To use or not to use... that is my question.

T

tique

Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
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I just recieved a beautiful(if ya like metal) custom folder, from one of my favorite makers, that I've been waiting a long time for today. I just can't decide if I want to use it, or if I want to carry something else that could be replaced several times for the price of it.

My real problem is that the blade is 154CM(and it cost a bunch), which is great, but I can get that or better in a production knife, cheaper at that, and I don't have to beat up my nice custom... I debated hunting down an out of production factory version of it, but after coming across a pic of that knife today, it just wouldn't do it justice.

I had originally decided not to carry it because I thought it would be a little larger than what it is. Turns out that its right in my favorite carry range:cool:.

So, should one carry expensive customs cause they are damn cool:) and we like them? Or should they sit on the shelf and let the factory stuff reign supreme???
 
My vote is to carry it and use it. It is my opinion that a knife is not of any use sitting on a shelf, in a drawer or in a knife case. If you are going to spend all that money, you should at least get some use out of it.
 
Check out this thread also.

I think part of the beauty of a really fine custom knife is its ability to perform more to your satisfaction than even its own factory equivalent, if any. OK, art knives are a different thing.

But the comfort level of a knife whose quality of design and workmanship you can value over a cheaper knife is what the custom really represents. Why would you hide it away? You aren't going to spoil it with use, any more than you spoil yourself by living.
 
Use it, if you really want to just admire it, use it lightly. I was scared to use my wood inlay sebenza when I first got it, but the more I used it the more I liked it, and now I have beat it up real good, and I like it even more than when I first got it. If I want it to look nice again I will send it in for a refurbishing, which you can do with most customs. Why spend so much on a knife you are not going to use, if all you want to do is look at it take a picture of the knife, and sell it to somone who will use it. The beauty of custom knives is in their use.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
Does a carppenter,construction worker,put their tools up on a shelf just to look pretty? The more you use it the more it becomes an extension of your self. Scratch it, get it dirty,dull it, resharpen it,use it for its intended purpose just dont abuse it and it will be a friend for life!. ITS A TOOL MAN!!!! Really i believe ones knife should be used daily unless it was purchased solely for a collection piece or a future hireloom to be handed down to a loved one. just my 2 cents worth .
 
I suggest you use the heck outta it!
And then post a review of how it performed so other will know if it's really worth the price.
You would be doing your fellow knife-knuts a great service.

Thank you,
Allen.
 
Here's my normal EDC. It's a Don Greenaway Damascus folder. Just about all the black on every edge is worn off and it has scratches and bumps. But it's as tight as the day it was born and sharp enough to shave the hair off your arm.

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When I don't want a clip type knife I'm usually carrying my Gilbreath.

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When I head to the woods, it's almost always one of my customs sitting on my hip.

It's just a personal preference, but if I want ART, I'll buy pottery, a picture, a good photo or tapestry. My knives are bought first for their function, secondly for looks.
 
If you cant stand to use it everyday, use it a couple days a week. Rotate it with other knives. Thats what I do. No way can I carry every knife I own, in a week or even a month. So I go by mood. More than half of my collection is EDC material and most are tactical folders. So far I have some custom fixed blades, but no custom folders. So I really cant talk, but I do carry the custom fixed blades when I can, and rotate my folders. Some do tend to see a lot more carry time.
 
Tique I have to agree with what the others have said here. I just got in a new Sebenza (standard, with anodized thumb stud and spacer). It's my first really expensive folder. After sitting and looking and playing with it for, oh, an hour or so, I decided I was going to try and use it for *every* non-abusive knife task I can think of. I wear a Leatherman Wave to use for the rest of the stuff.

--gordon
 
Tique,

I sure understand how you feel. Actually, this happened to me with my first "expensive" production knives. I now use all my knives, no matter what the initial cost.

Most makers will do a refubish if you get carried away.

Buy a few used knives for abuse. Use your new tool.

Geode
 
So, everybody says, "use it"?

Somebody said that if they wanted art then they would buy "art."

I think the knive is art -- where art meets craftsmanship! I only have one hand made knife and I don't use it. I just take it out and look at it. Doesn't sound practical... but it's what I want to do.
 
I say use it. My most expensive knife is only a $160 dollar factory folder. It may not seem like much and may seem to disqualify me from this discussion. However, given my income is effectively zero, this expenditure on a knife is probably a greater percentage of my income than many who are buying customs. That said, I use all my knives. Some are designated SD knives, but they get carried in case they are needed. I would not think of buying a knife that I cannot carry and use. This is why I do not own any fixed blades. In my state any fixed blade is illegal to carry, period. So, although I don't own any customs, maybe I can show you the value of using what you have spend your money on.
 
I thought the same way! However I was scared about carrying a numbered large Sebi, now its an EDC. Same with my Damascus small wood. Will it rust and look rubbish as an EDC? No problems as of yet...:D Keep em in a G2 sheath though... my regret is letting a coin nick the edge of my Damascus small benza. No longer does it go anywhere in anything other than its new home! Thanks Gary!

I still carry a 'beater' like my M2 steel Mini AFCK for other stuff though. Can't see myself being rough with the Damascus blade, but my large beza gets some real use!

You could die tommorow, use it before its to late! We don't live long enough to outlive many knives of quality. If you want to keep and look, so you can sell at a later date, then fine keep it mint. If however like me parting with any good knife is agony, use the begger! Its hard, but you will thank me!:cool:
 
Tique, did you just get an Emerson? If so, I could see not using it because of the hefty resale value, however, if you bought the knife to use, use it and use it well. 154CM will hold up just in everyday use as I'm sure you know. Everyday doesn't destroy inexpensive knives; a well made custom should be able to take use with no trouble at all!
 
Well, I guess the consensus is use the hell out of it:) I think that's just what I'm gonna do.

Wasn't an Emerson, I'd like to get a CQC6 sometime... but that may have to wait a while. It's a Brend BTF in the Model 2 grind.

I guess it would be much more enjoyable if I carry it than if I just look at it on a shelf. I might look into getting a G2 sheath for it, but I don't like my folders in belt pouches... the belt is full enough, and I like them better with a pocket clip.
 
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