Question for all............Newbies and Lurkers this is for you..

[Mike Turber]

First, I realize the group of people who frequent here are very knowledgeable themselves in knives. The question I am about to ask will help "newbies and lurkers" who frequent this site understand that we are not just some group of hobbyists who happen to collect knives. This site is a resource, free for all to use.

Imagine being someone who just happened upon this site looking for information about knives. They ask the logical question. Why do you guys buy so many knives and why do the knives you buy cost so much?

The real question is what makes a knife better than another, cost more than another, and why would you buy it over another knowing the less expensive knife will get the basic job done. Now this question is NOT aimed at the people who buy knives for very specific uses like a paramedic, fireman or military personnel.

Is it that we need to embellish ourselves much like those who where a lot of jewelry or fancy watches? I wear a lot of jewelry and wear a fancy watch yet I have a CRKT KISS in my pocket that cost about $25 which I use a lot! I also carry a HALO. Is the HALO keeping my ego alive? Maybe but i know I love it too. We all have our daily carry piece and I bet a few of you don't want to admit it in a group like this that you may actually carry a $5 Eagle brand Spyderco Delica/Endura knock off. I have several in my tool box along with an Endura.

The average person visiting this site may very well want the answers to these questions and I will make a page which explains this phenomena. This way when we are asked this question again we can simply refer them to this page.

Here is my answer.....

I liken a knife to a tool. Why? Because that is, fundamentally, what a knife is. I have bought many tools in my day and just like my knives I have bought several less expensive tools thinking they will be able to do a good job like their overpriced counterparts. Well I was right in a few cases but wrong in most. The funny thing is I still find myself doing it. I go to the hardware store and buy the $25 Drill while overlooking the $100 Dewalt. I find it amusing that I do this because I don't think for a second about buying a $100 knife. The knife, in the minds of most, would be just a simple tool while a complex tool like a drill can easily have it's priced justified (especially to the wife).

Of course I would use my knife more than my drill and this may explain part of the reason. But it in no way explains the psychological process I go through to make the decision.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 

[Alan_B]

>>"Why do you guys buy so many knives and why do the knives you buy cost so much?"<<

As a newbie and mostly lurker (this is my third post), I'm not puzzled by this behavior at all. The appreciation and collection of quality and functional objects transcends knives. Other typical examples that come to mind include automobiles, motorcycles, cameras, watches, etc. This condition (my wife might call it an affliction, addiction, or even a pathology), does seem to affect us males more than women. BTW, I too think of a knife as a tool. Do I need as many tools as I have? No. Do I want more? Yes. Can I explain it? No. Thanks for posing this interesting question Mike.

 

[TimmyTheTalkingToilet]

this is the sound of me being stumped ....................................

 

[BMWGS80]

My mother gave my father and myself matching T-shirts for Christmas."To many tools so little time." It should also have read "So little space."

Knives are at the same time the most simple and the most complex tools designed by man.

They are also the most personal item a man may own.

Cheers,

ts

 

[Mike Turber]

BMWGS80,

Your statement would make me think that men can therefor be judged by their knives. That would also make me wonder why Jim March always wants HUGE MEGA FOLDERS AND POCKET SWORDS.

Can we judge Jim by the size of his knife?
Will we ever understand why we buy so many knives?
Will Batman be saved before the rope burns through and he falls into the acid pit?

Stay Tuned and don't touch that mouse!

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com




[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 02 May 1999).]

 

[bill boyd]

I am a newbie and a lurker. I've only made a few posts of no consequence. I probably own over 100 knives of different makes and styles, mainly stocman trappers and fixed blades. Some were gifts, most I bought. Used to be I was influenced by articles in mags (young and inexperienced) and if a writer said it was THE knife I had to have it. Of course I bought many knives just because of the variations in handle material or blade length or "because it was there" I would carry The Knife for a while and then go back to my tried and true carbon steel yellow composition Eye brand knives. Now I buy fewer knives and carry one handers...Enduras. Delicas, and at work an old Blackjack plastic handled Mamba folder. If Spyderco would come out with blue, red or other cheerful colored Enduras I would buy and carry them. Most knives are not a need they are a want. BTW I want a Dewalt, but I have a 20 yr. old $20. Sears drill. Works for me

 

[Jumbi]

My reply to that qustion usually is: "because I like em, next". I don't entertain it for long because I don't think it reflects a really sincere interest for insight into the activity of collecting and accumulating knives. I think the questioner is really usuing the question to express an opinion about the activity. It's akin to people that feel that only inherently violent people possess firearms (of which I have quite a few) and that the collectors are inclined or routinely pre-disposed to violence. When I recently revealed to a friend of long-standing that I had really gotten turned on to knife collecting during the past year, their reaction was stunned disbelief. "Never", they declared, "would they have EVER imagined I would go in for that sort of thing." While I was showing off my small, but growing collection, and talking animately about style, material, craftsmanship, the look on their face was disbelief. "Why, I had revealed a side of me that they never had suspected." Of course, maybe I'm just paranoid or, at last, overly sensitive. But let's face it, guns and knives are tools, yes, but tools much unlike the rest. In the current climate of one senseless tragedy after another, all the possible legitimate uses for these items are dismissed in favor of the current knee jerk comments made by folks who are pushing their own agenda. Those of us that surround ourselves with these "tools' suffer guilt by association. IMHO that question "Why, etc.", carries a significantly different connotation when directed to a ceramic doll collector. One only has to read the many posts on the various forums to understand the variety of interests that bring folks to knife collecting, way too many to even bother to enumerate. And I doubt it's a question that Ebay addicts have to worry about (unless they're looking for knife deals). I don't say that's the motive of all questioners but I'm convinced it's the motive of most.

Boy this question got to me. Thanks.

 

[Rob.L]

Mike,, I am one who primarily lurks on this site. I have posted a couple of times. Your question sparks thoughts of my youth and my first interest in knives. I grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn NY and recall clearly my first edged weapon..It was my first year of high school and of riding the above ground train system to school which was like traveling through down town Beirut at times. My brother and I took a 2 by 2 piece of pine wood and cut it to fit the palm of my hand like a pack of rolled pennies.After wraping it in black electrical tape it was off to dads mounted vice where we locked in the piece of wood and drove 3 20 penny nails through it,spaced enough to fit my fingers. It was kind of a "twenty penny nail set of brass knuckles" . I carried it inside my jacket pocket while I rode the train. It fit the criterion for a good edged weapon while riding the subway,i.e it was concealable,cheap and easy to throw away if needed and most of all effective in causing enough pain to an opponent in a fight to allow a youngster as myself time to get outa'dodge..The moral of the story of my trip down memory lane is that my love for knives has grown each day since then but my utilitarian approach to collecting has not changed. I collect knives that are beautiful in function and appreciate both knives and guns for their potential as combat tools. My practice in empty hand combat reflects this belief as well. To me true beauty in technique lies in simple effectiveness not flash. I have more knives and guns than I need but I keep collecting for the shear love of it! ....... " I wonder whatever happened to my 20 penny nail brass knuckles? "..thanks for the thought provoking post Mike..Bo

 

[Bob Irons]

Holy sharp stuff Knife Guy!!!

The quest for the perfect knife continues unabated in homes all over America and the World. With Knife Guy leading the quest, we all must know we're a little nuts (knife nuts of course)! The quest will only end when the Big Knife Guy in the sky comes to show us that perfect knife we've always longed for.

But wait, maybe that next new knife from the Big Knife Company's new line is perfect! Stay tuned to find out ... .

 

[Knife Outlet]

I had some good insight into this subject upon visiting the local knife collectors club last month. The monthly meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. and lasts until 8:00 or so. There are about 25 members. They all show up with a knife roll, take a seat at one of the tables and open up their knife roll. Then, for the next 1 1/2 hours, they wander, ask, touch, open, close, inspect and generally appreciate the contents of each others' knife rolls. Sort of a Blade Fest or Cutler's Orgy. After that they have a business meeting which lasts about 5 minutes and deals with the plans details for the annual knife show. They get great attendance and everybody has a good time. I saw everything from collector miniatures to a huge machete made by one of the members from an industrial band saw blade (a really, really big industrial band saw blade.)

If you want to understand the dynamic, try to find a knife collectors club in your town and do a meeting. You'll understand what makes things tick-just a love of knives, that's all. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
www.knifeoutlet.com

 

[Bob Callahan]

First of all I have always carried a knife of some sorts over the years. I reside in a small town so my exposure to knives was limited to Buck, Gerber and a couple of other brand names. I thought the $50.00 Cdn cost of some knives was about the most expensive folding knife you could buy. .

Then I happened to see an issue of Blade Magazine about a year and half ago. I could not believe the knives they advertised. Spyderco, Benchmade, Chris Reeves etc.

I searched the internet found rec.knives and subsequently bladeforum. I found a dealer ordered a couple of knives. The Spyderco Delica II hooked me. It was well worth the money. I found I had a very useful tool for the office and it started me on my new hobby.

I am limited not only financially to the amount I can purchase but because I am isolated the only time I can see knives are through posting here or from a mag. I can only envey you guys and gals who can do down to their local knife store and handle before you purchase the knife you are interested in. I would love to attend a knife show.

I get most of the info for my purchase from this forum and the help of a good dealer I use. I have not had a single regret from a purchase yet.

Anyway how can you not want more quality knives after you have handled a few Spyderco's and Benchmade .

My 2 cents.

Bob
Bob

 

[Bob Callahan]

First of all I have always carried a knife of some sorts over the years. I reside in a small town so my exposure to knives was limited to Buck, Gerber and a couple of other brand names. I thought the $50.00 Cdn cost of some knives was about the most expensive folding knife you could buy. .

Then I happened to see an issue of Blade Magazine about a year and half ago. I could not believe the knives they advertised. Spyderco, Benchmade, Chris Reeves etc.

I searched the internet found rec.knives and subsequently bladeforum. I found a dealer ordered a couple of knives. The Spyderco Delica II hooked me. It was well worth the money. I found I had a very useful tool for the office and it started me on my new hobby.

I am limited not only financially to the amount I can purchase but because I am isolated the only time I can see knives are through posting here or from a mag. I can only envey you guys and gals who can do down to their local knife store and handle before you purchase the knife you are interested in. I would love to attend a knife show.

I get most of the info for my purchase from this forum and the help of a good dealer I use. I have not had a single regret from a purchase yet.

Anyway how can you not want more quality knives after you have handled a few Spyderco's and Benchmade .

My 2 cents.

Bob
Bob

 

[Frantium]

Mike,

I've been asking the same question myself a million times, but there's no good answer really. I carry two knives everyday because my job requires me to open boxes, destroy boxes, etc.

Moreover, I guess I'm just actually a knife guy. I'm an Indonesian, and that country is one of those "knife countries." Even when I was a little kid, my father would let me play with his krisses. By the time I was 14, I recall I had 6 krisses and around 30 or so knives, great and small

All the krisses were custom made and I was proud of them. Anybody here wants to know why an Indonesian couldn't part with his krisses should read the June issue of Blade magazine. I'm also trained in martial arts which take advantage of bladed weapons. Quality is always a necessity, just because I use knives. People might call it a "knife nut" while it's just a tradition for me.

Did I find my 'perfect knife?" YES, I would say so. There's a very old Indonesian saying that says "There's only one kris for every one person." It took more than 15 years for the maker and me to finish my ultimate kriss. I don't even dare to estimate how much money, time and thoughts I spent on that.

So why would I want to buy another one if this one would do the job nicely? First of all, I couldn't bring along my kriss. More importantly, my daily activities won't let me carry bigger knives. Some short fixed blades and folders would be "sufficient."

Reynaert

 

[Snickersnee]

Well, if you`re looking for a scientific answer, I`d reckon it`s because humans come with neither fang nor claw. We likewise lack warm fur or tough hide. It`s our natural inclination to make these for ourselves. I reckon some people just have a more-strongly developed sense of it, that`s all.

I`m a two-knife man myself. One fixed-blade, one folder. I paid three-hundred for the fixed-blade, a Project 1, and 60 bucks for the folder. I use my knives, I`m not really a collector. However, I`m always looking out for a knife to upgrade to, and would spend a lot of money on it. In fact, my knives are the most valuable things I own. I`m a simple man(but not a simpleton), I don`t need much.

In all honesty, I feel that my knives, my clothes, and my boots round me off. Complete the package. I now have tooth, claw, hide and hoof.

I take pride in my knives. I feel they accomplish what I want them to do in the way that best reflects me and my philosophy. I want them to be made of the best matierials, by the best craftsmen. If that means I pay a premium, so be it.

I think, I know, the knife a man or woman(yes, all the girls I hang out with are terribly hip) carries reflects something about them. Not always the obvious or what comes to mind though. A big knife does not have to mean a phalic phixation. It does represent the way a person thinks about solving a problem though.

Take my Project 1. I chose it because I wanted a strong knife suitable as a weapon, camp tool, or for dispatching game. It`s streamlined, straight-forward and understated. This was a big factor. I had also considered the purchase of a Mad Dog. The Mad Dog was too shiny and both the maker and users were a bit, boisterous. No disrespect. Mr. Reeve just came across as a much more cool-headed kinda guy. My people are very passionate, our blood burns hot, so the knife was a sort of counterpoint to myself. I actualy "meditate" on it. Not in some "yeah! Kill! Kill!" way, rather just a contemplation on the form, simple and strong. Calm, but unyielding. I don`t know, maybe you know what I`m saying. Something about the one-piece construction, a shard of steel carved from a solid bar, resonates with me. The best way I can describe it is like a primitive hunter and his handaxe.

I don`t know what pure collectors think or feel, but this is why I will pay a high price and what my knives mean to me. Coincedently, though both my fixed-blade and folder see the same amount of use, the fixed-blade holds a deeper meaning for me. My folder is my good friend and constant companion, but the relationship is not the same. Kinda like how the Vikings gave swords spiritual and heroic names, while axes and spears got more rough and ready appelations.

No, I don`t think any of this will help an outsider understand. Maybe a car or gun collector, a sports fan, a computer enthusiast, but unless he be very toughtful, I don`t think the layman will ever understand.