The question of loyalty.

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
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I love peanuts.

I know, I have become a die hard fanatic of the little curvy serpentine jacks, and for the last several months, I've been in a blissful state of not wanting another knife. My amber bone and damascus peanut has been my steady edc, and I love it.

Mostly.

I guess it's some kind of unwritten law, that in any paradise there must be a serpent. Ever since Eve bit the apple, nothing has been perfect, so why should I expect any difference in my little world?

The problem is, that ever since becoming a peanut devotee, it has opened the world of small pocket knives to me. Sometimes when I least expect it, I get almost overcome with the desire to buy the new little bauble that catches my eye. Mini copper heads, especially the beautiful little wharnie and amber bone that Ed keeps showing off, makes my devotion to the cult waver. Looking at the nice little pocket hunters makes my devotion waver. A shameful thing indeed, myself being the Grand High Muckba of the cult, and having a position to uphold. Looking at other little slicerer and dicers, I find loyalty a tough thing to stick to. It's actually hard being a one knife man, and seeing all those pretty little knives that may need a good home to go to.

Knifitis acumulitis is a tough thing to fight. I never had trouble being a one woman man. Of course, Karen being the excellent shot that she is, gives me inspiration to keep the faith. I have no trouble being one dog man. As long as Pearl the wonder corgi draws breath, I wouldn't think of a new dog in the home. And all those years I was in the army, my trusty Buck 301 in a O.D. green nylon web sheath on my hip, I was a one knife man. With that stockman, and a P-38 and Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver on my keyring, I was ready for anything.

It was weird getting the knife bug at a later mature age in life. Maybe it's like malaria, you shake the disease, but get re-occuring bouts now and then. I guess I'll just keep on carrying my damascus peanut, and when I feel the need to buy a new one, hold it tight, and whisper " My Precious" to it, and wait for the bout to pass.

Besides, what would people say if I, Carl, Grand High Muckba of the Faithful were spotted with a mini copper head?

:D:D

Carl.
 
My knifitis acumulitis is spread out quite a bit, but mostly three blades. Funny thing now that I've got all the large and normal size knives I want I 've been eye balling those pretty little Case CV chestnut bone Peanuts. If I return to the good Old peanut I'll probably call it a baby dog leg jack instead. The boy in scout knife post you did not so long ago made me realize the peanut name has never appealed to me either, even though I know the peanut is a heck of a little knife! I'll have to wait and see maybe next year.
 
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I think some may be a little disappointed at first but then they would understand. Personally, I find it inspiring when I
come across someone who is a one (insert thing) type of person. I often wish I could be that way. Having said that, I
also understand the need to try different things. I have often wondered what you would think of a mini copperhead if
you were to EDC it for a time. It's funny you mentioned that knife in your post.

I am sure that whatever you decide will generate a lot of interest here. Have a wonderful weekend.

Stephen
 
The Peanut is indeed a grand knife, capable of much more than it lets on given its size. I almost always have one on me, but it is not the only traditional I carry. Usually, I also have a standard size pocket knife of some variety with me as well. I love them all equally, and do not consider such circumstances to mean that I am unfaithful to any one in particular. As with kids, that is the great thing about love, even when it applies to knives--you can love one and it does not need to diminish your love for another.
 
jackknife said:
I never had trouble being a one woman man. Of course, Karen being the excellent shot that she is, gives me inspiration to keep the faith.
Click to expand...

Now that is funny!:thumbup: A peanut is fine for office work, I need a little more. I probably don't need the two slipjoints and one sak I'll be carrying this afternoon, but hey, knife collecting is better than a cocaine habit, although almost as expensive.
 
Sometimes change is good and as far as I know you only live once. I say go for it.
Jim
 
I think a lot of us struggle with this from time to time. My feeling lately is, life's too short, enjoy it while it last. Embrace your knifeitius. If that means a new mini copperhead, so be it. You could definitely have worse habits. If that doesn't help, look at it this way. At least you HAVE been a one knife guy. Many of us will never achieve that. I say you deserve it. :thumbup:
 
Carl, I don't think it is possible for any knife person to be into only one specific knife. It wouldn't be held against you to have another pattern knife in your pocket. The way I look at it is that I collect peanuts. I try to find as many variations and manufacturers that I can, always looking for the rare gem. I also buy a lot of other knives, but they are not pattern specific, now that I think about it the peanut is the only slipjoint that I buy. The other knives are tactical or fixed blade knives that are just plain cool knives to use and work with. The peanut has tempted my interest in other small slipjoint knives. I have been tempted to pick up one of those old Case 6225½ mini coke bottle knives.
 
I'll give up my peanut when they pry it from my cold dead hands! :grumpy:

... unless I lose it or just decide to carry something else for awhile. :D

-- Mark
 
Carl,
Speaking only for myself I know that I would enjoy reading your adventures with a mini copperhead or, any traditional of your choosing.
 
I have been a 1 knife guy for several months as well. I still come here to enjoy the varying stories, knives and people. Like yourself I sometimes waver and look at other knives and even get close to making a purchase. This gives me a lot of excitement and thrill. It is here I let go and continue using my little companion. The real joy is thinking about the other knives, not always the getting. The less we get the more we enjoy what we have and what we do get eventually. It can be hard to limit ourselves but that is what makes doing it all the better :)
Thanks for the read Carl, I always enjoy your posts.
 
Go for it, as long as you enjoy whatever knife you're carrying. I carry my 309 for fun, because the Classic on my keyring has got everything covered. I look forward to new stories, peanut or otherwise.
 
I dunno. I started out a Buck stockman fan because I carried a Buck 303 for so many years in the 70s and 80s.

In the past 5 years I've tried all sorts of traditionals. Several alloys. Several styles. Half a dozen manufacturers.

But, the most frequent companion I have today is a Buck 301. Because the combination of robust design, alloy, and heat treat just fit me.

I've come full circle.

So I say, in place of a more profane comment, "make no excuses and carry what you carry."
 
I don't think anyone here would hold it against you, if you were compelled to try a pattern, other than the Peanut.

We live in a time where we are fortunate to have endless choices. Sometimes that can be a curse, but other times it can be very rewarding. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know in my 50 years, I've changed my mind many times , about things I like and don't like... I'm finding if I open my mind, and get rid of any preconceived notions I have about something, there is a very big world out there to experience.
 
Carl,
no one will hold anything against you here, unless he wants to be assaulted from the horde of Carl disciples and be covered by the dust of shame and banishment :D
Yes, you are BF's peanut prophet. That is not going to change. Personally, if you want to change to the mini copperhead, tiny trapper, or pocket hunter, you should go for it. Sometimes a change is good for you. And there are three reasons for this change.
First, if another knife makes you happier, then there is no reason why you should stick to your second choice, and not give a try to a possible first choice.
Second, sometimes you try something else just to get back full circle and realize you were better before...in the end, the result could be the same (you carrying a peanut), but the road taking you there would be even more consistent.
Third (and this is a very personal view), I always considered you the peanut prophet (guess I was the first one to call you that way), but, even more than that, I always considered you the prophet of small pocket knives held by great man. And I don't care if the knife you carry has a clip and a pen blade, or a clip and a drop, or a clip and a wharnie, if it's named peanut, copperhead, hunter. That's not the point to me.
I guess I'm interpreting most forumites' thought when I say we are with you if you decide to change...as long as you keep posting stories of course :)
And, as a sidenote, and speaking about personal taste, I would trade a Case peanut for a Case pocket hunter or an AG Russell pinched peanut. So good luck for the change.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I think you owe to all of us to get exemplar's of all these other "little knives" and compare them to your peanut. That way you can offer such advice as, "Wade, I think you'd still be happier with your Eisenhower." We could ask you for side by side photos of your peanut and your smallie du jour and all sorts of fact finding stuff like that. I think it would work out quite well. Also, if you found something you just absolutely could not stand, give-away material, passaround material, etc...
 
Thalestin said:
I have been a 1 knife guy for several months as well. I still come here to enjoy the varying stories, knives and people. Like yourself I sometimes waver and look at other knives and even get close to making a purchase. This gives me a lot of excitement and thrill. It is here I let go and continue using my little companion. The real joy is thinking about the other knives, not always the getting. The less we get the more we enjoy what we have and what we do get eventually. It can be hard to limit ourselves but that is what makes doing it all the better :)
Thanks for the read Carl, I always enjoy your posts.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is mostly where I'm coming from.:thumbup:

I've been enjoying being a one knife man for the past several months now, and this thread was started with a tongue in cheek tone, that may have been overlooked. Yes, I still enjoy looking at new knives, but in the end I stick with my damascus peanut. I've really come to value that tiny cutter, and so far it's really handled most everything I do, cutting wise. But like you said, I've found out that the less we have, the more we enjoy it. It's been that way with guns, and now knives.

Once in a while there's something I won't ask of the 'nut, either too dirty or tough. Then I'll carry something else in addition to it as a helper for a day. Sometimes my Opinel, sometimes a sheath knife. But I've been enjoying the one knife carry.

Carrying one knife is like being married. It's okay to look, but don't go over the line. At least when you have an old lady that can shoot strait. So peanuts being the feisty little cutters they are, with keen thin blades that bite deep, I don't want to risk their wrath.:D

Carl.
 
Carl, I don't think anyone around here will condemn you if you step out and have an extrapeanutal affair.
 
I'm relatively new to the traditional patterns, so as much as i love carrying my peanut, ill keep getting other knives, just traditional though, because, truth be told, i am a knife nut. I know the peanut is enough for an ordinary day, and i could probably get by with just that, but I have to try more patterns, even if eventually ill end up carrying just the peanut. I can't settle to the peanut just yet, not before i've carried at least a buck stockman, be it small or big, or tried a canoe...or a swayback jack...
I ordered a few and expect them next week, felt like betraying my little serpentine friend, but he knows he is my favorite, so i wont fight myself over the matter too much. After all, the peanut is the only knife i have close, all others being in their drawer...
 
I used to think that peanuts were the BEE's KNEES until I picked up a Case Eisenhower pattern. Love those little guys and I positively know I will never change until something else comes along and then the next thing after that etc. etc. etc.
 
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