Where's the fun...?

[jc57]

I just skip threads asking for "the best" anything. Usually a waste of time. Almost invariably the poster is extremely vague or unrealistic in their criteria, if they even have any. Often they never return to the thread, or end up buying something completely different that nobody recommended and that doesn't match their original specs.

 

[palonej]

I think this forum makes the knife hobby so MUCH more fun.......for me.
I went to the Post Office to day to pick up a brand new Spider Monkey. It isn't mine. One of our extremely cool members, Mr hmoore, saw I was interested in the knife and offered to send it to me for a closer look. Excellent dude!!
How could it get any cooler than that???
I'm one of the old farts that doesn't miss the good ole days with no internet, snail mail etc.
Can't see coming here and asking what's the best knife under $6 with BB pivot and super steel, but I certainly appreciate asking the members about a particular knife I am interested in. How's the build? Customer support? This has saved me a LOT of money and heartache!

What was the point of this thread???
Shrugs
Joe

 

[Shotgun]

How is having less information on a topic more fun? I guess I don't get what you're talking about.

 

[justjed]

The issue is that there is no one right answer to a "what's the best" question. One question, 138 different answers, and all of them are more or less right. Guess I am just old. I derive a good deal of satisfaction from finding out WHY this works for me, or why THAT doesn't. Instant gratification doesn't necessarily equate to long-term satisfaction. And getting 138 differing opinions is great, but it's damned expensive when you want to try them all...

Edited to add: To address a couple of points, I have been to exactly two knife specific shows in the last 40 years. And the farthest I traveled was 140 miles.(I blew the radiator on my car, and almost had a heat-stroke that day, btw) I don't have money to burn, and so I actually make very few purchases. None were knives that I read glowing reviews about in the magazines. I read the articles to get an idea of how to assess the quality of a knife that was in my hand. Only two of my knives were ever in any articles that I read, and most were never even advertised that I am aware of. The company, or the knife-maker, maybe, but not the specific knife.

 

[jc57]

The issue is that there is no one right answer to a "what's the best" question

So what you're saying is that it is a stupid question. I agree, which is the gist of my earlier reply in the thread. Has nothing to do with magazines or knife shows. Just pass by the threads.

 

[KELAMA]

i kinda know what the OP is saying. I see it on forums everywhere. people show up, want to know the perfect answer right away, and sometimes they disappear soon after.

i think its the age of the internet and instant gratifications - it is where we are now though

^ I think you're right.

I see no problem with using the Internet and asking questions and opinions about knives.

I personally do not travel to or attend knife shows. Look, I love knives, but not enough to travel hundreds of miles and pay for lodging to see a knife show. Why would it bother me that others do or don't? Also, everyone that asks a question here is not necessarily a 'knife knut', but joins because they want to ask and make a more informed decision. After that, many won't stay around to 'shoot the breeze' discussing this knife and that knife. Many people don't have the time or dedication to spend years coming to a conclusion about their knife preferences, and that's great, too. Many people, including myself, pursue multiple interests besides knives.

Jim

^ Well stated, Jim

I kind of look at it as being a double edge sword. I was the last hold out (of all of my friend's and family), to finally break down and buy a computer. I actually had no choice in the matter...

Regardless, the internet, has provided me with the opportunity to learn a vast amount of knowledge, as well as connect with some pretty wonderful people.

With that stated, I feel that I've been spending an unhealthy amount of time on the internet, away from many more important things in life.

Right now I'm still on the mend. Hopefully in another couple of months, my tendons and rotator cuff, which were surgically repaired, will have healed sufficiently enough, so that I can start doing some of the outdoor activities, I love and need to be doing.

This past month of inactivity (2 weeks of it ingesting opioids for intense pain), & not being able to work, has given me a tremendous amount of perspective, which I'm grateful for.

Getting off my behind and away from the internet, so that I can once again begin pursuing many of the other intense interests I'm passionate about, will be something that I'm looking very forward to....

Finding a healthy balance is the key...regardless, I have a feeling, that I will always have this very strong passion, for knives.

To the OP:
As ranger previously stated: "it's where we are now." And it's quite apparent, technology it's slowing down anytime soon.

 

[twistedLogic]

Not everyone comes to Bladeforums for the same reasons. Some guys don't collect knives, but they still want to buy an outstanding knife instead of the crap available in big box stores, gas stations and flea markets. They come to the forum and ask about the best knife for their needs.

This. Not everyone is looking for a new hobby. Some are just looking for a quality knife.

I agree with other's comments about what is "best" though. One has to specify "best for what", and a budget doesn't hurt either. On another forum I've been a member of for a long time, I just love it when someone asks for "the best" without a budget! They probably won't like the answer- but hey, they asked for the best....

 

[Insipid Moniker]

The issue is that there is no one right answer to a "what's the best" question. One question, 138 different answers, and all of them are more or less right. Guess I am just old. I derive a good deal of satisfaction from finding out WHY this works for me, or why THAT doesn't. Instant gratification doesn't necessarily equate to long-term satisfaction. And getting 138 differing opinions is great, but it's damned expensive when you want to try them all...

Edited to add: To address a couple of points, I have been to exactly two knife specific shows in the last 40 years. And the farthest I traveled was 140 miles.(I blew the radiator on my car, and almost had a heat-stroke that day, btw) I don't have money to burn, and so I actually make very few purchases. None were knives that I read glowing reviews about in the magazines. I read the articles to get an idea of how to assess the quality of a knife that was in my hand. Only two of my knives were ever in any articles that I read, and most were never even advertised that I am aware of. The company, or the knife-maker, maybe, but not the specific knife.

Still not sure why this forum or the internet in general would stop you or anyone from figuring out why things work for them. I've certainly made many of those type of discoveries since joining.