Will you thrash your custom knife?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
Some people don't give it a second thought of putting their $700 custom knife through the paces. That means cut it, chop it, slash it and see whether it lives up to its monetary value.

If not, too bad. Time to forget that maker and move to the next one.

My cousin is one such person who puts anything he buys to the test. Once he bought an expensive Tag Heuer watch which states that it is water resistant up to 100 meters of water.

So the next time, he went sea fishing, he took out his fishing rod and tied the Tag Heuer to the end of the line and dropped it into the sea down to a depth of 100 meters. He waited about 10 minutes, then he fished it out and looked at it. Still ticking. Then he was satisfied.

Ever done something like that to your custom knife?
 
Saturday afternoon, I used a $500 custom camp knife to chop up a bunch of fallen oak limbs. That oak is some tough stuff! Other than some scratches on the finish, the forged 1084 blade held up superbly. In case anyone is curious, it was the new Jerry Lairson camp knife I picked up at the Blade show. :)
 
Golok, this is a refreshing post. To me, a knife is for cutting anything and everything no matter how much it costs. I buy knives to use, not to sit in a pouch or for show. I've even had a maker ask about my choice of handle materials, stating that "his choice" is nice and prettier looking. I want a handle material for grip,use and abuse. I like your story about the Tag Heuer. But I don't think I'll be sending my Panerai watch down to 300 meters.
 
I've never been to 200 meters, been to 40. Nice to know I'll conk out before my time piece will. Of course the point is that you are reasonable sure that your equipment will go where you need it to go and work when you need it to work.

I've never dangled my knife off the back of a boat to see how deep it could go
:D I chopped a 2x4 in half and then sliced a tomato, I'm sure the knife was embarrassed. It gave me a very good idea about what this knife will do.

I have a couple of knives that I won't use. This is because they are irreplaceable. They have tremendous sentimental value to me. This has to do with where I got them and\or who they belonged to.

There was a point not long ago where I couldn't see paying the price of some knives.
When I was working in a Japanese kitchen the chef had a knife that cost about $600.00 I thought he was insane for using such an expensive knife. He explained that it brought him joy to use this knife. He used it because he could. It changed my perspective.

I haven't become a consumer of "art" knives but I regularly put a couple of expensive handmades through their paces. If I beat the knife up I will send it back to its maker for some refurbishing. If the maker ceases to walk the earth I will consider not using the knife.
 
I will use some of my custom knives, but I tend to baby them more than I should. The Bowies I am starting to collect will see absolutely no use.
 
My basic rule (kinda grew into it) is that if it ran under 1k I will enjoy and use it. My M.S. daggers have not seen any use (have not had to dag anyone lately :D)
 
That mastodon ivory damascus knife I posted about, I used it to strip the bark from two walking sticks the other day. I have a few designated fighters that don't get used for chopping wood, and some antiques. Those are all that get spared from use. :)
 
I use most of the custom knives in my collection, but most of them are hunters designed for hard use. If I was lucky enough to ever own a MS dagger, I imagine it would stay pretty close to the house!! Part of the fun of planning a trip into the outdoors is deciding which knife to take. Not taking the best knife for the job would be like never taking a race horse out of the barn. Of course, that is just my opinion.
Bill
 
Bastid makes a good point (pun). There are some knives that although they are functional knives, ya just wooden use 'em unless y'all are stoopid! Do I open my mail with my engraved, gold inlaid Osborne persian....no. The Ron Lake engraved tailock I just bought....no again. Angelo flipper with ivory scales...hey where's the cardboard:D !

There are knives that are meant to be used and knives that are meant to be admired, and there is not "set" price point regarding this. That depends on the owner/user, I carry an old black pearl Al Mar Hawk that might be the "crown jewel" of someones collection.

Watches to me are alot different, I've been wearing the same Rolex Explorer II for over 20 years, and it's seen it's fair share of hardship, from diving to LOTS of tuna blood, deer fur and blood etc. I even ran over it with my Dad's car (by accident) once after I changed the oil. Now, do you think I would be wearing a Rolex President and be changing oil, nope. Different, but similar.
 
I buy all my knives to use. I have a couple customs coming that are big chopping knives, and I will not hesitate to use them!
 
Golock, would you let your Porsche, if you had one, staying in the garage ?
My favorites hunting knife are a Fisk and a big folder made by Shawn Mc Williams (forged Ats 34), my favorite campknife is a Wayne Goddard, and another one made by Don Fogg. I used and i used and i used them, they never rust, they have a good looking with a dark grey patina, and sometimes i sharpen one of them on a good oil stone. But some of those i let in their sheath and never used have got some rust points !!!
Thes knives are really made for cut and chop, and by using them, you will honnar their makers.;)
 
I think all custom-makers build their knives to be used.

I don´t want do thrash any knife, but i´m using all of my knives for daily work.

That´s what they´re made for.

It is a shame for a custom just to be owned and looked at.

Just my 0,02 $

regards
 
It's true, most every maker tries to make a good user, even if it is as much art as practical. That's an aspect that I find appealing.

I can't summarily say that "all customs are built to be used, so get working". If there is ANY concern at all about a resale value, anything not mint or never-used will fetch far less than original value. It's just the way it is.

That said, my hat's off to the guys who work them without regard. What a pleasure!

Coop
 
Yes, and no. I have some customs for using and some customs for fondling (pure safe queens, no apologies offered). I never took a Ferrari off-roading either, just to see 'if it could do it'.
 
Very intersting post indeed. I believe there is a line inwhich everyone is willing to cross. One man's $150 knife is another mans $750 knife. Paul
 
I will use my customs for cutting or chopping (what they were designed for), but won't even thrash a production model. I don't mind using them hard either.

My axes and pry bars are thrashed on a regular basis.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top