Good post and well written too.
I remember my parents being pretty easy going with knives; I had a locking folder bought as a surprise for me in France aged about 8 and numerous SAKs.
I’ve tried to follow that example by getting my own kids a Leatherman (Leap) for my son and an SAK for kids for my daughter.
Interesting about steels too; as a Materials Engineer by degree, I do take a keen interest in the materials but as you say, it can rapidly become obsessive.
I’ve just spent £52 on a new Manly Wasp (S90V) to replace a lost Enzo PK70 I got for £50 (RRP here was over twice that); that’s probably my limit for a folder; not because I can’t “afford” it but because there’s a limit. My Leatherman Charge Tti was over £100 new but gets loads of use and the only multitool I know of with a high end steel blade.
I see £400+ knives and just don’t get it.
A bit like watches; I like a good automatic but £200 is my ceiling. I have plenty of useful watches for various jobs; exercise (Suunto), surfing (G Shocks), daily use (Orient automatic) and slightly smart (Seiko automatic). The thought of spending £5k+ on a watch just doesn’t enter my head despite having the funds if I suddenly went mad.
Be happy with what you have, ask yourself serious questions about throwing big money around and don’t get too sucked into forum rivalry. It happens in all sorts of “hobby” sites.
I remember my parents being pretty easy going with knives; I had a locking folder bought as a surprise for me in France aged about 8 and numerous SAKs.
I’ve tried to follow that example by getting my own kids a Leatherman (Leap) for my son and an SAK for kids for my daughter.
Interesting about steels too; as a Materials Engineer by degree, I do take a keen interest in the materials but as you say, it can rapidly become obsessive.
I’ve just spent £52 on a new Manly Wasp (S90V) to replace a lost Enzo PK70 I got for £50 (RRP here was over twice that); that’s probably my limit for a folder; not because I can’t “afford” it but because there’s a limit. My Leatherman Charge Tti was over £100 new but gets loads of use and the only multitool I know of with a high end steel blade.
I see £400+ knives and just don’t get it.
A bit like watches; I like a good automatic but £200 is my ceiling. I have plenty of useful watches for various jobs; exercise (Suunto), surfing (G Shocks), daily use (Orient automatic) and slightly smart (Seiko automatic). The thought of spending £5k+ on a watch just doesn’t enter my head despite having the funds if I suddenly went mad.
Be happy with what you have, ask yourself serious questions about throwing big money around and don’t get too sucked into forum rivalry. It happens in all sorts of “hobby” sites.