OT: How rare a breed are we?

Roemer1 said:
Wesco boots, Saddleback wallet and briefcase, Morley razor. We're not so rare, it is just a big haystack. What will be truly sad is when there are no cobblers left to resole my boots. I don't relish the idea of having to learn every trade.
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I'm not going to get into the political/economic; this isn't the place for it. But, trends forecaster Gerald Celente sees a move back to quality by Americans. As people come under increasing economic pressure, they will see the wisdom of buying well made things that last, and taking care of what they have. 'The next great thing' is often nothing but empty hype.
 
Pointshoot777 said:
I'm not going to get into the political/economic; this isn't the place for it. But, trends forecaster Gerald Celente sees a move back to quality by Americans. As people come under increasing economic pressure, they will see the wisdom of buying well made things that last, and taking care of what they have. 'The next great thing' is often nothing but empty hype.
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As the OP, you guys can discuss whatever political/ social agenda you want. I think it's interesting and I'm sure everyone will be polite. As long as Andy doesn't care, which I don't think he will as long as it stays clean. I know there is another sub for it, but I like hearing what this small group has to say.
 
I've heard that they are now. I have not looked at others as mine we're bought several years ago and show minimal wear
 
I was surprised to hear that Springfield Armory has some of their models made in Brazil. It was a big decision in my purchasing a Para over a Springfield.
 
That being said...
I prefer Springfield and have nothing bad to say about them
 
I've owned an XD and liked it. I've also heard horror stories about Para but haven't had any trouble at all with mine. It's an Elite Commander so it came with upgrades. I got it second hand from a friend of mine who put 50 rounds through it but prefers his Glocks, so I got a heck of a deal on it. Had I been forced to choose between a Springfield GI and the same Para new, I likely would have gone with the Springfield because it was about $250 cheaper MSRP to MSRP. I won't rule a Springfield out but must say I was a little disappointed to learn it wasn't USA made. Great firearm though, I guess I was feeling extra patriotic and hypocritical that day as I drove off in my WRX, lol.
 
I don't have any really nice folders. My nicest one is my EDC, a Benchmade 940 which has treated me very well lo these many years (5, I think). I have my eye on a Duke or a Camp knife, but at the moment my only custom is an absolutely gorgeous Murray Carter neck knife which I have difficulty finding a time to carry. My school and work both forbid fixed blades...oy.

I think the throw-away mentality is a symptom of the digital age. It's no use making a consumer electronic device that will last even 10 years, because it will be long obsolete well before it breaks. I think the real problem is that society as a whole is unable to compartmentalize that mentality to the fields to which it applies. Technological development in the fixed-blade knife field isn't exactly cutting edge (I crack myself up), which lends itself well to the kind of investment in quality that is being voiced in this thread (and that I agree with).

One thing I will say in favor of cheap knives (and this applies to cheap furniture, cheap coffee makers and cheap razors as well): the difference between having no knife and having a $20 knife is still bigger than the difference between having a $20 knife and having the best knife money can buy.

malada said:
...I also learned early on to ask what they are going to use it for when someone asked to borrow your knife. Too many idiots think a knife is a pry bar or screwdriver.

Everyone knows I'm a "knife guy" so I'm the first one they ask to borrow my knife. I usually carry two knives at work. The one I use and a junk one I let people borrow. :) ...
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I do the exact same thing! I'm the only person I know of in my grad program that carries a knife, and my classmates know it. The first time one of them asked to borrow it at a party, he used it to shotgun beers (i.e. to punch a hole in a beer can). This was literally 7 hours after I treated it to a trip over my waterstones. Now I carry my Benchmade for me, and a Gerber Para-frame for anyone who wants to borrow a knife. Let's face it: if they are the kind of person who knows how to treat a knife, they wouldn't need to ask to use mine in the first place.
 
Brendanruch said:
Have you looked into Tanner Goods or Corter leather? I was going to be a Saddleback guy until I read that their products are Made in Mexico (which really surprised me).
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The "made in" debate is separate from quality. I wanted a Glaser Designs brief case but the price difference was a clincher for me. Let's face it if Andy decided he wanted to spend the rest of his days making knives in Cabo, I would still be a customer.
 
Good to see other people shaving properly :D


Lots of products where the buy once, cry once applies.
 
You should try a scuttle
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Shaved with this bad boy this morning. This is one of my restorations...scales are honey buffalo horn.

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I need to get myself a nice straight razor.


But to the op, I have NEVER seen anything more than, on a very rare occasion, a nice benchmade clip sticking out of a pocket. Rarely anything worth mention. And on the slim chance someone sees what I'm carrying, they have never heard of it, where to us, it is a household name. (Sebenza, hinderer, etc. )
When the question of "what's something lie that cost" my answer is either met with, shock or disbelief.
The next question is always "why so much? " lol
I even went as far as to pull out a Damascus large 21 out, and showed it to a "knife dealer" at the glorious flea market (yes I knew what to expect :p) and he says, "oh you like expensive knives? , here, I have one just like that" as he shows me an atrocity that is somehow being called a knife , with a Damascus like pattern on it. ($75)
So even though when I'm here, and I feel like we are many, I realized how few and far between we are outside the forum.

Poor bastards and their gas station novelties ;)
 
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My comment could also be in Mist's "Stabby" thread, but I think it fits here better.

A while back, I had someone come by the house that was buying something we were selling on Craigslist. He saw my Fiddleback Forge on my belt and asked about it. I was probably wearing my Hiking Buddy, which (imho) is a very nice example with it's Bocote over orange and black and scandi blade, riding in its RLO sheath. Guy was like "eh, that's nice, but check this out" and pulls out the SOG Seal knife he was wearing strapped to his leg. First, wearing that knife here in CO unless you're hunting is illegal. Second, really? Fiddleback Forge is "eh" and SOG gets "This is a knife"?

Another unfortunate trend is that quality doesn't exist much anymore, even in expensive products. Anecdotal case in point. My wife and I were given a microwave for our wedding 22 years ago. it's still ticking. We kinda keep hoping it dies so we can replace it with a nice over the stove model. It's a cheap Kenmore and won't die. Our neighbor who's my buddy has gone through 3 pretty expensive, shiny stainless microwaves in the last 8 years or so, and chalks it up to that's just how it is.
 
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Haha that reminds me, I was cutting some boxes outback of my work with a large 21 tanto micarta, and a guy sitting in a truck calls me over. He says, your knife is a little small huh? And pulls out a black,,,,, something,, and clicks out the blade, then flips it over and clicks out the blade on the other side. Haha it was like a batman esq kind of double bladed combat, super knife :p

I said oh that's a nice one, and walked away.

More blades means better right!
 
I'm 25. I live a different life than most, I work hard so I'm working hard for my money. I recently bought a house and when we went furniture shopping I couldn't believe the crap that was being sold for such high prices. I figured, heck I could make something better then that. And I have. A coffee table that's going to last longer than me, a corner book shelf, and I'm making two 8 foot book cases in the next couple weeks. I've been making my own belts for about 10 years. I just can't imagine spending $50 on a leather belt that falls apart in a year from jcpenney. I've got an undying love for older Levi's jeans. They last. I also buy Carhartt, I know it's not made in the USA but the stuff lasts. And that's all I'm buying, is something I can depend to keep me warm and dry in January. So, we may be a rare breed but truth be told, it's a good thing that there are people out there who still look for quality, because those people are keeping manufacturers in business so my kids can rely on the same brands. Well, we can only hope. I've carried a bench made since the first time I went to Alaska and it's never failed me. Except the tip got broke off. But in the bush, hell you use what you got and if you break the tip, well it's gonna end up as a good story. Cheers gents. Back to work.
 
Great thread all -- I have a forthcoming reply to the OP, but on the topic of razors, here's a restored hand me down from an era long since passed ;). I have a few others that I've gifted or passed to other interested family members... if anything else, they're just really cool

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Nice one Will. I am an avid collector/user/restorer of straight razors. Here is a picture of my mint Wonderedge. Great shaver and incredible steel.

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