To use or not to use.

Use.

I do not understand the collector mentality. I'm not against it, I don't judge it, I do enjoy seeing cool collections at shows... I just don't get it. The only material objects I "collect" (with an eye to future value) are real estate and stocks/bonds.
 
Aside from a couple of sentimentally valuable gifts from my dad and granddad all of my knives that I like get the heck used out of them. I do have a few exceptions, however (mostly NIB specimens) like my Marlboro adventure team SAK (kinda corny) and a my SwissBucks (kinda quirky collaboration imo ) and Schrade 340(probably going to give in and EDC this one) while non of these are super collectable by any means I've got better more useable knives to perform the exact same task and feel that it's kinda a shame to spoil these blasts from the past.
 
I can't afford to buy things that I'm not going to use.
 
I all my knives get used and carried. I wouldn't buy them if I couldn't.

The best looking knife is a used one.

james terrio said:
Use.

I do not understand the collector mentality. I'm not against it, I don't judge it, I do enjoy seeing cool collections at shows... I just don't get it. The only material objects I "collect" (with an eye to future value) are real estate and stocks/bonds.
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I don't like collecting because it gives drive to producers to make collectable knives vs. great user knives. It also causes many proven, older or discontinued designed to be very expensive or hard to find for someone intending on actually using a classic knife.
 
brandonc said:
I all my knives get used and carried. I wouldn't buy them if I couldn't.

The best looking knife is a used one.



I don't like collecting because it gives drive to producers to make collectable knives vs. great user knives. It also causes many proven, older or discontinued designed to be very expensive or hard to find for someone intending on actually using a classic knife.
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Hehehe, that happens...
 
Personally I feel that a knife is a tool, no matter how pretty it looks. I'd never buy a tool I wasn't ever going to use.

Now, with that said: I do like to keep them pristine and admire them for a few days before I start breaking them in. My Ritter/Becker RSK-MK2 sat on my desk for a couple weeks before I took her outside and stole her innocence.
 
I don't buy knives I don't use. ZT0560 was cutting drain hoses, and drywall to put in a new dishwasher yesterday. Then I used it to cut my steak at the bar.
 
usakr8 said:
Hey guys, I was just wondering how you decide if your going to use a knife or if you just keep it in a case and baby it.
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For me it usually corresponds to price. Most of my knives are under $200, and those are users. I have a few worth $200+ and made a conscious decision to acquire them for their aesthetic, collector's, and/or actual value. I did just buy a Sebenza though and probably will end up using it, so the $200 mark is more of a guideline than an absolute rule.
 
If I buy a knife that does not get used, it gets sold. Nothing remains for collector purposes only.
 
Jesse B. said:
For me it usually corresponds to price. Most of my knives are under $200, and those are users. I have a few worth $200+ and made a conscious decision to acquire them for their aesthetic, collector's, and/or actual value. I did just buy a Sebenza though and probably will end up using it, so the $200 mark is more of a guideline than an absolute rule.
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ZT560 -260$
Peter R custom scale -75$
Hinderer flamed Ti lanyard-30$

I used to believe in a 100$ rule lol
 
I have a great amount of knives ... propably too much... Never mind! None of them is a safe-queen. Except from two ;) because of the sentimental value. I just have users in my collection.

Kind regards
 
Lots of good stuff in this thread.

But in my mind, If you're afraid of 'messing up' a knife by using it, then don't. Sell that thing (or throw it away) and buy a knife that is worth using. :D
 
Use them all. I only buy knives I plan to use, and I keep them sharp, oiled, "tuned up", and ready to carry. I have a few heirlooms that I still use occasionally too, usually around the house. (My son is involved with whatever project I'm doing so he can see it being used too.)

There are way too many new patterns, styles, steels, materials, etc. to try out these days. To buy a knife, and not enjoy the experience of using it, is useless to me. Acquire what appeals to you, use it, then sell or trade for something else new to try.

~Chris
 
General consensus seems to be use your knife. I use all my knifes. Its really about what you can afford. I can afford to beat on my zt 0560, I wish I could afford to beat on a warren thomas ti composite blade, but I cant and I don't own one. I will admit I am kinda afraid to damage my kershw jyd2 SG2, being that its out of production and has such a thin edge. So I use it lightly and not to often, kinda like a dress knife.
 
It's not like a knife can't be sharpened.... If your JYDII loses it's edge, chips or whatever you can sharpen it. Or have some one sharpen it for you, heck even Kershaw will sharpen it for you I believe.
 
They are all up for carry and use. Just some get carried and used more than others. And, some don't get used the same as others - as an example the Sage 2 gives way to a SnG for yard work, all though I'm sure it would do fine.
I'm with PN, I don't want to give her next husband anything. :D
 
It seems like most people like to brag about 'using' all of their knives. Maybe its not bragging, but it certainly is communicated with some disdain for people who own knives but don't use them.
As a collector and a user, I can appreciate owning a knife and never using it for whatever reason. I'm very into limited edition/sprint run production folders, and I know that one day I will sell or pass down my collection. Knowing that, I could hardly bring myself to put wear on an item that might be 1 of only 150 pieces ever made. and will certainly appreciate in value over the years.

That being said, I really do enjoy using high end folders as EDC's.

But I have my safe queens.
 
I cant think of any of my knives that I BOUGHT that I dont use, there are some that were given to me as gifts that i dont use but I still use most of them. I dont do any chores day to day that i would ever imagine to harm a knife or even scratch it. And if they do get scratched I just get some metal polish and rub them out then put them back in my display case.
 
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