Should I buy the custom I've wanted since I was 13..or buy the other 6 things I want?

G

GarageBoy

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May 23, 2003
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I've been wanting a Crawford KFF since I was 13. The original plan was to buy it and actually carry it. Since doing so, I've found out, puts me in question with the law, I've decided against carrying it.
Now, part of me still wants to buy one at the NYCKS, but I have other hobbies (pens, shaving, watches) I could be using that money on. The question is, buy it anyways now, or later on. Took me a while to save this $$$ and finally realized what that $$$ could buy me otherwise

Thanks
 
In my opinion, I'd get the most you can for your money. You'll have a memory of every knife you buy. If for some reason you decide in the future to get rid of the custom, the memory is gone.
I've traded customs in the past, but I still have enough of the production knives to keep my memories alive!
 
It depends....
How educated were you about knives at age 13?
And why did you originally want that particular knife at age 13?

When I was 13 years old I desired many things that I now look back at with wonder and amusment, sometimes saying "what the heck was I thinking".:p
 
Well,
a) it's a Crawford..one of the best and longest living "tactical" knifemakers- he's been through it all
b) it's a KFF- it's earned its place as being one of the original "tacticals"
c) I love the handle egros and the blade shape, I used to have a pair of CRKT ones, one of my first knives
d) Pat and Wes Crawford has always been willing to spend time chatting with me at shows
 
Garage boy:
You've made the decision, buy the KFF. Life is short, you can always get those other knives, get what you like and something that means something to you. That to me is always the best bargain.
 
Buy the Crawford, you have the money for it now. The 6 other things you can get piece by piece over time. Additionally, if you decide you no longer want the Crawford, you can always sell it on the secondary market and make your money back.
 
You wanted to carry it but decided you shouldn't. Would you be happy keeping it in a drawer rather than your pocket? Pride of ownership can have value true enough, but I think you would be better off buying 6 things you want and could use rather than one you cannot. Down the road if you have extra cash and still think it's worth buying just for the pleasure of owning one, go for it then.
 
Yes buy that custom and carry it. It will be hard to put them first few scratches on it, but it would make a great EDC. :cool:

I carry all my higher end blades, as do most people here. There is something about "using" a custom blade that just feels right. They were made to be used, most any maker will tell you that. Also when you get up in the $450 and up range most knives can be refinished. Most makers are very proud to see there knives in use, and will tune them/refinish them if asked. There might be a fee, usually not over $50.

I see my "keepers" as knives I will have, and use till I die. So I do not want to have them refinished, why would I want to erase all the time I used them? (I'm sure my kids would rather have dad's old scratched up knives that got carried, than dads brand new looking knives that never seen any use. ;))



I have also found that, when you have a knife you have really been wanting, and finally get it. Its like your "want" for new knives disappears. As you have what you really been wanting to have. Its not a substitute, so your not really looking to fill any void. Hard to type what I am try'in to say. Just get it and post us pictures................................:D

If its not what you wanted, I'm sure you could sell her here for roughly the same price you paid. Thats another plus with higher end knives. :cool:

You could get that Crawford use it for a three years everyday, then sell it for 20% less than you paid. Try that with a Gerber Paraframe!



BUT.............if you can't carry it, I'm not sure if it would be "worth it." Thats totaly up to you. I would not spend that dough on a knife I can't carry. All my knives, see pocket time or they get purged.

Why would you not be able to carry it? Is it blade lenght?
 
No, it's "flickable" being liner lock and may potentially get me busted as a gravity knife (can't picture trying to convince a judge a KFF is not weapon)
 
I say the best reason to get a custom knife is to have it customized to your preferences. In this case that may be a slightly smaller blade.
(Edit: or stiff lockbar and strong ball detent, my CPM D-2 Military has seen a month of use now, and is still difficult to flick open.
As much as we love a smooth easy opening knife, keeping the pivot tight can work as well.)

I'd talk to Pat or Wes and have the knife of your dreams made so you can use it.
Just make sure you know what you want. As I use different knives I learn what I do and don't like in a folder and after a few years of collecting I'm still learning my own preferences. Some will probably say it's a lifetime process, but I think I'll nail down general EDC eventually.
Then will be the time to order a custom.
 
GarageBoy said:
No, it's "flickable" being liner lock and may potentially get me busted as a gravity knife (can't picture trying to convince a judge a KFF is not weapon)
Click to expand...



Can you tighten the pivot?

I know you had a Spydie taken a few months ago. I'm not sure how they are allowed to do this. That sure would be tough to eat, if they got this one too. I say pass if you can not carry it. I just wouldn't give up the idea of carrying it so easy.

I'm sure you could get it to not flick open with a call or email........
 
I'm with Scott Dog and Halfneck. If you don't buy it now, you'll spend the money on the other things and end up buying it later anyway (trust me). Those 'young' dreams don't really have a practical side and don't go away when we get 'practical.' Buy what you've wanted for a long time and pick the other six off one-at-a-time. Just call the Crawfords and make sure they have one there for you.
Steve
 
What if they done a larger dedent(sp?) and more tension from the liner? You might not get it the day of the show, but the wait would be well worth it.
 
I would just go with a good production knife that there will be no legal questions when you carry it. Myself, I can't see spending a wad on a knife to lay in a drawer somewhere.
 
The KFF is definitely on my list of custom folders....

I'd say buy it - the only way to rid yourself of temptation is to yield to it.

And in the immortal words of the Butthole Surfers: "its better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't done."
 
for crying out loud, if you buy it, you'll just get it taken away by another transit cop... buy an AR-15 instead.
 
Get the KFF, tighten up the pivot to carry it, and DON'T LOOK BACK! Nothing worse than "buyers remorse". For me the KFF has the best feeling and fitting handle on a knife I've ever had. Hey, you could also go for the framelock KFF.
 
Get the KFF. Then save up and take the same approach with your watches and fountain pens.
 
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