Spyderco Forums

I do carry a knife because a like knives, and at the same time I find uses for a pocket knife each and every day. My uses hardly test the edgeholding abilities of the current generation of wondersteels, but I still enjoy having the right tool at hand for life's many little inconveniences like opening the mail, breaking down paper packaging for recycling, cutting fruit, lunch etc....

I've been using pocket knives since I was a kid and carrying daily for many years, no matter if I plan to use a knife or not. The truth is I always find a reason to have one close to me even if it's just for shaving a hair or cutting a thread which happened they were looking at me badly.

neocacher wrote:I was wondering how many of you carry a knife regularly but never use it? I carry often knowing I will unlikely use mine. Often I carry just because it makes me feel good! I love spyderco's!

I would say that this is a fair description of me. I carry some knives just because they're cool knives that I love, and almost never use them. It's like I'm saving them for some single, monumentally important task that may never happen. That kind of like what my Manix 2 XL is about. But I also always carry a different knife that I am actually willing to use on day-to-day tasks. The simple fact is, though, that I don't often have to cut anything.

I carry a knife daily for the last 15 years.

I appreciate an elegant design, and the engineering and materials technology that are involved in producing a good knife. But most of all I just like to feel somewhat prepared for whatever I may encounter, be it a mountain lion or a crusty sandwich. :)

I like knives because they make life easier. I've seen people working their butts off trying to open a box with their keys. Some tape is pretty tough. :) I think anyone who doesn't value having even a very small knife at hand is the person who has never tried life with one. I've heard you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. I believe that. I also believe you don't know what you don't have until you experience having it.

My Father and Grandfather always carried one and allowed me to do the same when I was old enough. Dad was surprised when he found out I didn't carry it to school - I started public school seemingly at the very beginning of the period where rural traditions were passing away in the mid 80s urban suburbs. Being carrying one or more daily for over 30 years. I don't always use them every day but am glad that I have one available on me.

The distinction I would make is:

I carry a knife because I have a use for it almost every day.

I carry the 2nd or third knife and own many dozens because I like knives.

Sequimite wrote:The distinction I would make is:

I carry a knife because I have a use for it almost every day.

I carry the 2nd or third knife and own many dozens because I like knives.

Well put!

One member mentioned using his Tasman Salt 150+ times a day, so I would like to politely inquire what types of tasks that includes. Was it an exaggeration that just doesn't come across well in a typed message, or was it meant literally? Do you have to look for excuses to use the knife or are they readily available? Is this vocation-related? Thanks.

chuck_roxas45 wrote:I have a really bad case of flapping pockets. I carry a knife in both front pockets to stop them from flapping. :D

Cute.

I own and carry way more knives than my usage justifies. Many days, my knives just get carried and not used. I usually have 3 on me (front right, front left, and a ladybug in my front right coin pocket), but I probably only need to cut something one time every 2 out of 3 days. And even then, it's just something small.

My current carry rotation consists of 25 different knives. Of those, I've only had to sharpen 8 of them, as the other's haven't seen enough use to need it yet. So for me, the quantity of knives I carry is a reflection of my enjoyment of the hobby, and less because I need more cutting tools.

I carry a knife whenever possible. Similar to a seat belt you usually don't get to choose when it's necessary and few things will substitute efficiently.

BAL wrote:I can't remember the last day that went by that I didn't use a knife at some point in time
during the day.

Same here. But I ALSO just enjoy carrying it. So I get it.

Ken

I just added a Resilience to my collection, and it's tucked in my pocket now. At a pinch it would make a reasonable kitchen knife if I found myself in a place with blunt kitchen knives. I usually have a Victorinox Huntsman or Champion, and a small slipjoint knife on my keychain (which ironically is the one I use the most).

Better to have and not need, than need and not have, as the saying goes.

I work in a window factory for 12 hours a day. I deal with hundreds of plastic bands. I have to cut out non fills (air gaps in glue/frame). When we stack different glass I have to have cardboard in between. I use the Tasman for scraping polyurethane off of wood blocks. I also use it on all the packages, Kraft paper I cut to size for tables. Generally I've used my Tasman 50+ times before 9:15 am. I'm mot bragging about using a knife a lot you asked. I can tell you without the Tasmans h1 handle, easy clean frn design and teeth that don't stop cutting my days work would suck a lot harder. Two other gentleman use tenacious daily too. I won't get into the 20times a night I cut line while fishing but I use a goddard for that.

I suppose I'd be lying if I said that I carried a knife solely for the mundane purpose of cutting things. Carrying only one Spyderco on a daily basis makes reasonable sense to me. Carrying five Spyderco's at one time means you are hopelessly addicted and need help. :p :D

I use a knife multiple times a day, every day.

Having been a Lineman for over 40 years I can not think of many times I have not carried a knife. Of those years I was a reserve Police Officer for 22 years and carried one on my duty belt for all of the many reasons one would do so in that environment. And last but not least, I served in the US Coast Guard for 13 years as a small boat crewman at Panama City, FL. I carried a issue Gerber multi-tool while in uniform as that was all that was allowed and carried a Leatherman while deployed during Desert Storm. Soooooooo, knives and I have a long and sorted history together. :D

Owning a knife for me has many pleasures and practicalities .
Cutting yes , obviously the aesthetics the fun of deploying a blade at speed .
The appreciation of the engineering aspects and functionality .
Also the fact that if the worst comes to the worst having one can prevent a situation happening .
Although I get enjoyment from owning them as long lasting , low depreciating material goods .
The history behind mans oldest tool and its incarnations all add up to a great hobby .

I carry a knife because that is how I was brought up, a man should always have a pocket knife. Sounds funny but that's what I have known since I was seven. It started with slipjoints (Spyderco wasn't around then) then a little over twenty years ago I was introduced to Spyderco, I have had one ever since.

I carry multiple knives now because I like them but I use them all the time. I don't remember each instance that I use it during the day, probably because it's just a routine use type thing. I just don't get it when I see people tearing at packages with their teeth or car keys? Why not have a knife and use the right tool for the job? They wouldn't prepare their meals with their teeth or keys.