Should I use this knife?

[mbkryan]

This Socom from 1998 is a knife I have wanted since 1998, and I just purchased it. This one is basically new and unused. It is fairly hard to find this knife in this configuration and in this condition. I feel sort of weird about using it because it is rare and collectible. I am thinking maybe I should get a 940 as a mid to large sized user and keep this one minty. I'd be interested to hear what y'all wold do.

 

[Barman1]

Just bought it?

Most will say "it's a tool, use it", but pick up the 940 and leave this one alone until the "honeymoon" phase is over, then decide whether or not you want to carry it.
These things have a way of sorting themselves out and you'll have less regrets in the end.
I've made the mistake too many times.

 

[Curl of the Burl]

I say use it or lightly carry it every once in a while.

 

[marcinek]

It's your knife...do whatever you want with it. Put it in a safe, throw it into trees, toss it in the river, give it to me...we don't know what you want to do with your knives.

 

[Sharperthansticks]

The 940 is a mid-to-large user? I consider it a small user, like the Delica.

 

[Final Option]

Curious as to what your intentions were when you purchased this knife ? Did you buy it as a user or just to add to your collection, either is fine it’s your knife now, enjoy !

 

[RLDubbya]

Sounds like you have the perfect excuse to buy another knife - doesn't get much better than "I just bought a knife I've really wanted, so now I have to buy another knife."

 

[mwhich50]

I would carry it sparingly, but not use it.

 

[bikerector]

I say use it or lightly carry it every once in a while.

This was what I was leaning towards as well. However, getting a 940 isn't a bad idea either as it's a pretty splendid EDC. Use the 940 most days and carry the socom for special events or when the 940 gets old. You could get a used 940, try it out, and then sell it for nearly what you put into it on the forum if you want to try a 940 and save the socom and revert to using the socom if you wanted.

Was your interest of the socom in that it looked like a splendid knife to use or a splendid knife to look at and fondle? I certainly have a few knives that see little use in the world but get fondled every week or so because I can't help but love the "art" of the knife.

 

[marcinek]

The 940 is a mid-to-large user? I consider it a small user, like the Delica.

So what should he do with the knife?

 

[mbkryan]

Sounds like you have the perfect excuse to buy another knife - doesn't get much better than "I just bought a knife I've really wanted, so now I have to buy another knife."

This is a brilliant new perspective on my situation! However, it may also lead me to being homeless and having to lug around two suitcase of very nice knives.

 

[mbkryan]

It's your knife...do whatever you want with it. Put it in a safe, throw it into trees, toss it in the river, give it to me...we don't know what you want to do with your knives.

For sure. I know I can do whatever. Sort of feels like trying to decide if I should open a wine that has been in the cellar for 20 years, or let it keep aging. Either way, I'll enjoy having it. Sort of like the idea of having it mint years from now. Hell, maybe I keep it locked up untill its 50th birthday, then baton with it

 

[mbkryan]

Just bought it?

Most will say "it's a tool, use it", but pick up the 940 and leave this one alone until the "honeymoon" phase is over, then decide whether or not you want to carry it.
These things have a way of sorting themselves out and you'll have less regrets in the end.
I've made the mistake too many times.

Good insight. Thanks

 

[Curl of the Burl]

This was what I was leaning towards as well. However, getting a 940 isn't a bad idea either as it's a pretty splendid EDC. Use the 940 most days and carry the socom for special events or when the 940 gets old. You could get a used 940, try it out, and then sell it for nearly what you put into it on the forum if you want to try a 940 and save the socom and revert to using the socom if you wanted.

Was your interest of the socom in that it looked like a splendid knife to use or a splendid knife to look at and fondle? I certainly have a few knives that see little use in the world but get fondled every week or so because I can't help but love the "art" of the knife.

Looks like a user but that can mean different things to different people based on lifestyle. User to some could be just carrying and cutting paper/cardboard where as user to some may mean heavy use. I don’t see it as heavy use, doesn’t mean it can’t be, but a nice light use carry knife. The 940 is very nice too. I never owned one but came close.

 

[DrRollinstein]

Keep it as a looker. As someone else said, gives you an excuse to buy a 940.

 

[mbkryan]

This was what I was leaning towards as well. However, getting a 940 isn't a bad idea either as it's a pretty splendid EDC. Use the 940 most days and carry the socom for special events or when the 940 gets old. You could get a used 940, try it out, and then sell it for nearly what you put into it on the forum if you want to try a 940 and save the socom and revert to using the socom if you wanted.

Was your interest of the socom in that it looked like a splendid knife to use or a splendid knife to look at and fondle? I certainly have a few knives that see little use in the world but get fondled every week or so because I can't help but love the "art" of the knife.

Not sure what it is about the socom. I have always wanted one. I use all my knives. If I don't, I tend to sell them off even if I really like them. This is mostly due to limited finances for knives. I am not against having knives that I don't use, and only keep because I really like them. Just can't really afford to do it right now.

 

[marcinek]

For sure. I know I can do whatever. Sort of feels like trying to decide if I should open a wine that has been in the cellar for 20 years, or let it keep aging. Either way, I'll enjoy having it. Sort of like the idea of having it mint years from now. Hell, maybe I keep it locked up untill its 50th birthday, then baton with it

OK. Spray paint it pink, glue rhinestones on it, and call it Penelope if you want. It's your knife. It's not hard to figure out what you want to do with it.

The whole thing is kinda like the folks who ask "What color Delica should I get?"

 

[uxo2]

Use it or sell it.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Use it or sell it.

I concur

 

[RayseM]

Who are you keeping it for?

I think these kind of "collector items" are more of a nuisance to your heirs than gold bars or at least some demonstrably valuable custom knife from a dead but highly respected maker. If your knife collection is well documented and you provide advice as to value and sale venues, your heirs might be OK with trying to sell some of them and be happy to get - are you crazy $ 300.00 for a pocket knife Maybe 10 years from now you could open it up for some air - sell it as pristine out of production mid-tech and make a $ 100.00 profit. As you ask - I say - USE IT.

Your call of course

Ray