- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 3,198
You can certainly go to extremes one way or another. I use my work knives to different degrees; my ZT0909 gets all the dirty work. I clean tar, paint, caulk, sealants, glue etc. off it with charcoal lighter fluid. I put that in my pocket when I am doing demo (contractor), framing, hanging doors, etc. On the other hand, my Spyderco Valloton gets the better end of the deal. No doubt it is a good "work knife", but after three years it has never been dirty enough to clean with solvents, and the blade really isn't scratched. It is a heavy built (and well executed) knife that would take ten times the work I put its way, but I like it pretty.
My point on the comments above is that you can't be a true collector and use a brand new knife. For example, my dad bought his grail gun about 35 years ago. He had wanted one for years and finally found a Colt Python 6" that was a certain model, certain upgrades, etc. made when they were hand fitted. 35-40 years ago he bought it NIB, with papers for about $900+ bucks. He was now a collector, with his dream gun in his possession. A brand new gun in box!
He couldn't resist... we took it to the range one day for a very careful "test drive". He shot one cylinder of shells with it and let me do the same. About ten years later, he decided to sell that gun because he had heard they were getting outrageous amounts of money for them, and he wanted a new rifle. We took it to the guy that wanted to buy the gun (a collector) that really wanted to buy the gun, and the offer on the table was a little over a 1K! When the collector saw the gun he was hugely disappointed... it had been used... fired 12 times. He offered my Dad $650 or so for the gun, and my Dad being hurt and disappointed, (it was only used once! he told me) didn't take it. For years he never got a better offer.
The gun collector told me later that he was sorry, but dear old Dad had crossed the line the first time it was fired. It went from a collector's piece to a really fine grade user/shooter. He told me that you can't have it both ways... leave it alone as a collector's piece, or use it. In my Dad's case he told me he truly hoped my Dad hung on to the gun and shot the hell out of it because it was such a fine example of gun making and gunsmithing.
If I had found my grain knife I would use it sparingly, but use it I would.
Robert
I always have SAK classic if I need to cut something. I also use Moras and a few other cheap knives around the house, and in the yard. For me, knives are primarily collectables/engineering art. I definately enjoy carrying, and handling them. I have six laying on my computer desk, right now. I just can't justify spending $10,000 + (collection, not each knife), and ruining their resale value by thrashing them, or throwing them in a knife drawer. Maybe it was the way I was raised? Maybe it's my OCD? 
