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...has anyone ever told you that you have a shitty attitude?
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"That's not a knife."
- Thread starter HotSwat
- Start date
...has anyone ever told you that you have a shitty attitude?
Yeah I'm with everyone else, nope I don't do that. When people ask me for a knife for whatever reason they know I buy quality. I just say don't cut yourself. There's no reason to try to ONE UP them. I'm sure there's a hobby you might have in life that you are more ignorant about than you should be, would you like someone constantly one up'ing you?
I think a lot of people just get really obsessed with knives to the point where they don't see the value in them unless it comes with an adequate brand name or price tag. Sorry but that's just the thing I've observed; not that it's particular to knife enthusiasts, people that buy luxury vehicles wind up doing it too. Before they've even got through the BMW manual they already think of any car that isn't perfectly weight balanced, heated seats, and what ever else they could think of is a "POS".
I tend to just humor someone if they're bragging about a knife that isn't really that great. It's better not to stick your standards and opinions on them, unless solicited of course. Even in the idea of "informing" them it's insulting to insinuate that they didn't know any better and that they need someone to teach them how to pick out a knife, and then what is worse when people actually start justifying it by saying they're not "knife enthusiasts". That's really got nothing at all to do with it, and more to do with what people want to do with their knives.
I mean, is the guy that wants a $10 folding knife from a gas station really going to be impressed with my Benchmade's smooth action and zero blade play when he carries his loose enough to shake like a maraca so that the action is smooth? Do you think he's going to care about the blade play if it works for him? Half the people I know never even notice blade play until they sit there and wiggle the knife to check for crafstmanship, and frankly not that many people care about that. So I mean, if you're trying to impress one of these people with some $200-$300 knife, you're not going to accomplish that; at most you're going to convince them that you like to spend lots of money on unnecessary things.
Heh, there are these commercials going around on TV right now where they have some guy going, "This part is made from asian buffalo," and it says, "There are reasons for paying more, and then there are excuses." The truth of that is that it's all a matter of perspective. To the person that's already spent $200 on a nice knife, obviously no blade play was a reason for their purchase; to the person that made a decision to buy a cheaper knife with less craftsmanship, they're going to see that as an excuse for spending that much.
Is each person really wrong?
Oh, and really, take a step back and think from a non-knife perspective. A lot of really dirt cheap knives are manufactured and produced to a level of crafstmanship that is actually fairly good. The fact that we can so easily afford and obtain knives that are practical and economic is a good thing, not a bad thing. I personally bought a Benchmade beacuse I like the services they offer, I like the knife and I want to keep it for a very long time. If a person just needs a knife, isn't concerned with how long it will last, how well it's built, the warranty, why wouldn't they prefer a $10 knife from a convenience store display case than something that is even $25-$50?
I mean, operating outside of the perspective of a knife enthusiast, if I showed someone my $50 Buck 119 and they pulled out some $300 Chris Reeve or Bark River or whatever specialty manufacturer like that and said, "That's not a knife, this is a knife," I'd have a hard time not saying, "No, that's a waste of money," and the person that invested money into what they thought was worth it would have a hard time listening to that.
So I find it best not to play that little game and just try to appreciate knives for the level of crafstmanship they have and understand that as with other things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I mean, right now I've got my eye on a tanto fixed blade made by whatever cutlery is sponsored by Colt. It's like $50, has great jimping, full tang, etc. I'm sure that someone would say, "Don't buy that, get this, it's made with ATS-34, and it's only $100, and you'll be able to baton a log cabin with it before it gets dull," those all might be might persuasive arguments for them but to me the price being right for me and the knife being right for me will win out.
Personally I find it awfully presumptuous and pompous for people to assume that another doesn't know how to pick out a good knife simply because they don't share the same set of standards. I mean, you wouldn't stop a person in the supermarket that just bought a steak and say, "That's not a steak, this is a steak!" would you? I guess maybe if you were a butcher... Hey you'd have a big knife to show them too!
I tend to just humor someone if they're bragging about a knife that isn't really that great. It's better not to stick your standards and opinions on them, unless solicited of course. Even in the idea of "informing" them it's insulting to insinuate that they didn't know any better and that they need someone to teach them how to pick out a knife, and then what is worse when people actually start justifying it by saying they're not "knife enthusiasts". That's really got nothing at all to do with it, and more to do with what people want to do with their knives.
I mean, is the guy that wants a $10 folding knife from a gas station really going to be impressed with my Benchmade's smooth action and zero blade play when he carries his loose enough to shake like a maraca so that the action is smooth? Do you think he's going to care about the blade play if it works for him? Half the people I know never even notice blade play until they sit there and wiggle the knife to check for crafstmanship, and frankly not that many people care about that. So I mean, if you're trying to impress one of these people with some $200-$300 knife, you're not going to accomplish that; at most you're going to convince them that you like to spend lots of money on unnecessary things.
Heh, there are these commercials going around on TV right now where they have some guy going, "This part is made from asian buffalo," and it says, "There are reasons for paying more, and then there are excuses." The truth of that is that it's all a matter of perspective. To the person that's already spent $200 on a nice knife, obviously no blade play was a reason for their purchase; to the person that made a decision to buy a cheaper knife with less craftsmanship, they're going to see that as an excuse for spending that much.
Is each person really wrong?
Oh, and really, take a step back and think from a non-knife perspective. A lot of really dirt cheap knives are manufactured and produced to a level of crafstmanship that is actually fairly good. The fact that we can so easily afford and obtain knives that are practical and economic is a good thing, not a bad thing. I personally bought a Benchmade beacuse I like the services they offer, I like the knife and I want to keep it for a very long time. If a person just needs a knife, isn't concerned with how long it will last, how well it's built, the warranty, why wouldn't they prefer a $10 knife from a convenience store display case than something that is even $25-$50?
I mean, operating outside of the perspective of a knife enthusiast, if I showed someone my $50 Buck 119 and they pulled out some $300 Chris Reeve or Bark River or whatever specialty manufacturer like that and said, "That's not a knife, this is a knife," I'd have a hard time not saying, "No, that's a waste of money," and the person that invested money into what they thought was worth it would have a hard time listening to that.
So I find it best not to play that little game and just try to appreciate knives for the level of crafstmanship they have and understand that as with other things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I mean, right now I've got my eye on a tanto fixed blade made by whatever cutlery is sponsored by Colt. It's like $50, has great jimping, full tang, etc. I'm sure that someone would say, "Don't buy that, get this, it's made with ATS-34, and it's only $100, and you'll be able to baton a log cabin with it before it gets dull," those all might be might persuasive arguments for them but to me the price being right for me and the knife being right for me will win out.
Personally I find it awfully presumptuous and pompous for people to assume that another doesn't know how to pick out a good knife simply because they don't share the same set of standards. I mean, you wouldn't stop a person in the supermarket that just bought a steak and say, "That's not a steak, this is a steak!" would you? I guess maybe if you were a butcher... Hey you'd have a big knife to show them too!
Also it makes a good point that in a sense you could've went up to mr crocodile dundee with a Busse Gladiator and been like THATS NOT A KNIFE! THIS IS A KNIFE! Granted the years are off but still I'm sure there was a bigger and better knife back then.
Point being it was a shitty scene in a shitty movie why quote it?
Point being it was a shitty scene in a shitty movie why quote it?
pssst...I think everybody in this thread just did. Just not as succinctly as you did!
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- 1,928
No, I don't do that. It's rude, elitist, and just plain prickish. The other guy's knife -- no matter how cheap -- does what he needs it to do and suits his taste. At least he's carrying one and doesn't treat them like they're weapons of death and destruction that will jump out of somebody's hand and murder everything in their path.
Even if you think it's cheap crap, if the guy is showing it to you he's obviously proud of it. Good job for crapping on the guy. I'd say appologize for acting like a snob.
Even if you think it's cheap crap, if the guy is showing it to you he's obviously proud of it. Good job for crapping on the guy. I'd say appologize for acting like a snob.
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- 1,557
Yep, no point in belittleing someone if they have a cheapo knife. It's another thing if they come to you, "the knife guy", to ask for advice because they are not happy with what they have. Then you can really guide, teach and highlight the various things that make a nice knife. But if you start with "Crikey what crap you have!", it's not going to end too well.
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- Oct 7, 2009
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- 1,861
Short and Sweet.
"wow you have a knife on you!? That's great! If you are interested there is this website www.bladeforums.com and you can......."
Then again would it be right to pressure someone into such an addiction? ;]
"wow you have a knife on you!? That's great! If you are interested there is this website www.bladeforums.com and you can......."
Then again would it be right to pressure someone into such an addiction? ;]
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Yeah... that's really rude. I would absolutely be offended if someone told me the items I worked hard for were inferior. Even if it is, that's purely subjective based on your standards, and what right do you have to tell someone that?
I like talking about knives to people and if I see a clip I'll ask what knife they're carrying, but price/quality stay out of it. It's not my place.
You really do that?
I like talking about knives to people and if I see a clip I'll ask what knife they're carrying, but price/quality stay out of it. It's not my place.
You really do that?
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Nah. The movie was fun, Linda Kozlowski was HOT, and Paul Hogan made it seem normal to carry 10" blades around. "Good guys carry knives," that sorta thing.
+1 for Crocodile Dundee and knife guys.
Kaizen1
Gold Member
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- Jan 4, 2006
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Whenever possible, I try to explain why I might not like certain pockets knives. If I see potential for lock failure, I might explain the issue as a warning and see if they're open to looking into knives that won't have such issues. In all honesty though, many S&W knives will work just fine for the average non-knife-snob.
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- Sep 13, 2002
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- 490
Nope. I'm pure positivity at all times. And when I said I give them the Crocodile Dundee I meant with accent and all, because it a joke that is followed up with good advice.
As far as the Voyager goes, I stayed away from Cold Steel for a long time because of opinions voiced on this forum. Since they are discontinued and my Rajah 1 is awesome I picked one up. It's a great knife, made in Japan.
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- May 17, 2010
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- 266
Your good advice forgets that for most people a Sebanza is way overkill.
Do you NEED a Ford King Ranch Dually to pick up a hammer at Home Depot? Nope. A moped will work fine. But if you can afford and appreciate the truck, buy and enjoy.
Most people want to open letters and the occasional package.
Do you NEED a Ford King Ranch Dually to pick up a hammer at Home Depot? Nope. A moped will work fine. But if you can afford and appreciate the truck, buy and enjoy.
Most people want to open letters and the occasional package.
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- Mar 14, 2009
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- 3,646
Knife elitism is stupid. It's just a cutting tool. You can make a functional knife out of a tin can.
No matter how nice you think your knife is, and how much you think that gives you a right to look down on people, there's someone else with a nicer, more expensive knife, who can look down on you.
Get over yourself and grow up
99% of my day-to-day knife tasks could be done with a two dollar box cutter or a walmart kitchen knife.
No matter how nice you think your knife is, and how much you think that gives you a right to look down on people, there's someone else with a nicer, more expensive knife, who can look down on you.
Get over yourself and grow up
99% of my day-to-day knife tasks could be done with a two dollar box cutter or a walmart kitchen knife.
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- Jun 8, 2010
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- 565
Knife elitism is stupid. It's just a cutting tool. You can make a functional knife out of a tin can.
No matter how nice you think your knife is, and how much you think that gives you a right to look down on people, there's someone else with a nicer, more expensive knife, who can look down on you.
Get over yourself and grow up
99% of my day-to-day knife tasks could be done with a two dollar box cutter or a walmart kitchen knife.
I opted for the 7.99 folding Gerber box cutter because it's small and has a belt clip
- Joined
- May 22, 2010
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- 984
Knife elitism is stupid. It's just a cutting tool. You can make a functional knife out of a tin can.
No matter how nice you think your knife is, and how much you think that gives you a right to look down on people, there's someone else with a nicer, more expensive knife, who can look down on you.
Get over yourself and grow up
99% of my day-to-day knife tasks could be done with a two dollar box cutter or a walmart kitchen knife.
Well said...I know that many of you on here carry $50+ knives everyday; some way more than that (price). But not all of us can afford one of these knives. I carry a "super knife" brand china cheapo knife; but for what I paid for it, its a very good knife; assisted opening, spear point, deep pocket carry, glass breaker...it holds an edge well, is there when I need it, fast to open, cuts what I need it to when I need it to (a couple times better than I expected it to).
as for smith & wesson knives, for what they are, they are high value knives (what nutnfancy terms high value)...they are cheap (price), but well made, lock up well, hold an edge, etc....the only problem I have with them is they are all (all I've seen anyway) tip down carry.
edit: I also carry a vic rambler...
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That guy was pretty much me a couple of years back; then I got tired of sawing through stuff with a plain edge knife.
I have carried roughly about 20 or more different knives (not at the same time, lol), under the cheap chinese manufacturing (insert your own name brand, they were mostly frost cutlery, I would get from a friend for around 5 or 10 bucks).
I have what I would consider higher quality (and more expensive too) knives now, however I haven't had to replace it yet, Ive just bought more, well just because.
But to be even more frank about it, I would be pissed if someone came up to me friend or not, and told me that the Benchmade I carried around was a POS, because they have a CRK, or Strider, or some other custom (that I may or may not know the name of).
'Kind of a personal story': Me and my cousin and a couple of female friends went on a fishing trip that wasn't planned, I have always carried a knife, and most people who know me know that, long story short, we ended up getting to intoxicated to drive home, and my cousin was making a fire, however most the wood was not lighting so he asked for my pocket knife, which at the time was a frost cutlery, and started hammering it through the wood. it survived, and if he did that with my benchmade I carry now, I probably would have killed him/or at least thrown him into the river!
I have carried roughly about 20 or more different knives (not at the same time, lol), under the cheap chinese manufacturing (insert your own name brand, they were mostly frost cutlery, I would get from a friend for around 5 or 10 bucks).
I have what I would consider higher quality (and more expensive too) knives now, however I haven't had to replace it yet, Ive just bought more, well just because.
But to be even more frank about it, I would be pissed if someone came up to me friend or not, and told me that the Benchmade I carried around was a POS, because they have a CRK, or Strider, or some other custom (that I may or may not know the name of).
'Kind of a personal story': Me and my cousin and a couple of female friends went on a fishing trip that wasn't planned, I have always carried a knife, and most people who know me know that, long story short, we ended up getting to intoxicated to drive home, and my cousin was making a fire, however most the wood was not lighting so he asked for my pocket knife, which at the time was a frost cutlery, and started hammering it through the wood. it survived, and if he did that with my benchmade I carry now, I probably would have killed him/or at least thrown him into the river!
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thats true, and I feel the same. But in a big resort restaurant it is too easy to have someone walk off with your 400+ $ blade...or thats what I am told anyways.
If I had $400 blades I would def use them, no sense in investing that kinda money and not using them.
I was just pointing out that just cuz someone has a cheap knife at work it doesnt mean they dont have nice ones at home.
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HotSwat
Your intentions may be good but you still have some ways to go on what distinguishes a quality knife. These days I'm just as likely to be toting my 40yo pre-owned Opinel #9 that I bought for $5 - and while it looks like a POS it will outslice a goodly number of more expensive knives - including your Voyager - plus it won't scare the sheeple as much.
PS - I just read your post on the Rajah. I have a few CS knives of varying price and quality that I bought when I started collecting - most of which I still really like - but my original comment still stands - you still have some way to go..............
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Most of my friends don't ever carry knives, but I don't mock those that do just because they carry a less expensive knife than I do. If their knife works for them, be it a cheap knife or a $500 custom, then hey, that's fantastic.
And I certainly don't mock them for carrying a smaller knife than I do. Talk about your compensation...You know what they say - the bigger the knife, the smaller the...
And I certainly don't mock them for carrying a smaller knife than I do. Talk about your compensation...You know what they say - the bigger the knife, the smaller the...