Traditional knives (customs) being used?

[Cascade_mtn's]

I'm very new to this forum so please forgive me if this question has "newby" pasted all over it.

I have spent most of my time here doing searches on topics I like, and I've been sent to the Wilderness and Survival sub forum for the most part. I have however spent some time here as well and am AMAZED at the world of quality custom makers here! The workmanship that goes into the examples I have seen is really remarkable.

My question is this. Are you folks collectors of these quality customs (pictures taken and then off to the safe) or do you have ones that you carry on a daily basis?

I'm a poor example. I have used and carried a Alox SAK (Pioneer) for years and if I didn't have it on me it would be like loosing my right hand.

I'm a father of three, so $$$ for me is well....... budgeted to say the least. No matter, I can appreciate a well crafted, hand made knife none the less. I would just be cautious about carrying it. Thats me of course. So...... do some of you carry these fine looking customs?

 

[cnas122]

The last 2 months, I have had all of these in my EDC rotation and use them regularly. When you get a new custom knife, the hardest part is carrying and using it that first time. Do I keep it in the safe and admire it, or take the plunge and start cutting with it. Doing that takes it from a pristine, unused work of art to a badass, used and scuffed up work of art. Just like a new pair of shoes...once you put them on and walk out of the she store, they are yours and can't take'm back. Then, although you have your favorite old traditional production knives that you still love and use, you start appreciating just how much better-made these damn customs are...you get used to their tightness, no gaps, smoothness, and looks. After that, it's hard to go back to carrying those good old folders you grew up with.

 

[yablanowitz]

These just came out of my pockets for the pictures, then went right back in.

 

[JAlexander]

If I can't stand to use it, I won't buy it. I don't have anything like the collection that some of these folks have, but I feel like the knives were made to cut things and they should fulfill that purpose. On the other hand, that's just my opinion.

James

 

[yablanowitz]

My girlfriend's son couldn't believe I was using a $400 custom knife to open Christmas presents and unpack toys. If I wasn't going to use it, I wouldn't have bought it.

 

[Ed T]

I have carried my Johnson sodbuster since I received it.

Where are you in WA?

 

[J. Oeser]

This one finds it's way into my pocket all the time.

This one isn't a custom but it hits the pocket on occasion too.

I have a swayback by Rick that will get some pocket time as well, as soon as it gets here.

I have always been one to both use and collect as safe queens. I find myself using more than collecting these days. IMO that's part of the fun of collecting knives, to use them and see just how amazing they are. :thumbup:

 

[cnas122]

And those are some fine knives to use Jared

 

[kamagong]

I only have three custom slipjoints, but they all get used.

I don't have a good picture of my ivory swayback, but it gets the least use as it's my dress knife.

- Christian

 

[FLymon]

I currently own 4 custom knives, and I carry/use them all.
Nothing wrong with "Safe Queens" and maybe one day I will buy one, but for me true appreciation comes in the use of a tool.


Carried this one Yesterday

Haven't really used this one yet, but has seen some pocket time:

I use this one around the house all the time, especially when the clock says beer:30

This one I carry and use the most. Short of prying with the blade I will use it for whatever comes up.

 

[rprocter]

Nice knife show ! Cascade, your question has evoked a very clear answer, but there are just as many others who enjoy handling and admiring their custom knives, but won't use them. The pride of ownership is what they enjoy. If you want to buy a custom knife some of these unused ones show up on the secondary market at quite a discount, making them an excellent deal.
Stu, nice BP stuck in a tree !
and Campbell, is your Stock knife a Shadley ?
roland

 

[texasflyfisher]

The few customs I have get carried daily and used. They make cutting up stuff easy and enjoyable.

 

[Robert.B]

If I had a custom I would use it daily, a traditional folder naturally gets more attractive with age and wear.

 

[PocketEdge]

Great thread. And great to see all those customs in use! I think a little wear on a knife looks better than pristine. I know that's unusual but just like a previous poster mentioned blue jeans, they look better and are more comfortable after a few hundred washes.
While I don't collect customs, I do enjoy vintage knives. Rather than looking for the most pristine, I look for the ones with some wear. They have a little more character and I don't feel bad using it daily.
If I were looking for a custom knife, I would not hesitate paying the same or more in some cases for the knife in used condition!

 

[Peregrin]

Here's some I carry and use regularly. The Halfrich has become my favorite since I got it, so it gets more attention then the others. I don't abuse my knives. If I have a tough dirty task I've got a fixed blade to take care of it.

 

[Mick57]

Wow, great looking customs Peregrin. Looks like you need 1 more to round out the rotation for the week....

 

[Cascade_mtn's]

I have carried my Johnson sodbuster since I received it.

Where are you in WA?

I live outside of Deer Park. 30 mins north of Spokane Wa.


THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GREAT PICTURES!!:thumbup:

I appreciate the responses, and it is nice to know that those fine examples are used. However I can understand the "pride of ownership" another poster mentioned. I would LOVE to be in the position to own a few myself. However it will have to wait. Family (Daughters) come first. None the less, it's great that so many collectors/users/makers all in one spot here.

Thanks again to all that replied. :thumbup:

 

[Cisco Kid]

I don't have pics, but I don't buy knives I don't carry. Well, except some that are too big for daily carry, but even those get used sometimes.

It has happened that some knifes I bought eventually sat in the box without ever being carried. After a while, those get sold or traded away.

 

[tleav61]

This is a great question started by you Cascade. I'm in the Portland area (by the way),so we're neighbors.Good to have you here. I'm a newbie myself and actually wanted to ask the same question. Great answers here for sure. I am like the majority here. I like to carry my customs and show them off once in awhile. Although, I don't necessarily like to work them as hard as, lets say, an old case knife,but, I still like to pocket mine. It would be a shame not to. (imo) Thanks for the thread.

Todd

 

[ptradeco]

These knives are all in my EDC drawer, there are a few other ones I carry occasionally and I have safe queens as well. The pictures are from minty days and the knives have all taken on a bit of character shall we say.