- Joined
- Sep 10, 2014
- Messages
- 1,375
PS:
I like what CM said about a knife being a symbol of independence too!
Thank you.
Cate
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What are knives to you?
- Thread starter Comeuppance
- Start date
PS:
I like what CM said about a knife being a symbol of independence too!
Thank you.
Cate
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2014
- Messages
- 574
...From the Special. sentimentality of a first knife gifted to me as a boy, to the my first solo knife purchase.
Learning safe handling, proper use, care, etc. of a useful tool to own from elders, scouts, etc.
A constant companion, while in the woods, on the water, or back at your camp.
A sharpened stick for a hot dog cook on an open fire, or a freshly cleaned fish, to the roasted mashmellow dessert,
to whittling a piece of wood until it became something else, wether useful or / and decorative.
-and, of-course, the iniveitable cut mishaps, to oneself along the way, leading to respecting the sharp cutting edge,
as well as just the appreciation of how good it looked.
As with the con't outdoor endeavers continued and progressed, as did my knife collecting, gaining more knowledge of
the well known brands, steel qualities, handle materials, etc., along with distinguishing one blade style / edge being
more specifically designed better for particular tasks, wether it be a hunting, skinning, caping, field dressing type of fixed
knife (or folder) or a fillet knife designed to 'fillet a fish' The long, large machete to clear a path, perhaps cut & process
limbs, brush, etc. for fire and / or a makeshift shelter. A nice, strong Bowie, and/or Bush fixed blade also has important
specific roles / tasks that these types of knives excell at.
As a fellow collector, & user I can appreciate the small multi function tools, as well as smaller to medium sized 'gent' knives.
I also fully appreciate larger multi funtional knives, with different blade styles, shapes, P.E., S.E., & combo. edges
in different steels, assisted, manual flippers, dif. blade coatings, etc. Also covering a wide range of everyday cutting tasks.
I will also continue to say, that I can appreciate knives that were / are designed as 'fighting' knives, like some KaBars,
Military type, trench knives,etc. and blades designed mainly for self defense weapons, which would include many of the autos,
and assisted stiletto style knives, for that matter, Daggers, along with 'push/punch' daggers, Balisongs, and Karambits, as
previously mentioned. Wether the Karambit originated as a specific tool, there is no doubt that it has become a self defense
knife. With that said, an important point to make is that most, if not all of these weapon designed knives can used in a
non-lethal way, as well. Controlling, impact use of the non-cutting edge.
When I hear that a knife is not a good weapon, I say tell that to a 'knife fighter' & I think they'll disagree.
-A point I was trying to make is that many knives are designed for multi-tasking, but others were originally designed with a
specific function, in mind.
I enjoy collecting, gifting, selling. I appreciate many different styles, shapes, sizes, quality of craftsmanship, astetics,
function.... Admiring, fondling, handling, taking pics.of.......I'm B.T.B., and I might be obsessed with knives
Learning safe handling, proper use, care, etc. of a useful tool to own from elders, scouts, etc.
A constant companion, while in the woods, on the water, or back at your camp.
A sharpened stick for a hot dog cook on an open fire, or a freshly cleaned fish, to the roasted mashmellow dessert,
to whittling a piece of wood until it became something else, wether useful or / and decorative.
-and, of-course, the iniveitable cut mishaps, to oneself along the way, leading to respecting the sharp cutting edge,
as well as just the appreciation of how good it looked.
As with the con't outdoor endeavers continued and progressed, as did my knife collecting, gaining more knowledge of
the well known brands, steel qualities, handle materials, etc., along with distinguishing one blade style / edge being
more specifically designed better for particular tasks, wether it be a hunting, skinning, caping, field dressing type of fixed
knife (or folder) or a fillet knife designed to 'fillet a fish' The long, large machete to clear a path, perhaps cut & process
limbs, brush, etc. for fire and / or a makeshift shelter. A nice, strong Bowie, and/or Bush fixed blade also has important
specific roles / tasks that these types of knives excell at.
As a fellow collector, & user I can appreciate the small multi function tools, as well as smaller to medium sized 'gent' knives.
I also fully appreciate larger multi funtional knives, with different blade styles, shapes, P.E., S.E., & combo. edges
in different steels, assisted, manual flippers, dif. blade coatings, etc. Also covering a wide range of everyday cutting tasks.
I will also continue to say, that I can appreciate knives that were / are designed as 'fighting' knives, like some KaBars,
Military type, trench knives,etc. and blades designed mainly for self defense weapons, which would include many of the autos,
and assisted stiletto style knives, for that matter, Daggers, along with 'push/punch' daggers, Balisongs, and Karambits, as
previously mentioned. Wether the Karambit originated as a specific tool, there is no doubt that it has become a self defense
knife. With that said, an important point to make is that most, if not all of these weapon designed knives can used in a
non-lethal way, as well. Controlling, impact use of the non-cutting edge.
When I hear that a knife is not a good weapon, I say tell that to a 'knife fighter' & I think they'll disagree.
-A point I was trying to make is that many knives are designed for multi-tasking, but others were originally designed with a
specific function, in mind.
I enjoy collecting, gifting, selling. I appreciate many different styles, shapes, sizes, quality of craftsmanship, astetics,
function.... Admiring, fondling, handling, taking pics.of.......I'm B.T.B., and I might be obsessed with knives
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
I live a clean and quiet life, I quit smoking and drinking after being an animal for years, smashing motorcycles, whatever. I find carrying and using knives outdoors to be a freedom and quiet personal time, away from the judgmental world, were I can have good clean fun. My knife choices are primarily utilitarian but occasionally aesthetic. A colored alox SAK is a jewel to my eye and doubly appreciated because it is also a useful outdoor tool. I have a moderate concern about bears when in remote areas so I have some very large knives to appease my, and my wife's worries, whether warranted or not. It makes us feel slightly safer. To be in the woods making tea with my outdoor tools brings peace and contentment to my inner core.
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SALTY
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,792
A knife is an extension of me in several ways.
First and foremost, it is an extension because it allows me to perform tasks that I would otherwise be unable to do given that God made me sans talons or fangs.
It is also an extension of me in the sense that I lean towards knives that bespeak to my perception of myself. I do not go for gaudy or ostentatious looking things, nor dainty and delicate, preferring the functional, the reliable, the rugged and the durable. In a fashion sense, I see a Becker, a Busse, a Sebenza or an Emerson as an extension of myself. That I can relate to the makers of these particular knives is probably no coincidence.
In the former sense, I am and have been since I can remember, an outdoorsman; knives are inextricably intertwined with the outdoors. Try filleting a fish or field dressing a deer without a knife!
In the latter sense, I see knives as tools but the exact ones we pick are not always purpose driven. Once you decide on a style, size and material that suits your purposes - style enters in and the knife should not only be satisfying in function but pleasing in aesthetics; that will only come if you relate to the knife and see it as representing who you are or your perception of yourself. Put a different way, you have to connect with your knife if your are going to like it.
If you are here at BF then I suspect you can relate to what I am saying. To us, a knife is more personal than the 3/4" half-inch drive six-point socket in our garage or the shovel in our shed yet they are all tools nonetheless.
First and foremost, it is an extension because it allows me to perform tasks that I would otherwise be unable to do given that God made me sans talons or fangs.
It is also an extension of me in the sense that I lean towards knives that bespeak to my perception of myself. I do not go for gaudy or ostentatious looking things, nor dainty and delicate, preferring the functional, the reliable, the rugged and the durable. In a fashion sense, I see a Becker, a Busse, a Sebenza or an Emerson as an extension of myself. That I can relate to the makers of these particular knives is probably no coincidence.
In the former sense, I am and have been since I can remember, an outdoorsman; knives are inextricably intertwined with the outdoors. Try filleting a fish or field dressing a deer without a knife!
In the latter sense, I see knives as tools but the exact ones we pick are not always purpose driven. Once you decide on a style, size and material that suits your purposes - style enters in and the knife should not only be satisfying in function but pleasing in aesthetics; that will only come if you relate to the knife and see it as representing who you are or your perception of yourself. Put a different way, you have to connect with your knife if your are going to like it.
If you are here at BF then I suspect you can relate to what I am saying. To us, a knife is more personal than the 3/4" half-inch drive six-point socket in our garage or the shovel in our shed yet they are all tools nonetheless.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2015
- Messages
- 34
I think that knives are lots of things. Knives are serious cutting tools and can be somewhat elegant at the same time: the ZT 00770CF is an example.
Knives are delicate "gentleman's cutters": the Benchmade 770 (out of production) is an example.
Knives can be part gentleman's cutter and part jewelry, like the William Henry Yucatan
or the $25,000 William Henry Spearpoint Lace (sorry, out of stock).
By the way, please check out my new book "A Primer on Folding Knives" at www.knifeprofessor.com.
Knives are delicate "gentleman's cutters": the Benchmade 770 (out of production) is an example.
Knives can be part gentleman's cutter and part jewelry, like the William Henry Yucatan
or the $25,000 William Henry Spearpoint Lace (sorry, out of stock).
By the way, please check out my new book "A Primer on Folding Knives" at www.knifeprofessor.com.
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I think it really depends on the knife. I wouldn't try to use my Benchmade SOCP as a tool as it's purpose is pretty clear. My Benchmade Skirmish could be a tool I suppose. However, my new daily carry, Benchmade 915 Triage, certainly is a purpose built tool. Statement of the obvious l, I like Benchmade.
That is a gorgeous looking knife.
I think it's a sad reflection on the fact that most people don't carry knives on a daily basis anymore. When they see someone who does (especially out of context) it's unusual to them in the literal sense of the word. For people like that, they don't see the practical uses of having a nice edc blade and they are often have a negative initial reaction.
I think it's a sad reflection on the fact that most people don't carry knives on a daily basis anymore. When they see someone who does (especially out of context) it's unusual to them in the literal sense of the word. For people like that, they don't see the practical uses of having a nice edc blade and they are often have a negative initial reaction.
stabman
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2007
- Messages
- 21,322
No problem.
They are handy for a lot more tasks than people usually think.
About the only thing they aren't great for is cutting things against a flat surface, like on a cutting board.
For EDC uses--and even woods tasks--they do quite well. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2014
- Messages
- 574
P.S. O.P....I like your screen name, as well as your avatar
(The character is from a movie, that I should recall....Right ?)
Either way, It's always amusing to me because it seems as though the man pictured,
is the one doing the talking, posting, and communicating with....BTB.
(The character is from a movie, that I should recall....Right ?)
Either way, It's always amusing to me because it seems as though the man pictured,
is the one doing the talking, posting, and communicating with....BTB.
Tools and art objects. They can be both at the same time. Also weapons, extensions of hand in martial arts. Small swords, peoples swords. Spada di popolo as they say in a certain knife art I have interest in.
They are also a part of the culture. Where I travel I try to look at the way people use their knives. Sometimes I am fortunate to see how a peasant cuts limbs, trims his or her wines, people cut bread and cheese and meat in bazars and restaurant kitchens. Where I live I have seen people use knives in a multitude of ways. Puukko is an essential part of my culture. I respect all cultures ways to make and use unique knives and try to immerse myself in the human skill of making and using tools. The tools made us what we are, humans.
They are also a part of the culture. Where I travel I try to look at the way people use their knives. Sometimes I am fortunate to see how a peasant cuts limbs, trims his or her wines, people cut bread and cheese and meat in bazars and restaurant kitchens. Where I live I have seen people use knives in a multitude of ways. Puukko is an essential part of my culture. I respect all cultures ways to make and use unique knives and try to immerse myself in the human skill of making and using tools. The tools made us what we are, humans.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2013
- Messages
- 159
Functional tools and works of art from the most rudimentary to the most technical modern design. I favor traditional slip joints and enjoy the history of knives and their use.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2010
- Messages
- 21
Knives make a human more capable to encounter life. It is a general purpose tool. It's use is unknown until a need arises.
First came the hammer, then the edge, then the cup. It's like asking "what do you put in your cup?". These are the tools of mankind. I find it very disheartening to see shocked or scared looks on people's faces when I use a knife in what I know to be a very mundane activity. I wish people trained themselves to gadge intent rather than relying on shallow ideas.
First came the hammer, then the edge, then the cup. It's like asking "what do you put in your cup?". These are the tools of mankind. I find it very disheartening to see shocked or scared looks on people's faces when I use a knife in what I know to be a very mundane activity. I wish people trained themselves to gadge intent rather than relying on shallow ideas.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2015
- Messages
- 2
Wow! Great question. Knives are part of my life for so many reasons. I guess some of them like my survival type knives represent memories when i am at home and companions when im using them. Others like the fighters and pig stickers are still safes with attached memories but tools in the same regard as they all get constant use. My edc's are both mostly fantasy and function ie my leatherman gets a mountain of use but my crkt only gets used once in a while for its purpose like putting down an injured roo on the roadside the other day. On a goldfish level im just drawn to sharp shiney quality. Hey who here isnt?