Why do you like knives?

H

Hoodoo

Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
2,355
I've been fascinated with knives for as long as I can remember and I imagine that the same is true for many here in this forum.

An interesting question, I think, is "Why?"

My personal feelings on this are that knives are the simplest and most primitive of tools in terms of basic design, the first blade appearing early in the fossil record, and yet almost from the beginning they were tools of almost infinite utility.

A recurring theme in the threads here is the idea of a survival knife. I think the popularity of this thread is due, in part, to the appeal that it has to our primordial instincts. The blade was a major leap in technology that permitted scavenger gatherers to become incredibly effective hunter gatherers. (Civilization wasn't too long in coming with the invention of a variation on the theme, the plow.)

A knife in the hand gives us a sense of empowerment and the appreciation of that fact has become embedded in our psyche. The knife is an "obvious" tool whose utility is easily understood and appreciated.

Thus, knives and other "simple" tools continue to appeal to humans because they are reliable, effective, and their fundamental design is immediately understood and appreciated in terms of usefulness. Our appreciation of modern tools and technologies have, at their foundation, our keen sense of appreciation and long association with the simplicity and utility of fundamental tools like knives.

This is just my 2 cents but I would love to hear from others on this.


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Hoodoo

No, I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Zora Neale Hurston

Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Lao Tsu
 
I agree with you on the "simple tool" statements. The wedge is one of the oldest tools used by man. I also agree with the "sense of empowerment" feeling that comes over people in many different ways. I am enthused by the combination of this basic "simple" tool and modern developments of new blade materials for better performance. I stress the word "tool" when referring to any knife. History has shown us that many tools were turned into weapons. If we start allowing knives to be looked at as only weapons, then we will lose the luster of our common passion.

I think a lot of us on this forum is looking for the ultimate "indestructible" knife and we won't be testing it out on other humans. I like knives because knives can be works of art with a useful function.
 
I guess I can't think that deep. To me it is a tool and I use one every day, but it is also something more. Its a challange to make one just a little bit better. One where the handle fits just perfect, where the edge stays sharper longer, One thats eye catching, one thats balanced just right.
I'm no artist but as a craftsman You can never get it just right, its always the next one and the next one or the next one. I guess i'm shallow but the beauty is just as important as function. I think theres a big difference between an artist and a craftsman.
An artist can see the finished product before he begins. A craftsman takes it by steps and looks at it through production steps to get to the end. I sometimes envy the true artist. The craftsman is usually surprised at the end result. At least I always am.

John Yeackley

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http://www.toptexknives.com/yeackley.htm My contribution to the world of knife fanatics.


 
Hey Guys....

I don't know about you guys.. I feel pretty much the same way as you...

But I like and buy big blades to compensate for my small penis size...

ROTFLMAO...

ttyle Eric....

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
Like that's some kind of revelation - coming from a Canadian?
wink.gif


I'll forego waxing philosophical, and say that I like em because they're shiny and sharp.
 
I don't question my obsession; I just feed it with more sharp pointy objects!
smile.gif


Seriously, I can't explain why knives are so fascinating to me. My fascination with sharpeners is a little easier to explain; they're used to maintain my knives!
smile.gif
I can't wait to see how other people try to answer this question.

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Just because I talk to myself does not make me crazy. Now, when I listen to myself, that makes me crazy.

[This message has been edited by Roadrunner (edited 01-22-2000).]
 
I like knives because I feel that a good knife will allow me to handle whatever comes my way. I remember as a little boy playing in the woods it was easy to imagine that I was an explorer who was prepared for anything because I had a pocket knife or a fixed blade. I feel sad thinking of this because a kid walking down the street with a knife on his belt today will quickly draw the attention of the authorities.

As an adult, I feel that every responsible person should carry some sort of pocket knife or multi-tool in order to deal with all the tasks that can come one's way in day. As was said earlier, I think the utility of knives can never be overstated. We all know a knife can be a devastating weapon, but so can a flashlight or a screwdriver or a pencil. Forumites really need to speak about the usefulness of knives whenever possible so that people will remember that the knife is humanity's most basic tool.
 
Most of my reasons go back to my childhood. At age 9 I possibly saved my life and a friend's when I got us out of an excavation in the desert using my pocket knife. By age 11 I achieved my first adult competance by sharpening knives sharper than anyone I knew. By age 12 I discovered I could fix almost anything with my 6 blade scout knife. By age 14 I learned to throw knives.

Knives have offered a way to establish a sense of skill and competance to face fundamental survival challenges. There is an elegance and finesse to a razor sharp blade. There is elegance and finesse to being able to produce a razor edge and wield it proficiently.

Some books I read in elementary school also influenced me. Tolkien's images of little hobbits who would face a dragon or evil incarnate (Sauron) with nothing more than an oversized dagger certainly made a deep impression. Another story that I really liked was Heinlein's "Tunnel in the Sky" where an advanced survival class is stranded on a remote planet for years. The hero has taken minimal weapons with him, including one knife bandaged to his leg. After being bushwacked he wakes up with nothing left but his knife. Later he comes across the body of an overconfident student still carrying a gun that would stop a tank. The hero survives with his wit and his knife. This is more my approach to life.



[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 01-22-2000).]
 
I often ask myself this same question...I ask it daily. I don't know anymore...but there is something. Maybe the art, maybe tooling, maybe the mechanical gadgets (speed-safe and axis lock for example), maybe the cool materials (like Talonite)...there's just so much going on with knives that make them alive!

That's my rambling,
Mitch
 
Why?
- functionality.

- beauty.

- appreciation for the creativity, skill and hard work that lies behind a hand made knife.

- the "one-of-a-kind" attraction of a unique handmade or limited edition production knife

- both simplicity (the sharp pointy thing is one of the most primal usable objects) and complexity (nifty locks on the newer folders)

- that "flick . . . flick . . . flick" noise!
smile.gif


 
I've just spent the afternoon reading on the Franco-Prussian War (1870). The large yatagan shape blade of a French 1866 Sabre Bayonet used on the Chassepot rifle of the period lies on the table next to me now. It serves as a reminder that the events were as real and as cold as this blade is today. Knives have been with us for a long time. They often reflect our technology, our values, and even our beliefs (or gullibility).
 
I just like them, that's it. I also like guns, ckocks and other forms of quality craftmanship

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
for me it is all about the asthetic sense of the blade. My father was a butcher, I grew up watching him slice meat, cut up deer etc. There was a real sense of beauty watching him with a scaple sharp knife, his skill magicly transforming the deer into steaks, chops, stew meat and roasts. THe way he handled the blade was almost like watching someone dancing the ballet the skill was so intense. He also instilled in me a reverence to cae for my blades, and a high level of skill in their quality and care. My grandfather an arc weldwer, also made knives, I have 2 of his, a paring knife so thin and sharp a scaple is dul by comparison, anda cabbage knife, stong and big but still with a razors edge, THe blades were not pretty to look at but they lept to their tasks making them a joy to use. I still find that joy when using a well made blade.

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Sanity is overrated, simply a moonbeam spilling pearls on a dark and treacherous sea.
j . p hissom
 
I like knives for two reasons.First,holding a knife give off a sense of impowerment.It lets me feel that I have some control over whatever environment is presented.It is pleasing to the hand and to the eye.In short,it`s COOL!
The second reason came a long as I have traveled the knife journey.I have met some of the finest people through the forums and other knife adventures.People who I feel fortunate to call friends.There is a sense of community and honor found among us that is not easily found anymore.Of course it is not perfect,but the good eggs far outweigh the bad.If you want a dose of kind humanity,go to the Blade show sometime.The comradery between competing makers,or tactical VS. survival people is amazing.

Even though everybody is into a slightly different thing,there is a large amount of harmony and respect. In short,The knives are Cool and so are the people.
David

AKTI#150
 
What kind of a question is that?!


This is blade forums...is it not

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And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold the great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads...And His tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth; and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
 
You've been talking to my wife,...haven't you!
She would really like to know what does it for me, and then she'd try and remove that from me if she could!

But I love edged tools, a lot, don't really know why, but I always have, must be too much iron in my blood?

G2

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"There are no dangerous weapons;
there are only dangerous men."
.......... Robert A. Heinlein, 1959


G2 Leatherworks
 
Can't really figure it out myself. I'm always looking to be as prepared as possible for lifes challenges and a knife is imperative. This could be anything from slicing a lime wedge for my Corona to cutting poles needed for an emergency crutch (this 4th of July
smile.gif
). As an added bonus the materials and workmanship of many of these knives really appeal to the gadget lover in me. Got to love the rush you get from handling a big scary sharp object.
 
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