Safe Queens and Users: And How does Joe Hillbilly decide?

MVF said:
Another view of value:

Wouldn't your "most valuable" knife be the one you wouldn't sell?
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IF i am independently wealthy .... SURELY .. I will keep all knives what I like ... unfortunately ... not. I put "cap" for my hobby ... if it's more than that ... then something must be out.
 
Joss said:
Like Gollnick once said, I use all my knives. They are displayed, I look at them, I derive pleasure from this - I use them.
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I couldn't agree more.

All of my knives are displayed for myself and others to enjoy. I get much enjoyment from handling and taking care of them. I enjoy knowing that though I will most likely not cut with them, they would perform to a very high standard if ever called upon for ANY form of cutting or puncturing.

Yes in deed, there are other worthwhile uses for knives than just cutting.
 
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Nathan Gould said:
I have used EVERY one of my knives- knives are tools for cutting and to take a precision, craftsman made tool and leave it sitting in a cupboard is an insult to the person who toiled for hours to try and make a proficient tool.

would you buy a high quality plane, chisel or saw and not use it?
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I would say there's quite a few makers that would be more insulted if I used the knife they toiled for 80-100 hours making sure the look, embellishments, performance, execution, fit/finish was impeccable.

By the way, how many real uses (really cutting something that needs to be cut) are there for a 14"-15" custom bowie these days? ;)
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
You mean a maker would be insulted if you actually used it ?
I have never heard that before.
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John, I doubt that Edmond would appreciate the owner chopping saplings with this one considering the time and effort he and Jere put into this magnificent piece. ;) Yes, perhaps even be insulted.

Most makers I know make all their knives to the same standards of performance regardless whether they will be used or not. However, I believe many make knives that they fully expect to be used and some they would rather the owner preserve and not use.

Photo from the David Darom book: "Edmund Davidson - The Art of the Integral Knife"
Orgasmatron.jpg
 
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Kevin Jones said:
John, I doubt that Edmond would appreciate the owner chopping wood with this one considering the time and effort he and Jere put into this magnificent piece. ;) Yes, perhaps even be insulted.

Most makers I know make all their knives to the same standards of performance regardless whether they will be used or not. However, I believe many make knives that they fully expect to be used and some they would rather the owner preserve and not use.

Photo from David Darom book: "Edmund Davidson - The Art of the Integral Knife"
Orgasmatron.jpg
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I have to disagree here. I don't think "time and effort" likely has any bearing on whether a maker expects that his knife will or will not be used. He may hope that a knife won't get used, but I do think it's a bit much to say that he would be insulted if it was used when he was hoping otherwise. How it is used is another thing, and may be what you are thinking about.

Also, when you say "same standards of performance", I presume you are talking about performance in cutting given a particular steel. If so, I accept that, but let's not kid ourselves that an ivory handled bowie with 18k gold inlay is going to hold up to moderate camp chores in the same way as a knife from the same maker with a stabilized wood handle or synthetic handle such as micarta or G10.
 
on_the_edge said:
I have to disagree here. I don't think "time and effort" likely has any bearing on whether a maker expects that his knife will or will not be used. He may hope that a knife won't get used, but I do think it's a bit much to say that he would be insulted if it was used when he was hoping otherwise. How it is used is another thing, and may be what you are thinking about.

Yes, as I said for cutting wood or any other general work task that one would expect to use a knife for.

Also, when you say "same standards of performance", I presume you are talking about performance in cutting given a particular steel. If so, I accept that, but let's not kid ourselves that an ivory handled bowie with 18k gold inlay is going to hold up to moderate camp chores in the same way as a knife from the same maker with a stabilized wood handle or synthetic handle such as micarta or G10.
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Yes, that's precisely what I was referring to.

Another example; since Jerry spent about 60 hours in just the engraving of this knife, he would probably be a little sit-back and surprised to find I was using it for camp chores though it would sure be up to that task.

JERRYFISKNLT52006001.jpg
 
point well taken Kevin , by the way , that Davidson knife is off the hook !!

However , once you pay for it , is it not yours to do with as you please ? ;)
 
S-t-r-e-c-h-i-n-g too far I think to say "using" a knife is the same as "appreciating" a display piece. No, ..that's twisting your words to fit where it doesn't (i think). Let's not pretend here.

There is NO WAY to have your cake and eat it too.

I really liked JParanee's quote on pg. 1. The Real Deal, a man who says it the way it is:
 
JParanee said:
I have always used my customs . I fight with myself about which ones and I have some safe queens that will never be carried mostly damascus pieces that are hard to touch up. I have traveled alot to remote place's in Africa to Asia and most places in between. I believe the reason I started buying custom knives 20 some years ago was because I wanted a blade that I could count on and could not find it in the prouduction knives of the time. The last few years I have been carrying a Bagwell bowie either on me when I am not wearing a pack or in the pack if I have one. I do not use it for a screwdriver and I do not abuse it but If I ever need a knife I want to make sure I can bet my ass on it and that is why I got into custom knives. A properly made knife is like a little extra insurance when your life might count on it. Some knives beg to be used but due to finish or materials they sit in a box which is fine and I enjoy knowing that my carbon stag Bagwell has a twin brother in a case just in case. How one became a user and one a safe queen my decision was not made on feel so much they are very close. It was made on finish the one was a little bit cleaner so she went in the box. To be honest I have carried that one also but have just been a little more careful. Point is ya carry the best knife you can afford and the more remote ya go the more you depend on your stuff if ya ever need it it ain't gonna do ya no good at home and when I die my kids are just gonna sell all my stuff at a yard sale probale so the way I figure it I might as well enjoy some of them before somebody else does.
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..my favorite part again. :)

"Point is ya carry the best knife you can afford and the more remote ya go the more you depend on your stuff if ya ever need it it ain't gonna do ya no good at home and when I die my kids are just gonna sell all my stuff at a yard sale probale so the way I figure it I might as well enjoy some of them before somebody else does.[/QUOTE]
 
2Knife you are a gentleman and I apreciate the kind words thank you . I can see why Kevin would not use that beautiful Fisk for a camp knife I would noy either but I am sure If it was a plain carbon and stag one he might. Some knifes are for hard use some are not. I am sure Kevins fancy one could do anything a plain one would do but why mare up such a beutiful knife a less ornate version would do just fine. I have some fancy pieces ivory handles and such some have damascus or hand rubbed blades thaty i would not take to alaska but I do carry when I can not carry a gun for protection. They get some leather wear but thanks to Mr Long that is not an issue. If I ever needed to use one in a defensive matter who cares how much it cost or what it's resale would be my ass would be on the line and I gotta get home and that is why I buy custom knives . By the way if you are reading this Paul thanks for saying you would make me a cell phone case after you go long AT&T leather just does not cut it. Come on bud try and squeeze a little of my Cape Buffalo on there PLEASE
 
2knife said:
S-t-r-e-c-h-i-n-g too far I think to say "using" a knife is the same as "appreciating" a display piece. No, ..that's twisting your words to fit where it doesn't (i think). Let's not pretend here.

There is NO WAY to have your cake and eat it too.

I really liked JParanee's quote on pg. 1. The Real Deal, a man who says it the way it is:
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Well... you need to see deeper meaning / the big picture... the acts / functions are different but they serve the same purpose ... "self satisfaction" / "self fulfillment" ...
 
in the context set by the title for this thread, I take 'using' to mean- well, physically using a knife. As in actually separating matter.
I don't think there's any need to justify collecting beautiful objects for your pleasure by calling it 'utility'.
It's all good though:)
 
Kevin Jones said:
By the way, how many real uses (really cutting something that needs to be cut) are there for a 14"-15" custom bowie these days? ;)
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Competition cutting events or a wild hog hunt would be two. :eek:
Admittedly, not something many would use a Dunn engraved ABS Mastersmith knife for, but you asked. ;)

Doug :)
 
as far as 15" long bowies goes, well I use my pocket knife daily more times than I can count, but as far as using a knife for its intended purpose, the only other custom knives I use are kitchen knives, and 15" long bowies. I'm not skinning game and don't even have my hunting license yet!

But I build trails, and the best tool for line recon, around these parts, is a 15" long knife. If I had a hollow ground, engraved bowie with fancy componentry worth lots of money, it would remain unused and simply 'collected'. But I do appreciate the high quality imparted by a craftsman's efforts, so when it comes to collecting, at the moment, I only collect 'users'. I don't know if that's collecting or simply acquiring?

Time will tell! (as he floats down the river of steel...:))
 
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