How pretty is "too pretty for the woods?"

[mainecoon]

Would you take an heirloom knife, something like the Buck Kalinga, into the woods and scratch it up, or leave it at home in a pretty box? I have mixed feelings on this. In a campsite, it's a bit ostentatious, but then again, what's the point of having it if you don't use it?

 

[WrongHanded]

If I'm not willing to use it, really use it, I don't buy it. Some people collect things because of historical significance, or because of visual appeal. I think that's great, but I have a more pragmatic outlook on purchases.

ETA: Even if it's a family heirloom, I use it. I have a 2" level that once belonged to my grandfather. Best level I've ever used. It lives at work. It may one day get dropped and broken, but til that day comes, it's an exceptional tool to have in my toolbox.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I went through this same dilemma with a Remington 700 rifle that I received from my grandfather. It was a very pretty blued steel and walnut stocked firearm. I took it on a hog hunt in OK and the heat, humidity, and terrible conditions beat the crap out of it. I felt guilty because there was a scratch here and the metal needed oiled there. I went out looking for a new hunting "beater" rifle to put my inherited rem 700 in the safe.

But I spoke to my father about it. A practical man, he asked me, "Why would your pap give you a rifle to not use? He didn't have alot of money and if he owned something, it had a purpose and the purpose would be to be used and not admired. He didn't have the money for wall-hangers. He would want you to use it."

So basically I decided to continue to rely on my most prized rifle. However, I have picked up two other rifles for when conditions get realllly nasty (marlin lever for the brush and winny xpr for the long shots). So basically, in your shoes, I decided to use it, but not beat it. In nicer weather in moderate areas, I'll take it. But if it's a blizzard or I'm in a swamp, I'll take something else.

Not to make this post all about me.... but if I were you, I would use it. But lightly. I wouldn't bushcraft and baton it, but I wouldn't be afraid to let a knife be a knife. That's why it was originally purchased, wasn't it??

 

[Gordon]

elaborate engraving or finishes that will wear in the field, extreme value , historic or ancient and weak disqualifies it for me.

 

[1stmarine]

...what's the point of having it if you don't use it?

Some might buy collection items as an investment.
Or to have it as a collection and leave it to someone who would appreciate it.
Some people might want to be buried with it in great condition.
Humans we have so many things we don't really need.

 

[Chris54326]

It simply boils down to.........................if I buy it for a specific purpose, then that's what I use it for. If it's a fancy collector (which I have none of) then it goes in a display case. If it's a hunting knife, pocket knife or carving knife, I use the durned thing for it's purpose. If it is a good hunting/camping knife and it looks purdy when I buy it, so be it. It might not be so purdy years down the road, but it will have done exactly what I've asked of it. I treat my firearms exactly the same way.

This reminds me of a beautiful muzzle-loader I once had hanging on my wall. Beautiful brass appointments and presentation grade wood. I never shot it because it was too beautiful. My brother asked if I'd sell it to him. We agreed on a price. About two years later, I saw him while he was preparing for a hunt. I looked in his shop and there, leaning against a bench, was my beautiful rifle.............all spray painted with camouflage. He could have cared less about the beauty of the rifle. He's a meat hunter and he had a specific use for the rifle. Should it hang on the wall all spit and polished, or should it be used for it's intended purpose????????????

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Well, since the Buck Kalinga is about a $120 knife... just buy another, put the heirloom in the display case and beat up the spare.

Best of both worlds!!!! Especially for me since it's your money!!!

 

[Danoobie]

I buy to use. Wound up getting rid of a beautiful rifle which was taking up space in the safe.
I was terrified I would ding or mar the stock. I couldn't enjoy it. I got the same type of rifle with a ratty
stock, and now I take it with me all the time. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Victoratsea]

I guess that would depend on what you consider an heirloom knife. The Buck kalinga, while stylish and a good skinning knife; is rather common and over- priced. Buck stamps them out like link sausages and for over $100 I would expect better steel. If some one were to gift me one, I would probably hone it to a nub from the constant sharpening I would give it to keep it razor sharp. Now, if somehow, I were to get cheap, a George Herron knife; I would have to think hard before I ever used it. George Herron created perfection in his knives and they sell for incredible prices. God rest him. That's an heirloom knife.

 

[bannockburn]

mainecoon

I would be more inclined to use it (and not abuse it), as this is why I bought the particular item in the first place. Had a limited edition Colt Combat Commander from Colt's Custom Gun Shop. In my mind it was just too pretty and too valuable to shoot so I ended up selling it to a friend of mine. Well he didn't think it was too anything not to use it and found out it was as accurate as a Colt Gold Cup. Finally found a couple of guns that he wanted and he traded my Combat Commander back to me for them. Lesson learned: if I'm not going to use a gun, a knife, or some such item because I think it's too nice or too valuable, then I must really not have any great need for it and I go with something that I'm going to put to good use.

 

[Kingcreek]

This is an easy question for me but others might feel differently.
I no longer own any knives or guns that I am unwilling to use. period.
I have had plenty of both but have reached the point where the joy of ownership alone does not justify the cost. I have purchased several custom knives over $500 each. I enjoyed having them for awhile but couldn't bring myself to use them, carried them only rarely and carefully. I'm almost 60 now and nobody in the family or close friends would appreciate them so I sold them. I still have very good quality custom fixed blade hunting knives but they get used and appreciated for their quality and their utility.
My only mild regret is selling a nice Larry Chew DA Spitfire. I sometimes wish I had just carried it, used it, scratched it up and kept it.

 

[jmr40]

If the knife has been in the family for generations and THAT knife cannot be replaced because of sentimental reasons I might leave it at home. If I had a $700 Randall, I MIGHT leave it home, but probably not. But a $120 knife that can be replaced is going to be used.

 

[entropy]

That's exactly what my son carries for a hunting knife; the Buck Kalinga my Dad gave him when he was twelve. What did he give ME for a hunting knife? A Glock he got to use up some Uniform allowance.....

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I used to be a Case collector. Bought at dealer cost +5%, cleaned, oiled & salted away. One of my retirement funds. Then came a divorce. In the middle of the Obama depression. Sold them on ebay, lost my butt on most. Now I buy knives for use.