Help! Should I use it?

[spydercojoe]

I am in pain. Just traded for a Jess Horn frn ,plain edge. I have two others that I have used over the years but this one is soo razer sharp and the blade is really great with no play. I see one that was just sold on e-bay for over $80 so do I put it in the "investment " drawer or do I use it ? It has been sitting on the edge of my pocket ready for some action--- what to do.
This really brings out a deep down feeling I think us knife nuts are tortured with , actually two, 1. the quest for the perfect knife and 2. when one is found do you use it. YIKES, So your thoughts will help. Joe

[smcfalls13]

Use it.

That's what it was made for. You'll never be able to appreciate it, if you just gawk at it. If you're really afraid of messing it up, try to find yourself a backup. Than you'll be able to abuse the knife you love, without worrying that it might be irreplaceable.

Just my $.02

[The Deacon]

Joe, let's look at this another way. Is there any knife out there which you would pay $80+ for and then use? If so, by all means use the Horn. If not, then put it on the shelf. I look at it this way, while not a "dime a dozen" the C38PBK is by no means scare, so it's not as if you could not replace it or acquire another as a safe queen sometime in the future.

[Tank]

Hi Joe,
I use all the knives I buy. A knife in a drawer or display case never to be touched or used in not my cup of tea,(although if I had the $ to buy two of each I might have a different opinion) But my real enjoyment comes from holding, playing, using it and feeling it in my pocket etc.. So I say use it and enjoy it. But thats just my 2 cents. Nice score BTW.

Peace

[TheKnifeCollector]

I would use it!!

[greencobra]

I'm the black sheep here on this subject. I say noooooo, not unless you can get another one with some ease. It's OK to want to collect the stuff. I firmly believe you can enjoy it just as much looking and admiring as those who use the collectables. If you're asking, well.....your decision.

[Axlis]

If you get a back-up, I say use it!

[spydercojoe]

you all have good points. I am leaning hard on using it. Dont misunderstand, I am not afraid of using any Spyderco with one exception , my WTC knife. That one has been through enough and deserves shelf time.
I even have "altered" many fine Spyderco knives making them better for my own personal use. For example I ground off carefully without over heating the big top crown over the hole of the Gunting. This makes it a much more practical knife for me.
It is that this Jess Horn is so perfect. The only thing is I am left handed and I cant switch the clip. But that doesnt really matter. I think that I will use it unless someone talks me out of it .

[Chris_H]

It has been sitting on the edge of my pocket ready for some action

It is that this Jess Horn is so perfect. I think that I will use it unless someone talks me out of it .

I say use it -- that's what you want to do anyway -- go for it! You'll have to wait for somebody else to talk you out of it.

[Mr Blonde]

Using is not the same as ruining it. I enjoy some of my finer Spydies, like limited editions or Santa Fe Spydies, by carrying and using them. That doesn't mean I go out of my way to put scratches on them.

Wouter

[Michael Cook]

Knife collecting is hardly capitol investment. What's the most profit you'll hope for on a spyderco investment? $200-$400? That's not gonna put yer kids through college. Knife collecting is about the love of the blade not the love of money. There are much better ways to make money.

[pjrocco]

I'm a hardcore collector. I have well over 140 Spyderco knives and some others. I go though this almost once a week. Looking at a model, beating myself up if I should use it or not... 9 times out of 10.. I don't. But if I really want to use it and I know I can most likely find another.. I will.

So after that being said... I say "No"... until you find a second one.

Also...like Wouter said:

Using is not the same as ruining it. That doesn't mean I go out of my way to put scratches on them.

[spydercojoe]

the last two posts had unbeatable arguments both ways, and having looked and thought some more I found that if you clip the jess Horn on the outside of my leather belt on the left side ( I am left handed) I discover a way to carry it in a left handed retreaval method. You all keep going- I think I am gonna carry it.
The main thing here though isnt just my Jess Horn it is a "struggle" we are all either plagued with or one that we enjoy- go figure.
Having seen the most awsome knives that sit in Sal's office I wonder what torment he must go through.

[WOTANSON1]

I say, Use what you like, like what you use!!! Alot of guys here post how thier FRN knives are in their 10th year+ of use.
Cheers,
Rob

[smcfalls13]

and having looked and thought some more I found that if you clip the jess Horn on the outside of my leather belt on the left side ( I am left handed) I discover a way to carry it in a left handed retreaval method.

A knife set up for right handed carry, when worn on the outside of the pocket, has an extraction identical to a left handed knife. Clipping it on the belt will do the same thing, because it will clip "backwards." Which for us sinister folks, will be the correct way.

[zenheretic]

... Having seen the most awsome knives that sit in Sal's office I wonder what torment he must go through.

He has a factory to back him up, not to mention his "my knives are made to be used philosophy"...I doubt he misses a wink of sleep worrying about using 99.99% of his knives.

If any of you are finding the burden of material goods, specifically your spydercos, to unbearable, send me an email and I'll take the burden off your soul...maybe send you a book on Zen philosophy to fill the void...

[224477]

If I understood your matter correct, you should have another two, then use the two. And keep this one in the drawer...
If you have only one, use it also, but take care of it. Or buy a byrd user...

[spydercojoe]

Hey 22447, you kind of understood me having two more except for the fact that this new one is the best one. The blade it lock solid tight with no play laterally and very very little play up and down. Unfortunately the other Jess Horns have alot of play up and down. Not from use , just came that way. So now I have a brand new in perfect shape Jess Horn that functions better then the other "slightly" used ones that I have---- thus the delima

[vinny72xx]

Yup, I say use it, though I don't collect anything, at least in the traditional sense. I own plenty of things I'd never sell, things handed down to me in used condition, and I continue to use them. They have much more sentimental value, knowing that my father, grandfather, etc., used them.