Tipping point between user and safe queen

D

DangerZone98

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Dec 7, 2019
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This is a highly subjective topic so it should make for an interesting discussion. :) For me, I’d say Chris Reeve Knives would be at the top of the user knives department. I think they’re beautiful knives that won’t shy away from moderate EDC use. Any knife north of $600 - $700, I would be reluctant to use. But that’s just me. I don’t plan on getting knives pricier than CRKs anytime in the near future.

What about you guys? Is there a clear line that separates your users from safe queens? Do you think all knives should be users? Do you like having beater knives paired with more expensive knives?
 
Not to say I have any problems with people who like to keep their knives pristine. It's your money to do as you please. For me, I don't believe in safe queens. If I own it, I will carry & use it. From sub $30 up to plus $1000.

Granted I am more likely to baby the more expensive knife when using it. Also, if I know I'm going to be using it to scrape and possibly cut some nasty stuff that could damage the edge? yeah, I'll probably shove the Utilitac II in my pocket over the Custom Thorburn.
For regular everyday EDC? I'll carry whatever strikes my fancy that particular day.
 
I've had several Shiro's and carried them (in particular an all Ti "turtle" that was fantastic). Sold them because I was looking to take my collection mot minimalist in design, getting away from bearings in favor of washers. Now my daily carry is a CRK Sebenza.

Even with the Shiro's there were ones that I never really used, babied them even when I did have them along. But they would have taken anything I would have thrown at them, I'm sure.

So let's say $800?
 
My most expensive is my custom crooked river, 288 bucks. I use it. Don't even worry about it. But I think 300 is where I stop. I'd love a hinderer, but I just can't justify that price. I would use one if I had one though. Or a crk. There's no point in having a tool and letting it rot imo. I have a pair of 5 inch knipex cobras that cost me nearly 60 bucks, and I use the hell out of them because they work. Sure you can get channelocks for so much cheaper, but the knipex are superior...

Same thing with knives. I like my cheap Kershaws, I even just bought one. I use them. But my more expensive knives feel better, have better fit and finish, and hold an edge longer. I use them all.
 
Well, I only have 5 knives right now. Decided the whole collecting thing was a rabbit hole and got sick of it. But the 5 I have are all over $400 and I carry and use them. Will never own a safe queen because I buy WITH the intent to carry and use, or I don’t buy it. Now, that being said, I don’t even need a knife 98% of my day anyway. So, even in my pocket there ‘safe’.
 
Got rid of the safe queens and just nice to look at.
All my current blades are hand made and below $300 and I got them to carry.
Ok, three probably not leaving the house due to size (9"+). I try not to look at big blades which is hard cause I like Bowie/suvival/hunters.
Now I get more satisfaction knowing I'm using my knives, not just looking at them.
 
I don’t buy bling, or fads, or designer knives. I don’t buy knives just to post them on a forum and win approbation from total strangers. I do buy good steel, good construction, and designs that work for the tasks I have in mind. No safe queens, all users.
 
Sometimes it is not in the value alone that will determine which is user or shelf queen, rarity/novelty/family heirloom/collection piece could all be reason not to use a knife as edc.

As I always say, it is your money and your hobby, do whatever that pleases you the most in long term.
 
It’s not a value thing.

It’s easy to tell if a knife was made to use or made to look at, or has historic valuable.

comis comis and I were typing at the same time and thinking a like.
 
No safe queens for me. I've also never paid more then $150 or $160 for a knife so I'm not close to safe queen territory. Unless I hit the Powerball or find a legit Sebenza in a pawn shop, I will never own one. I'm ok with that. An Endura, Ontario Rat 1, BM Rift, or Buck 110 S30V are good enough for me.

If I ever found an old Randall at a garage sale or pawn shop for cheap, ya, that might go in the gun safe. And maybe Salma Hayek will show up at my door and ask for a date.
 
Usually $$$$; > $20 = safe queen; < $20 = user

Rich (cheap old geezer)
 
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knives are for cutting, guns are for shooting, cars are for driving.
I'm not against anybody collecting any of them, but for me, its a no go.

on that same note, I dont have a knife thats more than half the price of a CRK, but i also dont foresee me getting a knife of any price and sticking it in a safe, etc.
 
$600
I’ve carried lots of knives that cost close to $600 and use them daily for years but I just can’t seem to carry a knife in my pocket and use it like the others if it crosses that threshold. daiky carry for over a decade has been a CRK of one form or another so I’m very comfortable using a $330-550 knife and enjoy it greatly. That said, my new favorite is a Benchmade bailout in M4 is that I picked up here for $165.
 
For what it’s worth, I have a safe queen that I only paid $45 dollars for. I have enjoyed it and used it some but it is really nothing more than a back up for when I lose the one I normally carry.
 
I tend to use my more expensive knives ($1000+) just as much as the cheaper ones, which is to say, not that much! So no real threshold for me. Even my pricier customs use more humble materials (ie lots of micarta) so I don't necessarily shy away from using them if needed.
 
I only have one safe queen ... a Chris Reeve
Umfaan, left handed. Carried it for a while and when the price skyrocketed I put it back in the box and put it away.
 
I have one knife that I regard as a safe queen (ivory slip joint). I do not collect knives and only buy knives that I believe I will use at some point. In the past I was more whimsical about what I buy and would buy new knives because they caught my interest. No CRK knives for me. For the last few years..... I prefer pretty basic functioning knives that do not approach the price of a CRK branded knife. But I am willing to spend as much on a fixed blade.
 
Any knife that isnt a historical treasure deserves to be used. Maybe the 1k+ art knives or that you love as objects... or knives that were gifts that you cherish but can't fit or dont want to fit as users, nothing else.

I used to collect (hoard) safe queens but came to terms with life and just started using them. Its like having a car you'll never use, just sitting there. What for?

I do not yet follow the Charlie Mike approach of having a few knives and selling what I'm tired of in favor of acquiring another (user) knife, but I'm close. Its silly and maybe dumb from my part, but his sudden passing clicked on me and made me realize hoarding untouchable luxury objects is a rather big waste of time and life. For that I am very thankful.
 
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