So..should I use my Yarborough...

M

mrgreyman

Joined
Jun 10, 2008
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39
The thing has been sitting in a shadow box for 18 years now. I have plenty of other knives, but just thinking what good does it do to just leave it and never use it for anything. It will never have any real meaning for anyone else, and as I get older I am wondering if there is a good reason not to use it. What do you guys think?
 
The key (for me anyway) is to use it, not abuse it, unless it's a life-or-death situation and I gotta ask the blade to go above and beyond.

Every knife I have is a "designated user" even if it hasn't been used yet, because I have a lotta knives. ;)
First thing I did with my L 31 Lunar Landing was put some Renwax on the show side and put her in my pocket. Did the same with the Shirogorov 111, Olamic Rainmaker, and Koenig Arius with the purple Alutex I got a few months ago.

I say enjoy it!!! :D
 
Yes you should use your knife. Unless it’s a serialized knife, that indicates you graduated as a green beret (kudos if you did), then it is one of thousands and thousands of such knives.

Yes, you will devalue it by using it, but I guarantee you will get a few hundred bucks worth of pleasure out of using it. Every time you enjoy that fantastic design, consider what you might pay for each experience? I have a pacific that I’ve used a lot. If I took $200 off the resale......who cares. Those campfires I made with it are priceless.
 
mrgreyman said:
The thing has been sitting in a shadow box for 18 years now. I have plenty of other knives, but just thinking what good does it do to just leave it and never use it for anything. It will never have any real meaning for anyone else, and as I get older I am wondering if there is a good reason not to use it. What do you guys think?
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Thank you for your service! That's pretty awesome you've got the real thing. I just purchased the civilian version and dedicated it to my truck, so it's always there when i'm outside... whether camping, hunting or whatever it'll be there by my side.

I appreciate your keeping it in a shadow box for so many years. But, let's face it, none of us live in museums! Use it, not abuse it (although these things will take just about anything you throw at it) that is the key.

Mine will depreciate with use, but not a ton. Yours however can never be sold, so you're just making memories for the generations that special knife will be passed down to.

I'd love to see some pics of how you displayed yours!
 
Yes, this is the one issued to me so it is a serialized knife. I am leaning towards just using it. It cannot be sold so devaluing is not really the issue. I think I can hand it off to my son eventually, otherwise it will just be sitting in a shadow box in the back of a closet. It seems kind of pointless right now.
 
mrgreyman said:
Yes, this is the one issued to me so it is a serialized knife. I am leaning towards just using it. It cannot be sold so devaluing is not really the issue. I think I can hand it off to my son eventually, otherwise it will just be sitting in a shadow box in the back of a closet. It seems kind of pointless right now.
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If you plan to hand it off to your son, maybe the more reason to use it. I know if I was to inherit such an amazing gift from my dad, I would want to see evidence of his time on earth on that blade. I think I would cherish a well-worn knife that my dad used more, than something he received and kept as a token.

That’s just my take on things. Certainly this knife represents much more to you and your story than any knife I went and bought at the store, so the decision is a little tougher. If you plan to pass it on to your son, I believe he might appreciate it more if it looked like you had some adventures with the knife.
 
kidcongo said:
If you plan to hand it off to your son, maybe the more reason to use it. I know if I was to inherit such an amazing gift from my dad, I would want to see evidence of his time on earth on that blade. I think I would cherish a well-worn knife that my dad used more, than something he received and kept as a token.

That’s just my take on things. Certainly this knife represents much more to you and your story than any knife I went and bought at the store, so the decision is a little tougher. If you plan to pass it on to your son, I believe he might appreciate it more if it looked like you had some adventures with the knife.
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What you say makes sense. I will get it out and use it. Thanks everyone for you perspectives.
 
kidcongo said:
Yes you should use your knife. Unless it’s a serialized knife, that indicates you graduated as a green beret (kudos if you did), then it is one of thousands and thousands of such knives.

Yes, you will devalue it by using it, but I guarantee you will get a few hundred bucks worth of pleasure out of using it. Every time you enjoy that fantastic design, consider what you might pay for each experience? I have a pacific that I’ve used a lot. If I took $200 off the resale......who cares. Those campfires I made with it are priceless.
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100% agree
 
If your son inherits a knife that’s never been used, it will have no meaning to him and eventually he’ll get rid of it. Now, if he has one that’s been used by dad, it has meaning because he’ll remember the times he was with you using the knife and will be a constant reminder of you when he uses it. I’d bet it will bring a smile to his face and will cherish it forever. That’s where the real value of the knife comes in. By using it, you’re not only making memories for yourself, but also for your son.
 
Ajack60 said:
If your son inherits a knife that’s never been used, it will have no meaning to him and eventually he’ll get rid of it. Now, if he has one that’s been used by dad, it has meaning because he’ll remember the times he was with you using the knife and will be a constant reminder of you when he uses it. I’d bet it will bring a smile to his face and will cherish it forever. That’s where the real value of the knife comes in. By using it, you’re not only making memories for yourself, but also for your son.
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On a normal knife there would be no question. I have my grandfather's buck knife with his name engraved on it, given to him by my father, passed back to my father and now to me. No doubt it is special to me. This Yarborough was issued to me when I graduated the Special Forces Q and that is the only reason it is in the shadow box. It can't be replaced and I doubt he would get rid of it, but I think you guys made the point that it would mean even more if it was used.
 
My thoughts are use it if will bring you pleasure, but don’t feel obligated to either. I suspect it will be meaningful to him either way.

At least you have it in a shadow box, though, which highlights the significance. Mine is literally just in a box at the top of a closet. My kids are still youngish and don’t even know I was in the army..guess I’ll tell them one day, lol...

Last thought: I’ve always considered mine as some type of plaque, I suppose. I never took it to work and always found different fixed blades to use. However, it was my first CRK knife and has inspired some brand loyalty within me. I use the heck out of my CRK folders and they all, in a strange way, still feel connected to the circumstances of my first CRK. But even with that said, I agree that using the knife, especially with your son, will create some unique memories.
 
Thank You for your service.

May I ask what kind of fixed blade you used instead?
The Yarborough can do both. While it is a capable tool it is also a piece of museum quality.
If you have use for it - do it.
Well i got a civillian version and use it while hiking. I know this is a different version.
 
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