The reality of your knife

I just love knives man. Same as the gun collector next door, the chick down the road with a closet full of shoes, or my coworker who's really into rocks and cuts them down with his saw and tumbles them for 48 hours. They're just cool and make me happy. I think one of the most important things in life, besides health and happiness, is passion. I always pray that the people I love find passion, in whatever positive means tickles their pickle. I've been passionate about knives for most of my adult life. I get into them for a few years, maybe back away from it a bit for a couple while I'm exploring something new or something else I'm passionate about, however I always find my way back. I think they invoke a primal sort of desire in people from way back in our evolutionary trail, kind of like fire. I think it's pretty much just a human trait to dig deeper and deeper into whatever you're passionate about and want to experience every aspect of whatever it is.

However, that said, you're right. I could get along just fine with my Kizer Begleiter 2 that I was carrying today, which I bought on sale for something like 40 bucks. In fact it's such a good knife that it had me questioning what the hell I'm doing with all these crazy other knives. Either way, the world will continue to spin, and I'll continue enjoying knives.
 
LimpCroissant said:
I just love knives man. Same as the gun collector next door, the chick down the road with a closet full of shoes, or my coworker who's really into rocks and cuts them down with his saw and tumbles them for 48 hours. They're just cool and make me happy. I think one of the most important things in life, besides health and happiness, is passion. I always pray that the people I love find passion, in whatever positive means tickles their pickle. I've been passionate about knives for most of my adult life. I get into them for a few years, maybe back away from it a bit for a couple while I'm exploring something new or something else I'm passionate about, however I always find my way back. I think they invoke a primal sort of desire in people from way back in our evolutionary trail, kind of like fire. I think it's pretty much just a human trait to dig deeper and deeper into whatever you're passionate about and want to experience every aspect of whatever it is.

However, that said, you're right. I could get along just fine with my Kizer Begleiter 2 that I was carrying today, which I bought on sale for something like 40 bucks. In fact it's such a good knife that it had me questioning what the hell I'm doing with all these crazy other knives. Either way, the world will continue to spin, and I'll continue enjoying knives.
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Well said my friend. I need to find some of that inner peace you seem to have.
 
ShaiHulud said:
By now I gather, most of you have super premium knives --- whether the price of the knife is mostly in the handle, or the steel, or both; and some of you, I'll bet, spent 1,250 + on a single knife --- so what's my point? (Ha)
I will wager that most of our true cutting needs can be satisfied in a knife costing $75.00 USD and under. SO!
Prompt: what's the primary driving force that makes the final step to purchasing your knife? Everything is welcome, Including pictures
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Not much outslices a 20 dollar opinell
 
Kettleman said:
Are we really doing this again?

Ok


I spent 40+ years with a Buck 303-301 in my pocket and could buy 2 ( 3 when I was a kid) for your magic 75 number. What’s your freaking point?

I worked my ass off for those 40 years and now I can and will buy the knife that feeds not just my needs but also my desires.

These do that. Quality American made excellence.

Maybe I’m just cranky this morning but lord do I get tired of the attitude the can’ts or won’ts seem to have about the cost of OUR choices.

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Completely agree! Collecting has nothing to do with need and everything to do with passion, love, pleasure, stitches.
 
For me, I enjoy experimentation and trying different things to decide what I really like. I have bought a bunch of stuff over the years, mainly to try different steels, grinds, styles, manufacturers, country of origin (Sheffield, German, etc) sometimes I chase over premium stuff, sometime value stuff, etc. I have reached a point now where I have just about any mood I may be in covered in my current collection and have figured out what I do and don't like, so I keep saying I will quit, but the impulse buys keep tripping me up 😂
 
The OP said nothing about collecting in the original post. A wise man who was about to get testy about such questions would just bypass it. It’s a reasonable question. I think the same thing and ask the same questions internally.
My explanation is and my answer to his question will follow.
This is a forum for knife (and other interests) enthusiasts that range from casual enjoyment to over the top crazy collectors. It’s their money and they are free to do as they choose but when they put it out for public display then it brings out some sane people’s astonishment and curiosity. This forum and others like it perpetuate that OCD behavior for many and others keep themselves in check and just enjoy the ride. The internet has made it easy for folks to get out of control. Once again, definitions of that vary as do opinions on the criteria and levels of the obsessions. People who have a problem with this behavior don’t like for it to be brought up and get very defensive about it. Watch “hoarders” and you will see. Classic example.
Knives (cutting tools in some form) are an essential tool for a nice easy comfortable life. We could all get by with one well chosen pocket knife and then specialized tools for other tasks but we choose not to. We dig knives period.
I have a range of knives and different criteria for what makes them a good choice but it usually comes own to overall design and pleasure to my eyes in conjunction with good quality steel (not necessarily the latest and greatest) all around great materials coupled with fit and finish. The better those are, the higher the price. All of mine are USA made.

I won’t spend a grand or more on a knife but am at a place in life that I want to and can afford high quality “luxury” items around me. I carry a pocket folder and usually a small fixed blade every day. The same ones daily. Things get upgraded occasionally but still it comes down to a non rotating fixed carry daily. Others have multiples that they choose what they’re going to carry daily from their stable let’s say.
I don’t want drawers full of them and certainly not boxes stashed away so I can gather my arms around them and say “mine all mine” but many do. Some would say I have more than I need and others would scoff at the small amount.

It’s ok. Have 1 or many. Expensive or cheap. Your choice. If you hang around here long, it will most likely be many.

Now for any who might come along and flame my post, you notice that no names were mentioned to protect the innocent and by slamming my response you just might be self identifying. Just saying.
 
Justification is the strongest human urge.
If you can justify it to yourself you can probably find a way.

What do you need in a watch to tell what time it is ?

What kind of wedding rings did you buy ?

I spent my youth and much of my life with a decent but cheaper knife in my pocket that was often not so sharp after a day or three of real world use.

These days I have a few knives I use heavily that have excellent edge holding ability. I also am better at sharpening.
 
Grumpy Old Man said:
I can't trust a "cheap" knife
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Trusting a jarbenza is like trusting a truck stop bathroom condom.

I am very picky about my knives, which has driven me into the $400+ range.

Their are always exceptions, but these are my general deal breakers:

Thumbstud only opener
Full Ti
Made in China
G-10, FRN, Gravity, etc.
Benchmade
Metal handles except on automatics, which is kinda unavoidable.

My most recent purchases, in the last yearish:

Cheburkov
2 Biryukov
Alan Davis
Seamus
Heretic Medusa --I got in a trade

I have another custom coming in November.

I like flippers, front flippers, and thumbholes. Carbon fiber (especially linerless), wood, bone, horn, antler etc handles. They must open fast without wrist flick.
 
dialton said:
The OP said nothing about collecting in the original post. A wise man who was about to get testy about such questions would just bypass it. It’s a reasonable question. I think the same thing and ask the same questions internally.
My explanation is and my answer to his question will follow.
This is a forum for knife (and other interests) enthusiasts that range from casual enjoyment to over the top crazy collectors. It’s their money and they are free to do as they choose but when they put it out for public display then it brings out some sane people’s astonishment and curiosity. This forum and others like it perpetuate that OCD behavior for many and others keep themselves in check and just enjoy the ride. The internet has made it easy for folks to get out of control. Once again, definitions of that vary as do opinions on the criteria and levels of the obsessions. People who have a problem with this behavior don’t like for it to be brought up and get very defensive about it. Watch “hoarders” and you will see. Classic example.
Knives (cutting tools in some form) are an essential tool for a nice easy comfortable life. We could all get by with one well chosen pocket knife and then specialized tools for other tasks but we choose not to. We dig knives period.
I have a range of knives and different criteria for what makes them a good choice but it usually comes own to overall design and pleasure to my eyes in conjunction with good quality steel (not necessarily the latest and greatest) all around great materials coupled with fit and finish. The better those are, the higher the price. All of mine are USA made.

I won’t spend a grand or more on a knife but am at a place in life that I want to and can afford high quality “luxury” items around me. I carry a pocket folder and usually a small fixed blade every day. The same ones daily. Things get upgraded occasionally but still it comes down to a non rotating fixed carry daily. Others have multiples that they choose what they’re going to carry daily from their stable let’s say.
I don’t want drawers full of them and certainly not boxes stashed away so I can gather my arms around them and say “mine all mine” but many do. Some would say I have more than I need and others would scoff at the small amount.

It’s ok. Have 1 or many. Expensive or cheap. Your choice. If you hang around here long, it will most likely be many.

Now for any who might come along and flame my post, you notice that no names were mentioned to protect the innocent and by slamming my response you just might be self identifying. Just saying.
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To be honest the original post was a little confusing and didn’t make much sense to me but when you get into talking about only what you need, eg. you only need a $70 pocket knife on a site for enthusiasts and probably a 90% majority of collectors, need has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Talking about needs is antithetical to collecting. Collecting is the opposite of need, its wants driven by each individual’s own desires whether it be passion or just to have the biggest collection ever or for any other personal reason. To come on a site Like this and argue that everyone only needs one knife is just ridiculous.

Do you need:
Tv
Phone
Computer
10 pairs of shoes

I could go on n on

Fact is we live in a time when 99% of what we have we don’t actually need!

So need is a whole other conversation that goes way beyond knives.

Peoples collect knives for their own reasons and there’s a difference between collectors and materialism.
 
Speaking of "stitches", this passion for knives made possible 7 stitches to my left thumb when a Khukuri made in Nepal caught my fancy and I obsessed over them until I bought two. Then, using one to cut some vines, I foolishly cut towards my hand instead of away and whoopsie. Now, part of this enjoyment and "passion" for knives includes a couple pair of cut proof gloves :). At 75 and retired, I really don't wear out knives like I did in the past. Now it is more for enjoyment and something to pass on to the kids.

What we are discussing seems to apply to most "Passions". When K390 started becoming popular, I had to have one just to see. One super steel is enough to satisfy my curiosity and not drain my bank account. For the longest time, I wondered why I even bothered to try a blade steel that supposedly held an edge longer than others - especially when I was no longer using a knife at work or at home that really needed that much edge holding ability. Finally, I went outside to cut up a bunch of large boxes that came in the mail and sliced them to shreds into the compost pile. When I was done, I felt the edge and was amazed that it was still very sharp. Then I understood. Most of my knives would have needed a good touch up by then, maybe even some time on the stones. But really, this steel didn't seem like it was phased at all by that little task, even though it was alot of cutting. But, we all go about this hobby differently just as we go through life differently.
 
My original thought for making the thread was, the only knife i currently have now is a 30 dollar kershaw and despite it being a folding knife It still satisfies over 80% of my actual cutting needs. So when we purchase a knife it's not so much because we need a knife for a tool or such, most of us have plenty of those, but what is the reason that remains that keeps us purchasing? Is it in search of the Rare and unusual, new and unique, odd and strange? Mainly it was an opportunity for the buyer to self examine and think about the why of things, and converse the findings if any. That's all
 
ShaiHulud said:
My original thought for making the thread was, the only knife i currently have now is a 30 dollar kershaw and despite it being a folding knife It still satisfies over 80% of my actual cutting needs. So when we purchase a knife it's not so much because we need a knife for a tool or such, most of us have plenty of those, but what is the reason that remains that keeps us purchasing? Is it in search of the Rare and unusual, new and unique, odd and strange? Mainly it was an opportunity for the buyer to self examine and think about the why of things, and converse the findings if any. That's all
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I'd love to get into all that, but we're not allowed to talk religion here. It's all about priorities.
 
dialton said:
The OP said nothing about collecting in the original post. A wise man who was about to get testy about such questions would just bypass it. It’s a reasonable question. I think the same thing and ask the same questions internally.
My explanation is and my answer to his question will follow.
This is a forum for knife (and other interests) enthusiasts that range from casual enjoyment to over the top crazy collectors. It’s their money and they are free to do as they choose but when they put it out for public display then it brings out some sane people’s astonishment and curiosity. This forum and others like it perpetuate that OCD behavior for many and others keep themselves in check and just enjoy the ride. The internet has made it easy for folks to get out of control. Once again, definitions of that vary as do opinions on the criteria and levels of the obsessions. People who have a problem with this behavior don’t like for it to be brought up and get very defensive about it. Watch “hoarders” and you will see. Classic example.
Knives (cutting tools in some form) are an essential tool for a nice easy comfortable life. We could all get by with one well chosen pocket knife and then specialized tools for other tasks but we choose not to. We dig knives period.
I have a range of knives and different criteria for what makes them a good choice but it usually comes own to overall design and pleasure to my eyes in conjunction with good quality steel (not necessarily the latest and greatest) all around great materials coupled with fit and finish. The better those are, the higher the price. All of mine are USA made.

I won’t spend a grand or more on a knife but am at a place in life that I want to and can afford high quality “luxury” items around me. I carry a pocket folder and usually a small fixed blade every day. The same ones daily. Things get upgraded occasionally but still it comes down to a non rotating fixed carry daily. Others have multiples that they choose what they’re going to carry daily from their stable let’s say.
I don’t want drawers full of them and certainly not boxes stashed away so I can gather my arms around them and say “mine all mine” but many do. Some would say I have more than I need and others would scoff at the small amount.

It’s ok. Have 1 or many. Expensive or cheap. Your choice. If you hang around here long, it will most likely be many.

Now for any who might come along and flame my post, you notice that no names were mentioned to protect the innocent and by slamming my response you just might be self identifying. Just saying.
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That you Dr Phil?

WOW ...First you imply we are crazy and the sane are astonished and curious so they get to admonish us since we publicly ( on a freaking knife forum) talk about knives we love to own. Then you compare us to horders and tell us we have OCD....and you finish with if we don't agree with you and call you out on this giant bowl of horse....you just spread that's its proof of the horse....?! Really?
 
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Knives are tools. They add abilities over bare hands. Like a mechanic with more tools then he'll ever need.

As for the rare and unique. Knives follow the same thought pattern as Watches.

Watch collectors will fill drawers and drawers. They only really need one watch but that doesn't stop them. Knives are cheap compared to watches at $350-$400+ a pop. With some folks collecting the $1000-$3000 segment. Going up from there to $4000-$6000 range. Then the ballers, $15000+.
 
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