What is the most valuable info you have learned since acquiring your knife sickness??

extrastout said:
2) Realizing that large fixed blade chopper's are just for show IMHO, it will not replace a small axe or hatchet with traditional vic pioneer. I tried to convince myself otherwise, just so I could justify buying big heavy fixed blades (i'm an addict). I really wanted to keep my scrapyard 1311 and Busse fbm, but enjoyed owning them for a bit
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Got my start into knives with an ESEE Junglas. Simply needed a small, heavy machete for property maintenance/hunting season prep. But yeah, if you need to do some serious wood processing nothing beats a 24in+ ax. IMHO, anything smaller than a GB SFA, you're better better off with a 10in chopper.


But some things I learned-
-Your perfect knife still won't do everything you want so you end up having perfect knives.
-Never impulsively purchase a knife (or drunk for that matter). It pays to mull about a knife purchase for a week or two.
-A handle somebody says fits comfortably in their hand is probably too small for my hand. A handle somebody says is too big for their hand will probably fit my hand.
-You can have one of two things from the factory 1) A knife that fits your hand well 2) A knife that has awesome edge geometry
-Every couple years, downsize your collection and buy one or two real nice knives.
-Display some of your nice knives. Hopefully visitors can appreciate their beauty.
 
Pro tip #117: do not read knife forums unless you want to buy more knives. I say this as someone that just bought another knife I don't need. I blame Ramzar for this one.
 
evilgreg said:
Pro tip #117: do not read knife forums unless you want to buy more knives. I say this as someone that just bought another knife I don't need. I blame Ramzar for this one.
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Yep. I'm itching for a LionSTEEL something..... M4, M5, M7... haven't decided yet, but it's ALL because of these forums. Need it like a hole in the head. May wait until Blade.
 
Only need a few knives so find a couple that fit your needs and then just enjoy using them. It's satisfying carrying the same one or two knives every day and having them be a part of your memories. Having a big collection of knives is pointless. It's fun to gift a knife to a non-knife person that you know will then carry it every day and use it. Seeing and hearing about their enjoyment of the knife and converting them to carrying one every day is awesome.

***Disclaimer: This is what I have personally learned from carrying the same knife for 6-7 years, then going on a knife buying binge for a year or two, and then whittling the "collection" back down to a smaller amount again. Some people will disagree heavily, and there are a lot of people on here that love collecting. I determined it's not the right path for me.
 
I'd say learning safe and effective use of kitchen knives while in college. It has led to:

Appreciating a good set of kitchen knives
Enjoyment of food prep
Still have all my fingers
 
There are fantastic knives for under 250, and if you venture to 500 or above. Only do so once, otherwise you got yourself a very expensive addiction!! I wish I would have gone by this from the start, but I did not! At least now I know what knives above 500 are worth the money, and which are not. Stay under 250, and you only need two folders and two fixed blades. I did not do that either.
 
Hi. What I have "learnt" and my personal takes in a random, no particular order :):

• “Expensive” knives do not necessarily outperform “cheap” knives
• Thin stocks make for slicers
• FFG is my fav grind
• Drop point is my fav blade profile
• G10 and Ti is my fav handle materials
• Weight is a relative issue :D
• If I need a pry-bar, I’d better buy a pry-bar, not another knife :D
• Knives are a very poor investment, if I care for ROI, I’d better look somewhere else
• Addition destroys the joy of any hobby
• Think twice, buy once. Think twice, cut once. Haste makes waste
• Researching and documenting it’s half of the fun; the other half is playing out with my knives
• Collecting it’s not my thing; hoarding even less. The joy doesn’t come from possession, it comes from using the tools and from experiences sharing
• Folders get used way more than fixed blades
• Really I would be fine with any SAK, my F1, a folding saw and a compact axe. The rest it’s just for fun
• No, I don’t “need” another knife :D
• Traditionals are “cool” but I am better off with a modern locking folder, not necessarily “tactical”, but still… :)
• Fake and knock-offs can be dangerous
• Ginormous knives are not my thing. Never had the need for big choppers, I’m better off with an axe or a folding saw
• Be aware of the reaction from non-knives people. Be aware of legislation. Avoid exaggerated, unnecessarily rude and reckless behaviours when handling cutting tools. Be an “ambassador” for the knives community. Knives are cutting tools. When I carry and use them as such no one has anything to complain or whine about.
• Safety first :thumbup:
• Blade centring and sharpness I can most of the times fix myself :D
• Sharpening it’s a great skill and a fantastic past time. Get a fresh beer, some music and enjoy.
• I feel naked without a blade of sorts and I miss one any time I don’t have one in my pocket. Better to have one and not use it rather than having the need and missing one
• It’s just an hobby after all, no need to be mean towards others or get fanatic about my things/style of use
• Knives make a very bad self-defence weapon. If I have to resort to one to defend myself, I am already in deep sh!t.
• What works for me, rarely works for you as well. What I like very often you find awful. It’s OK, let's move on now :D.
 
In terms of this hobby, I've learned a number of different things, but will highlight a few that stick out to me.

-While I'm interested in more knives than I can realistically list, I'm more or less a minimalist at heart. As result, I'm more happy having a couple daily carry knives over a large collection or rotation that end up sitting in drawers most of them time.

-Being that I'm somewhat of a minimalist, it's easier and cheaper to save up and buy what I want the first time. Trying to satisfy the want by purchasing alternate knives that are probably less costly or "close" to what I want ends up costing me more in the end.

-A knife that gets carried and used is a "good value" to me, regardless of price.

-A knife that ends up living in my drawer is a "bad value" to me, regardless of price.

-I respect other members' opinions based on their experiences with a given knife. Holding a knife once in a store is not considered "experience" to me.

-I trust my own experiences:)

-
 
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Herlock said:
Hi. What I have "learnt" and my personal takes in a random, no particular order :):

• “Expensive” knives do not necessarily outperform “cheap” knives
• Thin stocks make for slicers
• FFG is my fav grind
• Drop point is my fav blade profile
• G10 and Ti is my fav handle materials
• Weight is a relative issue :D
• If I need a pry-bar, I’d better buy a pry-bar, not another knife :D
• Knives are a very poor investment, if I care for ROI, I’d better look somewhere else
• Addition destroys the joy of any hobby
• Think twice, buy once. Think twice, cut once. Haste makes waste
• Researching and documenting it’s half of the fun; the other half is playing out with my knives
• Collecting it’s not my thing; hoarding even less. The joy doesn’t come from possession, it comes from using the tools and from experiences sharing
• Folders get used way more than fixed blades
• Really I would be fine with any SAK, my F1, a folding saw and a compact axe. The rest it’s just for fun
• No, I don’t “need” another knife :D
• Traditionals are “cool” but I am better off with a modern locking folder, not necessarily “tactical”, but still… :)
• Fake and knock-offs can be dangerous
• Ginormous knives are not my thing. Never had the need for big choppers, I’m better off with an axe or a folding saw
• Be aware of the reaction from non-knives people. Be aware of legislation. Avoid exaggerated, unnecessarily rude and reckless behaviours when handling cutting tools. Be an “ambassador” for the knives community. Knives are cutting tools. When I carry and use them as such no one has anything to complain or whine about.
• Safety first [emoji106]
• Blade centring and sharpness I can most of the times fix myself :D
• Sharpening it’s a great skill and a fantastic past time. Get a fresh beer, some music and enjoy.
• I feel naked without a blade of sorts and I miss one any time I don’t have one in my pocket. Better to have one and not use it rather than having the need and missing one
• It’s just an hobby after all, no need to be mean towards others or get fanatic about my things/style of use
• Knives make a very bad self-defence weapon. If I have to resort to one to defend myself, I am already in deep sh!t.
• What works for me, rarely works for you as well. What I like very often you find awful. It’s OK, let's move on now :D.
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Well said.
ATJ999 said:
There are fantastic knives for under 250, and if you venture to 500 or above. Only do so once, otherwise you got yourself a very expensive addiction!! I wish I would have gone by this from the start, but I did not! At least now I know what knives above 500 are worth the money, and which are not. Stay under 250, and you only need two folders and two fixed blades. I did not do that either.
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I learnt that there is a reason why a SAK is all the pocket knife most people feel that they need (off the forums that is). If I'd started there I doubt I'd have much else.
 
That if I really want a knife that is perfect to me in every way, I'm going to have to go out and make it. And I thought about doing that, but it doesn't seem like I will. Ergo, finding the perfect knife is not that important to me, because there are plenty that are just fine.
 
Pomsbz said:
I learnt that there is a reason why a SAK is all the pocket knife most people feel that they need (off the forums that is). If I'd started there I doubt I'd have much else.
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I've had Victorinox Swiss Army Knives since I was 8 years old...didn't stop me from needing this:

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ZkNk0O5.jpg


:)
 
stabman said:
I've had Victorinox Swiss Army Knives since I was 8 years old...didn't stop me from needing this:

rH5MOQj.jpg


ZkNk0O5.jpg


:)
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Damn you. I totally don't need a too-heavy folding dagger with double fullers . . . except that now I sort of need a too-heavy folding dagger with double fullers.
 
evilgreg said:
Damn you. I totally don't need a too-heavy folding dagger with double fullers . . . except that now I sort of need a too-heavy folding dagger with double fullers.
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I understand your pain. :D

Every week there seems to be another knife out there I didn't know existed before, but now don't know how I ever lived without it.
My wife thinks I buy too many knives...in reality, I am exhibiting great self-control by not buying even more of them. ;)
 
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