Photos Not sure if I should use this or keep it safe...

Heartland_edc

Heartland_edc

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May 4, 2015
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I feel very fortunate to have received a pristine ZT 0392blk in trade. I had originally planned to keep this knife perfect given that it will no longer be made, and also because of the low serial number (0022). But after handling and flipping it for the last couple hours, I'm very tempted to graduate it to my primary user. This thing functions at a level I had previously thought impossible under the $800 price point. It's truly an impressive knife. A full titanium Hinderer on bearings with a steel lockbar insert, and a dlc cts204p blade is pretty much the ultimate user in my book. I'm torn though. It's not like I can easily pick up another one whenever I want. I have a feeling most people here will tell me to "go ahead and use it because thats what it's meant for", but keep in mind, I'm a collector primarily. My current user is a regular ol' manix 2. No big deal beating on that thing. If you were in my position, or if you have been in my position before, is it really gonna be worth it? Not only is this black version permenantly sold out, but i've heard its the last of the 0392 series, and that ZT is done making them altogether.... sigh.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YkNXr7eZxvXBQREJ2
 
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It's likely that you will be in a similar position MANY more times in your knife future. Use it, and then, if you don't love it, sell it and buy the next grail that comes up. Life is short...there are MANY grails out there.
 
I'm in the use it, don't abuse it camp.
That is such a fine looking knife, but it is even a finer tool!!
I wouldn't be able to stop myself from carrying, obsessively flipping and cutting some stuff with it.
I'll bet you love it even more after you see how well it performs!!
Gorgeous knife.......use it!
Joe
 
If your a collector and someday think you may sell it then don't use it. If you plan on keeping it then use it and enjoy it.
 
If you don't use it, you'll likely just sell it in a year or less. Very few people can stomach a $400 knife just sitting in the safe to be fondled. Usually, something will catch your eye, and the safe queens are the first to go.
 
It seems like kind of a shame if your carry knife is a step below your collectible knives in terms of quality. Nothing wrong with safe queens, IMO but you should have at least one carry knife that is as nice as what you have locked away.
 
I'm not sure how collectible that knife will actually be. I used to collect knives but have slowly started to use or get rid of ones I have had sitting in the safe. If you don't plan on selling it, then why would you not use it?
 
Use that puppy - keep it nice, but carry it and use it.

They are great!

best

mqqn
 
AF said:
It seems like kind of a shame if your carry knife is a step below your collectible knives in terms of quality. Nothing wrong with safe queens, IMO but you should have at least one carry knife that is as nice as what you have locked away.
Click to expand...

This. This is a feeling I have been fighting for a long time. I WANT to use my nicer stuff, but the closest I ever get is putting it in my pocket for a day, and then rushing home carefully place it back in its box/bag/pelican case/display rack thing. I really want to break through this wall.
 
Hey op, not sure if you care or not but your google links appear to link to your full first and last name. Some don't care some do just wanted to alert you.
 
Knives were meant to be used. I view safe queens as equivalent to buying a Lamborghini and never driving it.
 
I personally wouldn't edc it, but I would weekend carry it. That's what I do with my finer knives. The normal stuff gets worked/beat up all week long, and the nice stuff gets lightly used/appreciated on the weekends.
Edit: I actually look forward to the weekends because I get to use my nice/collectable blades. I wont let them waste away in a safe....I just use them lightly.
 
Heartland_edc said:
A full titanium Hinderer on bearings with a steel lockbar insert, and a dlc cts204p blade is pretty much the ultimate user in my book.
Click to expand...
I understand the collector aspect of it, but if you've found what you consider to be the ultimate user, you are doing yourself a disservice by not using it. There are plenty of others to collect.
 
I do the exact same thing as scottyj. A few weekend knives have been such a pleasure to use that they have worked their way into the work week rotation.
 
I say Charlie mike it. Put a scratch right on the blade and you'll be over the baby it stage. That is when you truly use the knife and get to know it. It is a tool and when you start using at such, you'll either like it and appreciate it or realize it isn't what you need.
 
This opinion may not be popular but I'd use it very lightly and put it away. Give it a chance to be your grail knife, but you'll only know with a little use. Then be on the lookout for a lightly used 0392 of any flavor to grab to be a true user. They seem to come up fairly often on the exchange, almost always for the same price or less than what they sold at. If the 0392BLK is truly your grail knife, it can sit in reserve ready to press into service if something happens to your 0392 user.

I have two 0392s, the original grey and blue one and the 0392BKBRZ. The other day I carried my 0392 for the first time since buying and I really loved it. I also love the look of the "plain jane" 0392 over any of the iterations that followed...although the bowie is hawt! After carrying for one day I put it right back into its case and pushed the BKBRZ into my EDC rotation. I felt a sense of peace knowing I had a knife I loved to carry and a back up to not carry just in the event of a "rainy day".

I never (yet) have sold a knife, so carried once vs. NIB doesn't mean that much to me. Knowing that I have my favorite 0392 in backup while I can beat the crap out of my user has been a great feeling!

Us knife knuts are a weird sort...
 
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