Who only buys recommended knives?

I buy what I like to look at that has the right steel for my use.

Example, I have never been a Spyderco fan. The hole in the blade makes me cringe. I don't know why but its like fingernails on a chalk board to me.
 
I just bought a bunch of cheap-clone knives from fasttech because I wanted to order one, and for the price I might as well get 3. They'll come in handy as beaters.

For more expensive knives, I tend to follow good reviews but also form my own opinion based on the use case (edc/camping/fishing etc).

It's easy convince yourself you might need the absolute best steel, best balance, superb performance, ergonomics etc, and end up with a Sebenza, where you might just already be satisfied with a budget Kershaw model.

At the same time, some knives are really overrated, and if you're only carrying an edc to occasionally open a box, you don't really need S30V or better. A $40 nice knife that handles well will do.
 
midnight flyer said:
I think some of the purchasers need to be "propped up" after they get their new wonder knife. Their lives didn't really change any; their hair is still thinning, they can't hike any further than they used to, splitting wood isn't nearly as fast as with an axe, the knife is a little bigger than you thought, no one else seems to be "aroused" like you are when you pull your knife out (in fact the all famous nemesis of BF, the dreaded "sheeple" may even make fun of how much you spent), the knife isn't perfect like every single other person you read about that has that knife and in fact has a couple of nagging problems just short of causing you to send it back, and you can't find enough useful things to use the knife on to qualify buying it.

Sure, you can pull that handsome big boy out of your pocket and open your mail, cut a string, and yup, cut that sandwich right in two at lunch. No more messy letter openers, simply pulling a string, or using a plastic knife for your lunch. And yet, it still seems unsatisfying. You have to think sometimes... "man... did I really need S30V or Elmax to cut up an apple or my son's shoe lace?".

Worse, while fondling your new 8" bladed log splitting ultimate survival knife, you see on the news where a 9 year old Boy Scout lived in the woods with one piece of gum, some Pop Tarts, and drank stream water and ate a few bugs until he was found. No knife needed. But, you get some happiness out of knowing that if you were lost, you could have made a shelter. Then you think to yourself you need to put "practice shelter making" on your to do list. Then you read on the subject a bit and realize that having a great knife has almost nothing to do with survival and rescue. Nuts.

Finally, you realize how little you actually use your knife. Sure you substitute it for tasks that might be well suited to other tools (like the guys that go to restaurants and use their knives to cut their meat) and you do open those heavily taped FedEx boxes, but over all, you find yourself being careful with the new knife. So when it goes woods walking, or camping you carefully use it so it doesn't have to go to the spa. After you get it good and dirty, you take some quick pics for BF, then run in and clean it up as quickly as possible. After all, it cost more than any of the other knives you have and you can't risk any damage to it! This was a big decision; when could you afford another one? So you carry your old knives too, for those dirty tasks that might come up.

Then when carrying your old knives, you realize that all knives do pretty much the same thing... ouch...

Robert
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In my years here I have seen this same cycle over and over! That's why you see so many unused or "lightly used" knives on the exchange.

I've babied a few knives and wound up selling them because I either just didn't use them, or felt like I had too much money tied up in them when I already had a suitable blade for that purpose.

That's why now when I buy something I use the hell out of it, right off the bat. If I liked it enough to buy it, I make myself use it. I wind up liking my knives a lot more after "bonding with them" I guess you could say.

Following that process I have wound up with a "collection" with little to no overlap that works for what I need it to do. Sometimes a new one will replace an old one (and the old one gets sold or traded off), but I seem to hang on to right around the same number of knives.

That was a great post Robert. I believe it might cause a lot of soul searching.. Believe it or not.
 
AntDog said:
In my years here I have seen this same cycle over and over! That's why you see so many unused or "lightly used" knives on the exchange.

I've babied a few knives and wound up selling them because I either just didn't use them, or felt like I had too much money tied up in them when I already had a suitable blade for that purpose.

That's why now when I buy something I use the hell out of it, right off the bat. If I liked it enough to buy it, I make myself use it. I wind up liking my knives a lot more after "bonding with them" I guess you could say.

Following that process I have wound up with a "collection" with little to no overlap that works for what I need it to do. Sometimes a new one will replace an old one (and the old one gets sold or traded off), but I seem to hang on to right around the same number of knives.

That was a great post Robert. I believe it might cause a lot of soul searching.. Believe it or not.
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Thanks! Part tongue in cheek of course, but partly based on my own experience. When I am thinking of buying a new knife, I think of my Kershaw Shallot in S110V (don't ask how much... it was a limited edition) that sits in the drawer as I use my
$15 Kershaw Tremor daily with absolutely no concern for it well being.

Like you, I buy 'em, and put 'em to work. I work in construction so my knives are in and out of my pocket all day on occasion. Yet, I seem to go back not only the same patterns, but to the same knife as well. How many dang stockman do I need, regardless of scale material or blade steel? Believe me, hitting a hidden staple, or nail with S30V is just as hard on that blade as it is on AUS8.

As it is, if I started over and lived to be 200 years old, I would never wear out the knives I own now. I sure like looking these days, but am not much on buying.

Robert
 
I've gotten enough experience over the years, that I can buy (or NOT buy) a knife based on specs and a picture, alone. I've never been one for youtube reviews, and have only asked for a recommendation once, or twice on these forums. If I'm delving into an area of knifedom with which I have little experience, then I'll ask some questions.

I'll just say that I haven't sold a knife, or traded one away, but 2 times in the last 5-6 years. Pretty much any knife I pick up, I know, already, that I will like it.
 
I asked for a recommendation once here for a guy I worked with. Most of the ones I'm interested in were too spendy for him and he actually bought one that was recommended. The best part was that after I posted what knife he bought, people continued to post what knife he should get. About 50% ignored his requirements. Oh well. I look at those threads occasionally to see if there's ones I haven't come across before.

As to buying and using or not using, truth is that I own well over 100 and use about 5 or 6. I honestly derive enjoyment from pulling them out and just admiring them.... also enjoy pimping them. It's just a hobby like any other and if you can afford it, why not?
 
If i see a knife that i think i would like. Ill do some research between youtube and here and go from there. If it has good reviews ill buy if bad reviews i usually wont
 
I usually buy what I like, I own 3 gerbers:eek:, but recently I wanted some input on a new purchase and the advice led to some refinement in my search and I found something I probably would've passed on based on appearance which has in turn opened my mind to more brands/makers/manufacturers.
 
When a newbie asks for information concerning possible choices for an EDC for a particular set of circumstances, I think that more experienced folks can offer a real service by letting him know what's available...
When you go to a strange town, you often may ask a "native" for the the best steak or spaghetti restaurant in town...
 
I wouldn't say that 'recommended knives' are soley the ones that are purchased personally. But... I do tend to watch two or three reviews on YouTube of the knife to get view points from others and to simply see the knife in general. Good reviews do factor into if a knife gets purchased by me. It's just not the only thing I look at. It generally starts as an 'oh... I love the looks of this one' type of deal.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
I've gotten enough experience over the years, that I can buy (or NOT buy) a knife based on specs and a picture, alone. I've never been one for youtube reviews, and have only asked for a recommendation once, or twice on these forums. If I'm delving into an area of knifedom with which I have little experience, then I'll ask some questions.

I'll just say that I haven't sold a knife, or traded one away, but 2 times in the last 5-6 years. Pretty much any knife I pick up, I know, already, that I will like it.
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That's how I pick knives as well. By the time it is in my hand, I pretty much know what I have.
stabman said:
Have you ever used one?
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Yup. And not impressed. 200 kinds of the same...
AntDog said:
Great question. The beauty of Spydies shines through in their use. Some of them are just butt ugly, but they work like crazy.
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I can, and have, found many other knives of equal performance, and have some attractive looks as well. Plus, I have yet to find one under $200 that is comfortable to hold.
 
jimh0220 said:
I can, and have, found many other knives of equal performance, and have some attractive looks as well. Plus, I have yet to find one under $200 that is comfortable to hold.
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Like what? Just curious...

Ever gripped a Manix? Pretty damn ergonomic to me. What about the military?
 
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I personally take recommendation threads with a grain of salt. Too many times I see people recommend products they have never seen in person. It seems the minute a knife gets announced at blade or shot, you can find it pop up in a recommendation thread the same day as if anyone knows what it will be like. I think recommendation threads are for the beginner or the incredibly indecisive. I think they have their value but when you are in the hobby for a certain amount of time you develop a sense of what things will work and not work for you which at that point the only way to know for sure is to try it yourself.
 
PURPLEDC said:
I personally take recommendation threads with a grain of salt. Too many times I see people recommend products they have never seen in person. It seems the minute a knife gets announced at blade or shot, you can find it pop up in a recommendation thread the same day as if anyone knows what it will be like. I think recommendation threads are for the beginner or the incredibly indecisive. I think they have their value but when you are in the hobby for a certain amount of time you develop a sense of what things will work and not work for you which at that point the only way to know for sure is to try it yourself.
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I think it is important to take them with a grain of salt, but they can be useful. If you see a post written by someone that is a frequent and well respected poster, then their posting can be of value. I think you learn soon enough (as with any internet venue) who can be trusted for a solid opinion, even if it differs from your own.

After reading for a few weeks, it is easy enough to sort out the die hard brand lovers, the collectors and the users. I personally appreciate it when someone takes the time to type out an opinion and post pics of knives they have purchased. For me with my big mitts, I really like the "in hand shots" and find those to be really useful. It saves me a trip to the drawer to get a knife of similar size to the dimensions posted and I can see how the knife aligns in hand.

I do agree with you on the point that a lot of folks simply "parrot" what they heard or read, but it is that way with some folks when talking to them in person, too. Not just here.

Robert
 
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