Odd question: using a pricey slippie???

bdws1975

bdws1975

Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
3,721
Hi all,

I was curious what your views are of using a little bit more pricey slippie (200 plus dollars) as an EDC.

Do you use them? Do you feel bad for doing so? Do you regret doing it?

Thanks!
Brett
 
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bdws1975, no offense, but around here $200 doesn't touch the surface of "expensive" when considering custom slipjoints. I have personally never went beyond the $800 mark for my collection and even that barely touches the surface of what many forumites regularly carry and use.

I personally have 4 custom slipjoints in my carry rotation that range from the $235-$400 range and for me that's about my comfort range for carrying and using. My collection is much larger, however. And, no, I don't feel guilty about using the ones I have chosen for carry, but I will add that I'm careful with them. But, Then again, I'm careful with most of my possessions;)
 
true. I am well aware that 200 isn't a tony bose or some of the others, but it's a decent amount of money for a pocket knife.

but, you're right. I was mainly curious what other folks thought about carrying anything more expensive than a case or queen.

thanks for replying,

brett
Durwood said:
bdws1975, no offense, but around here $200 doesn't touch the surface of "expensive" when considering custom slipjoints. I have personally never went beyond the $800 mark for my collection and even that barely touches the surface of what many forumites regularly carry and use.

I personally have 4 custom slipjoints in my carry rotation that range from the $235-$400 range and for me that's about my comfort range for carrying and using. And, no, I don't feel guilty about using them, but I will add that I'm careful with them. But, Then again, I'm careful with most of my possessions;)
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I'm also curious if anyone with a custom slippie in carbon has used it to the point of corrosion or rust?

Like I said, I know it's an odd question. I've been using my ken erickson texas toothpick and it just got me thinking.

take care,
brett
 
Okay, I'll admit it:o It took me a long time to carry a custom that cost even $200, about 5 years after I started collecting customs to be honest.
 
Durwood said:
Okay, I'll admit it:o It took me a long time to carry a custom that cost even $200, about 5 years after I started collecting customs to be honest.
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LOL! thanks for admitting that. I've been carrying my erickson and having a hard time with it. I LOVE it just working up the courage....:o

Brett
 
I have two Ericksons and one is in my EDC rotation. I can see why you would hesitate to carry it, but then again, they are so nice they beg to be used too:) Take care of it and it'll not only continue to look nice, it will hold most (if not all) of it's value too.
 
Durwood said:
I have two Ericksons and one is in my EDC rotation. I can see why you would hesitate to carry it, but then again, they are so nice they beg to be used too:) Take care of it and it'll not only continue to look nice, it will hold most (if not all) of it's value too.
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that is good advice my friend.

My main worry is that I'm really bad with rust. I guess my sweat is really acidic (or whatever makes stuff rust more). I've ordered marine tuf-cloth to help. I use a regular tuf-cloth and so farso good. I hate the idea of it corroding, but it's bound to happen, even with meticulous care. I'm dreading that first spot of rust.

:(

Brett
 
My advice is you should use it and carry it often, that's what it's made for and I'm sure it's a great knife. I have an order in with Ken.

Some do enjoy collecting and viewing their knives in a case or display and others buy to use. I buy to use and I do. I carry a slip and a lockback , tactical style folders and fixed blades well over $200ea. I am comfortable with the amount I spend on these knives and I intend on using them. You need to be comfortable with your decision.

Think about a belt or a slip sheath. It will protect your knife while being carried. I order custom sheaths for my knives but I've also made a quick slip sheath out of old football or baseball glove leather, very basic but it does the trick. Enjoy the Erickson!
 
very good advice.

I grew up VERY poor and it was anathema to have anything more than the most basic. I'm 32 and still overcoming that mentality. I'm not in debt over knives and I only buy what I can afford, so I SHOULD enjoy them.

thank you all for your encouragement.

brett
muddy672 said:
My advice is you should use it and carry it often, that's what it's made for and I'm sure it's a great knife. I have an order in with Ken.

Some do enjoy collecting and viewing their knives in a case or display and others buy to use. I buy to use and I do. I carry a slip and a lockback , tactical style folders and fixed blades well over $200ea. I am comfortable with the amount I spend on these knives and I intend on using them. You need to be comfortable with your decision.

Think about a belt or a slip sheath. It will protect your knife while being carried. I order custom sheaths for my knives but I've also made a quick slip sheath out of old football or baseball glove leather, very basic but it does the trick. Enjoy the Erickson!
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You will get more satisfaction out of carrying and using a quality knife then you will just taking it out of the safe and fondling it...

It took me a long time to understand that though. I'm just glad that I finally did. I was really missing out when everything was a safe queen
 
bdws1975 said:
very good advice.

I grew up VERY poor and it was anathema to have anything more than the most basic. I'm 32 and still overcoming that mentality. I'm not in debt over knives and I only buy what I can afford, so I SHOULD enjoy them.

thank you all for your encouragement.

brett
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Brett, you should use the heck out of it. I'll tell you why.

Dad came from a hard working watermen family, and my mom came from a poor family. Both were lifelong frugel people because of it, and I was brought up that way. It was hell to shake it off.

When I saved up my money for my first custom knife, a Randall, I horded it. Didn't carry it, kept it back. One day my first sargent, Elmer " The bull" Wood, asked me why don't I carry that knife. I kind of groped for the words, explaining it was so nice, and I didn't want to ding it up in the field. The 1st Sgt. slowly explained to me, that the entire purpase for that knife existing was to be carried in the field by a soldier. No other reason, and Mr. Randall made it for that. By not using it, I was wasting the entire reason of the knife being.

Next day when we went out, I had the Randall on my web gear. I used the hell out of it, and enjoyed it even more. It became something that ment more to me than just a thing to collect.

When I sold it off years later along with the rest of my custom knives, I let it go easy because I had got my use out of it. The Randall collector was glad to get it because of reasons I don't understand, not being a collector myself. Just an acumulator. He had me write out a letter I was the original owner and had carried the knife in Viet Nam, and paid me more than I bought it for. Go figure.

Carry and use that knife. Let the blade patina to give it some protection. Many, many years from now, your son will value that knife with its honest wear on it from years of use. It will become an artifact of your life.

And that's gonna mean alot in it's own right.
 
jackknife,

thank you for your encouragement. It's really funny how I've sold off any knife Ididn't feel worthy to use. I know it's weird, but unless you've done without for an extended period of time, and I mean DONE WITHOUT some of even the basics, it's hard to understand.

You understand though. And I'm sure some of the others do too.

I'm gonna put a patina on this and use the fire out of it.

thanks again!

Brett
jackknife said:
Brett, you should use the heck out of it. I'll tell you why.

Dad came from a hard working watermen family, and my mom came from a poor family. Both were lifelong frugel people because of it, and I was brought up that way. It was hell to shake it off.

When I saved up my money for my first custom knife, a Randall, I horded it. Didn't carry it, kept it back. One day my first sargent, Elmer " The bull" Wood, asked me why don't I carry that knife. I kind of groped for the words, explaining it was so nice, and I didn't want to ding it up in the field. The 1st Sgt. slowly explained to me, that the entire purpase for that knife existing was to be carried in the field by a soldier. No other reason, and Mr. Randall made it for that. By not using it, I was wasting the entire reason of the knife being.

Next day when we went out, I had the Randall on my web gear. I used the hell out of it, and enjoyed it even more. It became something that ment more to me than just a thing to collect.

When I sold it off years later along with the rest of my custom knives, I let it go easy because I had got my use out of it. The Randall collector was glad to get it because of reasons I don't understand, not being a collector myself. Just an acumulator. He had me write out a letter I was the original owner and had carried the knife in Viet Nam, and paid me more than I bought it for. Go figure.

Carry and use that knife. Let the blade patina to give it some protection. Many, many years from now, your son will value that knife with its honest wear on it from years of use. It will become an artifact of your life.

And that's gonna mean alot in it's own right.
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I was going to express the sentiment that you'll enjoy the knife even more after use, and that scratches, wear and patina add character. Then I read Jackknife's post- it makes anything I could offer seem pretty pedestrian! Truly a worsmith he is.
 
well, it's got a nice vinegar patina on it and it's going outside with me today while I mow and tend the yard. :)
thanks guys!

brett
 
As far as using carbon slipjoints. I have one that is over 100 years old that is in my rotation. Not a spec of rust. Of course it has a deep natural patina. I just wipe them off and let the patina happen on its own.

As far as expensive ones, I think each individual needs to come to that determination. For me, I lead a simple life; no debt; drive a 13 year old Buick that was paid for 13 years ago. The important things are taken care of. I enjoy carrying and using a fine knife so all but the more fancy ones are subject to pocket time. I do not intend to sell them and and can not take them with me when I die, so what the heck.
 
What Gus said. :thumbup:

Brett, I know where you're coming from and I'll skip over the long family histories and just relate that my parents didn't even open a checking account or get a credit card until after I had already graduated from college and even then I had to talk them into it.

As a result of being raised with that outlook I am also careful with things I own. I don't buy things I can't afford and I never take on debt.

So for me it has also been difficult to use the finer things that I could finally afford in life when lesser things always seemed good enough and were all I knew.

Now, however, I often force myself to take a higher end production or custom knife down into the shop to give a sharpening knowing that in doing so it can no longer be sold as mint and can be carried without fear.

Regarding that Erickson...The last one that Ken sent me, a two blade beauty, he wrote on his note that he hoped that I enjoyed carrying and using that knife.

Use it in good health, Brett, and never look back. In the end it's just an object, but an object that will give you (hopefully) many years of pleasure and faithful use and probably a number of memories that you might share here as well down the road.
 
Elliott and Gus,

You are both right. What's the use in having a fine knife if you don't use it.

As a matter of fact, i took my erickson into the back yard today and helped my wife cut some branches that were encircling one of her plants. It was very satisfying to finally REALLY use the knife.

You know what? It's still perfect as the day I got it. :)

Blues: I know exactly what you mean and now that I CAN afford to own nicer things, I'm beginning to grow into it. It just takes time I guess.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement.

Brett
 
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