Tac45
06-12-2008, 08:43 PM
Having been around for a while and bought plenty of knives over the years, man are there a lot of knives about these days.
Twenty or so years ago there were a number of manufactuers, mainly big concerns who dominated the knife world. Most of the knives were your very standard looking field knives or lock back folders. Of course there were a few customs but you didn't hear much of them especially if you were on the other side of the world.
A few bold makers like Cold Steel jumped into the fray and bought the American Tanto to market. Spyderco added a hole to the blade of a folder and a clip to the scales. Pacific Cutlery brought out a butterfly knife called a Bali Song with a butterfly for a logo. The rest is history.
Ten or so years ago custom makers started creating more affordable designs and collaborating with manufacturers. Emerson made a nice little tanto folder for Benchmade. More custom makers started to get in on the act and before you knew it companies such as CRKT started making production versions of custom knives.
Today with the internet readily available more makers have started producing knives. New styles and variations on a theme have brought more people into knife collecting. The result. So much choice.
It's wonderful that someone like Noss is willing to devote some time and effort to having a website and forum that not only entertains but enlightens. I think it gives a great perspective on how much you can actually do with a knife. How many casual users would go camping and not chop wood with a knife for fear of damage? Read over inflated advertising, buy a knife break it and not bother any more?
We are spoilt for choice. And that is a beautiful thing.
Twenty or so years ago there were a number of manufactuers, mainly big concerns who dominated the knife world. Most of the knives were your very standard looking field knives or lock back folders. Of course there were a few customs but you didn't hear much of them especially if you were on the other side of the world.
A few bold makers like Cold Steel jumped into the fray and bought the American Tanto to market. Spyderco added a hole to the blade of a folder and a clip to the scales. Pacific Cutlery brought out a butterfly knife called a Bali Song with a butterfly for a logo. The rest is history.
Ten or so years ago custom makers started creating more affordable designs and collaborating with manufacturers. Emerson made a nice little tanto folder for Benchmade. More custom makers started to get in on the act and before you knew it companies such as CRKT started making production versions of custom knives.
Today with the internet readily available more makers have started producing knives. New styles and variations on a theme have brought more people into knife collecting. The result. So much choice.
It's wonderful that someone like Noss is willing to devote some time and effort to having a website and forum that not only entertains but enlightens. I think it gives a great perspective on how much you can actually do with a knife. How many casual users would go camping and not chop wood with a knife for fear of damage? Read over inflated advertising, buy a knife break it and not bother any more?
We are spoilt for choice. And that is a beautiful thing.