty, form and precision, and as a doorway to the past, when artisans, exceptional craftsmanship and quality existed.
 
Megalobyte, if it was one or two knives, maybe I would agree. For me, it's severe 'mission creep.' I buy a knife, then a spare, then a third for a 'using knife,' then a Meadows case for the 'good' one, and then the company comes out with a new model and it starts all over again!

My knife hobby started out with a simple observation that I no longer had a stout pocket knife (my original Buck 110 had been given away) and I saw that 'those new knives' had pocket clips on them. Then I heard the word Microtech. Good thing I didn't hear the word Sebenza.

Last month I'd had it when I emptied my pockets. Too much crap and way too much metal. I posted a thread on weeding out the ballast and started to look for that one knife I could just pocket and forget about. Fortunately I ran into Mikemck and he gave me some advice over something he had bought.

Yes, I rather have knives than Picasso's but I was referring to knives that could be used to cut things, even wet, muddy, sand infested rope, my least favorite thing to cut. I'm getting better; my wife bought an electric weed whacker last night and when opening the box, my LCC was lying on the table.
 
Originally posted by gofastalot
I have the same feeling about car bras. People buy the bra to "protect" the bumper, hood, etc. Now you are protecting it but you can't see it...And guess what happens when you remove it? The paint is now a different shade then the rest of the car and guess what??? The paint was damaged by the bra... Some protection. Should have just enjoyed it the way it came with the knowledge that it would get damaged no matter what. That's life.
Click to expand...

My parents are famous for that sort of thing. Buy something nice and cover it up until it's old. Why bother...

Car bras are another story, sometimes, they enhance a car's "look". My Sunshine Yellow Beetle was a perfect example...

Chris
 
Ichabod,

I know the feeling. My knife collection typically hovers around the BM, MT, & Emerson level. Although those are very nice knives (to me, certainly), they are generally considered user knives. But, user knives or not, I've always had trouble using them and saved my good knives by carrying an extra blade. (Who knows where this mindset originates? Maybe from a childhood of learning to be frugal and having just enough but never too much.) Lately, I've sold a number of BM's and others and feel just fine with a 'user' Spydero Native in my pocket. Interestingly, I'm not this way with guns. A Kimber UC is my EDC because it offers what I want. Maybe the point of diminishing return is considerably easier to reach with knives. Be that as it may, I don't particularly like being this way about knives and would prefer to feel good about using a Sebenza every single day for everything (like many here do).
 
Yeah, it's an irrational problem many of us have. An opportunity came up for me to buy a new BMW M5 two years ago. It was a great deal, but I turned it down over the phone. I told my wife about it and she said something like "sure, I guess you're going to wait until you're 70 to buy one. Back on the phone and I bought it!

Then the problem came about driving it. I finally realized I didn't buy the M5 as a garage queen and I started driving it. About 24,000 miles later, it still looks close to new and I've had a great time driving the world's best performance sedan. I have no regrets; in fact, I'll see if I can't wear it out!

Now there's this Carson Model 4, carbon fiber scales, Talonite blade in my drawer that seems too nice for an EDC...I'm putting that sucker in my pocket right now!
 
Originally posted by Blade Santa Cruz
Now there's this Carson Model 4, carbon fiber scales, Talonite blade in my drawer that seems too nice for an EDC...I'm putting that sucker in my pocket right now!
Click to expand...

Sob...sob...that's beautiful man!!!!! It deserves to be used!!!
Matt
 
I solved the problem in a couple of ways...

1. I control myself. I don't buy very often.
2. I buy as nice as I can up to the level I can afford to <i>use</i>. I ask myself... If I ruin the knife and the maker will not replace it, can I afford to replace it, even barely? Also how likely is it that in EDC use in my context I will ruin the knife?
3. If I <b>KNOW</b> I'm going to <i>likely</i> be cutting things like sandy rope (or old wood in my case) or other really abrasive materials on any given day, I'll carry a much less expensive knife to do it.

Given this philosophy, and my income, my purchases end up in the $100 to $250 range (only my two Sebs. excede this price and they are my EDC folders) three to five times a year. I use these knives as much as I can - which is not much of each as I have so many now - and I have yet to ruin one.
 
The first "Tactical" type knife that I ever bought was a Benchmade Ascent 830. I've had it for several years now and I think I paid $49 for it. I had liked knives before I bought the BM but had not bought any new knives for many years, so tremendous evolutions had taken place since I had been interested in the market.

Since the Ascent I have bought over 20 other folders, and I always think the next one is really different, or cooler and I've just got to have something else. Each new knife will certainly replace all the other ones that I've got!

However, I still find myself carrying that Ascent quite often. Almost more than any other single blade. Well, it's one of my top four as far as time in the pocket goes. I have a Sebenza and many others that cost over $100. So why do I stick with the Ascent? It works, it has been there for me in the past, and is holding up just fine.

I think part of it is that I am sort of afraid to lose or destroy any of my more expenisve pieces. I don't know why though. I have never bought a knife that I didn't plan to USE.

I guess the advantage of buying something of good quality is that it will last you a long time! The good thing is that there are many companies that make good quality stuff at reasonable prices. Just look at the number of companies like Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, CRKT, etc. that make knives for $40 or $50 that could serve a person for an entire lifetime, if they took care of it with proper maintenance.

A few years ago my nephew was about 12 and looking to buy his first knife. He had about $25 and he just had to spend it on a knife. I tried to get him to save up just ten more so he could get a small Benchmade Ascent or Spyderco Delica type knife that would really be a lifetime treasure. Instead he used the money to buy two POS knock-off's. One of them cost him $12 and the other $3. The $12 one was very dull out of the box. He and I spent several hours on it and the thing just would not take an edge. The $3 one was somewhat sharp out of the box, but felt like if you'd squeeze it hard it would crush in your hand. My nephew took about 2 days to decide that he had wasted his money. He looked at my Spyderco Dragonfly and said with envy, "With my $25 I could have bought that!"
 
My whole take on this issue is one I learned from my Grandfather.

He always says the your worldly possesions should serve you.
My 91 Toyota pickup serves me, I don't serve it. I own it, it does not own me.

Same with my knife choices. Spyderco, Ka-Bar, Victorionox, Buck. Practical, simple and dependable. Good quality, but not so nice that one is afraid to use them.

The 300 dollar custom folder may be nice to look at, but IF I am afraid to use it, it owns me and I would have spent hard earned dollars on something that is in my worldview, useless.
 
Angus,

I disagree in part with your view. I'm an artist,and over the years as my skills became more refined and honed, the knives I like changed as well. That $300.00 knife you think will own you because you're to afraid to use, is an inspiration for me both as an artist and my spiritual being. In this world today there are knife makers who are on the level with all the revered artists who have stricken awe within us, from the beginning of time. I strive to view all things with more depth than just in monetary terms, and the beauty I've seen as I continue to "grow" must surely be the reason for life.
 
Both Lady Colt and Angus are good representations of at least two of the sides of the coin.

Practical usage...and... Artistic appreciation.

I think we probably all have a little of both, and it will influence us a little one way and a little the other as to what we will be attracted too.

What surprises me, is how much many of us actually struggle with the issue of "to use or not to use". How many thousands of dollars of knives between all of us are sitting on the shelf-neither used or displayed? Mostly from the fear of "ruining the value". Most of our grandfathers would have to work a year to purchase just one of our knives, I wonder if they could understand that we are afraid (some of us...)to use them, or if they knew we just displayed them?

Now, my perspective is of someone who makes around $40k in a $75-$85k neighborhood (I mention this just for perspective, it certainly aint meant as a brag)who has no business collecting 'art' or knives! HAH!

oh well....just ONE MORE....just ONE MORE......

Thanks for listening anyway....

Sometimes I think it's a shame, a damn shame I tell 'ya.... :(

Mongrel
 
Mongrel,
Boy are you right about the struggle not use or use! I use some and have some stuck away. Most of the n.i.b. I've bought only to sell later so I can get what I want, these are as I call it "my trade up's". I cannot afford not a single one of the knives I want and the best on I have is a damascus that was made by a person who's not known at all in our world, and When I "meet" him it had nothing to do with knives, it was a fluke thing or call it luck that I later learned at one time his hobby was knifemaking. the rest of my knives I have cost me $85.00 or less. My income is 265.00 every two weeks and haven't worked since 8-16-01 I have just been moved to the permanently disabled status. take Care
 
I may have sounded a bit harsh there.

I should say that in my choice of tools, I tend to go for function.

The other side of me collects hand-carved bear figurines and statues. Not mass produced molds. I've definately spent bucks on some of those. We all have so many sides to us ! Wonderful creatures we are.

To me the bear is the perfect blend of function and beauty. SOmetimes I wish I could be one for a day.
 
I know I'm taking control of this "to use or not to use." I have some high-polish and 1 of 25 editions and I see no reason why they cannot be on display like art.

But those "really good" Microtechs are what is driving me crazy. The tantos went easily because I just didn't find them useful in MY life. I can see hanging on to the titanium LCC's because they aren't made anymore. It's those 250 buck generic nicely made, good steel, ergonomic, to good to break knives that drive me nuttier. It's just too easy to reach for the 'beater.'

I'm going to take this head on! When the Strider AR comes, I'm carrying that ONE and that ONE alone. First piece of wet cardboard that needs to be sliced gets the AR! If it gets dinged or gets surface corrosion, that's Strider's problem, not mine.

(Don't I sound convincing?)
 
Angus,

I as well do not collect MASS PRODUCED MOLDS the majority of my knives are regularly used, There is true Artistry in making knives, take for instance the damascus I bought from T.H. he put over 80 hours into making it and it is a true one of a kind. there is nor every will be another knife exactly the same. I will put some pictures showing what I view as Art up in my image service and give the link when I am done
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top