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Why do you love knives?

I

izhmash47

Joined
Oct 3, 2011
Messages
44
Some people spend a lot on cars, some people spend a lot on computers, everyone has their hobby and as we all know our hobbies can be very expensive.

Why do we choose knives?

For me it is our history as a species, edged tools have been at our side for over a million years. There is something primal and ancient about it that draws me. Along with fire, edged tools have uniquely shaped us, very successfully I might add. My knife is a tool I won't be caught without.


So tell me, why do you love knives?
 
I'm what you might call outdoorsy. I was given a knife as a surprise christmas present when I was 15, and had had a couple of SAK's before that. Once I got that knife, I started carrying it regularly, and discovered how useful it really was. I still have it, but its retired on account of its cheap liner lock wearing out to the point of being ineffective. It was a cheapie which I was not afraid to use and abuse. Its been used as an impromptu icepick, prybar, screwdriver, projectile (I was 15 :P) and many other things and had served me well. Once it got too bad to be serviceable, I found myself in the market for a new knife, and I wanted something that would last, and after much research and thinking, I ended up with a GEC #42 Missouri Trader. Of course, now I'm in the market for a kukri. :rolleyes: I'm not much of a collector, and I don't believe in having multiples of the same thing (and I'm on a college budget) so I like knives because of their utility.
 
Well, I hunt and fish. I have a 40 acre plot for hunting so I spend a lot time there and the neighbors let me wander on their land as well. I like to hiking and camping as well. I also can appreciate the design and asthetics of knives as well. Not to mention collecting knives is a cheaper hobby than other things I like and they are much more useful in everyday life.
 
Somewhere in the back of my brain is a primitive human bit that sees value in tools and weapons. Knives have been a human tool long enough that they have their own special designation. Its just sort of built in. Curvy women, knives, guns, fast toys, etc... These aren't things I had to learn to like. The instinct to like them was built in.
 
I love knives because they are examples of well-designed precision machining that actually perform tasks. Knives are useful, but If I only liked the actual cutting ability of knives, I would have just one cheap one. The tolerances and mechanisms involved in folding knives have to be relatively simple to fit it all into such a small package, so the variety and constant progress of the industry really shows just how creative knife designers are.
 
Well, I don't hunt, I don't fish...I live in the city, where carrying a gun maybe better than a knife. I don't use my knive for anything more than opening boxes, letter, cutting strips....ditto everyday errands...but I can do it with any ultility razor blade...but I choose to carry a $150 knife. Some day I carry a $55 Kershaw, some day I feel $95 Spyderco...mix in with a Sog flash 2...an of course, Benchmade, my most beloved USA make.

I just appreciate how these knives are made. Attention to details...the best part is that sometimes you get a new knife but it does turn out like how you like it, you sell it to someone that may appreciate the knife more than you do....due to self preference.

There a saying that if you have nightmares...sleep with a knife under your pillow.
 
I can't really explain it there's just "something" a knife in My hand that is simply un-explainable........
It transcends age, race, religion a good knife is simple and undoubtably RIGHT, there's no other way for me to explain it.

I simply don't get tired of them there just my "thing"
 
For me it is an addiction that I can't fully explain. It's a nice warm, safe feeling of having one at hand. It's a heart pounding thrill, when seeing a desirable new knife. It's a nice little rush, when hearing that perfect 'click' when a folder locks into place. It's love at first sight...until the next one. It's that little friend that is always close by, and seldom disagrees.
Cheers
 
I hunt so I need a knife for that but ever since that first hardware store Barlow I've been hooked. It's been ongoing for over 40 years now but now I can afford a few nice ones.:)
 
mmarkh said:
I hunt so I need a knife for that but ever since that first hardware store Barlow I've been hooked. It's been ongoing for over 40 years now but now I can afford a few nice ones.:)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was given my first knife by my uncle who owned the Hardware Hank store in our little town. It was a Buck 110.
 
I love flashlights and knives. Flashlights I use far more often but more maintenance is required charging maintaining rotating and storing batteries. A knife you can throw into a drawer for one hundred years then take it out and use it like it was yesterday.
 
Great question. I can only echo what a lot of other people have been saying. There's something undefinable, something primal about owning a knife. That feeling is what got me started carrying a knife when I was younger. As I've gotten older and have more expendable income to play around with, I have also come to appreciate the craftsmanship of the nicer knives that I can now afford. Then there's the aspect of learning more and more about knives all the time. I'm a teacher, so I also love learning new things, and there's so much to learn about knives. I've been steadily adding to my knowledge about how folding knives work, the different types of grinds, sharpening, different methods of locking. It's all just so darn interesting. Of course, really, all of that intellectual part of this hobby is second to what I said first. There's just that... something about holding a well crafted blade in your hand.
 
It's an addiction that I truly love.

The craftsmanship that goes into each different piece.

The usefulness of carrying a knife everyday.

And the ability to know you always have protection just inches away.

I don't hunt or fish but I don't feel complete if I walk out if the house without at least one knife on my person.

It's a love/hobby that will NEVER end :-)
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! I absolutely love fine craftsmanship as well. I'm happy you guys understand ; ) my friends think I am a little crazy (little true?) haha. Take care out there!

edit- and oh that 'thing' or 'feeling' we get, I believe that is from the thousands and thousands of years using edged tools, I find it very interesting
 
In short, they help make my life easier on a daily basis, and aid me in pursuing my hobbies, such as hunting and fishing, as well camping. I find the aesthetic nature of them interesting as well and enjoy owning different kinds and variations of knives. Makes me a bit of a collector.
 
To me it's a sense of being "self sufficient" and prepared. There are a lot of tools that can cross over; you can use channel locks as a makeshift hammer, you can pull nails with pliers but nothing substitutes for a knife.
In a way it also holds sentimental value. How many of us watched grandad put a knife in his pocket along with his wallet keys etc...? Even at church this was the case, and generally accepted. I guess when I think about it, it's the reason why I started carrying one to begin with- to be like grandad. Though its been 20+ years ago, I can vividly remember grandad buying me my first knife. It was an orange handled lock back "Frost Cutlery" folder. It's a rite of passage, and almost a non verbal way of saying "you've proven yourself to be trustworthy" welcome to manhood.
 
Man, I really don't know. There's probably something wrong with me.

I've done and still do all kinds of stuff in my life that requires the use of sharp objects (camping, work, etc.), but that doesn't really account for the massive wads of cash I've spent on knives over the years. Normal people don't seem to get so attached to knives and whatnot, even people who work at the same jobs I do or do camping/hunting/boating. Most folks have a knife or two for camping, a snap-off Olfa knife or whatnot for work, and MAYBE a swiss army knife that they carry around all the time - me, I've got a drawer full of them, and my collection is NOTHING compared to some of the other folks on this website.

It's just a weird quirk with me; I can't explain why I like knives, and I can't honestly say that my knife purchases fulfil an actual need.
 
I didn't know I did, at first. I was just trying to replace a cheap Wal-Mart "ozark trail" knife - one of those mass-produced knives that are bought by other companies so they can put their own logos on them. I carried that for a long time until an acquaintance lost a finger due to a cheap framelock failing and HOLY CRAP I HAVE A CHEAP FRAMELOCK.

So, I did a lot of research, and learned a lot. I found out about different blade steels, lock mechanisms, handle materials, grinds, signs of good build quality, different brands... Then I learned about sharpening, proper maintenance, and modifications.

There's just so much to learn, and so much to appreciate. I love the ergonomics of the Manix2 XL, the smooth action of the ZT 0561, the fun of playing with the PM2's compression lock, the absolute rock solidity of the Kershaw Ram, the deployment speed of the Endura Wave, and the surprising build quality of my Enlans and SanRenMus.

They're fun to fiddle with, useful to have, interesting to learn about - and, I'll admit, a bit self-gratifying to show off.
 
The reason i am into knives is because my grandfather gave me my first knife when I was about 10. I loved my Grandfather and had a lot of respect for him and learned a lot from him. I have continued to carry a knife ever since, about 15 years. Knives are very use full and something everyone should carry i think. It is part of having the right tool at the right time. For me it never fails that one of my friends that doesn't carry a knife always asks to use my knife, because they know I always have one on me. You might not use it every day, but a knife is very easy to carry, and i am always glad I have it when I need it. At this point it is a part of who I am, I also have many other tools for different things, I like to be self sufficient. I also appreciate quality, and get enjoyment from a well made knife, or a cool design, i have always been into tools and working on thing in general.
 
#1. They never mis-fire or run out of bullets (I carry a firearm daily also)

#2. Knives are a true expression of man mastering a difficult material and willing it into a vehicle of their imagination.

#3. When it comes to customs, no two are the same and there is something very personal and proprietary about it.

I've fallen into the knife addiction HARD. I have been chasing down and buying the ones I feel a connection with. I don't see myself trading or selling many. I'm selfish.

I promise to post up pics and details of my harem soon.
 
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