Where's the line between tool and jewel?

M

mrjed

Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
257
Some of us will say both with one syllable and some both with two, but how do you decide? What's the difference between a great tool and something you're afraid to use/carry because it might get lost/damaged? Perhaps Mr. Franklin is the divide; those with fewer disposable dollars might think otherwise. Despite the monetary issue, how do you decide what's "Too valuable to use?"
 
If it has an edge and is a practical design, I'm usin' it. I will not let a knife that I buy go unused. "A knife unused is knife abused." :cool:
 
I like that idea.
But would you use a William Henry damascus if you paid $700 for it for example? What's the $ limit of a "using knife"?
 
I would never buy a "collecor's item" knife that I wouldn't use. The only ones that I don't use are ones that I don't like and have replaced with better ones.
 
Still agree with the idea it's a tool, but how much $ is too much $ for a Using Knife?
 
I don't think I could possibly buy a knife for a collectors item, for me knives are tools that are meant to be used, and half the fun in owning a knife is using it.
 
If you use it, it's a tool. If you keep it in the safe and don't touch it, it's a jewel. This goes for any knife. Some people treasure their Benchmades, Spydies, etc. and keep them as collector's items while carrying and using a $600 folder. It works the other way around, too. I guess it has to do with what you choose to collect and what you choose to use. I use eveything I own and nothing sits in a safe.
 
Well, I've never gone over $300 for a user. I've never gone over $300 period, so I guess that may be my limit. As for "too nice to use", what is the point of having a knife you won't use? ;)
 
EVERY knife is a tool . . . it just depends on how desperate you are, and what your options are.
 
Think of it this way - if you bought a Lexus would you make it a garage queen? Anything we buy is meant to be used otherwise we leave an inheritance to our heirs who have no idea of its value and sell at bargain basement prices. My motto is: if you buy it, use it!
 
I make it a habit to "use" everything I own,wearing it out if possible ;)
I'm old school and knives are given the same respect as a"Tradesman" tool(s).
$125 is tops for a Quality BMK EDC IMO,I am BM exclusive and have been for almost 14 years

Buy what you want. . . . .

T/
 
I will use most of my knives but there is one that was given to me. It has a stamascus blade, mammoth bone slabs and a mokume bolster. It is supposed to be a paring knife but there is no way I am going to use it.
 
I have both tools and jewels. Some I'll keep pristine for awhile and then start using, others I use immediately. But I also have some limited edition knives that I don't use at all.
 
I guess every knife user will have his own limits, and it doesn't always have to do with your income. For instance, my dad makes a ton more money than me and he doesn't like to use any folder that's more expensive than a SAK or Opinel although he could afford to carry a custom.

I've never bought a knife that I didn't plan to use. Not all of them get the same treatment, of course, but they are all used.
 
I do own 2 $700+ knives that I carry and USE.At this time, I won't buy a knife that I won't use.
 
I own some customs, some Sebenzas, some Benchmade ETC. I use all of my knives. None are safe queens. Some, I abuse. My Swamp Rats are abused pretty hard, they are some of the hardest working knives I own. On the other hand, I only carry my Sebs at functions. Going out to a nice dinner, or a wedding etc. Anywhere I am dressed up. Conversely, my Spydercos and Benchmades have gone from my dress up knives to my EDC's as my tastes have changed. Right now, I get by with a slipjoint during the week when I am in the city, and when I get to the boonies where I live, I carry my 710. I think the only thing holding me back from using the Sebs as my only edc folders is the very slight risk of confiscation by LEO's.
 
about 150...might end up bumping that depending on the price of the new Schempp H1. All my knife I use, ones that I don't I sell. I don't mind spending a bit more, but 150 or so before tax is what I cut off for users.
 
All knives are using tools, some are tool/jewels, yet still put to use, but used for jobs that won't do damage. No sence having a knife and not letting the poor thing have a life too.

A knife cannot fully be fully apreciated unless it is used, carried as well as looked at.
 
Having a $400 knife - it's a tool. Gets banged up in the CNC shop, and looks it. It was not made as a jewel, tho, and that's the point.

Price does not determine the "tool or jewel" status of a knife. The purpose of the knife as envisioned by the maker does that. I have a inexpensive folding Bowie repro with nickel silver cast bolsters that rarely sees the light of day. That little jewel ran me less than $25, and I would hate to see it all banged up at work. It's meant to be a nice reenactor piece for show.

The SnG, however, gets what's thrown at it. It's obviously not a shiny show off pocket jewel, despite the price, and that's where a lot of us start drawing lines.

I choose looks and function to be the line, not price. $35k will get you a nice Lexus or a Caterpillar, and I rarely see either garaged under a tarp.

It's usually some semi-rare interesting old car, like that horse pommel Bowie.
 
There are working dress and dress for parades etc. As well as weapons for parade and for battle. Both has right to exist and both fully functional. If W&H knives are beautiful it does not mean that they will not outperform some stuff which are way less expensive. At lease it is clear what they charge for.

But show-up knives does not meant to be with diamonds and gold - there are very overpriced semi-customs which have quality of production knives but cost as an jewelry - I considers this also as a dressing knives, because there is no reason to pay much more then $200 for knife until it is clearly has superior steel or some other material. But for some name is very important so they pay twice the price just for this even there are many same or better knives on the market. I will to pay more for Microtech for for example CPM S90V steel and thin edge, but I never buy Strider or Sebenza, because it three - four times overpriced and has no special value but name or kind of statement for everybody around, which I do not care about. However I like Buck Strider or ZT300, but it is priced more or less reasonable.

So guess it depends who is an owner and how he treat his knife and what he is looking for.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top