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Cajun Kamikaze

Cajun Kamikaze

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Dec 30, 2013
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After reading through the Thread about the Top Custom Fixed Blade Knife Makers in the world, this question occurred to me and I would like to hear the different POV's on the matter.

Why do some makers prefer to make knives not meant for use while others do?

I'm pretty fresh to the concept of making a knife for display only, Even if it is fancy.
 
As a maker I think it has more to do with ability. I have found as my ability improves I start using higher quality more desirable materials such as ivory. As far as steel as your ability in making Damascus improves you build more elaborate patterns and better blade finishes. The ht is in the end what makes a knife "cut" so these fancier knives are just as good as the plainer ones or in some cases better but they cost more based on materials and time involved. The best correlation I have is the fact that a Glock is an awesome handgun and goes "bang" everytime you pull the trigger, but a Wilson Combat or Les Baer 1911 just has the CDI factor. The Glock will cost you 450.00 while the Wilson will be 2000. Which one works better? Which one is more accurate? But the big question is which one do you want your friends to see you shooting at the range. The upshot of this is that allot of the higher end knives are built to be used or can be used if the buyer chooses too. But allot of them will be displayed with honor on someones mantle.
 
Cajun Kamikaze said:
After reading through the Thread about the Top Custom Fixed Blade Knife Makers in the world, this question occurred to me and I would like to hear the different POV's on the matter.

Why do some makers prefer to make knives not meant for use while others do?

I'm pretty fresh to the concept of making a knife for display only, Even if it is fancy.
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Outside of miniatures I don't believe many make knives solely for display. It is up to the owner whether the knife gets used or not but the same quality should be put into every one by the maker with the idea that it will get used. There are many that I have made that I would be surprised if they are ever used as a cutting tool but ALL of my knives will always have the same quality put into them regardless and I hope that all makers feel the same way.

Gary
 
I agree with Gary. I hope everyone make their knives to be used. I do know of some who do not but I don't agree with their philosophy. Just one quick story. Made a knife for a customer who never ever used his knives. It was a higher end though not extreme in any way. Still over $600 and plus cost of a sheath. About 6 or 7 years later I was contacted by another individual who had purchased this knife. Apparently the first customer had given it to his son and his son used it then sold it for beer money. It had been used well and the new owner was ecstatic about the deal he got. I am glad I made this and every knife with use in mind first and make the aesthetics work with this in mind.
 
I have to go along with Gary and Chuck. Even if you make an art piece, you still have to make the piece as though it will be a user. Someone once told me that you have no way of knowing how the knife is going to be used after it leaves your shop. So true.
Brion
 
I will get on the ban wagon with Gary, Chuck and Brion. I have never run across a knifemaker who only made knives for display. I don't know why a knifemaker would do that.
I have heard of makers who did not sharpen a knife. Perhaps that's what you are referring to.

My pleasure and fascination for custom knives is derived from them being such items of beauty, however also being able to perform to the highest degree.
I feel the same way about my Corvettes.
 
There are some who carry and hunt with $40,000 shotguns.......and some guys who like to cut stuff with ivory handled Damascus steel knives. There is much satisfaction to be had from using quality things. I can't understand the guys who never cut anything with a knife because it is "too nice to use". Remember, you only get so much time here to enjoy the things you have before they throw the dirt in your face. ;)
Darcy:)
 
DEllis said:
There are some who carry and hunt with $40,000 shotguns.......and some guys who like to cut stuff with ivory handled Damascus steel knives. There is much satisfaction to be had from using quality things. I can't understand the guys who never cut anything with a knife because it is "too nice to use". Remember, you only get so much time here to enjoy the things you have before they throw the dirt in your face. ;)
Darcy:)
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Ain't that the truth :)

I believe most well made custom knives will perform to a high level

But in reality most are never really tested
 
DEllis said:
There are some who carry and hunt with $40,000 shotguns.......and some guys who like to cut stuff with ivory handled Damascus steel knives. There is much satisfaction to be had from using quality things. I can't understand the guys who never cut anything with a knife because it is "too nice to use". Remember, you only get so much time here to enjoy the things you have before they throw the dirt in your face. ;)
Darcy:)
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Not everyone enjoys knives (or other things for that matter) in the same ways. You get satisfaction form cutting with a quality knife, others may get satisfaction from just having, handling and displaying it.

Perhaps there's those who can't understand the guy who will take a $5,000 Fisk Bowie (or other makers I could name) out and cut logs with it and reduce it's value by 50%.
I like to cut stuff up that doesn't need to be cut just as much as the next guy, but I'm not going to use one of my expensive knives where a knifemaker has spent a tremendous amount of hours creating a piece of 'functional art', especially since I already know it will perform to a high degree.

The best "use" for a custom knife is whatever 'use' brings the individual knife-lover/owner the most pleasure.*

* Edited to Add; as long as the pleasure is not derived from hurting someone with it. ;)
 
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I have known knives that were not meant to be used....Gold Credit Card knife by Jurgen Steinau, and other knives by him that were not sharpened....some H.H. Frank knives as well, not much of an edge...

.....But....I have been to four Art Knife Invitationals and for the most part, art knives are made to same standards as "working knives"(which is what I collect)....

Heat treated, sharpened and tested for basic edge retention and durability......

MOST knifemakers build knives to be used....some don't....you would be surprised how many makers build their knives to be used....my favorites are Larry Fuegen and Wolfgang Loerchner......they look like they are for show....but they most certainly go....even Larry's Gargoyle knives...they are heat treated, feel good in the hand and are very sharp.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Awesome, thanks guys for the feedback. So now I can see my understanding was a little unclear on what the actual definition of a usable vs a display or show knife was. Very clear now, thanks.

Hey stvpourciau, where about are you in the state? BH#343 is foreign to me
 
Cajun Kamikaze said:
Oh Ok, gotchya. I'm right there in Live Oak off 1019 about 2 miles from the old high school.
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Sweet, I go to judo around there. Look, shoot me an email through my profile or something and we chit chat without blowing up the thread. But I'm going to work now. So. Maybe not much till later.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I have never run across a knifemaker who only made knives for display. I don't know why a knifemaker would do that.
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The name John Jensen comes to mind. Have you not heard of him? He has posted here at least a couple of times, and some of his pieces have appeared in Darom's books. Maybe with some difficulty one could use his knives, but I am pretty sure that being used is not their primary (or secondary or tertiary) purpose. They are true art pieces.

And there are other knives made in that vein, or at least close, for example . . .

Kohai999 said:
I have known knives that were not meant to be used....Gold Credit Card knife by Jurgen Steinau, and other knives by him that were not sharpened....some H.H. Frank knives as well, not much of an edge...
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Agreed. I still want one of each. :D

I am thinking that the King Tut dagger was made "for display only" and "not meant for use." I think there are a bunch of other knives about which the same could be said.


Back to the OP's question, I could not say it any better than Kevin did:

Kevin Jones said:
Not everyone enjoys knives (or other things for that matter) in the same ways. You get satisfaction form cutting with a quality knife, others may get satisfaction from just having, handling and displaying it.
Click to expand...
 
LOL, how coincidental, I take BJJ with James Wall.... Almost certain you are one of his Judo guys?

High jacking my own thread lol, yea, I'll stop now.

Some really good response. Much appreciated
 
Cajun Kamikaze said:
LOL, how coincidental, I take BJJ with James Wall.... Almost certain you are one of his Judo guys?

High jacking my own thread lol, yea, I'll stop now.

Some really good response. Much appreciated
Click to expand...

Was really hoping you did. Nice to see someone else give a crap about what's in their pocket around here other than flea market steel
 
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