Do you obsess over scratches, dents, knicks etc on your knives?

I get try to get knicks and dents out. Scratches are scratches I don't mind them but I like smooth cutting action.
 
I tend to use all the knives I buy in an extended EDC rotation. Honestly the first scratch/mark/knick is the hardest for me. I guess it's the new car syndrome. After that I use it without fear or gentleness, the additional scratches and marks don't bother me. Now if it bites me, I'm on the other end of the OP. The knife is retired or sold. Call me a wimp I guess.
 
When I notice a dent or scratch on a knife that is discontinued or otherwise a collectors piece, it tends to bother me for a little bit. I soon get over it by playing with it for a few minutes...

Other knives that I use - adds character.
 
Only the first scratch bothers me, after that I cease to care. Rolls and (god forbid) chips on the edge, however, are a major annoyance that I can't ignore.
 
I don't mind, they are to be used and used often. I don't collect knifes or any gear for that matter to just have and collect dust. I like to see nice clean, brand new blades and gear in video reviews but if I meet someone and they show their EDC knife or bag and it's not scratched or dirty and so on then I know that person either just got it or really doesn't get out and use this stuff.
 
Knife Outlet said:
I have knives that I use and others that I collect. The ones I collect never get used so they don't get scratched. The users are tools - not works of art for me. About the only concession I make is to avoid coated blades because the coatings make the scratches really stand out.
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Same with me. Safe queens get fondled only - at most slice a piece of paper and get cycled a bit. I used to have several but it bugged me not to use them - now there's only one.

The rest are ready for cutting chores. I decided to get onboard with the "they're tools use 'em" gang. :)
 
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cziv said:
Same with me. Safe queens get fondled only - at most slice a piece of paper and get cycled a bit. I used to have several but it bugged me not to use them - now there's only one.

The rest are ready for cutting chores. I decided to get onboard with the "their tools use 'em" gang. :)
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Interesting... How many safe queens do you have? Don't you ever use them?
 
I enjoy the character. Scratches are cool, especially if your knife is sharper than others. It says I use it and maintain it.
 
Well kind of. I got a beautiful Roselli Hunter...beautiful curly birch, beautiful grind, nice even almost colorful forge scale...very nice. But it had a flaw. There is a little ricasson on that knive and there was a little burr down where the edge starts...they really didn't finish up the edge grind very well down at the ricasso.

So I get a needle file and I am going to fix it up. Long story short, I got a piece of the nice, almost perfect edge with the file...really goofed it up.

So I fixed that with diamond and ceramic rods...looks kinda funjy but is just as sharp as the rest of the blade...which is scary-sharp. Bummed me out but good for about an hour. Then I went out and whittled all the bark off of a maple walking stick, got all kinds of interesting patina on there from the sap, and I go myself a great sturdy knife that I would not hesitate to go out and use for anything.

Kinda like that first door-ding on the new car...after that...you deal.
 
Normal wear and tear doesn't bother me. Damage from abuse or carelessness upsets me greatly.
 
I don't mind the scratches or dings as long as they are clean (use them for food sometimes) and the edge is perfect.
 
My Microtech Mini Socom looks like crap, it has finish wearing off, the blade has scratches, the pocket clip is wearing, but the edge gleams like a mirror. My user knife is just that, a user. 1st scratch did make me want to cry though, after that it got easier
 
I'm fine with any normal wear & tear. It's like holster wear on a blued revolver. But I really hate myself when I drop a knife! Even if no damage is caused. Worst case of that was when I dropped an open knife while fiddling in my safe. The edge caught on the door rim and a chunk of the D2 blade was chipped out. Even with some hard sharpening the chip is still visible.
What I also dislike is when knives rattle and rub together in a drawer or box! Somehow they seem to collect scratches all by themselves!
 
The only time I care is if it's a knife that I bought specifically for the purpose of flipping it for a profit, or if I used it and then decide I don't like it and want to sell it to someone who might. You always take a hit when it's not NIB.

If I'm keeping then I could care less how it looks as long as it still works like it should.
 
Kinda like running shoes.... If they're all nice and clean and white they aren't doing what they're made to do....kinda embarrassing. My knives are much the same.

The only diff. for me was when i bought my Trailmaster with the black epoxy finish. I didn't like the scratches i put in it and the finish seemed like to not be as *slick* as a plain-steel finish. A session with sand paper, paint thinner and apple vinegar restored a *proper* blade "coating".
 
The first scratch is the hardest. After that, I prefer a well worn tool with character over a babied conversation piece. I have nothing against safe queens or collectors pieces but they're generally not for me.
 
I don't really care at all about dings and scratches on my users, be it knives, lights, watches
or what ever. It's a different story when it comes to my car and bike though. :eek:
 
Sep said:
Only the first scratch bothers me, after that I cease to care. Rolls and (god forbid) chips on the edge, however, are a major annoyance that I can't ignore.
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Lol, thats how it was for me and cars.
 
Sep said:
Only the first scratch bothers me, after that I cease to care. Rolls and (god forbid) chips on the edge, however, are a major annoyance that I can't ignore.
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That's why I've usually more than one at hand. Major dulling is another big time turnoff.
 
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