why knives?

vactor

vactor

Joined
Oct 24, 2000
Messages
631
i mean, what is it about a sharpened bit of metal that makes it so damn COOL!!?? i don't have an answer myself, but i am strangely addicted to knives. what is it about the attraction that knives have for people? can someone put it into words?
 
Well I could try:) Think of your knife as a friendly little helper right by your side ready to help you at a moments notice.
 
I think it's because the knife always has a place. It can be both a tool and a weapon. As a tool, its appears anywhere from the kitchen to the construction site. As a weapon, it is silent and empowering. It must be wielded with skill in any situation to produce the proper results. A blade may be designed for a specific task, and must be mastered for such activity, but it is not restricted to any one role. A gun is a gun, you can only shoot things. A wrench is a wrench, you can hit somebody with it, but it was in no way intended for that purpose, it's supposed to turn nuts and bolts. A knife is supremely adaptive, and I think that's what I admire, the ability to perform in any situation.
 
Granted a knife does always have a place, but I think we all enjoy that feeling of pride when our knives perform above and beyond expectations when called upon, I definately do :)
 
Why knives? Why are there so MANY great knives? I wanna have them, ALL of them... Like why do the tree-huggers go to art shows, stare at some canvas with globs of different colored paint just chucked on it, look at the signature of the "master", sip champagne, and go "AH, OH, UH, AWESOME!!! Awesome is having shania Twain standing at your Hotel room door wearing ONLY a mink coat and holding a note from your wife that says ENJOY!!!! Knives are AWESOME. Insane? ME? nope just nucking futs.....AWE-SOME KNIFE!!!!!......wolf:D :p
 
I think we are innately bound to them. My wife asked me what my favorite word was and I said off the top of my head, "EDGE"

I remember since I was so little I loved them I used to play with my father's drafting ruler as a sword.

when I was working in a knife shop a 3 year old boy came in with his parents he could barely talk but he wanted knives. his parents said they got him plastic ones then wooden ones and he only wanted a real one. so they asked me to dull a sak. It was amazing, they said he hasn't watched any tv show about that has knives in it or anything, he was born liking them.
 
2 words:
versa tility
ok, maybe one :)
But you have a small tool which gives you the ability to work faster, survive longer, and even fight if it comes to that (God Forbid). it fits in your pocket or around your neck or on your belt and besides all the practical aspects can be very beautiful and artistic and leaves the maker alot of room to be both creative and utilitarian. If you can only cary one tool, the knife gives you the most options. Along with cutting you can pry, screw, unscrew, spread butter, strip wires, make other tools, carve your initials in things, shave your arms :D

the list goes on and on.
 
Originally posted by chrisaloia
I remember since I was so little I loved them I used to play with my father's drafting ruler as a sword.
Click to expand...

You too, huh? I used my mom's yardstick :)
 
The only other person I've been able to find that understands why I am a knife fanatic is my girlfriend. She is a "functional potter", meaning she is an artist that makes pottery designed to be used every day. To her, the work she does is art. There are collectors out there who agree, and find that what they see as art is something that is beautiful, usable, and well made. That is why I love knives so much and why she understands my obsession.

-Al-
 
I think there is a lot of valid points here. I never conisdered the pretend sword fighting as a boy! As a designer I appreciate objects that fulfill 2 criteria: 1. They do the job they are designed to do WELL 2. They are aesthetically pleasing in that their form is defined by their function. That is why I love Glocks, Busses, Sebenzas, etc.

Plus I think we are all a little wacked!
 
To me a knife is a talisman, a primitive tool of dark magic, small enough to always be with you. It is a sensuous work of art that possesses something far beyond the sum of its parts. When I was a little boy I learned that a knife possesses power. It's capabilites are amazing.
 
I think I saw the answer to this question in a training film called Surviving Edged Weapons or something to that effect.They opened this movie with a scene of a Pre-Historic Man holding a sharpened Deer antler and mentioned that since the beginning of time Man has had a love affair with edged weapons.I would equate this with why does a dog turn round and round before finally laying down to go to sleep.It's in Our blood.tom.
 
Why knives?

Knives are a part of everyday life to me. There are usually two in my pocket daily, and I use them from cutting hay strings, envelopes, to personal security. If I don't have a knife on me for some odd reason, I feel naked, and thats probably because I am in the shower.(neck knife might help) Whether I am deer hunting, hog hunting, or duck hunting I know that when I bag my limit I have the right tools for the job. Here in Texas, I do have a CHL, but I still have to have my Spyderco with me not only as a tool, but a piece of mind. Oh hell, who am I kidding, I just love all kinds of good quality knives and I really don't know the answer.

My name is Rattler, and I am a Knife-a-Holic!!!!!!
 
NOVACULA MIHI MAGNAM PARTEM AETATIS GRATIOREM REDDIDIT

FJM012.jpg


CARPE DIEM

Francisco.
 
I love antiques and ancient designs


I think another reason we get so addicted is knives are a deep subject. there is steel knowledge, there is serious history back to cave man times, there is usage in every aspect of life, knives really are everywhere.

doctors have pill cutters and scapels
dentists have cutting tools of all kinds
woodcutters and carpenters have so many cutting tools
soldiers
leos
hunters
fisherman
cooks
your mother
hobbyists
maintenance guys
emts
warehouse workers
grocery clerks
produce people
bookbinders
newspaper delivery guys
shoemakers
waiters and waitresses
bouncers
gardeders
farmers
bushmen
and forget the cultural uses all over the world!

I am sure I am missing a few thousand more

one subject that interests me so much is how many edged tools exist for so many specialized tasks. In thailand there is a knife designed specifically for a type of fruit "durian" is it a little gem of a design.
 
Because even though it would be cool, I would'nt want to whip out a bastard sword in the middle of a crowded mall to cut a burger....
 
Why knives?

...Because it'd look too damn weird having a chainsaw cliped inside my front pockets.:D.
 
Haven't read the other posts yet so sorry if this is redundant.

I think the appeal that knives have is because it was one of man's very first tools.

It's simplicity and sheer brilliance strikes a responsive chord within the soul of man.
Knives fascinate because of the possibilities tied up in that sliver of steel.

With a knife, it's possible to survive in an otherwise hostile climate, to provide and process food, make clothing, build shelter and create art in idle hours.

Knives strike fear because in the right/wrong hands, it's very possible to take life.

Knives are both a neccessary tool and an efficient weapon all at once.

As anyone who has read my profile knows, I work as a quality assurance auditor for a major retailer. In that capacity I sometimes have to deal with shrinkage(theft) reports for inventory purposes. It's not surprising to me to find that knives of many different kinds are one of the high theft items in the stores and at the distribution level.
Why knives?
People are fascinated with knives. Most people won't admit to that, but, lay a good looking knife out and watch the responses from "non-knife" people. They'll come over and look at it even though they claim to have no real interest in knives. They can't help themselves.
It's something primal.
 
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