What's the point in buying expensive traditional knives if you can't sharpen them?

Bill DeShivs said:
No, but everyone should learn how. Without jigs and fixtures.
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Well I'm in the process of learning but what I'm saying is in the thread is that maybe it's not such a good idea to buy expensive knives when you're still trying to learn how to sharpen a knife well.
 
My preference when practicing is to search the local pawn shops. You can find a lot of really nice knives there.

And once you have narrowed down the shops you go two, you should easily find two to three stops at the most.
 
The thing is, you really can't hurt a knife by trying to sharpen it unless you put it to a bench grinder or some other high speed tool. With stones, if you mess up, it just won't be sharp and you just have to keep going until it is. I've always felt that practicing on a really bad knife may not provide the right experience. It may be too soft to get an edge on and you'll be frustrated...or just hard enough to get an edge but not keep it. Either way, you don't learn.

Now I would not recommend practicing on your grandfather's WWII bring back 17th century Samurai sword mind you...or going out and buying a Sebenza to practice on. But frankly, that Sebenza is going to need sharpening some day. Maybe practice on some $50ish knives? What you learn there will be good on any conventional knife at any price point.
 
Only one car analogy so far. So....

I'm betting the vast majority of people who buy $100,000+ cars don't know how to change the oil. Further, I'm betting that many who buy super cars don't drive any better than an average Joe.

If you buy a true working knife, buy what you can afford and want, learn to use it as best you can (which includes maintenance) and "drive" on. Pun intended.

I would wager (already used "bet" twice) that many high end, expensive knives will ever get close to dull anyhow. Even designs meant to be well used.

I don't judge. Their money.
 
But as many knives at as many price points as possible. The best way to build your sharpening skills is to learn on many different steels. They all have different characteristics. Learning to sharpen different steels will give you more insight into the steels that companies choose for their knives. Jump in. Learn some stuff. It's fun.
 
Not making any comparison with high end cars but...

For a decent sharpening is required just a little of patience and practice. And even a good small single combination stone like a Fallkniven DC4 is enough.
That's not rocket science, although, again, requires patience (first) will to learn by mistakes and patience.

As everything in life I suppose!:D
 
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I know people that don't know how to put gas in a car. In Oregon they pump it for you.
It's a hobby, there is no need to justify your actions to others.
 
I'm one of the lucky ones. My father taught me to sharpen pocket knives, chisels, axes etc from quite an early age. I have never used a guided method. :)
 
You learn as you go along in life. The point I was trying to make in this thread, for me personally, is that even though I know how to sharpen a knife but not to a great level, is I don't buy high end expensive knives because for me there's no point if you can't give it a great edge. It's like buying a Lamborghini with a manual, and you don't know how to engage the clutch properly and keep stalling.
 
I have a friend with so many knives including CRK's and Shirogorovs that none has ever become dull in his rotation.
 
cards94 said:
Just curious what you all think. If someone isn't good at sharpening knives, why spend more than $50, $75, or more than $100 on a knife? Until you become proficient in the art of sharpening, stick with the cheaper ones.:p
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Your premise is incorrect
Any one can buy a simple sharpening jig and sharpen a knife
There is no need to wait to become proficient in the art of sharpening to have a sharpened knife

We here as knife knuts might shudder at the thought of using these cheap jigs
But for the average joe these work very well
 
cards94 said:
Just curious what you all think. If someone isn't good at sharpening knives, why spend more than $50, $75, or more than $100 on a knife? Until you become proficient in the art of sharpening, stick with the cheaper ones.:p
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Paul hit the nail on the head. Read below.
paulhilborn said:
Not sure that there's a correct answer but I'd think you would buy a more expensive knife just simply because you like it for many different reasons...covers, blade shape, limited quantities?

Hopefully it arrives sharp enough so one can enjoy and use ot until it dulls. Like you said buy/use an inexpensive knife until you become proficient with sharpening yourself but there are many that either send their knife to an experienced knife sharpener here on the forum or back to the factory from which it was purchased if the manufacturer offers a sharpening service.

This is all foreign to me as I've been sharpening knives free hand since I was about ten;)
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Bill DeShivs said:
Not knowing how to sharpen a knife is like not knowing how to put gas in your car.
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:D

Cards, you have a very defeatist attitude and your premise/analogies are flawed. Sharpening like learning to ride a bicycle or driving a car or any other activity that takes any minimal amount of skill requires one thing. Practice. You cannot miracle your knives to sharpness. You need to make a decision, you can either try to learn how to sharpen a knife, you can pay someone else to do it, or you can complain about it. If you ever own a firearm, you might have to actually clean it. I know, life is tough with all these first world type problems. I'm sure if you look in your kitchen, like in hundreds of thousands of kitchens around the globe you will find at least one knife that is dull as a spoon. Get to work.
 
Invoice said:
Who said anything about sharpening? When a knife gets dull, just buy a new one.:p
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Is there an opening where you work? I could do with a new knife every week.....:p


As for the others,,, I carry and use expensive knives. I messed up a few cheap knives learning to sharpen but heck - I carry an old expensive sharp knife. I have had cheap ones fail - not cool. You can get decent cheap knives to use and learn to sharpen. Knifes go blunt and unless you have several expensive ones, one in the pocket and several at the sharpening services learn to sharpen.
 
It's a hobby, there is no need to justify your actions to others.[/QUOTE]
I agree. There is a certain "tyranny of the should" that exists in a number of forums. Part of the fun I guess. I learned to sharpen a knife in Boy Scouts but I often use a KME. Because it's easier, so what? I hunt and there is a whole cohort that refuses to use a GPS; relying solely on "real wilderness skills" and a compass. I learned how to use a compass too but if I'm hurt and I need to call in some coordinates, I'm sure I'll be glad I have my GPS! Screw the "only rely on their skills crowd!" Maybe their gene pool should end with them then!:) The underlying message in all this you're not a real____whatever-man, aficionado, in the know, part of the elite group etc.if you don't do whatever it is that's their way! Roemer1 hit it spot on! This is all just kids with their toys and people are free to enjoy it at whatever level they want to be at. That being said, I like to sharpen my own knives etc. but I bring a few into the field with me so when I get a deer it's usually cold, dark and often in-climate so I switch to a new knife if one get's a little dull, finish, and get my freezing arse out of there and sharpen my knives by the fire with my KME! :)
 
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