Using Expensive Custom Knives

Tom,

That's not really fair, of course you use your knives. If you ever decided to sell it and wanted on nice and mint you just make another one. :D

But I also use the TNT you made me everyday, and just love it. Sooo I guess :footinmou .

:D :D :cool:
 
Yeah, but major collectibles aside, it's still hard to use a snazzy custom. It's just that the blade finish is usually so damn beautiful to look at and admire. That being said, once you mess it up a little, similar to stepping on new white sneakers, it makes it easier. At least the scales remain looking great.
 
tom mayo said:
expensive is a relative term
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Exactly.

The first time I spent more than $50 on a knife was a $115 Benchmade that I babied the heck out of. ;) Ahh, how times have changed. Now I consider Microtechs to be beaters, I use my Sebenzas and customs more lightly but I use them.

Personally, I WOULDN'T BUY something I wouldn't use. Life's too short to just look at a knife.
 
I'm kind of lucky in that I collect big Bowies.

I mean what real world practical purpose does a Bowie have? It's too big for hunting and too small to use as a machete and I already have a nice set of kitchen knives.

So I don't have to use my beautiful in new condition Bowies, so there! :p :D
 
I haven't used my Burt Foster bowie yet (in avatar) but I use many of my customs. The "pretty" ones are difficult to scuff up.
So far I've used a Dale Baxter persian fighter, a Shiva Ki spirit blade, a Tai Goo bush Bowie, a Steketee damascus/blue mammoth skinner, and all my folders get used for EDC, though I don't have an "art" one yet. I do have a folding Bowie on order with Bailey Bradshaw, and while it will be a gent folder, it will see use.
These knives hold their value, and most makers will refinish for a fee if you decide to sell it, so I don't have a problem using them. I keep a Busse and a Himalayan Imports kukri in the trunk for whenever I need to do something "iffy" because their warranty covers what tantamounts to abuse.
Oddly enough the knives I find myself not using are collectible production knives, like a Busse Mr. Mofo LE and a Randall Sasquatch.

As for using Bowies, I make a lot of hiking sticks, so hacking down a sapling is good Bowie work. I should be getting one of Brett Gatlin's Bowies this week or next, and it will be on my hip when hiking. In case I run into the Jersey Devil, an enraged black bear, or the Blair Witch.
 
This is an interesting thread.

As I maker I see both sides. I personally have a a Bill Ankrom folder with Daryl Meier Turkish Twist bolsters, Devin Thomas Ladder Stainless Damascus blade and Black Lip Mother of Pearl scales with a flawless Gold Lip MOP inlay. It gets used on a regular basis. It's even been through the washing machine once. My preferance if to use em but not using them does not bother me.
 
Dtito to Tom Mayo: I just recieaved a 4"simi skiner from Bob Loveless,made for him in 91 for him by George Herron. He and George are old friends as are George and I. This knife has some serious documintation as well as a neet history. I want to use it so badly that I can taste it,BUT-----For what It's worth, a lot of makers myself included will be more than happy to refinish and or resharpen a knife for a customer.Bob, George and myself , make knives to be used, The fact that the prices have been going up,(Bob's and George's thru the roof) is out of our control,Brought on by collecting, not us. Sometimes this hurts our feelings. Think about it for a minute. We spend countless hours and years perfecting our craft, technique's heat treatingm reserching steels and their properties, handle shape grinds, finishes and blade geometry, only to have them stuffedin a vault some where emight as ake them out of pure soft aluminum,if no one is ever going to us them. I have customers specify, blade steel, heat-treat, Rc, and finish, whin I ask what is the intended use, I'm usually told, Oh Iwill never use it...--------Whats the point, Yes I know the answer, But It still hits a little hard at times.
 
Whilst I do have some that I wouldn't use..... I am waiting on my once in a lifetime custom from Bailey Bradshaw. For me.... the ultimate knife.

And it is one that I shall proudly carry every day. And use!

But perhaps that's because I'm starting to get too old to waste the opportunity to carry it :)

Cheers
Rod
 
I also posted this question on The S.R. Johnson Forum at the Custom Knife Directory site. Posted with permission, here is what Steve had to say...


"Interesting question, Tom. Very few (of my knives) get actually used, but some do, with no ill effects, that I've ever seen. I take that back, Bob Loveless got a knife back once that had a wrinkled edge where the owner had pounded it through a deer, or antelope's pelvis with a rock. That knife needed some work.

I'd recommend that you go ahead and use it. The knife will mean even more to you afterwards. A little blood will wash off. (I'm not worried about you, but this ought to be done before next hunting season! I've seen that happen, and though it takes a min., on the buffer, perhaps, it'll still clean up. The knife deserves to be taken care of, actually, when you think of it, it kind of deserves to be used, also)! After you finish and dry it out, put some wax or something on the stag. If you can't get it back to "like new" send it to me and I'll clean it up and touch up the edge, if necessary.

If you think it's enjoyable to make a great stalk and a great shot on a fine animal, just wait until you begin to care for it with a custom made knife! It is a great experience. I still remember the first deer I dressed out with the first knife I made in Gil Hibben's shop. Can't really put the feeling into words, but it was memorable. Or the third deer, cleaned and skinned, with that same knife, of forged 440-C, and still being able to shave hair on my arm afterwards. I don't know, there is something to be said for good equipment, that is up to the task it was designed and made for. I can promise you it will be a positive experience. What can be the harm? You probably won't be chopping bones with a tool designed for cutting. It'll take a minute to clean it up, but the feeling will long remain with you. Let me know how it goes, should you choose to go that route. (This whole comment sounds kind of corny, maybe, but that's how I feel about this).

Some good comments on bladeforums. If you intend to sell it, it might be wise to not use it. If you plan to keep it, go ahead. But like I say, I can tune it up pretty quickly. No need to get big scratches on it, just be careful when you're using it. If you can't sharpen it without scratching it up, let me do it. As to one of the most FAQ: I've never dropped a knife on a rock in my life. Even if I did, most hunter handles wouldn't be hurt. However, the Semi Skinner is definitely safer in your house than on the side of a mountain, where there is the chance you might decend in some other way than feet first! It's ultimately your decision."
__________________

http://www.srjknives.com
 
A pretty personal decision, isn't it? Kind of like buying a knife or gun. What works for you?

How much is that "experience" worth to you? Is it really an "experience?" Am I overstating things?

What will you, or the knife, lose if you do use it a little bit, or even a lot? Life's short, another way to look at it, as has been pointed out.

A knife can surely be put to use without abusing it to the point that it will hurt the thing. But then I'm sure the word "use" means different things to different people.
 
If you are considering using the knife as it was designed to do (Skin Game) I would say go for it. You would be suprised how clean a well finished knife will clean up after skinning something.
 
To me it's almost getting annoying with all of the people wanting to show how manly they are by saying they don't buy a knife they wouldn't use. Who cares? If you want to buy the knife to use, that's fine, if you want to display it, that's ok, and if you want to buy it just to carry it around and look cool but actually have no use for it anyway, that's great. It doesn't matter to me. :) I, personally will carry all of the knives that are in my meager collection (3 of 4 are customs), mostly because I take them for granted, having had most of them given to me. But that doesn't mean I would take them hacking through the jungles of Brazil or putting them through a day of wading through garbage in our shed. That's what big, thick, nasty productions knives are for. You know the kind, the ones that are more like pry bars with sharp edges on them. :p
 
If you are slicing, like skinning out kill from a hunt, go for it.

If you are going for daily carry, I usually tend to avoid carrying a knife that costs more than $500.00.

Interestingly enough, I use all my katanas(4) and wakizashi(1) and they all cost over $1,000. I train with them though, so it just SEEMS a little different to me.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
USE IT!!
It's the same feeling you get when you wear a good watch.
BTW: your good enough, smart enough and deserve the best!

TAH said:
Here's my dilemma: I own a S.R. Johnson hunter that has a 4" semi-skinner blade, soldered guard, stag handle, and thong hole. To add to a sure grip, it even has hand-filed checkering on top and bottom for positive thumb and finger placement. Overall and not surprisingly, the knife is extremely comfortable in the hand.

Obviously, Steve built and designed this knife with features and the intention of it being used. There's nothing fancy about it. No engraving, no inlay, no fragile handle material, etc. It's a solid, no nonsense hunting knife that's just asking to be put to work. BUT, no matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to using it. It's just too beautiful.

So, my question is, does anyone actually use a very expensive custom knife for hunting or other outdoor activities? Am I being absolutely stupid for wanting to use this masterpiece as an all-round, field grade knife?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Tom
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I make many knives in a year and know that most of them woun"t get used but the ones that are don:t seem to be hurt much by doing so.As long as a little common sense is used.For the ones I collect half the fun of having them is using them.I am going to use a John M. Smith to feild dress a deer this week and one of myown to bone it out.It all goes alot faster with something that will hold an edge.Has anyone here used one of my knives? Please let me know how it did.
 
Good point. Yes use them.

But that got me to thinking.... I wonder how many people even have the opportunity to use a particular (style) knife for the purpose for which it was really intended?

I have indeed sharpened a quill with a pen knife (and have also sharpened pencils too ;) ). I have used a filleting knife and fish scaler, and I have even butchered the odd rabbit or hare when camping.

But if I used one on a deer here in England I would be shot ;)
Now let me see.... hmmm.... all those wonderful deer running around in the forest a few hundred yards from where I live. (Hey! some of the locals do take them!) ..... I wonder??? Just for the experience of doing it the right way with the right knife....

But officer... I have this superb knife that was intended for the purpose. "Really? its illegal to carry a fixed blade knife or a locking knife, or anything with a blade longer than three inches?" .... "I didn't know that". ;)

Oh well.... back to sharpening pencils.

Rod
 
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