Use or not use mint vintage knives

[cnas122]

Ok guys....here is the easiest example I can think of.

This is a picture of a 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse. It's value is around $35,000

This is a picture of a 2010 penny. It's value is $.01

Let's say I'm a guy that makes every decision based on a coin flip. Would I flip the $35k penny onto the sidewalk 5x a day, or would I flip the 1 cent penny? They would both flip equally as good. Should I flip the expensive penny because coins are made for flipping? Would a coin collector keel over dead at the thought of me ruining that penny? Probably. So why would I want to flip the expensive penny when I can flip the cheap one?

It's about condition, rarity and what you can afford to use/lose. I have very expensive knives, but I have even more non-expensive knives. I choose not to use some of the expensive ones because 1) I don't want to ruin the value, 2) I like having them in same condition as when they came off the maker's bench, 3) I don't want to take even the slightest risk of breaking it or screwing it up and/or 4) I don't want to lose it. Here is the deal.....I've lost a $3000 custom and I have lost a $40 case....both carried on a regular basis. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that I had a much harder time dealing with the loss of the first one. (shoot...I've lost a lot more knives than that).

I bought those knives with the intent of admiring them (not using them), and I wouldn't be able to do that with a broken blade.

Obviously a $1000 custom is a better made knife than a $10 buck, just the same as a 100 year old schrade is probably made better than a 1990 schrade. Sure they will both cut the same, assuming they are sharp. But I didn't buy the 100 year old schrade to throw it at trees....I bought it to keep as a treasure.

You guys should ask Charlie (Waynorth) how he felt when he lost his prized T. Bose wharncliffe trapper for several weeks (and later found it in a sock in his drawer)

Just my thoughts....

 

[mdsmith]

I think it's a harsh to call someone selfish or short sighted just because they don't agree with your view on things. Once someone purchases a knife, or anything else for that matter, they really don't owe anyone else an explanation for what they choose to do with it. We could just totally flip the view and call it selfish for someone to take a perfectly good knife and hide it away, never to be used, when there are plenty of people who would kill to have a chance to put it in their pocket.

 

[pertinux]

Obviously a $1000 custom is a better made knife than a $10 buck, just the same as a 100 year old schrade is probably made better than a 1990 schrade. Sure they will both cut the same, assuming they are sharp. But I didn't buy the 100 year old schrade to throw it at trees....I bought it to keep as a treasure.

I would ask if you bought the $10 Buck to throw at trees, but I believe that's a different forum.

As for the T. Bose in the sock (drawer):

In all seriousness, I am finding this discussion very thought-provoking, with perspectives that extend (and can apply) well beyond the matter at end.

Thanks.

~ P.

 

[Two Dog Man]

Paul Hilborn just sent me a near mint 1975 Case Texas Jack as a gift. It is truly a beauty. I figure the best way to honor that gift is to carry it and use it, not lock it away. I know Paul agreed with me wholeheartedly.
I just can't appreciate it at home in the safe like I can when pull it out of my pocket several dozen times per day just to stare at it and smile.

I just couldn't agree more. That is profoundly said.

 

[Bigfattyt]

I always say use. But that is just me.

I don't think I would take out a $20,000 pristine knife and use it.

I might if I had a bunch of collection pieces though, and could afford it.

If I had a $1,000,000 vintage car, I think I would have to drive it. Just my personality (as long as it could be fully insured for that amount).

A $1,000 knife? Go ahead and use it.

$500? Why are we even worried about it?

I spend more on my bike, snow board, canoe, rack for my van, etc, etc, etc.


Use it, and you will love it even more!

 

[Stich2442]

I also think people assign " value " to items differently, I have $ 5 paperback book that's probably worth .25 but I wouldn't trade it for a Bentley, because it belonged to my friend before he passed. I don't abuse any of my tools, I don't lose tools on a job etc. I still have my first pocket from when I was six, not broken at all, no blade play, if you respect a tool it will last many lifetimes.

 

[cnas122]

I would ask if you bought the $10 Buck to throw at trees, but I believe that's a different forum.

As for the T. Bose in the sock (drawer):

In all seriousness, I am finding this discussion very thought-provoking, with perspectives that extend (and can apply) well beyond the matter at end.

Thanks.

~ P.

I didn't buy the $10 buck to throw at a tree, but I wouldn't get a sick feeling in my stomach right before it left my hands to fly through the air (like I would with the other)

 

[cnas122]

I also think people assign " value " to items differently, I have $ 5 paperback book that's probably worth .25 but I wouldn't trade it for a Bentley, because it belonged to my friend before he passed. I don't abuse any of my tools, I don't lose tools on a job etc. I still have my first pocket from when I was six, not broken at all, no blade play, if you respect a tool it will last many lifetimes.

I had an 80-year old Cattaraugus that I loved and used everyday. Bought it in near mint condition and decided to make it a user. I oiled it, tried not to beat it up too bad, etc. It was ruined when I tripped while climbing a very tall bluff in the Smokies and it fell out of my pocket about 500 feet down. I respected the knife...but accidents happen (along with broken ankles). As much as I loved using it, I would rather have it now and play with it every couple of weeks while sitting on my couch than only have fond memories of the time we once spent together.

There are some knives I own that I would rather just not take that risk.....

 

[Stich2442]

I had an 80-year old Cattaraugus that I loved and used everyday. Bought it in near mint condition and decided to make it a user. I oiled it, tried not to beat it up too bad, etc. It was ruined when I tripped while climbing a very tall bluff in the Smokies and it fell out of my pocket about 500 feet down. I respected the knife...but accidents happen (along with broken ankles). As much as I loved using it, I would rather have it now and play with it every couple of weeks while sitting on my couch than only have fond memories of the time we once spent together.

There are some knives I own that I would rather just not take that risk.....

But, if you never used it there would be no fond memories, like I said people assign value to possessions differently. It's like reading books about different places but never going anywhere, you might think you know what someplace is like, but unless you've gone yourself you really don't.

 

[cnas122]

But, if you never used it there would be no fond memories, like I said people assign value to possessions differently. It's like reading books about different places but never going anywhere, you might think you know what someplace is like, but unless you've gone yourself you really don't.

Unfortunately, I spend all my damn money on knives so usually don't have any funds for travel

 

[ranchmanben]

If I had a truly mint condition 80+ year old knife, I would sell it. I can't stand buying knives and not using them. That is not to say I mind people preserving old knives. I really like that people preserve this particular piece of history. I've have recently decided that it's not for me though. I like to have old knives that I can carry around.

Ben

 

[Stich2442]

Unfortunately, I spend all my damn money on knives so usually don't have any funds for travel

I hear you, traveling can be done on the cheap if your resourceful, now with a family, my traveling requirements have changed can't be as carefree as in my youth having a family is by far better.

 

[richstag]

I say take the monetary value out of it and then think about it again.

I rarely let money factor into my thinking with this kind of thing. I'm far from wealthy, but if I buy something the price of it has nothing to do with using it.

I have a 6k$ camera body and 3k$ lens attached as we speak. When I travel with a camera should I leave my expensive gear home and use my cell phone??? Then why did I even buy the Nikon...? To look at it?

It applies to so many things. In this case the cell phone won't do what the nikon will though.

I have an old jeep and a new hummer. Which do you think I beat through the woods? The jeep. So I'm not saying I always pick the expensive stuff either.

What I am saying is it comes down to what I bought it for. I don't buy old knives because I doubt I could even care for an actual legitiment MINT 100 year old knife properly. I would get pleasure out of simply admiring it and like I said trying out the time capsule function.

I would personally feel guilty if I messed up something so rare and historic.

I would feel much different about a knife that has a patina though. Its like campbell said, you have no idea when it actually obtained the patina and wear. Could have been from sitting in a moist basement. So why not put it in your pocket and keep it going. But even then, I prefer to just buy a new knife that is more dime a dozen and make it my own and gain my own memories with it. My own patina and my own stories.

Blah blah blah I know Kevin shut up.

 

[FarmKid]

If I had a 35,000$ penny, I would buy hundred year old knives to use as screwdrivers! Lol!

 

[supratentorial]

That's awfully presumptuous, don't you think?, to each his own.

No. I think you are reading into what I'm saying.

It wouldn't surprise me if someone spent the 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse on a gumball, if he didn't spend hours in a coin collecting forum. It would surprise me if he did spend hours in a coin collecting forum.

...
This is a picture of a 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse. It's value is around $35,000

This is a picture of a 2010 penny. It's value is $.01

...

It would also surprise me if the guy that did this modification spent hours in the Bladeforums Traditional subforum.

Believe it.

Here is an 1849 bowie that got sporterized almost a century later.

BRL...


*

 

[cnas122]

I have a 6k$ camera body and 3k$ lens attached as we speak. When I travel with a camera should I leave my expensive gear home and use my cell phone??? Then why did I even buy the Nikon...? To look at it?
.

Yes, but I bet it takes better pictures than a $100 camera. Knives on the other hand.....I dare say a $100 knife will cut just as good as a $5000 knife....it just has less bells and whistles

Sometimes more expensive things work better, and some things they don't.

This all really comes down to personality

 

[Doug Add]

If I had a truly mint condition 80+ year old knife, I would sell it. I can't stand buying knives and not using them. That is not to say I mind people preserving old knives. I really like that people preserve this particular piece of history. I've have recently decided that it's not for me though. I like to have old knives that I can carry around.

Ben

That is precisely my sentiment. I did it recently, not with an 80+ year old collectible, but with a new John Lloyd rosewood shadow. I just couldn't bring myself to see it get used the way some of my well-worn ones do. I am not a collector, so if I'm not going to use it, I'm not going to keep it.

 

[lutejones]

Hey guys,
very good debate,
my initial intention was to take away the monetary point of view although is very dificult thing to do because in the world we live in all is measured by money.
I won't have any issue at all in using a 5k $ custom, but maybe I'll give a second thought with a 1k $ sheffield late 1800's knife, or maybe not.
I mean I completely respect what Rick and other have said so far, but for the historic value not for the monetary value even when often are related.
I think I'm not explaining myself very well, I love the idea of preserving a piece of history but I usually get annoyed with the preservation for the $$$ value.

Mateo

 

[supratentorial]

That is most important in my opinion also.

Hey guys,
very good debate,
my initial intention was to take away the monetary point of view although is very dificult thing to do because in the world we live in all is measured by money.
I won't have any issue at all in using a 5k $ custom, but maybe I'll give a second thought with a 1k $ sheffield late 1800's knife, or maybe not.
I mean I completely respect what Rick and other have said so far, but for the historic value not for the monetary value even when often are related.
I think I'm not explaining myself very well, I love the idea of preserving a piece of history but I usually get annoyed with the preservation for the $$$ value.

Mateo

 

[richstag]

Exactly Campbell, and that's why I dished out the years of hard earned saved up cash for it. Real function is actually gained in that case with increased cost.

I believe the same is true for knives as well...to a point.

It really is a hard one and like you said such a personal thing.

That's why I don't judge.