Engineering for Impossibility: Rant

[Blerv]

There is a trend on the Internet of aiming for the stars for the sake of bragging. The problem is that it can actually hurt the end product.

An example with many performance cars is gearing for 0-60 times instead of actual speed. After all, we all know a real performance car is all about the one-two shift and crappy lap times :p . Meanwhile the rest of the gears are just spaced out seemingly at random for the power curve with a stupid high final drive ratio. There ya go: Mediocre performance and decent gas mileage.

With knives the example seems to hold true. I understand the aim towards stainless steel and qualities the general public will appreciate. We tend to go a little insane on lock strength, self-defense, and the other topics that few (if any) people will ever realize. Which is the best chopper for camp use even if it's as cumbersome as a shovel for anything else.

Take the Military as the antithesis to this criteria. While not for me, it strikes a cord of rational thought. A premium but not exotic steel, a quality but not braggable lock, etc. Like the Delica or Endura it's not a caricature of marketing chaos but a properly balanced and effective tool for dang near anything (except subtlety).

The more I see extremes in this world the more I want rational balances. Products that cover all the bases for what they should do rather than brag about what they will never do. Often the latter is full of gaping character flaws like the entire cast of Twilight.

I'm not ranting about medium vs mbc lock ratings or comparative edge holding with Mule knives. I'm talking about the "Which is weaker?" when the OP is comparing three of the strongest Spyderco locks in production.

Sometimes "the best ____" is just a bunch of marketing that distracts you from what is important: Finding the right thing for you. Whatever it is, do your research and stick to your guns even if it looks odd or people disagree.

Now, if you are specifically looking for a tool to fulfill a set of tasks obviously this isn't directed at you. :) .

Ps: I admit to owning a 1-mode 3,000 lumen flashlight. We all deserve the right to buy impractical things bordering on stupid! Just don't forget that happy medium that makes something...useful.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Good points and good article/post, Blake =)

[3rdGenRigger]

There is a trend on the Internet of aiming for the stars for the sake of bragging. The problem is that it can actually hurt the end product.

An example with many performance cars is gearing for 0-60 times instead of actual speed. After all, we all know a real performance car is all about the one-two shift and crappy lap times :p . Meanwhile the rest of the gears are just spaced out seemingly at random for the power curve with a stupid high final drive ratio. There ya go: Mediocre performance and decent gas mileage.

My truck already gets good gas mileage (I've had 736km (457 miles) from 73 Litres (19 US Gallons)), but IMO it's geared too tall with 3.73's and 32" tires. I'd like to swap 4.10's in, or even better 4.56's to improve acceleration. I've had it up to 212 km/h (132 mph) and it was still in 3rd gear with lots of rpm to spare. My point is that acceleration is more attainable and useable than outright top speed. On the road we're limited to a certain speed, but there's no limit on rate of acceleration, which is more of a tactile sensation anyways. This is off topic somewhat, but I know I'd get better city mileage in my truck with shorter gears, though my highway mileage would suffer. Like everything in life it's all about balance (Though shorter gears would be more fun from a practical sense).

[xceptnl]

I applaud your thread Blerv. I too enjoy the quest for the pinnacle of the edge retention yet I still love the mindless sharpening simplicity of Superblue and the reliable, consistent (balanced) performance that I receive from ("the trash steel") VG-10. I love my Phil Wilson custom S110V Coyote Meadow run to it's optimal output and I carry it in my bag daily, but on a week where I chose to carry three different knives based on their overall feel and use, it was a happy accident that they all turned out to be VG-10. Balance is not only the key to life, but surprisingly it applies to all of the minor aspects of our life also. Cheers to you Blerv for continuing to peer past the marketing!

[OldHoosier62]

Bravo OP

[chuck_roxas45]

I bought a low HP truck. I didn't go for the "variable turbo" that supposed to add 50 more horses because I don't drive fast anyway.

[Evil D]

Eh, I gear my Mustang for 1/4 mile because I can't legally go faster than 70ish so I get my speed fix going from 0-60 and from stop light to stop light. It doesn't really corner or stop worth a crap anyway.

[kbuzbee]

Nice Blake! Great observation and I agree with you 100%. Generally the more specialized something is the worse it is for anything outside that speciality. And, yes, those speciality features/numbers make for better advertising to differentiate your product from the masses. Very tough to market "good at lots of things but best at none"

In the end, you have to define your own criteria and choose how well any given product meets them.

but on a week where I chose to carry three different knives based on their overall feel and use, it was a happy accident that they all turned out to be VG-10.

I found exactly the same thing, Landon. When I was on my journey to find the best steel, best scales, best clip, best lock etc etc a funny thing happened. I fell in love with the Balance and the Memory. Both are VG10. Neither had my best "anything" but both knives are a total joy to use and fit MY EDC needs perfectly. Finding these two knives has really killed any enthusiasm I used to have to continue a quest for "The One" based on specific features/materials. In this case, it's the knife that's perfect, not the criteria. (Obviously I struggled with a way to express that but I assume you take my meaning?)

Ken

(Edit - 3000 lumen single mode is just crazyness, Blake! )

[Blerv]

Thanks folks!

It's a fairly old rant so I can't pinpoint the reason (a lock strength debate I guess?). The bump is greatly appreciated as are your own very well reasoned posts!

[kbuzbee]

Haha, funny... I hadn't even noticed...

Ken

(Just goes to show you... Be careful what you post on the internet. It lasts forever)

[Blerv]

Haha, funny... I hadn't even noticed...

Ken

(Just goes to show you... Be careful what you post on the internet. It lasts forever)

Old ranting Blerv to New ranting Blerv is almost identical. I don't blame ya. :p lol

(I know...I read the post again in groggy morning terror)

[ChrisinHove]

I guess the old expression also goes for this...

"The best is the enemy of the good"

[bh49]

Blake,
I totally agree with you, but sometime we need to have a fun like your 3000 lumen light

(Edit - 3000 lumen single mode is just crazyness, Blake! )

And how many of these do you have Ken? :)

[kbuzbee]

And how many of these do you have Ken? :)

None. Not in to single mode...

Ken

[Corvid1]

What, 3000 lumens, with no strobe?

tim

[Donut]

That old rant is probably more relevant today than when you first made it.

I'm glad I got my 2,500 lumen Eagletac, but one of my batteries died because they were old and I need to find out where I can get 3 - 18650's for a reasonable price. But, as you said, 150 or 200 or 250 or 800 lumens typically works better for me. I could probably live with a 1 mode 50 lumen light for daytime carry and a 2 mode 5/50 for night time carry.

I have a Lionspy, that is probably almost too much to be very useful. It cuts, but isn't the best cutter. I have a K2 which is probably still useful despite being very large to carry.

I keep eyeing those custom Surefire E1E's modded with 3 Nichia emitters, but $300 makes them look like they cost too much for me to really want one.

[Blerv]

Yea prob a good point, Donut. What is on the shelf from Spyderco is crazy; 110v and 10v folders?! Same goes for lights and light modders; Vinh just started making triple and quad XP-L copper p60 engines that run at 10a...insane.

Moderation isn't fun and it doesn't win many internet battles. It does make extremely impressive tools though. At this point I would prefer to specialize to cover all my bases. Carrying two flashlights or a gents and work folder so no task is too great.

[PayneTrain]

The more I see extremes in this world the more I want rational balances. Products that cover all the bases for what they should do rather than brag about what they will never do. Often the latter is full of gaping character flaws like the entire cast of Twilight.

Love everything your saying. Love it, love it, love it!

Efficiency and practicality have always made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. This laptop is 4 years old and still isn't obsolete by today's standards for anything I could possibly see myself using it for, and I got it for under a grand with a quad core i7. I've had my 3.4L (that's the smaller engine choice) Impala for 9+ years and am approaching 285k miles (210k are mine), and I drive it 60 to get 35mpg out of a big car that's seemingly indestructible and hauls my life and my boat around. I fit my D90 with a timeless but antique manual 28mm, a cheapo DX 55-200 for a zoom, and an old Tokina 400mm because for everything I'm doing as a hobby photographer, I'll never need more. ****, one of my favorite shots was taken with a P&S! I reduce, reuse, and recycle everything I can, and everything I do buy is researched heavily for value in the long run.

Buuuuut, I am only human. I have more knives than I'll ever need (obviously, I'm here aren't I?). And I'm spending an absurd amount of money to restore an 87 IROC that got totalled on a road trip. And I mean absurd, considering it must be worth no more than $2,000. But I have my reasons, largely sentimental, though there is some practicality to it. One, it's easy to work on and parts are plentiful and cheap. I can make it just what I want it to be for not a lot of money or effort. Two, for the money I spent on it (originally), it's a **** fun car! Cheap fun has always been kind of the philosophy behind them anyway. I like to think of it as a cheap Corvette with t-tops and a handy back seat for luggage or my least favorite friends. And oh, don't even get me started on the Corvette...

Edit: I fear I may have gone slightly off track, so just to clarify my point: I buy things with the intent to never have to throw it out or replace it because I need more while not buying more than I need, getting the most for my dollar and creating the least waste. if you can't tell, I was raised by lower-middle class hippies.

[phillipsted]

An example with many performance cars is gearing for 0-60 times instead of actual speed. After all, we all know a real performance car is all about the one-two shift and crappy lap times :p . Meanwhile the rest of the gears are just spaced out seemingly at random for the power curve with a stupid high final drive ratio. There ya go: Mediocre performance and decent gas mileage.

...unless you buy a Tesla S... Which has a single speed fixed gear with 9.73:1 reduction ratio - and will do 0-60 in 3.9s and the quarter mile in 12.4.

It's all about the torque, baby! :cool:

TedP

[Blerv]

Yea, only $98k base price for the P85. :p

I'll wait for a major auto maker to do it :). Musk is cool but I would rather have an electric Skyline GTR.