Genuine question folks. I see lots of members here are into knives with lots being sold on SC in my time here and often for quite decent sums.
My question is simple; what do you use them for?
Surely you can't carry them around with you and I can't believe you're all 'hunters'. Do you just like to look at them in the house? If you do then I can understand that as many people collect 'items' of various descriptions.
Just interested, that's all.
David
That sums up what I do with them, bought myself a hand made Laguiole for Christmas; Damascus steel blade, Abalone mother of pearl handle, my hame worked into the metal of the handle. Cost about 5-600 quid I think. I would never, ever cut anything serious with it, it just sits on my bedside table and I admire it. Weird I know.
Another topic that we should really debate more here!
(COI: I started a similar thread a year or so ago, and got flamed as it comes up so often!!)
How many watches do people on here own in relation to how many wrists they have? How many diver's watches never even go in the shower?
OK, yes, you can wear a watch in public without the risk of being done for carrying an offensive weapon. Then again, so can many knives as long as you are careful about blade lengths etc.
Not a snarky answer, BTW, just the way I see it. I don't collect knives, but I understand the craft that goes into making a decent one. It's no different to someone saying that a £20 digital tells the time as well as a PP. It does, but that's not really the point of owning one.
I own watches I can afford and will not worry about wearing. Other people own ones that could have paid for my car with change to spare. I'd rather have a few just about above average watches than one semi-decent one. My wife's offered on a few occasions to buy me an expensive watch, but every time I say no as I'd never want to risk it out of the house but I wouldn't want one to just keep around the place and look at from time-to-time.
I guess, for some people, collecting knives is the same. They have them to look at, to appreciate as art and simply because they enjoy collecting.
Similar to Watches, Cars, etc. - anything blokes can obsess over, spend unnecessarily on, get really geekily technical on! - check out some of the knife forums (British Blades or whatever), and it's not far from TZ-UK or PistonHeads or whatever, just a different topic.
There are collectors, users, people preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse - all manner of reasons.
There is also something basic about man and knife. We are tool-using by our nature, they are simply an expression of one of the many things that helped elevate us out from the trees flinging poop at each other, and we still feel that now, still have those tendencies.
Personally, I carry and use a pocket knife many times a day.
I have had reason to carry and use knives of all sorts over the years.
I put a value on well-made pieces of kit (as for watches, so why not knives) and I like to know a little more about these things (another aspect of our nature).
So, to make a really basic comparison - you start with a cheap Swiss Army Knife (quartz Casio), and find out a bit more, move gradually through more expensive blades with different steels, construction, brands and artisan makers, aesthetics etc. (Seiko, Omega, Rolex, Timefactors), - then realise that a swiss army knife is adequate and move back to your quartz Casio ;)
Last edited by notenoughwrists; 12th August 2014 at 16:51.
I have 3 knives on my desk right now.
One for opening letters, a bigger one for opening boxed parcels and packaging, and another one for cutting things.
Then I have the Kukri machette and Billhook I use for gardening (in a box under the desk)
And a Leatherman multitool I use as "do it all" with pliers, bottle opener etc
So I have at least 6-knives at arms reach each day.
To balance the arguement, I also have 2 stopwatches, 5 pocket watches, and 6-wrist watches stored permanently on my desk.
So yes, they each get used a few times each month.
Just the same as the 21-timepieces I own.
Gratuatous photo here if you want to copy & paste the link into your browser http://www.safetydoc.co.uk/All.jpg
The billhook is a decent hedge trimming tool, better than the 2x machettes.
I personally cant imagine not owning a good knife. I use mine every day if at work opening bound crates, parcels, cutting idiots tie downs of the ute because they don't know what a hitch is! fitting hose, undoing wraps or on the weekends, pig hunting, deer stalking, fishing and general camping needs. as said above by others I also have an interest in the intricacies of the craft, the handle used, the steel blend of the blade and its shape. some people, like watch collectors have a specific knife for a specific purpose (although I think I would draw the line at "which knife for my court appearance"!) as a foot note, I have a good mate who collects Zippo lighters and has hundreds of them.....doesn't even smoke! now that's just odd
I made the wooden handle for the parcel opener............................................ ....................And pocket watch stand, using the old offcuts of wood from my home/office desk (which I also made)
Last edited by Reeny; 12th August 2014 at 17:23.
personally i enjoy the engineering and craftsmanship that goes into making a good knife, or gun, or watch, or car etc. i can't afford to collect high end watches (or cars) so over the last 20 years, i have built up a small collection of nice knives. the ones i have are bought because i like the way they look, or the materials they're made out of (like titanium or carbon fibre). they live in a box in my safe and i may take them out a few times a year, just to look at them - then they are oiled and put away again. i don't carry them or use them for anything else, i just like them.
i'd also like to collect nice guns - again for the engineering, but also because i enjoy target shooting. rifles are obviously a bit more expensive than knives though and have more restrictions to owning them, but having said that, I do have my F.A.C and am joining a local range with my friend, to look at getting into long distance target shooting.
obviously we're not all the same and some people just don't 'get' knives etc - that's OK. not everyone gets high end watches either.
i am also aware that most people (especially in the U.K) hear the words knife/gun collection and think 'nutter', but don't tar us all with the same psycho brush.
I've a few knives, mostly practical and some with family history. Like the watches I own, I appreciate good quality knives and I have good quality Chefs knives for cooking and filleting knives for fishing but my favourite is this Saynor stag handled pruning knife, carried by my grandfather during the Great War, my father during WW2 and me, along with an issued knife when I was in the army. Somewhat of a lucky charm but in perfect working order, carried all the time and used regularly...
A knife has to be the most basic and practical of tools and the better made they are the better they will do whatever they are designed for, what's not to like... ....
There was a time, reasonably recently, when every man would have carried a pocket knife as a matter of course. If you do, it's surprising how often you have occasion to use it. I'd certainly hate to be without mine; it does duty for opening letters and parcels, cutting loose threads and hangnails, cutting lengths of sticky tape, string, and twine, sharpening pencils, and occasionally making feathersticks!
The analogy with watches is a good one; it's an everyday tool item which many people no longer carry, but those who do sometimes cherish the things for their own sake, and end up with large and expensive collections...
I have a friend who says it's all due to men holding their willys when they pee, we just like to hold nice tactile things.
Opening boxes and packaging in general for me.... However I only have a fancy yellow Stanley knife.
For me knives are a thing of beauty and also the engineering that goes into them.The ones i use are my Leatherman, Swiss army and Gerber, but my specialist knives are not used, as they are too good :)
Thanks all, you've helped me understand it now.
I think it's been said already above but for me a good knife is as appealing as a good watch. Something well designed, well made and that does one function perfectly.
Lifesavers for me, I carry two at work, as for time off, I usually just carry a leatherman on the bike when touring.
I used to be in the Armed Forces and one of my jobs was an Instructor on the SERE School. I had a decent knife and used it every day. After that i got more into Bushcraft and Wilderness Living and used it a couple of weekends a month. I also use it in the kitchen for food prep as well as at Barby time, in the garden for various tasks and i've recently started teaching my kids knife safety and carving.
As an engineer by trade and enjoying creating things i decided to start making my own knives. No, not as a business, just so i know how to. I've made myself some knives, some as gifts and through that i got a couple of commissions. When i built knives i decided to start making sheathes for them. I learned leather craft and, whilst i'm not up to pro standards as with my knife making, i'm pretty happy with my creations.
I carry a folder around with me everyday. I have it in my trouser pocket and, without it, like not wearing a watch, i'd feel naked.
No, i'm not trying to justify why i like knives. I get that some don't 'get' it the same as i don't 'get' road cycling, dance music, reality TV and having to have the latest 'Tech'; it doesn't make it wrong, they just are not my bag baby!
Besides, as a great Yorkshireman once said 'Tis better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!'.
A knife is a tool. I grew up in the country and learnt about knife safety on my grandad's knee. I carry at least one everywhere and barely a day goes by without me having a use for it. Pruning, whitling, opening things, making arrows, preparing food (when out and about), trimming cotton, cutting tape, scaring the neighbours (well maybe not that), chopping and batoning wood... I feel more naked without a knife than I do without a watch.
Gray
I like to cut a good saucisson with my opinel. Not exactly an expensive knife, but perfectly suited to the task.
My daily pocket knife for work is a Buck and it has a thick stout grey blade with 'Strider' engraved on one side. It takes an age to sharpen it by hand, but holds its edge well. This knife takes loads of abuse including wedging open doors with door closers fitted, chiselling rust off steelwork, prising up drainage covers and of course general stabbing duties as required. I wouldn't be without it.
A do like a nice knife and can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes in to them, but for me personally as much as a nice knife appeals I wouldn't spend a serious amount on one as I use them as a tool first and foremost.
On a daily basis I used to carry a small swiss army knife but my current job a knife would be frowned upon, although in my part time job I keep a leatherman and a stanley knife in my kit at all times.
As a Scout leader I carry one of several Opinels with different blade sizes, constructions and handle woods, or a leatherman or very occasionally a Wenger Swiss army knife.
I also carry a knife when undertaking search and rescue work, either a Opinel with a stainless blade or a Spyderco assist.
The missus got me the Al Mar SERE Operator (full size, 5" blade) the other week for my 50th:
To go with my Fallkniven F1 (the current Swedish Air Force issued survival knife, close to 4" blade) that she got me two years ago (shown with a couple of Benchmade folders I bought a year and a half ago):
Rob.
I had these kitchen knives made for me by a young knifemaker on British Blades:
Chaps
A collector just wants to collect stuff - that's it, end of discussion.
If they got a few bob going spare, they will buy another item to add to the collection.
I have just over 80 good quality vintage fountain pens and to be honest it is far too many, I tend to use the same half a dozen and the others remain in a display box.
I have a friend who can literally cover every square inch of every table in his house with fountain pens, he has so many, he has given up counting.
On the positive side, he enjoys it, it is a stress relieving diversion from the pressures of work and he travels around meeting other enthusiasts, so in that sense it is good, so what is the harm ?
I keep meaning to put my collection up for sale but I keep finding reasons not to do so.
Collecting is just part of the human DNA.
Regards
Mick
Some people are just collectors and if they can afford it, good luck to them.
I always have my Leatherman with me as it is a very handy tool including the pliers etc.
I can see the beauty and workmanship in a fine knife but never enough to want to buy one.... thank gawd!
Resurrection, but I quite like this video.
https://youtu.be/Cl5WcGlCqCo
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
This thread has reminded me, my Spyderco Urban could do with a slight sharpening - can anyone recommend a decent, cheap sharpener? (I know this has been asked before...I'm just being lazy...)
I have a Leatherman lying around with a small knife. I use it now and again when I can find it to open parcels but the pliers are more useful!
I do, however, understand the allure of Chefs' knives. I started with Global, and now have 3 hand-made Damascus steel knives that I have picked up in my travels to Japan. They are so beautiful I rarely use them and stick to my very well-used Globals.
i have always liked knives from when i was a boy to now at 61..this was the last one i made but i have to say the majority of the bladework was done by my good friend Ian of Old Oak Knives.its a totally useless item but nice to look at and handle.blade steel is RWL34 ,handle of Sambur stag.OAL is 20 inches.apologies if i have posted this before.....................................
Last edited by greasemonkey; 10th January 2017 at 08:09.
Perfect tool for a Sunday roast or a leg of lamb! And very pretty too. Well done you.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Looks like the Sword Bayonet I have!
I used to fence (I might go back to it soon, as I miss it) and people started buying me swords .
I have a typical 'Samurai Sword style' thing my MIL bought me years ago and a replica Japanese WW2 Air Force sword as well as the Sword Bayonet which was a gift from my wife the Christmas before last.
Whilst I'm not freaked out about using knives as tools, I do find an interest in blades a bit 'creepy' and I'd certainly never buy myself anything like this, but then I like handguns and I know people find that equally odd (I've never owned one, though)
M
I be about 40 knives. Half are useful day to day, half of that half are UK legal, and the rest are mostly for bushcraft. My favourite is my original m8a1 bayonet with custom wooden handle engraved by whichever soldier owned it. I just like the aesthetics. Same with guns, although I've just a half dozen air rifles and a Thompson.
Well my 40th knife will soon be ready, ordered a custom from a well regarded UK maker. Brass, di and 52100 steel. What's not to like!