Why Knives?

Why am I into knives?
1). Tradition and connection. Not only with family, but with American identity and history.
2). A fascination with form and function. Nothing I know of has as much practical variation as do knives.
3). A sense of pride when asked to help because I was prepared.
 
In short, quality. I came to knives in my search for quality tools. A few years ago I was working on my motorcycle and broke a tool, which resulted in an injury. That event started my research into quality tools. I looked for "the best," as we often see on this forum, in tools. As we all know, one of the most useful tools is a pocket knife.
 
What could possibly be more practical than a knife?

A knife becomes the extension of the body. Knives are used for a wide range of purposes. It could be used for food prep, making tools and weapons, construction of a wide range of aplications even for building shelter, protecting life and property. What other tool could cover such a wide range of work?

A knife is one tool that can be embelished to be beautiful and enhance personal appearance such as jewelry does.

It's pretty hard to go through life for even a day without a good knife.
 
Once read an article about deer hunting that was based on a similar question the article was entitled "Touching Wild" and was based off of the first time a hunter gets to touch the antler of buck he/she just killed. Very good article and I believe it has the same answer in the end, its primal, were hardwired for it, basically its in our DNA. It taps into something so deep in our psyche we don't even realize it nor do we understand it. It goes back to our long ago ancestors with the tribe roasting mammoth meat, over a fire on the open plain under the stars, etc.

A lot of people mention its man's earliest tool and it is, it is also still around although modified, still useful, still necessary and if all else fails it is still essentially to our survival and is really the one tool would need to not only survive but thrive. Think about that for a second, I mean sit back clear your mind and really invest a few minutes of time thinking about what that means and all that it implies.

The knife it like the alpha and omega of tools it got us started, by developing cutting tools modern civilization flourished and has made beyond tremendous gains/advances, and if it all fizzles out tonight, we'd be back to the knife where we started.

The question you ask in my opinion is almost unanswerable as its too layered, varied and complex. If early man had not invented or accidentally discovered the cutting edge (knife), this grand experiment would have turned out much different and humans more than likely would have died out long ago. We sure wouldn't be where we are today.

Dang, am I over analyzing things again, my wife tells me I'm bad about that, sorry.
 
Bufford said:
A knife becomes the extension of the body.
Click to expand...

This reminds me of an article that I read a couple of months ago in a newspaper. Scientists discovered that when we use a tool, our brain temporarily considers it a part of our body, which enables us to have great control on tools. So when having a knife in our hands, to our brain it is actually a part of our body.
 
My father collected knives when I was a kid and always carried a single blade aluminum SAK, did a million and one things with that knife. When I was about 25 I started carrying a Bucklite and that was my only blade for about 10 years, beat the living crap outta the thing and decided it was time to get a new knife. Tried a new brand and didn't like it so the old man took me to a knife show. Now 15 years and 150ish knives later my father is gone but the hobby we shared is alive and well, my daughter has her first SAK classic and my 5 year old has picked out the knife he will carry when I decide he's old enough. It brought our family together in an unusual way, it lets me meet new kinds of people that I otherwise wouldn't meet and hey, civilized people don't open blister packs with their teeth. I also agrree 100% with what Bastid said, great community.
 
I'm more into firearms but knives come a lot easier, and since I know how to sharpen an edge I think of it as reloading for my knives. I haven't gotten into reloading for my firearms yet unforunately! I injoy the tradition of both but sometimes I think I injoy the tradition of knives more!
 
My grandfather told me when I was a little kid that a good or "real" man always has a knife and a way to make a fire. It stuck, and you would be hard pressed to find me without a knife and a lighter, or fire starter of some other sort.
 
My grandmother and mother were both heavily into Girl Scouts (regional leaders and such). Both grandfathers were avid sportsmen as well as my father. I was given my first SAK at the age of 9.. I've carried some form of blade EVERY DAY ever since. I am also an avid sportsman and try to be "in the woods" as often as possible.

I feel absolutely NEKKID when I've not been able to carry it (flights, concerts, etc)

Men should carry knives.. period. (and a lighter)

=)
 
Why knives? Because in the People's Republic of Downstate New York it is near impossible for a private citizen to get an unrestricted CCW.
 
1. Tradition and responsibility--throughout history when something needed done, the ones with the tools stepped forward and made sure it got done. As the world became more reliant on "office tools" people still carried knives because no matter how civilized we become, some problems/challenges cannot be solved with a carefully worded letter, a computer or via cell phone. We all realize this and want to be prepared.

2. We all appreciate the beauty and art of good engineering. We go on and on about angles, lines, machining and fit and finish. We also appreciate the same things in cars, boats, guns, etc., and face it, it is much easier to slip a custom folder in your pocket than a tricked out F350.
 
For me knives (or knife) are something that I've always had. Usually, I've had fairly cheap knives that would more or less get the job done. I can't remember not having a knife on me. I even carried one when I was in school (yes I am that old. It was not big deal. Just about everybody carried a knife. Funny but I don't remember anyone getting stabbed. :rolleyes:)

It's only recently that I "discovered" the difference between decent knives, good knives, and truly great knives. So now what used to be just something in my pocket has branched into another hobby.

And like was previously posted "They're cheaper than guns.":D

You can enjoy them for their form, their function, or their technology. There's something for everyone to enjoy.
 
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