What are knives to you?

I have about a dozen which I use for various purposes, the rest of the hundreds are pretty obviously like toys to a kid. I could try to make a more sophisticated allegory, but the bottom line, I think for ME, is like a kid, I can't get enough toys. :o
 
My knives are an extension of my body. There is a nerve that runs from my brain to my hand that connects only to my knife.
 
Gadt said:
My knives are an extension of my body. There is a nerve that runs from my brain to my hand that connects only to my knife.
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That's how I felt when I carried a Cold Steel Tuff Lite. It was such a natural grip and feel that I would often continue to do work with the blade locked open - never cut myself with it, to my recollection. Very nice knife that I wish they would give the XHP treatment to. I would drop $60 on a XHP tuff lite, no question.
 
Pocket jewelry, tool for opening (boxes that contain knives) things, defensive weapons for when running isn't an option, but most of all... a symbol of independence.
 
The answer to this question, for me, began when i was a 12 or so. My father gave me my first knife, a SAK, for me to learn with and use as a boyscout. To me, having grown up watching him use knives everday around the house and outdoors, this was a symbol of his trust in me. That one knife showed me that he considered me well on my way to being the man I am today. I learned then, and still think now, that knives are tools. But was taught that any tool could become a weapon if needed.
Today when i am asked why I carry a knife, i simply respond with "Because i might need it."
I have stopped being suprised, however, when the next question is "for what?"
 
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I view my knives as tools that can functions as weapons, but the OP's Protech wouldn't work for me as a useful tool. It looks like a dagger, and daggers are strictly weapons as far as I'm concerned.
 
To me knives are the unique blend of tool and artwork. They just make your life easier. Interestingly enough I find the fact that funtionally the concept of knife hasnt changed since the first caveman realized he could cut stuff with knapped stones. The idea is still the same... A handheld tool with a sharp edge, simpy put, a very acute wedge. The fact that with a knife you can make every other tool you would need to survive, including fire, is also very intriguing to me as well. Finally if you had to use it for self defense, you could. Its just really the most useful tool one can carry

Its kind of like my favorite word... The dreaded F word. Its highy versatile and has many functions, including making life more colorful.
 
A knife is a very special thing to me. My dad is an outdoorsman and always carried a knife on him. He passed this down to me through example. Most of the time he carried a small slip joint like a Case or a Buck, but I remember him using it seemingly at every turn to open a box, cut a string, pry out a staple, etc. When we were in Yellowstone when I was about 10 or so he helped me pick out my very first quality knife, a Victorinox Tinker. I still have that knife and keep it in my dresser drawer because I'd hate to ever loose or damage it because it's so special to me. Nowadays I mostly carry a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, which is head and shoulders a tougher, higher end production folder that I love, but anytime I want that warm fuzzy feeling, I grab that 27 year old Victorinox and get reminiscent all over again.
 
For me a knife is a collectable item first,it is also a handy tool to have, and a weapon especially katambit or any blade type that was developed especially for military/martial arts
 
ToxicKatana said:
For me a knife is a collectable item first,it is also a handy tool to have, and a weapon especially katambit or any blade type that was developed especially for military/martial arts
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Hmmm...

According to report about Filipino Karambits, “It was not meant to be used for combat since Karambit is first and foremost, a tool. It evolved only because of the necessity of the people of these three Asian countries to protect themselves from foreign invaders.” Karambit.com echoes this sentiment: “While the blade originally served solely as an ancient utility tool in the same vein as the modern-day ‘Swiss Army Knife,’ - See more at: http://www.alloutdoor.com/2014/07/28/edc-history-karambit/#sthash.Kz7ho7Uw.dpuf

People have this odd idea that it's a pure-bred fighting knife or useless for utility (two common opinions you'll hear around here and elsewhere), but those people are what I like to call wrong. ;)
 
stabman said:
Hmmm...

According to report about Filipino Karambits, “It was not meant to be used for combat since Karambit is first and foremost, a tool. It evolved only because of the necessity of the people of these three Asian countries to protect themselves from foreign invaders.” Karambit.com echoes this sentiment: “While the blade originally served solely as an ancient utility tool in the same vein as the modern-day ‘Swiss Army Knife,’ - See more at: http://www.alloutdoor.com/2014/07/28/edc-history-karambit/#sthash.Kz7ho7Uw.dpuf

People have this odd idea that it's a pure-bred fighting knife or useless for utility (two common opinions you'll hear around here and elsewhere), but those people are what I like to call wrong. ;)
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Hmm very interesting.
Thanks for the info pal, like allot of other people I saw a karambit as a strictly combat/tactical knife you really changed my point of view.
 
I know what you mean! I just got a microtech ultratech. My first ever OTF knife. I got it thinking how cool of a blade it is and how it's something different to EDC or HEC. Not because it looks like a "scary knife" but like nutnfancy says it makes me smile knowing how cool of a blade I've got in my pocket. I think it's just hard for non knife obsessed people to see that knives aren't always used for bad things and can be really useful tools.
 
I use knives as tools as much as I can living in a large metropolis with a white collar job, but I collect them for their craftsmanship and design qualities. I appreciate their materials and form as well as their function, probably the same way a pen collector or car collector would approach their hobbies.

They're not weapons to me, nor are they "badass" or hardcore or any of those things--which is not to disparage people who like knives for those reasons. I'm drawn to smaller, lighter folders and fixed blades around the 3" blade mark. Other than that there's no real unifying theme to what I like that I can pinpoint. Perhaps others might know, most of my recent collection is up on instagram if you're interested! https://instagram.com/brancron/

In sum: knives are pretty.
 
I dont carry much variety in knives these days. For the most part I only carry a single slip-joint and will occasionally have a fixed blade for camping and such. I do have a multitool and a small fixed blade in my briefcase.

These days I carry a very nice custom by TA Davison. I love slip-joints for general utility. Not a good weapon but I would never fight with a knife anyways. No training and I think a knife makes a terrible weapon as I feel you need to get too close. I would rather just run :D

TA Davison Custom Slip Joint by Mark LeGear, on Flickr
 
A tool first and foremost. I don't buy a knife I won't carry and use.
They can also be a thing of beauty, either aesthetically or in their well designed/engineered capability to do what they were made to do.
Sometimes an art work, or an expression of a time or idea.

I don't think of a knife as a weapon anymore than I see my vehicle as a weapon. Or my claw hammer.

Brancron, you have some beautiful knives sir.
 
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I do NOT consider knives 'toys'. (Your mileage may vary. NO problem.)

I do NOT consider firearms, fishing poles, tractors, lawn mowers, snow blowers, house construction tools, axes, tomahawks, chain saws, etc. toys. I consider them tools.

Knife?

I consider it a tool.

The tool can be used for self defense IF needed.

The tool can be used for hunting and fishing.

The tool can be used for carving any type of food while you are camping, enjoying a picnic, eating in the kitchen, breakfast room, dining room or out in a restaurant. Tool. I consider sterling, silver plated, carbon steel and stainless steel cutlery - tools aka utensils aka flatware.

The tool can be used for cutting and/or opening any type of material designed for the task at hand.

The tool can be used in various survival situations depending on the knife or axe.

Many tools/knives are works of art but first and foremost - they are tools to ME. Your mileage may vary.

Some people use their tools.

Some people use ALL of their tools/knives.

Some people keep some of their beautiful and historical or modern tools/knives on display as works of art.

Some people keep some of their tools/knives locked away in their closets or special cabinets and they barely use one or two knives/tools on a daily basis. Some GUN people do this too!

I use what I own and if it does not get used - it gets gifted or sold.

My MT husband is the same way. My late husband was the same way. There are NO safe queens here.

Your mileage may vary. No problem. To each their own.

Cate
 
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