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Permalink Reply by Brad T. on February 19, 2014 at 12:29

Case Slimline in Yellow Comp and a Mini Lockback Bear Hunter(Frost) from Solingen. 

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Permalink Reply by Howard P Reynolds on February 19, 2014 at 12:33

I certainly agree with Greg and Tobias.  You only know if a knife lives up to its billing and reputation if you use it.  The decision is a difficult one if you paid big bucks (say, $200-$500) for it.  I don't know if I have the iron will to make a really expensive ( $500+) fixed blade an EDC, so I haven't bought any.  As Tobias said, once you get a collection going, there is no reason to use every one.  If you own a hundred Case Trappers or Mini-Trappers, using one of each will tell you what you need to know about a Case Trapper.  On the other hand, I feel the need to use each fixed blade I buy, because they are all different steels and different makers.  If I had two of something, using one tells me what I need to know about that particular steel or maker.  The reason I don't buy any really old knives is that I have trouble paying $300. for a pocket knife that cost 25 cents when new.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on February 19, 2014 at 13:01

Howard, I know what you mean. I have a difficult time forking over a $100 for a knife.  The problem is I already have knives that do what I want them to do and can't see them failing me in my life time.  (And they will probably be good for someone else's life time as well!) It is hard to justify spending big money on something I don't need especially in uncertain financial times, such as these.  

I don't see my knife collecting as an investment.  I do it because I enjoy it.  I've considered purchasing higher priced knives from time to time but those types of purchases often cause more anxiety than they are worth. I find more enjoyment with the under $100 knives and quite frankly, the more under that $100 mark, the more I think I enjoy the knife!

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Permalink Reply by David Megnin on February 19, 2014 at 13:18

 I've been carrying this small Sebenza for a couple of years now.  I work in an office and carry it clipped inside my back pocket.  It gets only light use most of the time, opening packages and the occasional apple or bagel.  It's a small knife, but with this blade shape I get full use of the entire length so it's as useful as a slightly larger knife for slicing food and such.

 

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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on February 19, 2014 at 13:30

Howard, this is a good discussion. I don't have any real high dollar knives. I think $130 is the highest I ever paid for a knife. But you are right, I don't use that one. Even my 60-80$ knives, I don't use. But I might if I feel like it. IMO-just saying.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on February 19, 2014 at 13:31

Right on Tobias. My feelings exactly.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Bourlotos on February 19, 2014 at 13:44

I have to tell you. friend of mine has one of the Kershaw  Zero Tolerance 0100 knives CPM3V tool steel with black Tungsten DLC coating. This is a knife!!!! Its the type of knife you want with you in spite of the hefty price tag. Heavy enough to cleave and chop but designed to be held without effort, keeps an edge. If you have to play Daniel Boone and fight bear, this is one of those kind of knives. 

For me, right now, I have my WWII Marine Kabar as my GP knife. It was used, its made to be used and has been used for 60 years. I owned only 20 of the years and whoever used it in the 40's got some use out out of it.

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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on February 19, 2014 at 17:14

I have a hard time justifying paying $100.00 for an EDC either. 

I've still got my stag Rough Rider whittler in my pocket.  Been there long enough that it just feels right.

I did buy an extra 2012 iKC, Geppetto whittler, with the intention of carrying it.  It doesn't stay in the same pocket with the RR, but I consider it a user, along with around 5 of my CASE Seahorse whittlers.

When I go to knife shows, and buy an UN-BOXED Seahorse, those are the only ones that I'll consider using, at the present time.

By the way, the Geppetto is developing a nice patina from cutting some apples and other fruit.  It also is a point of conversation when someone asks what "iKC" is. 

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Permalink Reply by Howard P Reynolds on February 19, 2014 at 22:06

Tobias, J.J., Ken, all of us who have been dry behind the ears for quite some time have that same $100. ceiling problem.  For many years I had one pocket knife and one hunting knife.  Collecting seemed to be a rich man's game.  Once the kids were grown there was a little more cash available so I started picking up a few pocket knives.  $60. for a Case Canoe, and a little less for a Butterbean fit my budget.  Fixed blades were a problem for the budget, but I got over the hurdle while watching Antiques Roadshow.  Somebody paid $X for an item 30 years ago, and it was worth $X today, so I found that inflation calculator online, and to my surprise some things that seemed expensive today turned out to be within the parameters of inflation, so I applied that information to knives.  Example:  $50. in 1970 is worth $300. today.  Working the calculator backwards, that $100. knife today, could be had for $17. in 1970, when we were as pert as a rutting buck.  When you look at that for a while, pretty soon you adjust your thinking about the price of new knives today, and $100. knife doesn't hurt so bad.  Naturally, there will be new hurdles at the next hundred or the next, but you get the idea.  That $17. knife in 1970 just isn't around any more for $17.00.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on February 20, 2014 at 3:08

Howard, great food for thought. Good way of looking at the price of knives

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Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on February 20, 2014 at 8:21

Carrying today: An old Remington Scout knife 20's-30's

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Permalink Reply by Brian Hutton on February 20, 2014 at 8:26

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