Opinions on "distressed" handle and blade finishes

D

dcycleman

Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
1,649
So, I like the way my gear looks after I've had and used it for multiple years. makes it feel "mine".
I kinda dig the pre distressed finishes on some of the microtech offerings as of late, but I honestly feel a little cheesy buying one. not sure why, I feel the same way about pre distressed jeans.
what do you guys think about those type of finishes?
-Dave
 
I wouldn't buy a pair of jeans with holes or that looks like I ran them over with all 18 wheels.
Knives however.. if it looks kool to you then Grab it !! I've seen Case Pocket Worn , they look nice, my Buck custom shop 112 has the blue wood handle that certainly has the worn look to it.
Go for it!
 
The wear is always in the wrong places. You can’t fake the well used and loved look.

Knives, jeans, hats etc. You have to earn that look.

When I got started in the trades I bought out of necessity old used tools.

I often realized I got more respect than the other newbies. It occurred to me later that people thought I had more experience than I did because of the look of my tools.
 
I just bought my first Microtech Ultratech and I chose the distressed red handle with "apocalyptic" blade finish. I like how the blade is fully serrated on one side and plain edge on the other.

Let me say, please, that I love it! I can have trouble putting the first scratch on some of my stuff, so the pre-worn finish on this knife just worked for me. What a cool knife, too. I shouldn't have waited so long to get one, that's for sure.

If it weren't for the hefty upcharge, I would have, and may still, eventually, get the Zombie finished handle.
 
I like a good patina on the blade and bolsters.
I very much dislike over polished/"mirror polished" fingerprint and smudge magnets.

I refuse to pay $60 and up for a pair of jeans or a shirt that are ripped/torn, and may have paint spills and/or auto body mud/filler wipes, or grease/dirty oil wipes, and maybe welding burn holes, and in general are worn out, appear as though they should have been cut up and added to the rag pile long ago, and might last one wearing, or a week ... whichever is longer, if one were to actually wear them.
(which begs the question: "Why would a (I presume "Hipster") want to be seen in public wearing rags?"
I thought "hipsters" were "all into" "Steampunk" or maybe "GOTH" (if there is a difference in clothing. I believe there are differances in accessories such as shoes, watches, eyewear, hats, etc.) and wear what was fashionable in the Victorian era or earlier ...)

I can/could get my work clothes to look like rags quick enough. Even when my employer used a laundry service with rental "uniforms".
 
Kiteman72 said:
I just bought my first Microtech Ultratech and I chose the distressed red handle with "apocalyptic" blade finish. I like how the blade is fully serrated on one side and plain edge on the other.

Let me say, please, that I love it! I can have trouble putting the first scratch on some of my stuff, so the pre-worn finish on this knife just worked for me. What a cool knife, too. I shouldn't have waited so long to get one, that's for sure.

If it weren't for the hefty upcharge, I would have, and may still, eventually, get the Zombie finished handle.
Click to expand...
Your ultratech sounds awesome! I think we may have similar taste, I have a zombie tech tanto inbound right now lol. The configuration you have with the distressed handle , one side fully serrated , apocalyptic finish, is exactly what I would look for except orange instead of red I think.
 
eveled said:
The wear is always in the wrong places. You can’t fake the well used and loved look.

Knives, jeans, hats etc. You have to earn that look.

When I got started in the trades I bought out of necessity old used tools.

I often realized I got more respect than the other newbies. It occurred to me later that people thought I had more experience than I did because of the look of my tools.
Click to expand...
I’m in the trades too, carpenter. I hate bringing out new tools on a job site when I haven’t previously worked with the other tradesmen before. You definitely do get judged lol. Most of my stuff is pretty beat so it doesn’t really matter most of the time though
 
the idea behind any coating is
to protect the bare surfaces of
an object.
to scrub it off prematurely
is cheating on the natural
process of wear :-)
admittedly a distressed finish
may look cool to some.
it gives or brings out some details
with highlights on darkly colored
surfaces.
some might say it gives character.
but imo, its not for every knife
and occassion.
the thing is there will be continued
wear of the finish if its carried often
enough.
and sometimes too much
just doesn't shine anymore.
pardon my 2 cents.
 
It exists because it sells so people obviously like it but to me, it's basically the same as "Battelworn" cerakote on guns...I don't quite get the point... if you want it to look worn/used, then use it. ;)

Now with that said, I really like titanium handles with a carved/chiseled look, stonewashed/acid stonewashed finishes, etc. :rolleyes:

I guess that's what makes the world go round...:D
 
I usually beat the crap out of my knives and it shows on coating.

Also, I use carbon steels usually so patina is there too.

If you want used look on new blade then actually use it, beat the crap out of something with it, that will also serve as sthrenght test. Chop some hard wood :)
 
dcycleman said:
Your ultratech sounds awesome! I think we may have similar taste, I have a zombie tech tanto inbound right now lol. The configuration you have with the distressed handle , one side fully serrated , apocalyptic finish, is exactly what I would look for except orange instead of red I think.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Dave! I really like it.

I just started buying Microtechs. I'm a little put off by their apparent stand on sharpening, but, aside from that, am enjoying them quite a bit.

Forum sponsor DLT has that distressed orange Ultratech you are looking for I believe...:)
 
I don't get the distressed appeal. I try to keep my stuff from being worn out looking. But, it you like it, that's all that counts. Get what you want and everyone else be dammed. It's your money.
 
I saw this finish from Microtech, and as much as I love my Microtech knives, I only like the worn look
from actual wear. I remember when I was a kid and other dudes would scratch up their skate boards to make it look like they could
do more tricks than they actually could. This seems like it's along those same lines.

A pre-distressed finish makes it look like you do more work than you actually do.
I cringe when people ask how they can make their Sebenzas look like it's had years of use since after two weeks of ownership it still looks
brand new.
Distress your own finishes from actual work.
 
Newbie here on BladeForums but I have spent countless hours on guitar discussion boards and finding this topic here is like stepping into a parallel universe!

Many electric guitar manufacturers offer what they call a "relic" finish. This causes much consternation for folks who think you are posing and you have to earn every scratch on the instrument. Others just think it's downright ridiculous to pre-scratch something.

I think the same rationale that I take with manufactured "roadworn" guitars should apply equally here. It is a finish option that some folks like... I won't slag on what other people dig. I see the allure and I own a Fender Roadworn Telecaster that is a great player.
 
Kiteman72 said:
Thanks, Dave! I really like it.

I just started buying Microtechs. I'm a little put off by their apparent stand on sharpening, but, aside from that, am enjoying them quite a bit.

Forum sponsor DLT has that distressed orange Ultratech you are looking for I believe...:)
Click to expand...
cool man! thanks for the heads up!

Glenn Goodlett said:
I don't get the distressed appeal. I try to keep my stuff from being worn out looking. But, it you like it, that's all that counts. Get what you want and everyone else be dammed. It's your money.
Click to expand...
Sound advice sir.

Elrosewood said:
Newbie here on BladeForums but I have spent countless hours on guitar discussion boards and finding this topic here is like stepping into a parallel universe!

Many electric guitar manufacturers offer what they call a "relic" finish. This causes much consternation for folks who think you are posing and you have to earn every scratch on the instrument. Others just think it's downright ridiculous to pre-scratch something.

I think the same rationale that I take with manufactured "roadworn" guitars should apply equally here. It is a finish option that some folks like... I won't slag on what other people dig. I see the allure and I own a Fender Roadworn Telecaster that is a great player.
Click to expand...
I like your outlook man, to each their own.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top