Using One-of-a-Kind Custom Folders

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buckthorn

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Mar 20, 2006
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Do you use one-of-a-kind, handmade, custom folders-in other words a knife that can't be replaced by simply purchasing another of the same model? Thanks.
 
Yes.

A nice knife is a tool to be used. I once had a Bob Ogg knife that I had. It was a simple big single blade jack, and it was a pleasure to use. I don't believe in safe queens. I used the heck out of my Randall 14 that was my woods/camping/whatever knife back in my younger day. I had a good chuckle when a Randall collector saw it and was flustered that it looked a bit worn. He said I had ruined the collector value of it. I told him that didn't matter as I was no collector. He didn't see the humor of my comment.

Carl.
 
For me a knife is a cutting tool pretty or rare as it is. The only exception I can see is for old knives that are not safe use anymore and have collection value.
Having said that, there are many collectors who are collecting knives just for that sake, they probably will not use their one of a kind knives.
Mike
 
If I had any custom traditionals, I'd definitely use those too, and I don't keep safe queens either. This past week, I carried and used my new Horton folder that I got at the NYCKS, and my custom Spyderco Ti Military. Not traditionals I know, I have been looking and slowly learning about the customs being made here. I love the ones by Ken Coats and T.A. Davison.
 
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I am experimenting with a pocket slip. Whether its a one off custom, or a beautiful factory traditional makes little difference to me. I put more money into old Case's and new GEC's than into customs. Its easy to throw an inexpensive knife in my pocket and go about my daily business. I find it difficult to do that with my more prized pieces. So I have started using a little pocket slip I have had for years. It allows me to carry my pristine knives and keep them in excellent condition. The other larger benefit is that it won't slide out of my pocket as easily as a loose knife, especially in cargo pants which I usually wear. Had to go backtracking on Sunday looking for my GEC 56, found it in a couch. Lost my Case/Bose dogleg for, it appears, good. Put my stag and damascus SBJ in the slip today and yesterday. Have my HJ5 in it for tomorrow. Maybe my GEC 85 in cocobolo on Friday. Might carry my Dowell cokebottle #0 on Saturday. If I had one or two knives then I would carry and use them with abandon. But I put too much time and sweat into working to pay for this stuff not to carry and use, and there's always a chance a thief could break in and poof, I'm down to the one or two in my pocket. Better to have used and lost, than to have just lost.
 
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I wouldn't use an art knife but everything else is in play. If it weren't being used I would probably question the maker's ability to make a knife to be used...
 
I have a folder from Ray Laconico. I carry it in rotation. It is used gently. I don't pry the lids off of paint cans, but use it for everyday tasks requiring a knife. It will be in my pocket today.
 
Yup. They may not get used as much due to my rotation. But they do get used. The real pleasure in having a well made or custom knife is in using them.
 
Interesting question - I can say for myself I've never made a knife that the intent or
thought during making it was that it wouldn't get used.
Ken.
 
"We've built a few collector pieces but most Spydercos are hungry and like to eat. As mentioned, open, close, cut, clean, oil, cut, cut, cut... To a Spyderco, that is living. All of the effort that we put into designing and building the knife is found in using the knife; The horsepower in the steel, the edge, the ergos, sophisticated mechanisms, carefully chosen materials or custom made materials, history of and refinements to the design, etc. Letting it die in the box is to lose 75% of what we put into it."


-Sal Glesser, President of Spyderco
Click to expand...

Replace Spyderco with your knife and you got the answer.
 
kc custom said:
Interesting question - I can say for myself I've never made a knife that the intent or
thought during making it was that it wouldn't get used.
Ken.
Click to expand...

Both of the knives I've bought from you get carried daily and used regularly.
 
Wow...Art Vandeley posted a quote above that I like best and will paraphrase it as my metaphor for your question:

I would rather have let all of its intention express itself in life...than let in die in a box
 
I haven't carried or used all of them but there are many that see regular use. It becomes much easier after the first sharpening.
 
Interesting question - I can say for myself I've never made a knife that the intent or
thought during making it was that it wouldn't get used.
Ken.
Ken that's great to hear. Since I use your knifes all the time. Sure glad they where not made for looking at.:p
 
Thanks for all your replies. Using it seems to be the overwhelming preference. I agree that the rationale in Sal Glesser's quote is very convincing. (By the way, I alternate between a Todd Davison slipjoint and a couple of Spyderco G-10 UKPK and Urban slipjoints-very different looking knives, made in different circumstances, but all excellent and full of performance and integrity).
 
I almost always have a custom slip joint in my pocket. The ones I carry most were made by Kerry Hampton, Ken Coats, Bret Dowell and Mike Alsdorf. They aren't just nice to look at...they cut good too. ;)
 
buckthorn said:
Do you use one-of-a-kind, handmade, custom folders-in other words a knife that can't be replaced by simply purchasing another of the same model? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Do it all the time! I highly recommend it. Tools including knives were meant to be used. I see a vast difference between the real guys that know a good user vs those of the ilk that want a show piece that isn't even pocket jewelry but more showcase display jewelry. A man toy as my wife calls them. We all have some of those I suppose but quite honestly even those that get the tucked away tag left in good condition often have seen some use in one form or another. In my mind its kind of going against the point to buy something for that much money and then not use it!
 
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