To Carry or Not to Carry?

Do what makes you happy. Those dings and scratches are only a problem if you're planning on re-selling the knives. The market value of a knife that isn't for sale is already zero.

Personally, I prefer to use them.
 
My knives are, first or foremost, for using. However, if there is a model that I am buying as a collectible- most likely I am also buying it becase I intend on using it. Thus, I will buy 2- possibly 1 used or in lesser shape, and then I don't feel anything about using it.
 
I mostly collect daggers and slipjoints.

I have been known to carry some higher dollar slipjoints, but do not have much of a use for daggers, but I still enjoy collecting them and showing support to makers who make them.

Here is a serviceable dagger, I consider it a work of art that can be used. Trouble is I am not inclined to be "dagging" anyone today so I left it at home in the safe. :D.

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My dagger collection consists of MS test daggers and commissioned pieces. I doubt that I will ever use any of them, but that does not make any of them any less of a knife or any less functional.
 
Here's a solution to carrying nice knives without scratching them. There are some sleeves sold by Smokey Mt. Knife Works (and probably elsewhere) that look like fingers from a knit glove. They are excellent for carrying knives, which is what they are designed to do. I use them when I want to carry a knife in my jeans to a show or want to pack a knife otherwise for travel. I don't have the packaging for the sleeves, so I don't recall the mfg. name, but I'm certain that I got them at SMKW.
 
I've never really understood that notion. Even my high dollar knives get carried and used. The more scratches and the occasional ding the better. It means the knife is being used and I'm getting my moneys worth.

I don't think there are too many knives out there that appreciate significantly in value to warrant not using them.

Even if they do gp up in price it'll be so many years from now that you won't be able to reap those benefits anyway. JMO.
 
When knives are collected for investment, it's "condition, condition, condition". Every scratch counts.

When knives are carried for use, it's "blade, steel, workmanship".
 
Actually there are plenty of makers that you can take delivery of a knife from in the morning and sell it for more in the afternoon.

I have never done it, but there are many makers for which that is true without fail or exception.
Off the top of my head.

Tony Bose
Reese Bose
Kit Carson
Walter Brend
Scott Cook (Lochsa)
(there are many more)

When you use one of their knives you have made a decision that you wanted to use the knife over any gains you would make by keeping the knife pristine and selling it. I imagine that each of us has a price point where if we owned the knife it would be in our best interest to keep in pristine just as each of us might have a price point on a knife we would carry and use.

I carry and use a Lochsa as well as a couple of Carsons, although I would love to I can not afford to use any of my Brends or higher end Carsons, but I am lucky enough to be able to buy one of them every once in a while, enjoy owning it for a while and maybe selling it after a few years.
 
GMT+7 said:
You ever see a luggage rack on a hearse? Carry and enjoy.
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:thumbup: Thats true and I like that saying! However, I still find myself having a few display knives that I wont ever carry.:thumbup:
 
What good is fine wine if you don't drink it?

What good is a good knife if you don't use it?

Use them and enjoy them.

It's kinda like a new pick up truck, you can't enjoy it until you get a few whiskey bumps.
 
I won't go over the $200 price point -- I would be too scared to use it and even then I would be worried every day that someone would break in and steal it. If you don't use it or you collect [insert whatever you collect] and never look at it or use it and enjoy it, what good is it? Life is too short. It would be like buying your dream car and never getting behind the wheel.
 
Whitedog said:
What good is fine wine if you don't drink it?

What good is a good knife if you don't use it?

Use them and enjoy them.

It's kinda like a new pick up truck, you can't enjoy it until you get a few whiskey bumps.
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A lot of people collect things that they never use OR sell. Look at the Baseball card, comic book, action figures, Barbie doll, or, even gun collectors. SOme people collect these things and never read the comics, or look at the cards, or shoot the guns, but they won't sell them either. I do think its silly to collect books you don't read, or wine you don't drink. But I think knives have an inherent beauty that lend themselves to being displayed. NOT ALL KNIVES, mind you. 99% of my knives get used regularly, but some are too pretty in their display case in my office.
 
I appreciate your input on my original question for this thread. It appears that the bottom line is whether you keep a few in the safe or not, everybody enjoys actually using and carrying most or all of thier knives. As for me, I feel my compromise if to keep a few to display, enjoy looking at, and showing other people, and to have other knives to carry and use--like my BM CQC-7
or the new Sebenza Small Classic that should be arriving at my doorstep any day now. Again thanks for your input--more opinions welcome.
 
When I buy a knife or make a knife it is mean't to be used and enjoyed. Every knife I own has been used at some point in time. Knives are like automobiles, they are more fun to use and enjoy than to be stored away like a car in a garage never to see the road-what good is that?
 
Random Thoughts:

If you are worried about the value of a knife, so you will not carry it, consider that a knife that never gets carried has little actual value to you. You would be best to sell it unless you are a collector.

You said "out of production", yet few production knives really have any value beyond their value as a user.

If you have a knife, and never carry it (collectors aside), it is like not having it at all. If you care about the value, well, isn't it just money that you can't spend in very many places?

It is possible to carry a knife and have it not get dinged or sratched. Some carry wear will always show up with time, though.

To somewhat go against all of the above, selling a knife is always something to consider, and when you do, you want to get as much as possible. I had a nice collection of high-end tactical folders and never thought I would sell them. By my tastes and opinions changed (not that I stopped liking those folders, I just found something I like better), and I sold them all. So it makes sense to try and keep your knives in good condition (as much as possible) in case you ever do sell them. BUT if this "care" is preventing the knife from being used, then why not sell it right now since you aren't even getting any use or value from it at all?

I have nothing against collectors, or owning knives just to be enjoyed visually and never used. However, I do not think the is the purpose of this thread.
 
Bayou Man said:
What does one do when you have some beautiful knives that you want to carry, but at the same time, know that once you do, all those scratches and dings are going to send the value to the pits, especially out-of-production knives? Help me out.
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I'm in the same boat with a Sebenza I just bought. Carry it, let it get dinged up, and you won't care. If it is super rare etc, treat it nice, maybe a pocket sheath etc. I had the same reaction to a Strider PT I traded for, and now it has a few minute scratches. Still trying to force myself to carry the Sebenza.
 
I think it's better to use it if you are not going to sell it for higher price. If you really like the knive, you still like it with scars on it. Maybe it looks even better with the scratch. There is no exact same scar can be made on a knive. You can identify that it's really yours without your name on it.
 
i like to carry nice custom knives and dont like to scuff them up unless i have to, so i carry fill in the blank (emerson specwar '8, strider SmF, crawford kasper, etc) for mostly SD issues and have a serrated delica for utility use.

also on a custom knife if ya scuff it up ya can send it back to be refurbished for a modest fee (usually anyway).
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I'm in the same boat with a Sebenza I just bought. Carry it, let it get dinged up, and you won't care. If it is super rare etc, treat it nice, maybe a pocket sheath etc. I had the same reaction to a Strider PT I traded for, and now it has a few minute scratches. Still trying to force myself to carry the Sebenza.
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Get a leather slip case from CR. That is how I am carrying my Night Sky Sebbie. That way you CAN carry it, and it is protected.
 
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