Simple is Better

L

longbow

Basic Member
Joined
Jan 9, 1999
Messages
4,366
I have come to this conclusion after many years of carrying and using both high end exotic folders and fixed blades. A simple carbon steel blade, a decent spine thickness etc.etc. I could go on and on but I won't. I for the life of me can't understand multiple grinds, compound radius's, etc.etc. So there ya go nough said. keepem sharp

PS yes I am frustrated for trying to sharpen a thick spined knife I've taken delivery of
 
And what method are you using to sharpen your multiple grind, compound radiused, etc.etc. knife?
 
I use various methods. Some using a jig system but mostly free hand on a large med bench stone. The multi grinds like EKI tanto's and the one or two Strider's in tanto 's I've had I've used jigs' by Lansky or Smith's. Re curves depending on the degree of re-curve could be either way. Richard J I might take you up on your offer but that blank I rec. on Fri seems to be coming around abit, but like I said it is taking way way to much time. I stand my statement, a dropped point, or clip point, or spear point with a straight edge as the primary edge is BEST bar none. keepem sharp
 
I generally agree, especially when it comes to sharpening. If I can't sharpen something easily, I generally don't buy it (ex: serrated, recurve, nightmare grind, whatever). I generally stay away from Tantos and the like, too, although I have owned a couple of those.
 
I realized recently, as I was thinking about the thousands of dollars that I've spent on folders over the past ten years, that all the cutting I've done over the past 30 years with a folder could just as easily have been performed with the Buck 110 I got when I was twelve for $25. And I'm talking about a LOT of cutting.

I'd wager that most knives purchased by people on this forum are more about desire and less about need. After all, how many folding knives does a person really need? How many folders can a person actually wear out in a lifetime. I'm guilty of this myself. I've bought knives just to buy them, not because I needed them but because I thought there was something cool about them, and because they were different from what I already had.

I compare that old Buck 110 to my current EDC, a Bradley Alias. Sure the Bradley is lighter, but the 110 isn't exactly like carrying around a cinder block. The Bradley has a pocket clip, but the leather sheath that came with the 110 works just fine (in fact, I've almost lost the Bradley when the clip got snagged on packing straps, that's never happened with the 110). The Bradley is easier to open and close one-handed, but I've never been in a life or death situation where I needed a one-handed folder.

Like I said, I think it's often more about desire than actual need. But there's nothing wrong with that either. It keeps the knife companies in business.
 
killgar said:
Like I said, I think it's often more about desire than actual need. But there's nothing wrong with that either. It keeps the knife companies in business.
Click to expand...

Very true and well said.
I also beleive that as one becomes more adept in the use of a knife, you really learn what is important as far as features go.
I was thinking of this just the other day, when someone commented that the Buck 110 has probably feild dressed more deer in North America thatn any other folding knife.
 
sharpening is extremely easy once you realize that it's easy. Until then it seems hard. Sounds weird; but once you make a knife shaving sharp in a few minutes you just get it and it becomes second nature. Possibly third nature.
 
Very much agree. I've a Case Buffalo that is a large folder. Friction I believe it to be. Have it in an old Case sheath. I mean this thing is a carbon steel blade that is ground thin but is big enough at the same time to probably do anything I want to do with a folder. Truth is when I am stump shooting or fishing or hunting/hiking etc. I rarely use a folder at all. Maybe I'm just getting older but the super steels, weird blade shapes and edges just don't float my boat. So there ya go. I agree it is more about desire than anything else. Just ordered maybe my last folding knife. A Tops Thunder Hawke. Pretty simple frame lock and pretty simple blade shape . keepem sharp
 
I'm in that boat as well. I like simple. I've had high end stuff, and yes the do hold an edge longer. But sooner or later you have to sharpen it, and sometimes that is out in the field. I want a blade that I can touch up fast with the small diamond hone in my wallet. No matter where I happen to be, at any time. Or being able to touch it up on the bottom of a coffee cup or top of a car window. Strop on the back of my belt.

Simple is good.

Carl.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top