Would you use a pearl handle folder? Need advice

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
4,418
Parker_NY08_01.jpg


So I have had this knife up for sale for a few weeks on the forum. Nothing yet. It is actually a fantasic folder and I'd never sell it, but just really needed some money. But now things are ok and as I play with this folder here is what I realized.

It has the perfect feel for my tastes. The feel I enjoyed of the very slim Hanson folders I carried for a while and then sold. This blade is perfect geometry for what I use it for. The funny thing is that the fancy carved pearl birdwing type thing actually feels good in the hand.. Its gives your pinkie somewhere to go and the carved curves feel good.

Would I be crazy to pull this from the market and make it part of my new carry rotation? (along with 2 more or so). Or should I just suck it up and carry it and enjoy the pearl getting dented and scratched, to the fullest??

Heck, I have a paul long pocket clip sheath from a sold knife and it fits perfectly.

What do you think?
 
If I was lucky enough to own that particular knife I would put some good miles on it. It is beautiful, but looks like it would still be a GREAT edc.
 
That's some pricey pocket carry, but then I seem to recall your others are, as well. There's no right or wrong answer - it's your knife. If you're going to enjoy it more by carrying it and using it and are okay with the diminished resale (or are settled on keeping it for good) then rock on. I would maybe go for a slim cloth slip cover that envelops the knife completely. And I would try real hard not to drop it. :)

Roger
 
To tough of a personal question for absolutes so I am with Roger.

In my case, I own a lot of black-lip, gold lip and mop folders and I carry a few pretty often.
Pearl is about the most stable natural handle materials out there.

I have a very nice knife made by Ken Erickson in my pocket today. It has already been back to Ken's spa for a fluff and buff. I really enjoy using this knife.

picture.php
 
There are two potential downsides: Resale value and Durability.

There are two potential upsides: Personal gratification and the Ability to promote Handmade Knives at any opportunity this one comes out to work. You wouldn't find a better WOW factor knife to show.

You choose. That's a costly EDC, but.... It's not easy.

Coop
 
Gus is right on the stability issue - which is why I LOVE pearl on a folder or small fixed blade. That, and the startling beauty of the material. My EDC folder is blacklip pearl as well, though a fraction of the cost of the one in question here. Stability aside, though - I wouldn't want it riding around unclothed with keys and coins for company.

orig.jpg


Roger
 
I carry the one I got from you, have even dropped it(while in the Paul Long greatness clip carry sheath)none the worse for wear, and I get great enjoyment out of it.

Not an edc, but gets carried for a couple days every other week.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I know what you mean, it can be a hard decision on whether or not to carry.
I have bought sooo many knives on the intent to carry, and then just put it
away in my collection. So, what I do, is buy two and carry one. Problem solved.;)
 
tleav61 said:
I know what you mean, it can be a hard decision on whether or not to carry.
I have bought sooo many knives on the intent to carry, and then just put it
away in my collection. So, what I do, is buy two and carry one. Problem solved.;)
Click to expand...

That's a $2,000+/- knife that Jon is discussing, fyi. If you got it like that...more power!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Jon-

I had this rather special (but they all are) black lip Ankrom/Warenski (x 2) listed for sale for about 10 days (the material is out of this world - like yours). The image doesn't even touch upon it's beauty. I decided to pull the listing and would probably have started to carry it - and it would have been a first for me to carry something this beautiful. So I know what you mean.

Fortunately - or unfortunately - someone I know saw the for sale listing, contacted me and asked if the knife could still be purchased. So it's now sold, after the listing was stopped.

Personal experience now tells me that you are the only one who can take the first step and slip that baby into your pocket.

Bob

orig.jpg
 
I think we tend to over complicate these decisions, myself included:o

Deer season opens tomorrow here in Missouri--should I take my cheapest rifle and knife or the best of both;)
 
I knew everyone would say that only I can make the decision. But I just felt like posting because I am an indecisive person and like to share my thoughts. I was thinking maybe the group could help talk me out of it, or at least make me feel more comforted if I decide to use it and sacrifice potential value. I am not really sure why I posted this. Maybe it was the ambien talking late last night. But regarless I appreciate the advice and opinions. I do agree that life is short and it might be worth it to just have fun. But its a tough decision.

Its true though that only I can figure this out, and I still have no idea if I will do it or not. For now it will stay mint as I consider this longer.

The title says "would you use a pearl handled folder". I gotta say that this just isn't ANY pearl folder. The pearl is outstanding and the way its carved its wonderful. I might have an easier time with a less nice folder.
 
I thought your description of how it handled stood out:

It has the perfect feel for my tastes. The feel I enjoyed of the very slim Hanson folders I carried for a while and then sold. This blade is perfect geometry for what I use it for. The funny thing is that the fancy carved pearl birdwing type thing actually feels good in the hand.. Its gives your pinkie somewhere to go and the carved curves feel good.
Click to expand...

It sounds like it's just yearning to be used.

As a spectator I’d be real curious to see how it stood up over time.
 
braillediver said:
I thought your description of how it handled stood out:

It sounds like it's just yearning to be used.

As a spectator I’d be real curious to see how it stood up over time.
Click to expand...

You touched on an interesting point as everyone uses their EDC in a different capacity. Thus again making it very difficult for anyone other than the owner to decide if a knife is too valuable to carry.

Some knife enthusiast's EDC may rarely come out of the pocket or sheath causing very little (if any) wear even over years and others may use it frequently for even harsh tasks causing considerable wear.

I carried one specific knife when in the office and another when I visited construction sites. I enjoyed carrying both the same.

It's just something that feels good about having a fine knife on you even if there's nothing to use it for.
 
Kevin Jones said:
You touched on an interesting point as everyone uses their EDC in a different capacity. Thus again making it very difficult for anyone other than the owner to decide if a knife is too valuable to carry.

Some knife enthusiast's EDC may rarely come out of the pocket or sheath causing very little (if any) wear even over years and others may use it frequently for even harsh tasks causing considerable wear.

I carried one specific knife when in the office and another when I visited construction sites. I enjoyed carrying both the same.

It's just something that feels good about having a fine knife on you even if there's nothing to use it for.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I carry knives without planning to use them for anything other than to show to people:D
 
Jon, personally I'd have no reason to carry a knife like that, regardless of how many of them I owned or how rich I was. To me its value is not in utility. Not beyond something at 1/4 of its current value at any rate.
I'm more like Bob when it comes to a knife like this. It is a highly valuable object, tread lightly.
But, to be honest, it's largely because I personally find this knife unappealing.
Now, if I was in love with a knife made from materials such as this one which had a similar value and desired to spend my life with it, without question, the choice would be simple- it would live with me constantly.
Custom knives are mostly commodities, and it's rare that you find one which demands a lifelong commitment. So easy to find warts whilst such an ongoing renewed selection is out there!

It comes down to commitment, Jon. Are you ready to commit to this knife? But I think you already answered that question:)
 
Lorien said:
................

......It comes down to commitment, Jon. Are you ready to commit to this knife? But I think you already answered that question:)
Click to expand...

I haven't really answered that question. I find that whenever I try to make one knife the one I will keep forever and the one that will age with me, that it really only lasts a few years and then I need to try another. Its the same with collecting, you have a period your obsessed with one and then you move on. So what would most likely happen if I carry it is after a few years I might end up selling it, at a good loss but for cash to help fund the next best thing.

This is why its not really rational to carry it, beyond the fact that I will just really enjoy it. But in defense of the idea of carrying it, just collecting knives is not enough. I need to enjoy them, display them, flip them, feel them and carry them. Most of my collection just sits on display and I hardly touch it, but the whole thing is just not enough with out putting a select few to use or just toting them around.
 
Last edited:
Jon - I understand your point about carrying and using knives increasing your overall enjoyment - but you don't have to carry ALL of them to enjoy them, do you? I mean, I'm sure you're not clearing trails with your damascus / ivory Hanson bowie. I have a bunch of knives that I use - large and small - and get tremendous enjoyment out of using them. But they tend to be on the less fancy and less expensive side of things. And using them actually increases my enjoyment of the fancier pieces.

Why not have Don make you something in a similar style, but simpler materials? I recently handled a plain Jane wood and carbon steel hunter of his that felt fantastic - I know it's owner will have blast putting it to good hard use - without any angst or indecision whatsoever.

As for carrying a knife and not using it - that I don't really get. Apart from taking pieces to show and tell with fellow collectors (not what I consider "carrying") I can't imagine toting around a knife that I didn't plan to use.

Roger
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top