I know many of us that participate on the forum(s) are known as the "knife guy" at work and amongst friends. I get approached a lot from folks at work and at home that want to show me their knife or ask questions. I think we have all been there, someone excitingly showing you their knife and it is some cheap flea market import (read, junk). Right, wrong or indifferent I don't EVER tell them it's junk and that it will probably break after a short time. Instead I celebrate their enthusiasm and show them what i'm carrying and let them handle it. I just try to remember that a lot of us (me) started our love of knives the same way. Sure I have given good knives to people in the past but unfortunately I have never really had a convert...until today!
Last week I had the above conversation/situation with a co-worker. He showed me his new knife and I showed him my Manix2 and Para2. He held his knife in one hand and switched between mine in the other hand. He asked questions and I answered trufully but still respectfully. Well when I got to work today he came over to me full of excitement. With a huge grin on his face, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a digi Para2 w/black blade! His excitement was infectious. He couldn't believe how sharp it was and how great it felt in his hand. He was opening it with two hands so I showed him how to use his thumb to open it one handed then upped the cool factor with a good ol' Spydie drop. Seeing his reaction and his excitement actually made my day.
I imagine many of you have experienced the same thing. Let's hear about it.
Regards,
Dan
It finally happened!
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OldSarSwmr
- Member
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:00 am
- Location: Richmond, VA
It finally happened!
:spyder:
Dan
Dan
Heck that made my day, just hearing the story. I have the exact situations happen with
different tools especially knifes. I have a collection of old cheap knives and cheap tools as well, but I have a serious problem about getting high quality tools. I never tell anyone the truth about anythign that they have bought that they are proud of. I do quite a bit of "rough" type work on the farm and there is value in cheaper tools for certain tasks, but nothing can beat the feel of fine quality held in you hands. (I just now pulled my Massad Ayoob out of my pocket to remind myself)
different tools especially knifes. I have a collection of old cheap knives and cheap tools as well, but I have a serious problem about getting high quality tools. I never tell anyone the truth about anythign that they have bought that they are proud of. I do quite a bit of "rough" type work on the farm and there is value in cheaper tools for certain tasks, but nothing can beat the feel of fine quality held in you hands. (I just now pulled my Massad Ayoob out of my pocket to remind myself)
Rip-Mart Rules
Yeah I know what you mean for sure :rolleyes: In the past year I've had at least 15 people approach me with their pot-metal knives made in our favorite 3rd World **** Hole.
What's really irritating to me is that almost all of them want me to sharpen their piece of junk. I very truthfully tell them that they don't have anything even if I do sharpen it to a razor edge :rolleyes:
In the past year I've only had 2 people show me a real knife with real steel.
Quality used to be the "name of the game" here in the USA. Now it's best looking flea market artifact that blows their skirts up :eek:
When I try to explain to them the differences in quality and what a quality blade really is I actually get some hostile reactions from some of them. That's why Rip-Mart is ruling the world at this time
My luck just hasn't been as good as your's brother.
What's really irritating to me is that almost all of them want me to sharpen their piece of junk. I very truthfully tell them that they don't have anything even if I do sharpen it to a razor edge :rolleyes:
In the past year I've only had 2 people show me a real knife with real steel.
Quality used to be the "name of the game" here in the USA. Now it's best looking flea market artifact that blows their skirts up :eek:
When I try to explain to them the differences in quality and what a quality blade really is I actually get some hostile reactions from some of them. That's why Rip-Mart is ruling the world at this time
My luck just hasn't been as good as your's brother.
Long Live the SPYDEREDGE Spyderco Hawkbills RULE!!
Thats a very nice story.
I cant say I have successfully converted someone though I do have a story similar. My boss knows I am into knives and would I occasionally show him a new spyderco. You can see the joy in his face when he trys to flick it open or feels the super sharp edge. He once said "oh, I have a knife like that". And brought "it" into work the following day. It was a cheapo spydie delica fake that has those plastic thumbstuds instead of a spyder hole complete with "spyder edge" serrations. My reply was "oh nice..." But I knew I needed to get something of quality into his hands.
When at work and its unusually quiet I will read an issue of Blade, Knives Illustrated, etc. For what ever reason, he loves the damascus blades and always commented on those knives first. So for last Christmas I got him a damacus folder. He LOVED it. For the following few weeks he would take it with him to work, pull it out, and grin. Although I do not see him buying any knives himself, I feel I gave him a better appreciation of the quality knives out there.
I cant say I have successfully converted someone though I do have a story similar. My boss knows I am into knives and would I occasionally show him a new spyderco. You can see the joy in his face when he trys to flick it open or feels the super sharp edge. He once said "oh, I have a knife like that". And brought "it" into work the following day. It was a cheapo spydie delica fake that has those plastic thumbstuds instead of a spyder hole complete with "spyder edge" serrations. My reply was "oh nice..." But I knew I needed to get something of quality into his hands.
When at work and its unusually quiet I will read an issue of Blade, Knives Illustrated, etc. For what ever reason, he loves the damascus blades and always commented on those knives first. So for last Christmas I got him a damacus folder. He LOVED it. For the following few weeks he would take it with him to work, pull it out, and grin. Although I do not see him buying any knives himself, I feel I gave him a better appreciation of the quality knives out there.
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phillipsted
- Member
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- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:30 am
- Location: North Virginia
Heh heh. That reminds me of one of my work colleagues. He spotted me opening a package of crackers over lunch with my DragonFly2. He lives in a rural area and is very into the outdoor lifestyle - and is very conservative and "pro-American". (I don't mean to start a political debate here - this is just the way he is...)
Anyway, I saw him eyeing my Dfly and asked him if he liked Spydercos. He smiled and said that he didn't buy any of those imported blades from the Far East. He said he only bought blades made in the good ole U. S. of A. - and mentioned Benchmade, Gerber, and Emerson. At that point, I didn't take the bait and mention that some components of many Benchmade and Gerbers are actually manufactured overseas...
I just reached into my briefcase and hauled out my grey Carpenter Para2 - Golden Colorado U.S.A. Earth.
Not sure he's a convert yet - but he liked what he saw...
TedP
Anyway, I saw him eyeing my Dfly and asked him if he liked Spydercos. He smiled and said that he didn't buy any of those imported blades from the Far East. He said he only bought blades made in the good ole U. S. of A. - and mentioned Benchmade, Gerber, and Emerson. At that point, I didn't take the bait and mention that some components of many Benchmade and Gerbers are actually manufactured overseas...
I just reached into my briefcase and hauled out my grey Carpenter Para2 - Golden Colorado U.S.A. Earth.
Not sure he's a convert yet - but he liked what he saw...
TedP
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Drkknight614
- Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 12:12 pm
- Location: New York
Agreed, at the firehouse Im always walking around with tons of stuff in my pocket and never the same knife. One of the kids is always trying to bust my chops about my $25 dollar h1 ladybug (it was $40) and is like you paid that much for that little knife. He likes his "firefighter/ems/etc" knives, those cheapo $15 ones with the kershaw style flip, a "strap cutter", and a window punch. I understand the appeal, it looks cool, has an emblem on it, a strap cutter and a window punch....but it still crap and wouldnt trust it with my life, let alone to save someone else. Some people will just never understand why others spend more money on certain things. So I dont bother responding ir trying to explain the finer details to people like that. I was younger once, and being a boy scout I used knives all the time. Got free ones from time to time also. All of them didnt last long, they broke, their locks failed, their handles cracked....thats what you get from those kinds of $15 dollar knives. Oh and look at that, you could of spent $15 more and bought a knife 10x better and got like a tenacious or something like that.JD Spydo wrote:Yeah I know what you mean for sure :rolleyes: In the past year I've had at least 15 people approach me with their pot-metal knives made in our favorite 3rd World **** Hole.
What's really irritating to me is that almost all of them want me to sharpen their piece of junk. I very truthfully tell them that they don't have anything even if I do sharpen it to a razor edge :rolleyes:
In the past year I've only had 2 people show me a real knife with real steel.
Quality used to be the "name of the game" here in the USA. Now it's best looking flea market artifact that blows their skirts up :eek:
When I try to explain to them the differences in quality and what a quality blade really is I actually get some hostile reactions from some of them. That's why Rip-Mart is ruling the world at this time
My luck just hasn't been as good as your's brother.
Manix 2 DLC, Delica 4 FFG, Ladybug 3,County Comm H1 Ladybug 3 , Endura 4 FFG G10, C94 UKPK Leaf, Atlantic Salt, Military Camo DLC,Sage 1 Para 2 DLC, Delica 4.
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Scottie3000
- Member
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 8:47 pm
- Location: Goldsboro, NC
Greaat story! I've converted one person. He used to tease me about how in modern times knives aren't needed because "We don't need to skin antelope on the serengeti.". Despite that statement he alway got packages in the mail, struggled trying to cut the tape with his car keys and then asked for my knife (he know I always had one). Then he went on amazon and bought a couple S&W cheap knives and was excited about it. I finally gifted him a FRN CE VG-10 Stretch, and he has never looked back. He gives it back to me to sharpen every once in a while, but he even opens his mail with it now.
On order: Maxamet Native 5
Current pocket hog: S90V Para2
Next up: Something Blurple
Current pocket hog: S90V Para2
Next up: Something Blurple
I converted one of my friends. He buys an occasional walmart knife here or there but has quite a few spydies now. His main edcs are spydies. I think since the conversion he's only bought 3 knives that weren't spydercos. The best part is that they don't sell them locally around here so if he or I get a new one it gives the other the oppurtunity to try it. I'm still working on converting a coworker from his kershaw blur tanto.
I converted my little sister from someone who really didnt like knives, and did not see any reason for ever carrying one on her person, to a spyderco fan, and fellow knife nut. I gave her a honey bee one day, she loved how "cute" and tiny it was. Once she found she was actually using it every day for things, and could see the usefulness of it, she came around. I saw her eyeing a h1 dragonfly I had, then I showed her the catalog with the D'fly Tattoo. She fell in love! She really liked it, and now tomorrow (her birthday) she will be getting one! (along with a 4sevens preon 2 to get her EDC kicked off right!)
i was able to convert someone i work with because i showed him how to open a knife
one-handed. i told him "flicking" a knife is the way to do it, by the way, we used his knife to do this, a non-sypderco. the next time, a week later, i brought several spydies and showed him how to do it the spydie way.
i also told him about quality workmanship and the difference in metals used to make the knifes. he now has two spydies, a spyderhawk and a dragonfly, he told me he will be buying a byrd robin next.
sadly though, i must have spoken to about 15-20 other people and he is the only convert. the rest carry cheap stuff that i wouldn't bother to pick up, let alone carry. at least i got one though and i shall continue to spread the gospel of spyderco.
one-handed. i told him "flicking" a knife is the way to do it, by the way, we used his knife to do this, a non-sypderco. the next time, a week later, i brought several spydies and showed him how to do it the spydie way.
i also told him about quality workmanship and the difference in metals used to make the knifes. he now has two spydies, a spyderhawk and a dragonfly, he told me he will be buying a byrd robin next.
sadly though, i must have spoken to about 15-20 other people and he is the only convert. the rest carry cheap stuff that i wouldn't bother to pick up, let alone carry. at least i got one though and i shall continue to spread the gospel of spyderco.
I have not converted anyone yet, but I myself am a recent convert of about two months now.
I work at gun shows every weekend and have carried a knife ever since I can remember but had never really put much thought into my knives other than "that looks cool." one day I was strolling around the gun show during a slow period and stopped to look at some knives, of course going directly to the cheaper smith & wesson's and CRK&T's. While I looking there were others eyeballing the knives and a guy asked to see a spyderco balance(carbon fiber vg10). The guy was meticulously examining and stops, looks up and asks the knife dealer for a band-aid. I look down at his hand and he had cut the $hit out of his thumb. Of course I then had to see this laser sharp little shredder. The next day I started selling off every single pocket knife I owned, Seriously, like 30+ knives. Once I got enough money I went and bought a Para2 and a Dragonfly 2. and have since bought a sharpmaker and all the accesory rods and I think a ZDP endura is in the works
Now I feel like a Spyderco missionary trying to spread religious cult that is Spyderco. I just need to get my father to put down his kershaw and walk away.
I work at gun shows every weekend and have carried a knife ever since I can remember but had never really put much thought into my knives other than "that looks cool." one day I was strolling around the gun show during a slow period and stopped to look at some knives, of course going directly to the cheaper smith & wesson's and CRK&T's. While I looking there were others eyeballing the knives and a guy asked to see a spyderco balance(carbon fiber vg10). The guy was meticulously examining and stops, looks up and asks the knife dealer for a band-aid. I look down at his hand and he had cut the $hit out of his thumb. Of course I then had to see this laser sharp little shredder. The next day I started selling off every single pocket knife I owned, Seriously, like 30+ knives. Once I got enough money I went and bought a Para2 and a Dragonfly 2. and have since bought a sharpmaker and all the accesory rods and I think a ZDP endura is in the works
Now I feel like a Spyderco missionary trying to spread religious cult that is Spyderco. I just need to get my father to put down his kershaw and walk away.
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aidansdaddy17
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:00 pm
My old Army buddy always bragged about his Spydeco....I thought put that ugly thing with a huge ugly hole back in your pants! My Kershaw lock back in my belt. Got the knife collecting bug this summer. Lost all my knives when my locker was cleared out after I left the military. Purchased a Kershaw Ken Onion serrated Blur first, second a Ken Onion Ripple 2 (blue), third knife a Kershaw olive drab serrated leek, fourth a SOG Twitch II, fifth a CRKT M4-02 bone handle, sixth knife SOG mini-aegis new model....well after waiting forever from amazon for that SOG I started watching youtube videos about Spyderco knives, nutnfancy and I love cajunblaze. (he's in love)
I started to realize these guys and other fans on youtube were on to something. The quality of Spyderco seems amazing. That ugly hole on these knives started to haunt my dreams. One day it became beautiful to me. The shot show 2010-11 from Spyderco and nutnfancy drew me in (sucked me in). My other knives yet great and wonderful edc's started to feel cheap or like I was with the wrong woman (women). I was settling! I really wanted something in VG-10, obsessed with cookiing and culinary arts. (Foodie) And Seki City, Japan. I went through and started looking through many Spyderco knives. What to by for my first?! Start cheap and work my way up? Persistence?? Manix? Sage? Native??? c-a-l-y....3.5? oooh VG-10 steel. Nice...should I? Could I??
Well......**** you amazon! $27 perisitence, pretty, but not what I really wanted. Settle for what? To want more? So I typed in Spyderco Caly 3.5......add to cart? OKay a few more video and picture reviews. I'll wait till the morning when the Native 5 is released, looks amazing. Then I came across WireEdge Roger, I love you man. Bromance? Yes, **** yes!
I added her to my cart. Confirmed my order. Now I patiently await my new, first love. THE Spyderco Caly 3.5. What do I do now I ask you? WHAT, do I do??
I started to realize these guys and other fans on youtube were on to something. The quality of Spyderco seems amazing. That ugly hole on these knives started to haunt my dreams. One day it became beautiful to me. The shot show 2010-11 from Spyderco and nutnfancy drew me in (sucked me in). My other knives yet great and wonderful edc's started to feel cheap or like I was with the wrong woman (women). I was settling! I really wanted something in VG-10, obsessed with cookiing and culinary arts. (Foodie) And Seki City, Japan. I went through and started looking through many Spyderco knives. What to by for my first?! Start cheap and work my way up? Persistence?? Manix? Sage? Native??? c-a-l-y....3.5? oooh VG-10 steel. Nice...should I? Could I??
Well......**** you amazon! $27 perisitence, pretty, but not what I really wanted. Settle for what? To want more? So I typed in Spyderco Caly 3.5......add to cart? OKay a few more video and picture reviews. I'll wait till the morning when the Native 5 is released, looks amazing. Then I came across WireEdge Roger, I love you man. Bromance? Yes, **** yes!
I added her to my cart. Confirmed my order. Now I patiently await my new, first love. THE Spyderco Caly 3.5. What do I do now I ask you? WHAT, do I do??
In another thread I talked about "beating my wife home from work" to avoid an addiction problem. In part because she is a Spydie convert. With the orange Delica's I actually ordered 2.......at different times. I plan for her to "accidently" find one in the mail. She will love it. I know she won't get bitten as badly as I've been, and she does edc. I try not to show her too many of my mid to smaller size knives as this might REALLY get expensive. :p Fortunately she isn't into the larger knives. I dare not show her my zdp Caly 3 
I've got a friend at work that has many really nice Spydies including the WTC. Last month he brought it out....9/11. It brought back memories of the day all Americans were attacked. We must be vigilant and NEVER FORGET. Sorry, not trying to change the theme of this thread but this just came to mind.
I've got a friend at work that has many really nice Spydies including the WTC. Last month he brought it out....9/11. It brought back memories of the day all Americans were attacked. We must be vigilant and NEVER FORGET. Sorry, not trying to change the theme of this thread but this just came to mind.
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razorsharp
- Member
- Posts: 3069
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:41 pm
- Location: New Zealand
I havent converted anyone YET.
I sharpened a mates 'Dakota' knife (POS), It took the slightest amount of pressure to disengage the liner lock, I did a spine whack, I literally held the lanyard hole with the blade in the air and let gravity make the knife hit the bench and it closed. there was massive side to side play, general pos.
Well I sharpened it, it was shaving sharp (wouldn't cut tp or hair split-too $#!+) He cut one slice of paper and that edge had deteriorated. I then grabbed out my lil H1 ladybug and cut up some thick card like paper and shaved...his arms (mine are bald LOL).
He still insists his knife is for emergency situations and will do fine, me, I wouldn't trust my life with it in any way.
Just showing Chinese vs :spyder:
I sharpened a mates 'Dakota' knife (POS), It took the slightest amount of pressure to disengage the liner lock, I did a spine whack, I literally held the lanyard hole with the blade in the air and let gravity make the knife hit the bench and it closed. there was massive side to side play, general pos.
Well I sharpened it, it was shaving sharp (wouldn't cut tp or hair split-too $#!+) He cut one slice of paper and that edge had deteriorated. I then grabbed out my lil H1 ladybug and cut up some thick card like paper and shaved...his arms (mine are bald LOL).
He still insists his knife is for emergency situations and will do fine, me, I wouldn't trust my life with it in any way.
Just showing Chinese vs :spyder:
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Cheddarnut
- Member
- Posts: 1403
- Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:14 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I bought my girlfriend a purple ladybug and she uses it for everything. She's nearly put serrations on a plain edge. Shes not afraid to ruin a blade like I am, so I get to see what kind of abuse different steels (in this case vg10) can actually take.
"...is cabbage a better blue than cars that sing?" C.S.
Knife conversion happens at several levels, in my experience.
The first level is where a formerly non-knife person is converted into someone who carries a knife and uses it. This is the most important change, from my perspective.
A second level is where a person who owns cheap knives is convinced of the value of a better product and starts carrying quality.
A third level is where a knife user learns to maintain their own cutlery, and takes pride in keeping knives clean, sharp, corrosion-free, and lubricated at the moving parts, if a folder.
A fourth level is when a knife user gains the competence and interest to modify existing designs to better meet his/her needs.
A fifth level is when a knife enthusiast designs and builds a knife that is their own original design, and it works well for the intended use.
There are probably other levels, but this is a start.
The first level is where a formerly non-knife person is converted into someone who carries a knife and uses it. This is the most important change, from my perspective.
A second level is where a person who owns cheap knives is convinced of the value of a better product and starts carrying quality.
A third level is where a knife user learns to maintain their own cutlery, and takes pride in keeping knives clean, sharp, corrosion-free, and lubricated at the moving parts, if a folder.
A fourth level is when a knife user gains the competence and interest to modify existing designs to better meet his/her needs.
A fifth level is when a knife enthusiast designs and builds a knife that is their own original design, and it works well for the intended use.
There are probably other levels, but this is a start.
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Dr. Snubnose
- Member
- Posts: 8799
- Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 9:54 pm
- Location: NewYork
Almost everyday someone walks into my knife store and shows me a piece of Junk knife they are thrilled with...I tell em if you like that one, wait to you see what got here for you...sometimes it takes up to 15-20 minutes, to convert them to a higher quality knife....but If they are interesting in buying something, the transformation goes rather quick....most of the time.....It's always nice when they re-visit the store, even if it's just to tell me how much they like the knife I sold them....and on a few occasions I have had people come back and tell me Wow, that knife I was carrying was really a POS...why didn't you say something then....I just smile...and say I'm so glad you are happy with the new knife...stop on back and see us again sometime....love to see you and chat....and if you every see a friend of yours carrying a POS knife, send them right over and I'll be just as happy to fix them up with something good that will suit their needs. Doc :D
"Always Judge a man by the way he treats someone who could be of no possible use to him"
*Custom Avatar with the Help of Daywalker*
*Custom Avatar with the Help of Daywalker*
What do you do? Apply for another credit card of course :) It's out of your hands now. Spyder venom is in the blood. Welcome to the forums.aidansdaddy17 wrote:My old Army buddy always bragged about his Spydeco....I thought put that ugly thing with a huge ugly hole back in your pants! My Kershaw lock back in my belt. Got the knife collecting bug this summer. Lost all my knives when my locker was cleared out after I left the military. Purchased a Kershaw Ken Onion serrated Blur first, second a Ken Onion Ripple 2 (blue), third knife a Kershaw olive drab serrated leek, fourth a SOG Twitch II, fifth a CRKT M4-02 bone handle, sixth knife SOG mini-aegis new model....well after waiting forever from amazon for that SOG I started watching youtube videos about Spyderco knives, nutnfancy and I love cajunblaze. (he's in love)
I started to realize these guys and other fans on youtube were on to something. The quality of Spyderco seems amazing. That ugly hole on these knives started to haunt my dreams. One day it became beautiful to me. The shot show 2010-11 from Spyderco and nutnfancy drew me in (sucked me in). My other knives yet great and wonderful edc's started to feel cheap or like I was with the wrong woman (women). I was settling! I really wanted something in VG-10, obsessed with cookiing and culinary arts. (Foodie) And Seki City, Japan. I went through and started looking through many Spyderco knives. What to by for my first?! Start cheap and work my way up? Persistence?? Manix? Sage? Native??? c-a-l-y....3.5? oooh VG-10 steel. Nice...should I? Could I??
Well......**** you amazon! $27 perisitence, pretty, but not what I really wanted. Settle for what? To want more? So I typed in Spyderco Caly 3.5......add to cart? OKay a few more video and picture reviews. I'll wait till the morning when the Native 5 is released, looks amazing. Then I came across WireEdge Roger, I love you man. Bromance? Yes, **** yes!
I added her to my cart. Confirmed my order. Now I patiently await my new, first love. THE Spyderco Caly 3.5. What do I do now I ask you? WHAT, do I do??
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aidansdaddy17
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:00 pm
Thanks. Recieved my Caly 3.5 in the mail. Way to tough and gritty to open. Needed too much work to make smooth. Spyderco wanted me to send it in. Shouldn't be needed on a 116 dollar knife. Found a new love though.....Sage 3. Looks to be exactly the fix I need. Cannot wait! Amazon, you took my money, now ship it! Maybe the Native 5 next. I've wanted a lock back after all these assisted opening knives that I bought. Fell for Spyderco because they open smooth as butter without needing the opening feature. Now every knife that isn't Spyderco seems lame. The Native 5 looks sweet. Perfection.