hso wrote:
Marketing. One word, 3 syllables. It catches customers.
The Tourist wrote:
In this type of thread, the underlying idea is for the OP to get ideas for upcoming purchases, or perhaps avoid making a mistake. Maybe the OP has some extra cash from over-time pay and simply wants a new toy.
The Tourist wrote:
If his money is tight, he's going to guard his purchasing power, he is assuming that the knife will last forever--or at least until something better comes along or his current assignment is over.
In that scenario, I also warn him about hype. The idea of hype also influences his purchase.
Agree with above quotes.
Back in the day, we as a society, was less "civilized" and were tool users.
Money was tight, and one did not have a lot of choices to choose from , as the selections were limited and locations near folks is what they had to choose from.
Try before you buy and
investigate and verify was the way things were done.
$2 for a knife was a lot of money! So a farmer for instance, would actually ask to see knives other farmers were actually using.
While he handled each, farmers each shared the pros and cons of that knife.
"Well I am getting older and hands and fingers get stiff with arthritis, so I took a half round file to remove some handle, so I could get to the nail nick better to open it".
"My hands are big and fingers fat, my knife fits me, but you got small hands and fingers, try Joe's knife, his is like mine, just a bit smaller".
"Oh I drop knives and set them down, them yeller handles makes it easier for me to spot them"
etc.
Needs vs Wants comes into play.
Some folks lived their whole like and only had one knife, $2, a lot of money, and that pocket knife was used, still it was not abused.
In needing to pry a paint can - knife stayed in the pocket, and they got up off their butt, and went a got a screwdriver , and if really lucky a paint can pry tool.
Folks approached how a task needed to be done, and being tool users, they had skill sets.
If all they had was a pocket knife, they thought it through, and went slow and easy.
If all the lady had was a small pen knife, she cut that apple different for a kid than how she would back home with a paring knife.
WE got civilized.
WE did not have to do some tasks we used to, folks had city jobs, and as time passes, some tasks were already done, by them "store bought" items.
Buy that package of apples already cut small, for a kid, and a lady don't need a small pen knife.
WE lost skill sets, because if you don't use it, you lose it ,and if you don't need to cut a apple for a kid, you get out of practice, and can't.
Marketing kicked in, Credit Cards allowed folks to buy stuff.
Radio and TV "said" you "gotta have this to do that".
Oh I have nothing against pride of ownership, having nice stuff, heck even using a credit card to get something, instead of saving up, or doing lay-a-way.
I understand a wife, husband, even a kid don't really "need" that knife, but that wife just made over something pretty in MOP handles, that husband wants a handsome knife , or that kid just thinks that knife is so cute or pretty and "just my size, can I have it?".
Global Society with Internet.
One has to laugh, if they are honest, as folks are getting knives that were and still are tools , used from other places around the world.
I mean a Opinel looks a lot like a Sodbuster.
They are both the "working persons knife", of the peoples that made and used them.
Old Hickory Butcher knife resembles a Green River...
I carry a Case Peanut, just a early 1900 pattern design.
Case patterns like Stockman, Trapper, and Sodbuster have been around a long time as well. Other Companies make these patterns.
I guess I was in HS, before I saw and handled a Swiss Army knife , and Buck knife.
First thing I noticed on the Stockman, Buck had the blades in the wrong order.
My Case had the blades in the right order, so did some other brands.
Buck still has these in the wrong order according to how I come up.
The Tourist , hso, and I are on the same page, even though we "read" we are different.
Daily carry, and restrictions said some folks could not have a knife over 3" closed, it could not lock.
I was talking to hso and he suggested Rough Rider and Buck's knives made in China, to let folks handle and see if the pattern was for them.
I had Peanuts, which some already had, and use, but some wanted something different.
Tried that China Buck like a Buck Lancer made in USA.
So some folks leave the nice sentimental Peanut at home and use a Lancer.
The Tourist comes into play too.
A lady was wanting a nice kitchen knife, her husband asked me, and I don't know, but I know The Tourist does.
So I did a search using The Tourist , not only here on THR, other forums too.
I had some ideas and names and - I have no idea what this stuff is, honestly I don't.
That wife went to a cooking deal, a fun deal with some other ladies.
She got to handle some knives.
Her husband said "Here are some ideas that come recommended but honey, I don't know, but a starting point".
She was "armed" with education , a little bit, still she went in informed.
She found one that fit her hand, it was good looking and she liked it.
She wrote down all the information. It is not the most expensive, but it fits her and that was a non gift giving day gift.
Oh some of the other gals got more expensive ones, and time passes and they don't really fit their hands and ...they bought because it was expensive and everyone else was buying them.
I understand some of these knives, now never get used, or have been sold.
I have had some custom knives, darn things look like old patterns, with carbon steel blades, but still custom with nice handles.
Lots of folks I come in contact with have new, fancy knives, or SAKs.
That is fine for them...
Just that ain't me, and I was never one to have to the newest or most marketed stuff.
I currently have some "needs", can't get them.
I have some wants, maybe someday, but for me, I have needs.
The Tourist assists folks with his expertise.
hso assists with his.
Valkman his .
You need a dumb old southern boy to give input on a traditional knife you saw in a Case knife display at the hardware store, tractor supply , or feed and seed, I can offer some input.
It is all good...
Try before you buy, investigate and verify, but get what fits you.
Get quality for monies spent...
Not Hype.
