So, you collect/carry TRADITIONAL knives...Why? ;-)

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It's just like any collecting hobby. People don't need stamps that they will never put on a letter, or coins they will never spend, or small railroad cars and lifelike representations of tiny villages with railroads running through them. Or porcelain figurines, or beanie baby stuffed animals, or great works of art. There's no justification based on need for any of those things.

The right answer is that it's a hobby, and just something you're interested in and that you enjoy doing. I'd actually love it if someone would ask me. Other than the forums here I don't get much chance to talk about it with anyone.

I've actually never had anyone ask me about it. I live in the southern US and men carrying pocket knives is not exactly a foreign concept. I have several friends and co-workers who often carry pocket knives, though they tend to carry modern folders.
 
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Never been asked about carrying one?

I have been asked why i need so many. I just shrug because there's no logical answer to a person who doesn't get it. We're all different and everyone probably has more than they "need" of something.
 
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I forgot to nominate for the award of Stupid that golden quote "you GET a knife provided at a restaurant with your meal isn't that good enough?".
Knives at restaurants are among the most crappy items ever. Hardly able to slice a potato. Speaks tons about the author of this gem. I guess he's so afraid of knives he will gnaw open a bag of chips with his teeth (yuck !) or injure himself while trying to open a clamshell package with scissors. It's all good, let him fare well. By the way, Gary, your "nine/seven knives" assertion made me wonder about myself and I had to check... Currently, if I don my jacket, I EDC 6 knives : 3 in the jacket and 3 in my trousers. You're not alone ! Keep on the good stuff !
 
Years ago, when my fiancé and I had only just started seeing each other she asked me that question. I replied; "if it's a problem I shall give all but one up, as long as you do the same with your bags and shoes."

We're getting married in January and she will have new shoes for it I'm sure.

:)
 
Nice guys, forgot one memorable situation while I was in Germany with a crew from my company, one of the guys, also a knife guy, but he was afraid to pack any in his suitcase so he was knifeless while there for the 4 weeks. One day he asked to borrow a knife, I asked what he wanted it for, you never know what people consider is proper use of a knife I treat my knives more or less like my kids, hmm maybe more ;) but anyways he replies back "I want to clean my finger nails..." I must have made a face as he looked mad that I just didn't hand over one of my knives, so I said well I could cut you a piece of hard plastic that you could use for that and he just walked away, kinda mad and later I heard tell that he spread around how I was too good to loan him a knife, but neglected to mention his need for it. Later on I should have thought to loan him my SAK executive that has a Nail File on it, just didn't spring to mind at the time. He later was ok with it but I could tell that in his eyes I was a bad guy for not just handing one over to him...oh well !
G2
 
As a futile attempt to fill the existential void before I go careening back into dark nothingness.







Or, maybe I just really like ebony.
 
bwperdue said:
As a futile attempt to fill the existential void before I go careening back into dark nothingness.


Or, maybe I just really like ebony.
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"There are a lot of long words in there,... we're naught but humble pirates..." :) (paraphrased from Captain Barbossa)

But, I get your drift ;)
G2
 
So, you collect/carry knives...Why?
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As far as carrying, I dunno. I've been carrying and using knives for more than 50 years. At this point, it's partly habit. As an urban homeowner, it is convenient to have a knife in my pocket. It gets used all the time.

As far as collecting, I don't collect. The knives I have are a result of my exploration, seeking the right knife. I really only need one knife. I just haven't found it yet.
 
I have never been asked why I carry a knife, but then I was born and still live in the more or less rural south. But even as a teenager I was sometimes asked why I carry such a big knife, because ever since I was about 12, when I got my first big Kabar Folding Hunter, I have rarely been without at least one knife that didn't have at least a 3.5 to 4 inch blade, usually with a 3 blade stockman for back up. I just usually tell them it's because I like a big knife. Even today at 56, I will probably leave the house with a GEC Wrangler or a GEC #12 in my watch pocket of my jeans, but a big 4.5 inch lockblade will usually alway be on the other side. I probably won't need it, but I still can't hardly stand to leave home without it.
 
If asked this by another modern day male, I might say,

"Because society has failed in it's attempt to emasculate me."
 
It's a sub 3" none locking folder officer so I have no obligation to tell you ;)
 
Folks, let's be careful in the wording used to describe people who do not carry a pocket knife.

Derogatory terms are never welcome in Traditional.
 
IIRC, the only people who have ever asked me that question are ones sho have just asked to borrow my knife. I look at my knife, and what they want cut. I look at my knife again, and look at what they want to cut again. Eventually, they get the point and say, "Oh, yeah", like it's some kind of personal epiphany. :)

All in good fun, of course.
 
I'd rather not carry a steak knife, a pencil sharpener, a pair a scissors, and a box cutter. Also collecting knives is cheaper than collecting for example watches or sports memorabilia. (depending on how much you spend on those hobbies) You may as well collect something as useful and practical.
 
knarfeng said:
As far as carrying, I dunno. I've been carrying and using knives for more than 50 years. At this point, it's partly habit. As an urban homeowner, it is convenient to have a knife in my pocket. It gets used all the time.

As far as collecting, I don't collect. The knives I have are a result of my exploration, seeking the right knife. I really only need one knife. I just haven't found it yet.
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That perfectly describes my situation. Even the time frame fits.

I carry a traditional and any other blade I want simply because I want to. No explanation needed or owed to anyone. I grew up with a traditional in my pocket and without doubt die with one in my pocket. Most traditional patterns around here are considered gentleman's knives, not anything of concern or even a second look.

As far as offending anyone with my knives, I couldn't tell you the last time I did. I am more likely to have someone want to borrow my knife because it is sharper than theirs, not because they don't have one.

I never have to answer those silly questions that most here are plagued with as they just don't seem to get asked of me. I don't know if it is because of the social environment of South Texas, the fact I am judicious when I pull my knife out to use it, or maybe those questions just aren't asked around here. And has been noted here, growing up in the South (South Texas, actually) in many cases women carry knives as well.

A good example: was at one of my hangouts the other day and they received a huge box (store display) that had double cardboard and was taped with that heavy fiber tape AND shrink wrap. The asst. manager is a comely lass of about 25 that couldn't get her box cutter through all the adhesive materials due to its thickness. She has some kind of teeny knife on her keyring, but that was just to small.

She knows I carry knives, and she asked to borrow one of mine. I was going to give her my 4 inch stockman... but chickened out because I would be really ticked off if she hit a hidden staple. Man, those staples are edge killers. So I gave her my Kershaw Tremor. One of my favorite hard work knives, I opened it and handed it to her. Even with the large G10 handles and the 3 1/2 inch blade, she just chuckled when I handed it to her.

She used it to slice through all the packing, told me she liked it, and really appreciated how sharp it was. Just a routine day down here.

Robert
 
Not sure I've always liked knives and carried one. Maybe the scouts instilled it in me to "be prepared."
I've rarely, if ever been asked that question. Most folks that need something cut know I'm the guy in the group that has a knife.
 
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