Went to a bonfire last night.

DeadboxHero said:
I enjoyed the story, this happens every summer with my friends as the whip out the combo edges that are painfully dull and tote there awesomeness to all.

The full arm flick cracked me up

I find its better just to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the show.

I don't want to be a "know it all"

if it works for them, who am I to judge?

Of course sometimes, it's like nails on a chalkboard and I have to politely intervene.

Last week at a sports goods store, a gentleman was using a chefs choice electronic pull though sharpener for his cheapo Gerber paraframe combo edge.

"Bzzzzzzzzeeeeett"


I couldn't let him do it.

It was like watching someone walk in front of a bus.

Dammit, I had to do something.

So I politely approached him and showed him how to use the diamond stones on display close by.

It's a careful dance in conversation to avoid a condescending tone when helping a stranger sharpen a knife. He was appreciative and was able to cut paper afterwards.

I guess I wish someone would have been kind enough to do the same for me when I was learning.

Yet, helping people in the realm of knives can be like navigating a mine field, small nuances in body language and small inflections or tone changes in voice can send an unintended message of snobbery and egotistical snideness.

Most of the time it's better that someone learns on there own or never learns.

Being a sebenza owner doent make someone a snob.

Chill out people.
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Nailed it on the head.
 
I have an old cheap lockback that i flicked so much as a kid, the blade kinda swings open now when turned over. At 41, I still can't bring myself to get rid of it.
I haven't bought a lockback in decades.
I don't loan out my edc knives either.
But I do show them to my knife buddies, who appreciate good knives.
Cool story
 
bladeboss said:
Not quite. I could tell by his attitude that he had no interest in learning about better knives.
He was the kind of guy that would have tried to cut a rock or flick-slam my Sebenza if he were to have handled it.
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Ohhhh. Gotcha. You know, sometimes you can't really share knowledge with some folks because they either don't care or don't want to learn.
A very good friend of mine showed me his knife collection last time I visited his house. He knows what type of knives I'm into. He proceeded to show me darn near every model of knife S&W ever made. He had a bunch of cheapo autos as well. He was so proud of them that all I could do was compliment him on his collection.
I gave him a nice Benchmade folder. (This was a long time before he showed me his collection) He just likes what he likes, and doesn't really want to learn about any other knives. I guess I can't really fault him for that. His knives worked for him, and he was happy with them, so who was I to say otherwise?
What really amazes me is that he has an absolutely FANTASTIC gun collection.
 
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I have enjoyed reading this thread thus far.

I don't see the OP as a knife snob. Most all of my knives are very inexpensive. Victorinox and Mora make up a large portion of my regularly used knives. They are quite affordable, but still safe and high quality knives.

Seeing someone with a knock off half broken knife that didn't cut worth a darn would be something I would notice also.
 
AntDog said:
Ohhhh. Gotcha. You know, sometimes you can't really share knowledge with some folks because they either don't care or don't want to learn.
A very good friend of mine showed me his knife collection last time I visited his house. He knows what type of knives I'm into. He proceeded to show me darn near every model of knife S&W ever made. He had a bunch of cheapo autos as well. He was so proud of them that all I could do was compliment him on his collection.
I gave him a nice Benchmade folder. (This was a long time before he showed me his collection) He just likes what he likes, and doesn't really want to learn about any other knives. I guess I can't really fault him for that. His knives worked for him, and he was happy with them, so who was I to say otherwise?
What really amazes me is that he has an absolutely FANTASTIC gun collection.
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Hahahaha
Every knife guy knows "that guy" and your right man. He is so proud of his low quality, low cost blades you can't bring yourself to tell him that they suck.

I've learned to each there own.

Knives aren't an obsession for everyone.
Thanks for sharing, too funny.
 
Honestly as a knife guy and seeing many many MANY self professed blade experts with masters degrees from Bud K's university I understand the frustration. When I read this story I dont read a story of a knife snob chiding someone for a cheap purchase. What I see is someone with knowledge and pride of ownership get frustrated at a person speaking beyond their means. If you want to carry a knife for the sake of doing so fine. If you dont want to educate yourself fine. But dont go around pretending to know what you are talking about. I actually have to give the op credit for not saying anything. Sure its nothing to get into an altercation about especially since we dont know the length of fuse this person has but still, I have a BS meter and when it gets pegged I usually politely try to educate. It usually happens at swap meets, gun shows and flea markets but the way I see it if people are going to boast you may as well give them the correct info. At least that way some truth will be spread around.
 
Shotgun said:
a guy I don't know is telling a story of another guy I don't know. Why would I get bent out of shape about it and care about this wrist flickers poor feelings? I don't know the guy. Meh. I'll choose not to take it so seriously. :D
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Some people just take any opportunity that they can to get up on that soap box or display their inner drama queen.
 
Sounds like a kid doing what kids do - A bonfire - cmon man!!! We were all stupid in high school.
 
Things musta changed in the 50 years since I was a teenager. Bonfire, at least one girl present (probably more) and you are geeking about someone's knife?
 
First I'll compliment the OP for responding to our comments with calm civility. That tells me good things about him.

I would also compliment the young guy at the bonfire for volunteering to help when there was a chore that needed to be done. Far too often I see teenagers who are preoccupied with their smartphones and cannot be bothered to help out when there's work to be done.

Props as well to the OP for helping out, and for being prepared for the job.

The following is not directed at the OP, it is just a commentary on "knife-snobbery".

Knife-snobbery isn't just a matter of money. When people believe "I'm better than you because I know more about knives than you do", or "I know more about knives than you so it's my duty to correct you", or "Your lack of knife knowledge makes me laugh", I regard such attitudes as "knife-snobbery".

If someone is doing something with a knife that endangers them or anyone else, then we have a responsibility to correct them whether they want our advice or not. But if a person isn't acting in such a dangerous manner, and if they are content in their lack of knowledge, I would not feel compelled to try and force my knowledge upon them. And I would not look down upon them for knowing less about knives than I do. I believe in helping those who want help, and sharing knowledge with those who desire it, but I never force my help, or knife knowledge on others.

And for the record, I know a thing or two about being a knife-snob, because I used to be one. But fortunately for me I outgrew it.
 
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Good story. I had a chuckle here in my office.

I've had similar conversations at the hardware store.
 
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