Should I feel Guilty? EDC Post

CustomDreamer

CustomDreamer

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Sep 24, 2014
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So, I have a couple decent folders, no really high end knives, mainly because as soon as I walk through my front door I have zero control over what I may use my knife for and would hate to ruin an amazing blade, and I can't justify the cost of a loss to my wife.

Anyway before I get totally off topic, I want to speak to the fact that I find myself walking out the door with knives that I am not worried about losing or abusing. Should I feel guilty that some days I have a Rat I in my pocket instead of a Benchmade 940 or a Sage? My theory when purchasing all of my knifes was that I want to get knives that will last for decades but I find my self walking out of the door more often than not with a knife that I am not so proud to carry.



Lately it has been the s30v Blur $64 that I put off buying for a year cause I didn't want a "cheap" knife, that has been finding its way to my pocket. Obviously I am conflicted every day.

Do other people fight with this dilemma or dirty secret (as my friends like to refer to it) or am I alone?

Please post a pic your EDC, that, regardless of what you own, tends to beat the expensive ones out. I don't want to see CRKs when you have a full custom at home, unless, you are embarrassed about the CRK that is. Thanks for any responses.
 
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Knives don't need to be cool, expensive, nice, or anything else. They just need to work and do what you need of them. I leave the house most days with a $30 Victorinox in my pocket. On the weekends its a $20 Mora around my neck.

Nothing at all to be ashamed of. I guess I have cheap taste. Knives are semi-disposable to me in a way. I have lost dozens in my lifetime.
 
I have this same issue often.

I carry both nicer knives and cheaper knives.
 
I always have my old Kershaw Vapor II with me - I've had it for about 15 yrs - if it isn't in one of my pockets, it's in my pack...and there no shame in it.
 
Personally I don't see the point in owning knives that don't get used. I do have a blackwash elmax Blur that I haven't used at all yet. Not sure if I will but its too pretty to get rid of. For the most part my 0770CF is in my pocket everyday. At work I carry a $20 Kershaw select fire because the screwdriver is a lifesaver and if I lose it in a crawlspace or attic I won't get sick to my stomach. But not at work it's the 770, ZT0566, or 0550. Oddly, my other knife seeing the most pocket time is my Kershaw Chill which is pretty much as far away from a ZT as you can get in the KAI lineup. I just like it. Carry what you like. Don't feel bad about liking a cheaper blade. But don't feel bad about using a higher end one either.
 
I don't have real expensive folders, my current most expensive being a Benchmade 890. I'll carry that sometimes, but usually its a CRKT or my Buck Bantam.
 
just dont forget that more often than not the reason your wife was attracted to you in the first place, is because you were a man (alpha male) who did what you want, now while ive been through enough long term relationships to realize you have to give in here and there to make it work, what knife you carry with you, should not be one of those areas, get your nuts out of that jar on her dresser, and buy yourself a good knife that youre proud to carry and use every day
 
Justifying a knife loss to your spouse? Don't loose or abuse them. Things happen sometimes. Just don't sit your knife down and walk away from it.

Not proud of what you are carrying? Ahhh, carry what you like and don't worry about it. Carry two knives if you find that you would prefer to use a particular grade of knife for more riguorous tasks over a more expensive one. No big thing.

I understand your feelings. With folders, I carry what I like. I have two knives in my pockets most days. That SAK gets used about 90% of the time. If you use a SAK as an adult, you certainly aren't looking for status.
 
Other than a couple of cheap novelty knives that I bought out of simple curiosity, my EDC knives represent the "bargain basement" of what I own. I don't have a pic, but most are in the sub-$25 range, or at least they were at the time of purchase; some cost more these days. I have several comparatively more expensive knives that I bought with EDC in mind (Emerson Mini A-100, ZT 0770, Hogue EX-03) that end up sitting at home because I'd rather carry a Kershaw One Ton or SOG Salute in an environment where damage and loss (or theft) are possible. Nothing I do on a daily basis calls for super steel or The Smoothest Opening Ever.
 
I carry a $18 Chill to work and abuse them. After work and on weekends I carry anywhere from $300 to $600 knives and don't abuse them!!
 
I carry my knives and use them, but I do find myself more careful about the tasks that I use the expensive ones for. The ZT and Benchmade are not getting used to pop the lock on the supply closet doors. I go find the key when I carry them, but my skyline absolutely was used every day to pop that lock. Kinda funny when you consider that the tow I won't abuse are built for it more than the one I will.
 
I do this all the time but there is a different reason. It makes me feel very materialistic and shallow sometimes to carry my expensive knives. I like to share my interest in case anyone asks about my pocket knife but do not like telling them it cost $200. This is why I carry a SAK and sometimes even an extra "tactical" style folder everday for cutting and my fancy knife just for me.

BTW RAT 1 rules and you shouldn't feel a bit of guilt because there are tons of other guys out there who would be jealous as hell of your awesome and expensive $30 knife. Not everyone has $$ or interest for high-end knives but almost every guy can appreciate a well done blade, and the RAT-1 has it going on.
 
I feel your pain . I want to carry one of my better knives , but usually walk out the door with my Tenacious or a Griptilian. I end up carrying the other knives on the weekends .
 
My low end is a Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP-189 and the high is a TSF Beast. I love them all, they each have their use. Most of my knives will never come close to being used for what they were built for. Except maybe the ZT0801. I swear that thing was built strictly to entertain me when I'm bored.

I work in an office. My knives are usually only used for opening mail and cutting tape to open packages. Maybe 2-3 times a year I'll cut plastic straps off a carton or two of paper. Honestly, the Dragonfly is all I need.

Just remember, its a tool, it was made to be used. As long as you are using it properly, you should have to worry about breaking it. This is why I have no problem carrying expensive knives. I also view money spent on a knife is pretty much money down the toilet, that way, if I lose it, I'll be upset but it isn't going to kill me.
 
Carry whatever you'd like! Ever since 9/30 I've had a zt0454 ($500) in my pocket for work, play, show, whatever...

Does it do anything better than a manix or mini grip? NO!!!

But, I bought it because I like it, and I use all my knives regardless of price. Just don't go prying paint cans or stabbing car doors and your knife should be able to handle anything.

Another option is to carry a leatherman on your belt along with your expensive edc. That way if you really need to beat up an edge, you can use the leatherman.

546BC4B5-133B-4B02-A039-456ED4192BC7_zpsp8zrazgt.jpg
 
I'm guilty of carrying my FRN's more than all my high end knives. Kinda like I love driving my ole beater 91 Nissan Classic, to work and shopping. No dings or scrapes, but if I take my New Subaru Forester to town, ding ding ding :p
 
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I have been carrying my Rat 2 for the last two weeks even though I have plenty more expensive folders to EDC.
 
collim1 said:
Knives don't need to be cool, expensive, nice, or anything else. They just need to work and do what you need of them. I leave the house most days with a $30 Victorinox in my pocket. On the weekends its a $20 Mora around my neck.

Nothing at all to be ashamed of. I guess I have cheap taste. Knives are semi-disposable to me in a way. I have lost dozens in my lifetime.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. It's nice to have expensive knives and alot of that depends on what you can afford or what you're willing to spend, but if I spent alot of money on a knife and scatched it, dropped it, or damaged it in some way, I would turn neurotic. I don't like to live and worry about every little dink or dent.
 
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