Why do they make them so pretty?

[jmj3esq]

I just got this and already I decided I can’t use it. It’s way too pretty. This is a growing problem as I gain some of the knives I really want. I get them with all intentions to use but they sit because they’re just too **** nice to mar up. Anybody else have a safe full of intended “users” that never got used?

Spyderco needs to produce a nice knife that is already half beat to **** with hairlines and dings everywhere. Maybe then I might be able to use one. Lol

[Bolster]

You will probably get the standard response of "use it like you stole it," but...

...honestly this is one of the reasons I use my Oknife Otacle U1 so much, which is a higher quality utility knife. (Obviously not in the same league as your Temp.) Of course I'd prefer to use a Spyderco utility knife, if they'd make one. But ute knives have a big advantage...you can use them hard with no guilt.

[kennethsime]

Man, that one is a looker. I wish they had done the recent Cruwear sprint in Micarta like that.

Use it. Abuse it. That's a great knife.

[jmj3esq]

Man, that one is a looker. I wish they had done the recent Cruwear sprint in Micarta like that.

Use it. Abuse it. That's a great knife.

I Cruwear and micarta Temperance 2 only makes sense. The only downfall to this knife is the VG-10.

[yablanowitz]

Luckily, I've never had that problem.

[RustyIron]

Meh. Collecting knives that you don't use is like collecting cars that you don't drive or art that you never look at. Boooooorrrrrring. It seems kind of pointless.

[Mushroom]

In this case, the knife is being used as art - and the art is being looked at.

[Wartstein]

I happen to honestly find knives more attractive when they look really used, show "battle scars", get a unique and distinctive look by scratches, patina, dings or whatever and by that more and more "personalized" and show that they have a "life".

All of mine pretty soon more or less get that kind of look (cause they get used, and if I find I don´t use a knife, I´d never keep it).

So I think the knife in your, @jmj3esqs pic, sure looks really nice but to me also somewhat boring.

BUT: This is purely personal preference, and I think what @Mushroom says is very true: If one chooses to enjoy knives (or one particular knife) more as "art", who am I to judge (and to be clear: I know that YOU, Nick, do use your knives), even though this is really not my own approach.

I mean for example some craftsman who uses one and the same cheap knife for hours each day might not really understand why I have multiple expensive ones for comparably much less cutting I do.

[RustyIron]

In this case, the knife is being used as art - and the art is being looked at.

Well played, sir. Well played.

[Tristan_david2001]

I’d say still use it, just not “abuse” it, if you still want it to look somewhat original and remain it being fully functional, and because it is quite an expensive piece that’s been discontinued for a while now. A lot of thought and expertise was put into that design to have a super efficient and versatile blade with amazing ergonomics, I think it would be a shame to not put that to any use other than looking and handling.

[mikey177]

I cannot see the OP's photo, so I cannot comment on it, but I could understand having a knife that was too pretty to use.

I don't have any myself, as I buy all of my knives to use. But if ever I came into possession of maybe a 25th anniversary Delica, or a Spyderco World Trade Center knife, those I would use very lightly and spend most of my time looking at.

[Manixguy@1994]

I cannot see the OP's photo, so I cannot comment on it, but I could understand having a knife that was too pretty to use.

I don't have any myself, as I buy all of my knives to use. But if ever I came into possession of maybe a 25th anniversary Delica, or a Spyderco World Trade Center knife, those I would use very lightly and spend most of my time looking at.

Well said , I think LB said it once that the scratches and marks put on a knife are good memories of a knife to be used for its purpose . No harm admiring a knife but personally I have mine on me to use when needed . MG2

[Evil D]

There is beauty in wear and patina too.

[TimButterfield]

I just got this and already I decided I can’t use it. It’s way too pretty. This is a growing problem as I gain some of the knives I really want. I get them with all intentions to use but they sit because they’re just too **** nice to mar up. Anybody else have a safe full of intended “users” that never got used?

I have some like that also. For example, both my Subvert and SpyOpera came in padded cases.

I buy knives only with the intention of using them or at least carrying them so I could use them. But, if they arrive in padded cases, that makes it appear the original intent is only for collection as even a box may introduce too much wear. Sure. They are definitely pretty. But, my damascus Urban is pretty also and it came in a regular box. So, for me, my Urban is a dressy user, but still a user, while the similar SpyOpera is (to me) more of a collector piece even if the carbon handle may make it appear more durable than the ivory handle of the Urban. The Subvert is similar. Carbon fiber over titanium handle, but needs a padded case. If I had known how they would arrive, I would have skipped on those purchases and bought something else. So, those two will be sold and replaced. I'm guessing a Bodacious or a Military 2 won't arrive in padded cases.

[dan31]

I have the same issue with my original street beat. Really beautiful knife.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

I'm sort of the opposite; it's easy for me to romanticize the wear and patina, thinking how it will be completely unique to me and my personal experiences with the knife. That said, this is a beautiful knife and if keeping it in new condition makes you happy, then that's awesome.

[gooeytek]

Functional art.

[Bearcat1]

You need to have one to use and one to enjoy NIB.

[vivi]

I have the same issue with my original street beat. Really beautiful knife.

out of every spydie I own that was the only one I ever had any hesitation to beat up. Gorgeous....but meant to be used!

[tonijedi]

I always overestimate the fragility of an expensive knife, or underestimate its capabilities to be normally used.
Once I start to use a knife like I don't care about it anymore, it is when the true beauty emerges.
Now, my most used knives are the prettiest to my eyes.