style over substance: a long confession

Skytorn said:
Well, I'm very glad to see that actual Spyderco owners agree with me that those are ugly knives. Kind of like Buckley's Cough Syrup, eh? It tastes awful, and it works.

Now if people could be convinced that Busse knives look drab and lame... :p
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So the Schempp collaboration Rock Salt and Persian's are ugly? Everyone has the right to their opinion but you can consider this Spyderco owner not in the bunch that thinks they are all ugly. The list of ones I think are beautiful as well as just not ugly is longer than those two as well. There are certainly some I am not found of visually as well as their function but if there was one I didn't own that did a specific job better than any I have I would consider it regardless of looks.

I've personally shattered a Chinese made knife with way too little effort and seen it happen to several others in person. I've seen a model of one of the companies mentioned in this thread that supposedly uses "great" AUS8 completely fold the sharpened and part of the unsharpened edge over from hitting a thin plastic garbage basket with it. If you are just going to look at them they can be great and I completely understand that. If it was contracted to one of the better factories in China from one of the successful companies that does so (Spyderco for example ;)) then I would have no issue using it.

$40 really does give you a lot of options for higher quality knives. If nothing else look at the ones that should cost around $60 online being sold on the for sale forum for $40 to your door NIB or even a blemish version of a more expensive knife. You might even see one that looks :cool:.

Still, in the end don't feel bad about buying what makes you happy. That is the only issue that matters really. I also don't think you even need to own a knife to enjoy this site but the fact that you own any and want to talk about them should be enough for anyone that would judge. Also, no chance on convincing me all Busses are hard on the eyes but good luck with the others. :)
 
I started out the same way, climbed the ladder of knives - got a sebenza and tried out a strider SMF - got the T-shirt and gradually worked my way back down to where I am right now. Happy as a clam and I am carrying a Cold Steel AK-47, and just ordered myself a ~$50 Boker Exskalibur I and it should be arriving in a day or two :)

For a while there I was buying the expensive knives because it was the "it" knife and the be all end all in our knife community, but when it came down to comfort, carry, extended use, I was getting the same "happiness" out of my lower end knives because I wasn't afraid to beat the hell out of them :o I won't go desperately low on the price tag (unless it's a mora) because I do respect quality of materials and fit and finish. Plus, a Sebenza in the future would be a nice gift to myself when the time is right ;)

When you get the knife bug, your wallet really knows it :D
 
Dorito Monk said:
I think WAY more members are in your exact position than they'd care to admit. The only difference might be that some members buy thousands of dollars worth of Busses they have literally zero reason to buy, whereas some do the same with lower-end blades ;)
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agree BIGTIME...

the original poster has refreshingly honest opinion...ok by me...
 
it really took me a while(and a lot of flames) before I managed to wrap my mind around the prices of the so called decent quality knives in the Philippines(1 months salary at minimum wage). In the beginning i was attracted to the tactical looking folders. Only recently have I begun to see the beauty of spydies(I have a millie on order).
 
The Millie, is one of the finest big boys out there.
Light weight slim and a classic Spyderco.
_spider__by_Mrichston.gif
 
I generally find a knife on the plain side to be more beautiful. I like simple satin finishes, flat grinds, etc... different strokes.

For instance, I find Bark River knives to be exceptionally good looking. Never even held one, but I love the simple, natural look to most of their knives. It helps that I know they are excellent quality.
 
cj65 said:
A love for the Spyderco brand knife does start with a grasp, not a look. Once you are in love with the grasp, the form becomes a vision of loveliness. Sal Glesser is a visionary and brave business man to make happen what he has done. I never thought I would own a Spyderco. "Those are just not for me," I used to say. Now, I post with my Paramilitary in my pocket..... LOL Waiting on some funds for a Military.:mad:;)
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hmmm. evidently I am most strange then. I think a fair few of the spyderco knives are fairly good looking as knives go.
especially the police, for some reason.

I've never seen a spyderco in the flesh, let alone held one..
 
This is why I buy cheap knives that are thick enough, and decent enough steel, then temper, modify, and test. My everyday carry is a fixed blade tanto with a type of serration that is more or less for non-lethal techniques than sawing, though it will work. Part of the back side is sharpened as well. I had to reshape the edge shape and the blade angles but for $4.00 it does the trick. I can throw it well, it stays sharp, the cheap leather wrapping is sufficient for just about anything, and I don't care if it gets destroyed. I spend a lot of time in the woods and always carry it. It is my first line of defense against anything, and I rely more on my skill with it than the actual knife. That is what you should be considering...
 
i have a few of those kinds. i have one rather large chinese-made knife that i use as a camp knife when i work in my farm. I beat it up by chopping up firewood, and used it chop down several 6 inch diameter trees.i use it to prune my fruit trees when I forget to bring a pruning saw. it will keep it's edge enough for me not to feel that i need to sharpen it for the whole day. and yes i bought it for about 4.00 dollars. but i think i've been bitten by the bug and want to have some knives that have received nice comments but these won't be hard use knives. more like EDC and last ditch SD.
 
There are plenty of cheap Chinese knives I love the looks of, for no other reason besides their looks. A SOG knock-off in a blade length I don't find very useful. A saw back "combat knife" with a finger grooved handle. About as useful to me as spinning rims on an Aveo. But I like the way it looks. The knife, not spinners. And I've seriously considered buying the Schrade horse bowie with the coffin handle and long sharpened swedge. I need that like I need another ten pounds around my middle. But I just might order it and celebrate with a large pastrami on white. ;)

Frank
 
As a knifemaker and philosophy grad I'm incredibly poor, so my knife collection primarily consists of knives under 10$, really weird stuff like mini cleavers, leather braided folder, sak knock offs, flea market finds...

Except for trades and gifts, they're in a separate box, benchmades, spydercos, a host of scandis

You can feel the difference immediately with your eyes closed. My personal blades don't always have a lot of flash but when people gasp after picking them up, go into a bit of a crouch, yeah, that's the stuff...
 
I buy cheap knives that are thick enough, and decent enough steel, then temper, modify, and test. My everyday carry is a fixed blade tanto with a type of serration that is more or less for non-lethal techniques than sawing, though it will work. Part of the back side is sharpened as well. I had to reshape the edge shape and the blade angles but for $4.00 it does the trick. I can throw it well, it stays sharp, the cheap leather wrapping is sufficient for just about anything, and I don't care if it gets destroyed. I spend a lot of time in the woods and always carry it. It is my first line of defense against anything, and I rely more on my skill with it than the actual knife. That is what you should be considering...
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Blackfeather,

What have you been smoking in your pipe? :) You buy a $4 knife then heat treat it, re-profile and sharpen it, plus part of the spine as well, wrap it in leather, throw it into trees, and don't care if you break it? Sounds a little labor intensive to me...for my first line of defense, I consider my .357 mag snubbie, Beretta 9mm or Kahr PM9, then my knife.....just sayin :rolleyes:
 
The most expensive knife I ever bought was a Buck Alpha Hunter, 65 euros (circa 88 USD). I like to look at some of the more expensive knives posted at the forums here, but buying them is something different. Maybe if I have the money some time, I will buy a nice camping/bushcraft knife, but for now I feel well equipped with my SAK's, Mora's, Opinels, EKA's and other not very expensive knives.
 
cziv said:
Blackfeather,

What have you been smoking in your pipe? :) You buy a $4 knife then heat treat it, re-profile and sharpen it, plus part of the spine as well, wrap it in leather, throw it into trees, and don't care if you break it? Sounds a little labor intensive to me...for my first line of defense, I consider my .357 mag snubbie, Beretta 9mm or Kahr PM9, then my knife.....just sayin :rolleyes:
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...that's a bit uncalled for. So you have guns, we're all very happy for you, but this is BLADEforums not bulletforums. There are many reasons for some people to choose blade over gun such as: money, legal, weight, age, and versatility issues to name a few.

Pluss, what's wrong with a guy who enjoys working with his own hands to modify or improve on a piece of steel to make it his own, if works for him, gives him pride, and saves him money?
 
Ease off BryFry,

I have no problem at all with anyone, especialy Blackfeather, working with his own hands to modify & improve a piece of steel. I'm happy it saves him money but who has that kind of time on their hands? Really.

Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work and should spend my days re-forging CCC and selling them online, in between practicing my expert knife wielding and throwing skills? ;)
 
I often hear of people buying cheap knives, talking like an AA meeting. I think the term is fitness for purpose. I have an extremely high regard for the Frost Mora, but it has limitations. I have several Master blades and they are excellent to use in the field.

I first learned to shape steel on cheapo knives. Some not too bad working knives but taking a sheet of 12c27 and making a knife from scratch is inviting many errors no matter howmany sketches and books you have read. I still made errors on style and my phenominal fighter is employed as a chef's knife,,,,,

Buying cheap allows you to figure form and failures in design or making. Occasional cheapos really work well and considerable understanding can be gained. Finding what works when is also desirable. I have found what is a beautiful knife made very well, costing hundreds and stupidly tried to make it do everything, not possible..
 
cziv said:
Ease off BryFry,

I have no problem at all with anyone, especialy Blackfeather, working with his own hands to modify & improve a piece of steel. I'm happy it saves him money but who has that kind of time on their hands? Really.

Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work and should spend my days re-forging CCC and selling them online, in between practicing my expert knife wielding and throwing skills? ;)
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Well I hope plenty of people have time for hobbies, other wise life gets pretty boring. (maybe you are in the wrong line of work) :)

It's not much of a stretch to compaire someone like Blackfeather, to someone who chooses to spend so much time and energy fixing up a rusty old car and turning it into something they love and can be proud of. I mean it'd be easier to just buy a new car right? And the new car would probably even be better in many ways, but it just isn't as gratifying.
 
I have a 110 Pakistani knockoff that is an excellent knife and cost less than $10. Some one was having a good day when they made it. Steel is iffy but it locks up tight, fit and finish good with brass bolsters and liners. White bone handle panels.
 
Well I hope plenty of people have time for hobbies, other wise life gets pretty boring. (maybe you are in the wrong line of work)
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I love my work BryFry, having a few online e-commerce stores. It affords me "play time" on this and many other forums while working.

Oddly enough, I have one website that has a whole section devoted to CCC folding knives. You should buy some! :D

Man, I've got S&W's, Brownings, MTechs, and ones that just say China on the tangs. The most expensive one:

Folding Knife with Pakka Wood Scales

Regular price: $29.00
Our Price $12.95

The rest are $10 and below.

I don't own a single one of them, as they totally suck - honestly they're cr*p. I have a guy who dropships the knives. You'd never believe the wholesale cost on them even if I told you.
 
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