Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors I might just have to do one... And I definitely agree with everything you said, especially about weight and especially about the tacticool bs. Not sure ill be able to think of any that haven't already been mentioned!
Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors hey Man! You're right, military, police marketing angle etc scare mass market off. Victorinox doesn't scare anybody, they have no TACTICAL, SELF DEFENSE and other bullshit application that's why they sell millions of knives per year. Not so with you on more getting killed by screwdrivers. My opinion - kitchen knife is number one, everybody have that, some aholes may not do a thing themselves, so don't have a screwdriver)) Fuck the lottery, people need to have full disclosure, informed of their chance of winning 1 in N millions
As a Vietnam vet I can honestly say that knives in combat were universally considered to be tools. My Ontario Air Force Survival Knife dug holes, pried crates open, cut through metal, and occasionally stirred some savory C-rats simmering over a C-4 fire. When the SHTF we called in some artillery, not a Randall Fighting Knife.
I literally bought a delica today in orange for this exact reason. Hadn't seen you're review nick, Peter or slicey dicey or bsiv. Best point ever on that, I'm no seal team 6, and my wife hates my knife habit. Orange delica isn't scary ever.
The main idea I took from this is that I want to start a screwdriver company and market them as tactical screwdrivers that are great for self defense and stabbing things. They would be lightweight, super steel, quick one handed deploying screwdrivers. I'll need to buy a lotto ticket and win in order to finance the startup of the screwdriver company. Thanks, man!
What kind of handles will they have? G-10? Micarta? Will you have a folding model? Think of how much more damage your Camp Kowabunga Tactical Multihead Screwdriver could do with a battery. I hope you win the lottery. Your company sure to be a hit unless too many people watch this video.
spyderco needs a delica commercial where hipsters are pulling different colored delicas from their skinny jeans and using them as tools for daily tasks. it would be ingenious. why is there no marketing done by these big production companies? just keep cold steel off the tv... they’ll scare everyone away.
Pancake Jones oh god wish I could like this comment more some guy was going on and on about how light the that new blue be made is while wearing an invicta brick on his wrist
Regarding #5 (marketing toward the general public as opposed to the tactical slash survivalist crowd) - I recall a time in the US when every hardware store had at least one knife display case. All the mom & pop hardware stores have fallen to the big box Lowes & Home Depot's plus the 5000 ACE Hardware stores across the land. None of these stores (that I've been in) have a knife display in them. This has taken knives out of the public eye in a significant way. Even though many sporting goods chain stores do display knives we spend far more time looking at home repair/improvement items than camping/hunting stuff. Plus our wives (generalization alert) will go to Lowes with us but not so much to Bass Pro Shop. Point is that this diminished public visibility has made knives more of a 'dirty little secret'. Even the general obsession with deep-carry pocket clips reflects our tendency to hide them away. Knives not being available & on display in hardware stores has diminished the public perception of them as a tool since they're no longer beside hammers & pliers where we shop. In my opinion, manufacturers should strive to get their products back into the public eye with displays of their 'practical' (non-tactical) models.
Regarding your second opinion, I work with horses, and must carry a knife to free up tangled horses before they have time to panic, and every half second is critical, thus a super fast flipper with serrations is essential for me. Otherwise, in everyday use I totally agree.
Such a good point, that #5. I had a co-worker get a bit freaked out when I handed her my Delica4 to cut open a box the other day. There's no better tool for the job, yet she seemed a bit alarmed. I didn't hand it to her point first, nothing like that. My wife, too. I constantly have to remind her that knives are a tool, not a weapon. Now you've inspired me... I want to open a pocket tool company (that exclusively makes knives). Also hate the lottery. It's balls ass.
I'd love this too! I like knives for what they can do and the design & execution aspects! I hate explaining and not being believed that I DO NOT want anyone hurt, but love guns & knives for mechanics, history, innovation and artistry
6:00 I had an Opinel No8 gifted to me years ago (in the late 80s/early 90s). In the 20 years that I owned it, that straight Carbon steel blade ended up looking like a recurve. Oh, and I snapped the tip off when it was about 18 years old. That did something to it because I could never get a good edge on it after that. I think I killed its soul.
"Tactical" knife marketing and the lottery are basically the same thing. Both trade on feeding the addictive/irrational hope/fear that there might be that one in a million moment right around the corner. So you better have that tactical tomahawk next to your bed, just like you better make sure to have your lotto ticket. You never know when your numbers might come up, or when the ninjas might come for you. So give us your money, just in case!
Was rewatching this video again (as I've done several times)... still one of my favs hands down. Great thoughtful messages and good for the community we love to take these ideas to heart.
Further to my revisit. I have found over the past year or so that there are many types of 'knife collector confession reactions'. The first is "Oh, I collect knives too" and then they talk about their GoT replica swords that they bought on eBay for 150 bucks each. Then there are the people that just look at you with a mixture of fear and confusion and the obligatory "You're not going to stab me in my sleep are you?" type joke. Or the people that are curious but refuse to touch a knife. Kinda like people who say they love snakes but cringe when offered one to hold. The rarest reaction is "Oh, I collect knives too..." and then ask what type of knives you collect with genuine interest.
Hear! Hear! Point 5! My housemate asked recently if she should be afraid that I have Seven bladed implements (her words: "that many knives...") in my room. My response was that she has at least a dozen in the kitchen drawer (not including the steak and butter knives). My knives are all tools. From the Golok to the No7 Opinel. The steel varies in all the knives, but that is because I use them all for different purposes. I like all your points. And yes, I also like Nick's arguments.
Imagine a g10 handled screw driver with a black DLC coating. "Perfect for home improvement projects and to keep by your night stand for when you hear that bump in the night!" This was a fantastic video. I totally agree that we need to make knives seen as tools instead of weapons. If knives were seen as tools, we would have less restrictions on things like automatics or blade length. There are no screw driver length restrictions haha
Amen. You have totally hit it on the head. Every point.....absolutely correct. And the lottery plus gambling....a total drain on people who have the least amount to spend......👍👍👍
I know this is older but I just watched it and thought I'd chime in...totally agree on your first point. I wear a ton of basketball shorts (self employed) my main EDC these days? a Hinderer XM-24...thats a nearly 8 ounce knife...and I have 0 problems keeping my pants up. I don't get the weight paranoia.
On lotteries, I view them and all gambling as such: Entertainment with the off chance of even greater entertainment when you win. When I play cards, I don't bet money to try and win; I bet money to raise the stakes and make the experience of winning or loosing that much more intense in order grant me greater amounts of entertainment. All money brought to a table should be viewed as a sunk cost that I will likely never get back. I am just paying for entertainment.
As for #5, Somewhere once I saw an old ROMAN Multi tool. (YES ROMAN around 100 AD) it had a 3 tined fork, a a folding Knife Blade, and something else I can’t remember. I think it was made of Bronze. Some research probably could find it. There was a few pictures of it. It was in rough shape, but still all there. The historian stated it probably belonged to a wealthy person that traveled on business, or for pleasure. Just thought I’d mention it.
In my opinion ... someone saying, "Dude, that blade is too freakin' big" is a *SELLING POINT* ! I've never held an XL Edpada, and *MAYBE* I'd draw the line there, but when a 4" blade is "too big for EDC" (except for legal reasons) I just have to SMH. You get reviewers who say that because "it's too big for opening packages", yet they concealed carry a pistol that they'll (hopefully) rarely use. If all I wanted was a utility knife to open packages, I'd spend a few bucks on a Stanley box cutter!
As a utility knife collector I've just discovered your channel and I'm so glad to find a kindred spirit. I'm a different generation in a different country but you speak for me. Keep it going
Good objective opinions as usual. Totally agree on the weight, blade steel and tactical separation. The amount of people that view all knives (except kitchen knives) as aggressive weapons is phenomenal. Most people don't bat an eye if I whip out my deluxe tinker to perform a task, but a lot of those same people totally freak when I pull out a Spyderco or Benchmade neither of which are remotely tactical or aggressive in my opinion. Don't even think about pulling an Emerson out, it's like you've pulled a gun and stuck it in their face. To a degree I understand their fear, especially here in Australia where we don't have a gun culture to desensitise the masses. But marketing and media share a lot of the blame and don't help when it comes to perception.
6. Lottery. "Tax on hope" is a good description. My more negative take is that it's taking advantage of the desperate. Not everybody who plays is desperate, but far more desperate people will play. Percentage of the population who play and income level are inversely proportional - the lower your income, the more likely you are to play.
I use my knives more for food prep and yard work than anything else. I am 68 yr. old and traveled the country from coast to coast and only had to use a knife for protection 2 times. I am happy to have survived my youth but I do have to say a cane or walking stick will beat a knife every time. I do love my knives and they are good tools but people are so afraid for no good reason.
Honestly as for number 5 I get it that not everyone is into that aspect of knives but really they can be used for self-defense and it should be allowed. Never used one for that purpose myself, I have opened a lot of packets of food lol and packages that were delivered. But still, it is a valid reason.
Couldn't agree with every single point more, ESPECIALLY number 5! Here in America the tactical survival nonsense image is overdone to the point of being so cheesy. It's terrible and like you said, turns a lot of people off including even myself. Rock on dude. Love the channel.
Love the video. I cringe (while rolling my eyes) when people on UA-cam stress the "tactical" use of knives. I often wonder how often regular old people are using their knives for self defense.
I would say it's important for me to know the weight of a knife. All else equal, I'd rather have a lighter knife. But it's rarely a deal breaker unless it goes way over the heavy side. Also, I never heard of tactical tomahawks before this video. Even if I don't agree with everything you said, it's cool to see more folks discuss these topics. I'm fully on board with your discussion on the "tactical" marketing.
Hi merry Christmas to you. This is my first comment on an internet pltfm. 46 years old I supposed I can start. I am collecting knives since I was 4 I believe. I convinced my Mother to buy me an Opinel n2. YES the odd one with a plastic handle and no lock.Ridiculously small but cruelly sharp. Your thoughts about the knives acceptance in the society are really relevant I think. Tanks a lot for all your videos.
your point about the lottery 100% accurate. I lived with a friend years ago that lost his job, had only $100 left. instead of using it to keep us afloat till he could find a job, he spent it all on lotto scratch offs. hope and desperation made him believe that god would let him win. surprise we didn't win shit.
Hey Pete! I think your point about knife marketing is super salient even 4 years after posting this video. If you haven't already done it (I still have a lot of catching up to do on your older videos), you should make a video highlighting both types of marketing: the ridiculous over-the-top military ad, & the sensible ad you'd like to see companies make. I think it'd be really entertaining on both sides. Dig the new house, my man, & hope everything's going well with you, the family, & Ada. 😃
I agree with everything you say in this video. Including the point about screwdrivers, lottery, etc. These are much better than your choice of purple hoodie with blueberry fruit stripe t-shirt. Just kidding man! ;-) I just found your videos recently and they are really good. Plenty of helpful information and pretty entertaining, as well. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into the hobby.
Absolutely agree. Can't stand the whole weight argument. "B-but, it weighs a whole 4.2 ounces!" My EDC is a Buck 110, two large multitools, varying knives, two flashlights, Victorinox nail clippers, a pair of gloves, a carabiner, three paracord bracelets, a paradox necklace, lock picks, a tape measure, and a small multitool. All the time. Wherever I am, my EDC is. Seriously, even when hiking, an extra 2 ounces isn't gonna kill'ya.
Great points about trying to overuse tactical as a selling point. Agree in principle about lottery. My wife and I spent $20 (US) a year. Cheaper than a movie to imagine good life. Anything more seems overkill.
Okay, here's the thing about knives being marketed as weapons. Everybody brings up this point like it's some sort of enigma as to "why we can't have nice things" in the knife community. Weapon marketing isn't the reason the knife community can't have nice things. Anti-weapon fascists are the reason we can't have nice things. In a country where I can carry a concealed firearm with far more lethality on my own time, a knife as a defensive tool shouldn't bother anybody with a strong stomach that backs a logical mind capable of reason. The reason many of us can't carry knives into work isn't because knives aren't allowed at work, but because "weapons" aren't allowed at work. Work has become an enslavement contract that dictates how well you can or can't defend yourself and how well you can do your job based on someone else's standards. That someone else being the fascist who believes they should dictate what we have on our person. You guys might think we need to put knives into a positive anti-weapon light, but I think this "enigma" will improve once weapons are seen in a positive light in general. Your argument is something along the lines of, "we're losing the right to carry knives as weapons, so let's fight for a right to carry knives as tools." You can't have one without the other. It's a two-way street. My incredibly unpopular 2 cents.
" Weapon marketing isn't the reason the knife community can't have nice things. Anti-weapon fascists are the reason we can't have nice things." BINGO. Too many nanny state loving pussies are the problem.
Im gonna play devil's advocate. A knife IS a tool... A gun IS a wepon. A knife is next to the hammer, one of the first tools man used. A TOOL is a instrument of utilitarian use. A WEAPON is an instrument of solely combat/self defense. You don't use a gun or brass knuckles to help build a house, put up a door, take down a door, open a package. A knives intended use is not self defense. Just like if i made and marketed a shovel as a self defense wepon... It can be but that's not its intended purpose. When would anyone who carried a firearm EVER use a 3.5" folding knife for self defense INSTEAD of the firearm on there person?? Promoting knives as self defence weapons is partly the reason "we can't have nice things" We're never going to convince every "pussy" that weapons are a good thing lol period. Lets just stop trying to add fuel to the fire.
I think it's both/and. The fascists are a problem, yes, but the knife community has given them a lot of ammunition, most of which stems from ignorant mall ninjas who have no business carrying anything that could conceivably be used as a weapon because they'll undoubtedly hurt themselves and everyone around them should they ever try to use it.
SSS I totally agree. The marketing is the main issue. If we market anything as a weapon when it performs other tasks way better and way more then the weapon part is all that gets seen and the others are overlooked. Weapon trumps tool even if it's a better tool than weapon.
Weight for me is more about two things, 1. Balance - is the knife balanced between blade and handle, I prefer thinner blade thickness and want the balance point at the finger choil. 2. Footprint/bulge - you covered this point well.
I agree with all of your unpopular opinions, particularly the “tactical army law enforcement survivalist” marketing. I’m never going to use my Ka-bar to fight my way past leather-clad marauding be-mohawked bikers in a desert wasteland, but I like owning a piece of history that has form and function perfected, and is aesthetically pleasing.
I quite enjoyed this video . You've made some good points and we do have a lot of steel snobs in the hobby . My Father called lotteries a tax on the poor and the stupid . He also told me never to gamble more money than i could afford to loose , so I don't spend a lot on them .
Daaaaamn. I agree with all your opinions in this video. Especially number 5. I wholeheartedly agree, in order for the EDC knife world to grow , marketing needs to switch from a mixed message of tactical and edc to a more focused approach. It literally would change the industry tremendously. The growth would be immsesurable if EDC knives were considered as tools by the common "everyday" user. This all starts from the top though. So Spyderco, ZT, and all you other knife Giants, if you are paying attention, make that switch and create that impact. You'll change the world.
Regarding knife weight, I very much agree. The Benchmade Bugout is a 'solution' to a non-existent problem. Though I had a Steel Will Bruiser 500 for awhile & at 9oz (255 grams) it proved to be quite impractical. Deployment speed is almost always about fun & feel though I was in the food line at Bark River Knife CO's "Grind In" back in June when one of the food prep people asked if anyone had a knife to open a package of hotdogs and my trusty Griptilian won the race & saved the day. Great video btw. I bought a lottery ticket once. That was enough.
Can't disagree with anything you said. What I thought of when you got into blade steel, though, is that the people who only own/carry one knife are often (not always, but often) the the ones who couldn't care less about the steels that hold their edge longest. It's the folks with massive collections to rotate in/out of their edc that obsess about edge retention. LOL
Really enjoyed this and everyone of the opinions are all very true. As soon as I get the chance I think I'll try to do one of these vids as well seems like a lot of fun. Well brother hope your having a great day talk to you later
You make some good points. Before you mentioned them, I was thinking "Victorinox has their marketing all sussed out." The odds of winning the Euromillions top prize is 1 in 139,838,160. Yep, it could be you...
Do people need a knife as much as they would need a screw driver? If you need to screw or unscrew something, only a screwdriver can fulfill that role. For cutting there are multi tools, scissors, and box cutters that are alternatives for people not into knives. Most people have knives for food and kitchen tasks but probably don't see knives good for anything else(other than self defense). I worked in a warehouse for 13 years before I got into knives and a $0.99 box cutter with 100 refills for $2 did almost everything a knife could. So whether a knife looks tactical or not, it still would be a hard sell to the mass market on why they would need to carry a knife.
One more thing, trying to convince the general public to buy a knife is one thing. Trying to get them to spend more than $20 on a knife may even be a harder sell.
I've seen and liked a few of your videos but this one prompted me to subscribe. I pretty much agree on all points. The only one I don't entirely agree on is knife steel - but in my case I think 8CR13MoV is fine (for my needs) although, having recently picked up a RAT 1 in D2 I do like it. My problem is that I have discovered that the Spyderco Resilience is my 'favorite' EDC knife (right now, at least) and to my knowledge they haven't done a D2 version of it. As far as the overly tactical knives, I also agree to a large extent. Sort of along those lines I have to ask why do mass market knife companies constantly insist on ruining what would probably be pretty decent, production knives by putting damn serrations on the blade? Serrations work pretty well on steak knives, I guess but for everything else they just get in the way. That is a trend that I would like to see go away. Honestly, what I would really like to see - what I think would be the ultimate EDC knife, for me - would be a large sized, 'mass market' (as in I could get it for $40, give or take) Sodbuster style knife with a pocket clip (not for tactical reasons but just because I like the ease of accessing it), locking blade (I had a slipjoint knife close on my hand when I was in my teens - I keep my knives sharp, don't believe we are meant to see our knucklebones and would just as soon not repeat that experience) and one-hand opening capability (again, not for tactical reasons but just for convenience, especially if my other hand is occupied.) It doesn't have to 'flip' open quickly I'd just like to be able to easily open it one-handed. I would love for such a blade to be done in high carbon steel (I still prefer high carbon to stainless for pretty much any type of knife - shhh, don't tell the knife steel snobs.)
I have to say, I am also a non-lotto person too, no matter how high the jackpot becomes. I think your opinions on the knives are in line with most people. When I was a young soldier, many years ago, I carried a Swiss Army Knife. In the field, I also carried a fixed blade. As an older soldier, I largely moved onto multitools, such as a Leatherman or Gerber. I never considered a knife as a weapon and I carried firearms anyway. Lately, I have started to carry a rescue knife when driving. I doubt I will ever use it, but a single use would justify it being handy. The weight of a knife sometimes matters to me. When I wear elastic or draw string shorts, weight matters. By the way, I work with people who have broken tips on their knives due to using them as pry bars or as a screwdriver. I don't loan knives I like to others, but I keep a cheap knife handy and even that is not for those tip breakers. By the way, the tests here have kept me from buying a ZT 0630 or a 0909 in S35VN even though they are on closeout.
If you long distance hike the weight of your knife (and everything else) matters, if you pack loads of bulky, heavy gear you have to carry it and if you strain or injure yourself through this, yup...you still have to carry it out of the middle of nowhere. The A.T. has boxes where people abandon gear that's weighing them down and one of the most common items left are big/heavy knives. You are right in why this weight obsession has carried over into areas where it really doesn't matter but in some it does.
I personally need a good opening knife because yours truly has carpal tunnel from time to time, and opening my 'regular' sized cold steel recon 1 can be a pain when carpal tunnel takes over
"Lottery is just a tax on hope." You, sir, are a word smith, and I love it! Also, I so rarely see or hear the word insipid used in a sentence. We need more articulate content creators such as yourself to combat the vapidity of social media.
The lottery is indeed a tax on the poor. It is designed (and has been frequently redesigned) to maximize revenue garnered from the poor while minimizing the chance of a payout. It is similar not only to casinos, where the house always wins but also to insurance companies that carefully evaluate risk to avoid paying out. However, I don't agree about your prescribed alternative - just save that money. Don't get me wrong; I agree with the goal of saving, but the reason that people play the lottery is that our economic structures, especially in the past 30 years, have made it increasingly difficult for normal working people to survive, let alone save sufficiently to attend the needs of the next generation. That is not accidental, either. Corporations have hijacked our legislative processes with "lobbying" (read legalized bribery) to stagnate wages, limit their responsibilities to workers, and decimate labor protections. Poor people may not be aware of all those mechanisms and machinations, but they do know that unlike their parents, they now have to work three jobs just to pay basic bills. The lottery then is like high-interest predatory loans that target people who are already struggling and desperate. Change the structures so that corporations cannot screw their workers so hard and people will be less interested in the lottery.
Huge like for this comment. Corporations have gone past the point of harming!! I'm not into communism/ socialism, capitalism is JUST as unbalanced, just on the other end of the spectrum. What the problem is seems people paid and rewarded to force and mine for more savings-based profit. It's riduculous and a super tiny amount of people have set it in the mind of society that people are less value and importance than nonsentient profit money. Business now doesn't even wanna touch less than outrageous amount and convenience of return on investment for irrational fear they will miss easy money! Average people with their head on straight are wage slaves.. Making barely enough to survuve to do more to make more for the owner. How many billions are wasted calculating the least they can compensate workers and operate? The fight on robots is that they are more profitable brc after recouping robotics cost they are pure money makung machines like a milling machine was bought fir the day it only operated at pure profit. People are not profitable enough. There will never be enough profit for the greedy.
Thank you Pete.I really needed to hear the perceived need point in regard to super steels ( I have gotten to the point where I usually don’t go lower than s30v as a baseline and have gotten stuck at zdp_189😅)
There's one lotto in my area that is relatively popular. I did the math one day to calculate the odds of winning the jackpot. nearly every human being on Earth would have to buy TWO unique numbered tickets for a winner to be guaranteed on a given draw... roughly one in 14 billion. While I'm okay with people having the choice to throw their money away on these slim hopes to buy a ticket out of their squalor, I'd also be okay if the lottery was done away with. I don't think either is inherently more immoral than the other. I concur with most of your points, Pete, and on knife steels in particular, since I find sharpening an enjoyable hobby. I have a personal appreciation for a nice patina on carbon and tool steels, so one of my unpopular opinions would be to see more modern folders with such steels.
You've hit the nail on the head Pete. I appreciate your thoughts and feelings on the topic, and I think a lot of people would enjoy your opinions on a broader spectrum of topics than just knives. Always refreshing to see someone well spoken relay their beliefs concisely without feeling the need to start a dick measuring contest. Keep it up mate! 👍
This video was enough to get me to subscribe even without the lottery thing. The untold story of lottery winners is most are less happy after they win.
I do Macmillan's "lottery" it's a shitty top prize, and it costs me a quid a week. Ive had 2 grants out of them when i lost the health lottery and got cancer. It's just a charity donation that pays off for many sick people that may be worse off whilst ill. I live from cheque to cheque and don't miss it
Totally agree on super steels and the whole tactical bollocks. Learn to sharpen your knife, if you cant doesn't matter what steel you get at some point your knife will be an expensive paper weight. Personally as someone who enjoys sharpening and usually has a couple of knives on them i really dont care. I touch almost everything i use up to shaving sharp every few days on a strop. Its way easier to do that on something around the 440c level than some super expensive steel.
for your second opinion... think about going into elevator with your dog, but right as the doors close your dog runs out and you are left with the leash in your hand and dog out side the elevator strapped into the leash... i think at this point every millisecond will count to open you knife and cut that leash and save the pup... but yeah mostly it really doesn't matter imo how fast the knife opens.
come on, you get the point :D English isn't my native language... basically there are some situations where time matters the most when you need to cut something
budoka92 You could just take the stairs to prevent this worrisome scenario. Or get a cat instead. Imaginative though! And you're right about the possibility of time being of vital importance. Chances are pretty slim that any of us will experience an "Oh if only I had a [inset perceived fastest deployment type here] knife!" moment in life. Speed of deployment is not simply the action of the knife. Getting it into your hands from your pocket takes longer than most blade deployments and that'll depend on how you're dressed & where you carry it. Familiarity with what you carry will give your dog a fighting chance.
Funny story about the lottery. My In-laws play all the time, and my wife told me when she was a kid she went to the store with her mom, so her mom could buy her ticket for the week. My wife said she asked her mom how to pick the numbers, then picked them, and gave them to her mom......well....she of course didn't buy the ticket with her daughter's numbers, but later when the numbers were drawn, they were the numbers my wife had picked. I didn't believe it at the time, but we have been together for 9 years now and they bring it up a couple times a year. Never bought one myself
I completely agree with your thoughts! Here in Norway we have tried to reduce gambling, but's in an uphill battle. We still have a national lottery being broadcasted on the national channel which is just absurd! At least the slot machines are gone, but now the internett casinos is marching in :( Even famous fotballers and bloggers are promoting this negative business. I can't say that I look up to these people promoting gambling. A friend of my brother lost 10K USD in one night!! Its very easy to loose control especially if you win some at first!
And how is that loss of you friends brother anyones fault or issue but his? I gamble from time to time because its fun. Trying to restrict peoples fun because ohhh some people have no self control is just ignornat
I'm too broke from buying knives to play the lottery! Good video, good points. I like the D2 of my Rat better than the 154 of my 2 Emersons, but man, nobody designs a sexier knife than Ernie Emerson. That said, I probably won't buy anymore of them. Kershaw Emersons look really nice with some nicer steels so all is not lost.
Very nice video man. Those are all extremely unpopular but also extremely true. You did a fantastic job explaining it and #5 was perfect. That was the best description I have ever heard about why most people aren't accepting of the knife culture. Very Very Very Great Job !!! 👏🏼
I hope my wife does not see this, but she bought me a tac-tickle pry bar, Titanium, nice sharp edge, $85.00 American. She was so proud that she got it for me for Christmas. So everyday I clip it in my pants, and off I go. Still have not used it, but someday I will, maybe...anybody need a paint can opened?
Honestly, I’ve almost 80 knives that I carry, that’s at least 8,000 cuts or almost 5 years before I need to sharpen a knife, and by then, I’ll have bought at least another 60 - 120 knives. Edge retention matters not a jot! I sharpen knives because I like producing mirror edges! Now point 5 is key to the future! In the uk everyone is paranoid about knife crime. It’s part of the reason for my channel. I only show UK legal, sub 3" non-locking pocket knives. So far, I’ve shown over 70 options for UK carry that don’t break the law.
That is the 5 knife commandments. Sorry about Australia vs France! #5 sounds like Ernie Emerson and Lynn Thompson. There was a guy named Mick Strider, but I dont think he really exists.
I agree... About your points 1.-3. I basically think the same... About point 4. I do not fully agree. Everyone should know that most tactical tomahawks are not the ideal choice for processing wood, but what you forgot to mention IMHO are the hybrid designs: for ex.: Medford Tomahawk Axe, or CRKT Kangee T-Hawk and Chogan T-Hawk, or Böker Carnivore, or TOPS Hammer Hawk and VI AX, etc... These multi-purpose or all-purpose Hatches, Axes, Entry-Tools, Survival-Tools and "Tactical Tomahawks" some of those hybrids are actually designed for a specific variety of uses. For example: some of them offer a good wood processor which would serve you well as a defensive weapon, or an entry-tool that also makes an acceptable wood processor. The problem with alot of these tools is adequately mentioned on your point 5.:The declaration and promo bullcrab missinforms the customers and scare a lot of people of, and (what I found worst) it ring the alarm bells of not just lawenforcement, but also rangers and of course all non-knife-people who look at you like you were Freddy Krüger... 6. I hope I soon win the lottery so I could produce a "Tacticool Tomahawk" which offers you the best of both worlds: an adequate forest axe on one side and a propper chill pill to cure the paranoia of spending the night alone in the woods... Nice video btw...
The tacticool and bushcrafting scene is my personal pet peeve. I EDC fixed blades. The main reason are Germany's fucky laws due to which one hand knives (can open and lock blade with one hand) are practically forbidden to carry. I also just like fixed knives better. Do you know how hard it is to find good ones for that purpose? The selection is really small. The blades are often coated black, which I really hate as it makes for worse cutting, looks terrible and serves absolutely none of my purposes. They also look scary to some people or they think you're a tryhard. Thanks to bushcrafting and especially knife videos about it makers make their fixed blades thicker than necessary. If you know some idiot is going to baton with it instead of using a hatchet you have to make it thicker. Thick knives carry much worse than thin ones and they slice worse. You also only get them in sheathes that carry low so everyone is going to see that you're carrying a fixed blade. It looks too excentric in an office or if you're in the city. So more fixed EDC knives please, knife companies! I don't like to look like I'm about to operate a tactical tier-1 operator terrorist hunt operation. I also don't like fat knives made to chop wood like a moron that has never heard of axes and hatchets.
Spyderco is one of the very few companies that actually makes fixed knives good for EDC. I regularly carry a Street Beat and a Junction. Especially the Junction is great but nobody ever talks about it.
I find a flatter knife to be more comfortable in the pocket, but also less comfortable for heavy cutting. Weight usually only matters when I have a small pocket knife in my dress slacks at work. So I agree, in case that is not clear. I have to say though, that if you have been in a fight where someone is choking you that from that point on, you will likely want a knife you can open easily with one hand. Just saying. If anything just to give you options in that (for most people) rare situation so you don't panic. Ok, one more comment - tactical hawks? When I was a kid, it was "throwing stars" and "nunchucks." Yes, that was the '70s.
The Swiss Army knife is so well marketed as a useful safe tool the uk knife legalisation mentions them as an example as a sub tree inch non locking knife
I think, two years after this was made, that the industry is changing to this. Gerber specifically is marketing to edc and regular sportsman as much as the war fighter. I see Chinese knife companies marketing to edc gear as trendy much more than old school companies such as Spyderco or Benchmade.
I would love to see other knife content creators do their own!
I was about to say, are you doing a Nick? Then you said it...LOLZ
Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors I might just have to do one... And I definitely agree with everything you said, especially about weight and especially about the tacticool bs. Not sure ill be able to think of any that haven't already been mentioned!
Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors hey Man! You're right, military, police marketing angle etc scare mass market off. Victorinox doesn't scare anybody, they have no TACTICAL, SELF DEFENSE and other bullshit application that's why they sell millions of knives per year.
Not so with you on more getting killed by screwdrivers. My opinion - kitchen knife is number one, everybody have that, some aholes may not do a thing themselves, so don't have a screwdriver))
Fuck the lottery, people need to have full disclosure, informed of their chance of winning 1 in N millions
I might do this, seems like a fun concept :D
The only knife that should be use in war for killing people is called a Bayonet, and it is on the front of a rifle.
As a Vietnam vet I can honestly say that knives in combat were universally considered to be tools. My Ontario Air Force Survival Knife dug holes, pried crates open, cut through metal, and occasionally stirred some savory C-rats simmering over a C-4 fire. When the SHTF we called in some artillery, not a Randall Fighting Knife.
Finally someone says it. Most people dont seem to realize that knives are hardly ever used as weapons.
Thank you for your service, continuing in the form of this awesomely insightful comment.
I’m a little bit younger than you. Iraq and Afghanistan were my theatre’s. I agree with you 100%!!
Number 5 is deeply freakin’ on point, thank you. That’s incredible, but it deeply needs to be said more often.
That's why I like to give the different coloured Delica's has gifts, great EDC knife design, and doesn't scare anyone.
Nick, both videos are excellent.
If a “Delica” is your Grail knife, I can’t take you seriously #justsayin
The only knife that should be use in war for killing people is called a Bayonet, and it is on the front of a rifle.
I literally bought a delica today in orange for this exact reason. Hadn't seen you're review nick, Peter or slicey dicey or bsiv. Best point ever on that, I'm no seal team 6, and my wife hates my knife habit. Orange delica isn't scary ever.
If knife companies would spend less time promoting knives as weapons, the general public might spend less time thinking of them as weapons.
@Jack Blade I could cave a skull in with a hammer...toor or weapon?
Eric Thorpe fun fact, more people die from hammers than AR-15s every year.
@@rowanfernsler9725 That's probably true. Regardless, it's the principle
daAnder71 no, by someone trying to bash someone else’s skull in with a hammer actually
agreed.
The main idea I took from this is that I want to start a screwdriver company and market them as tactical screwdrivers that are great for self defense and stabbing things. They would be lightweight, super steel, quick one handed deploying screwdrivers. I'll need to buy a lotto ticket and win in order to finance the startup of the screwdriver company. Thanks, man!
400LBGUERRILLA can I preorder you amazing product? I'll pay you when I also win the lottery.
Sarcasm...I see what you did there!
What kind of handles will they have? G-10? Micarta? Will you have a folding model? Think of how much more damage your Camp Kowabunga Tactical Multihead Screwdriver could do with a battery. I hope you win the lottery. Your company sure to be a hit unless too many people watch this video.
Make sure it has jimping. Oh, and a full tang so you can batton with it. Because if not, it will be crap.
400 LBGUERRIL__ This guy gets it.
Folding, deep-carry screwdriver with a spidie hole in cpm3v is the new grail 'knife'
Yo Adrian
Microtech could make an OTF version called the 'Ultrascrew'
Brilliant!
spyderco needs a delica commercial where hipsters are pulling different colored delicas from their skinny jeans and using them as tools for daily tasks. it would be ingenious. why is there no marketing done by these big production companies? just keep cold steel off the tv... they’ll scare everyone away.
this needs to happen so bad. or just an assortment of people doing normal stuff like cutting up salami during a movie
Advertising adds no value to the knives, but represents most of the price in business costs passed onto consumers!
@@ssunfish the value is in de-stigmatizing
Don't tell Cold Steel or you'll see Lynn Thompson running in slicing a side of beef in two while all the hipsters run away.
Great video, totally agree... in particular the weight complaints, 160 grams is heavy!, but they wear a watch the size of a Range Rover.
Pancake Jones oh god wish I could like this comment more some guy was going on and on about how light the that new blue be made is while wearing an invicta brick on his wrist
Regarding #5 (marketing toward the general public as opposed to the tactical slash survivalist crowd) - I recall a time in the US when every hardware store had at least one knife display case. All the mom & pop hardware stores have fallen to the big box Lowes & Home Depot's plus the 5000 ACE Hardware stores across the land. None of these stores (that I've been in) have a knife display in them. This has taken knives out of the public eye in a significant way. Even though many sporting goods chain stores do display knives we spend far more time looking at home repair/improvement items than camping/hunting stuff. Plus our wives (generalization alert) will go to Lowes with us but not so much to Bass Pro Shop.
Point is that this diminished public visibility has made knives more of a 'dirty little secret'. Even the general obsession with deep-carry pocket clips reflects our tendency to hide them away.
Knives not being available & on display in hardware stores has diminished the public perception of them as a tool since they're no longer beside hammers & pliers where we shop.
In my opinion, manufacturers should strive to get their products back into the public eye with displays of their 'practical' (non-tactical) models.
Regarding your second opinion, I work with horses, and must carry a knife to free up tangled horses before they have time to panic, and every half second is critical, thus a super fast flipper with serrations is essential for me. Otherwise, in everyday use I totally agree.
Such a good point, that #5. I had a co-worker get a bit freaked out when I handed her my Delica4 to cut open a box the other day. There's no better tool for the job, yet she seemed a bit alarmed. I didn't hand it to her point first, nothing like that. My wife, too. I constantly have to remind her that knives are a tool, not a weapon. Now you've inspired me... I want to open a pocket tool company (that exclusively makes knives). Also hate the lottery. It's balls ass.
if you have a website (assuming you are ever actually able to make knives like you want) id be interested it buying one possibly
Oh my god #5 nailed it man. I'm not alone when I say I don't want to see knives being percieved differently than any other tool.
I'd love this too! I like knives for what they can do and the design & execution aspects! I hate explaining and not being believed that I DO NOT want anyone hurt, but love guns & knives for mechanics, history, innovation and artistry
6:00 I had an Opinel No8 gifted to me years ago (in the late 80s/early 90s). In the 20 years that I owned it, that straight Carbon steel blade ended up looking like a recurve. Oh, and I snapped the tip off when it was about 18 years old. That did something to it because I could never get a good edge on it after that. I think I killed its soul.
"Tactical" knife marketing and the lottery are basically the same thing. Both trade on feeding the addictive/irrational hope/fear that there might be that one in a million moment right around the corner. So you better have that tactical tomahawk next to your bed, just like you better make sure to have your lotto ticket. You never know when your numbers might come up, or when the ninjas might come for you. So give us your money, just in case!
Was rewatching this video again (as I've done several times)... still one of my favs hands down. Great thoughtful messages and good for the community we love to take these ideas to heart.
Further to my revisit. I have found over the past year or so that there are many types of 'knife collector confession reactions'. The first is "Oh, I collect knives too" and then they talk about their GoT replica swords that they bought on eBay for 150 bucks each.
Then there are the people that just look at you with a mixture of fear and confusion and the obligatory "You're not going to stab me in my sleep are you?" type joke.
Or the people that are curious but refuse to touch a knife. Kinda like people who say they love snakes but cringe when offered one to hold.
The rarest reaction is "Oh, I collect knives too..." and then ask what type of knives you collect with genuine interest.
Hear! Hear! Point 5! My housemate asked recently if she should be afraid that I have Seven bladed implements (her words: "that many knives...") in my room. My response was that she has at least a dozen in the kitchen drawer (not including the steak and butter knives). My knives are all tools. From the Golok to the No7 Opinel. The steel varies in all the knives, but that is because I use them all for different purposes. I like all your points. And yes, I also like Nick's arguments.
Plus I bet she has a pair of scissors. What does she need TWO knives put together, what an extremist!
When using a pocket clip, weight doesn't matter to me. When carrying in pocket, it definitely matters.
Imagine a g10 handled screw driver with a black DLC coating. "Perfect for home improvement projects and to keep by your night stand for when you hear that bump in the night!" This was a fantastic video. I totally agree that we need to make knives seen as tools instead of weapons. If knives were seen as tools, we would have less restrictions on things like automatics or blade length. There are no screw driver length restrictions haha
We absolutely need to distance ourselves from the tactical/military world. You are now tied with Shabazz for "favorite knife UA-camr".
Amen. You have totally hit it on the head. Every point.....absolutely correct. And the lottery plus gambling....a total drain on people who have the least amount to spend......👍👍👍
I know this is older but I just watched it and thought I'd chime in...totally agree on your first point. I wear a ton of basketball shorts (self employed) my main EDC these days? a Hinderer XM-24...thats a nearly 8 ounce knife...and I have 0 problems keeping my pants up. I don't get the weight paranoia.
On lotteries, I view them and all gambling as such:
Entertainment with the off chance of even greater entertainment when you win. When I play cards, I don't bet money to try and win; I bet money to raise the stakes and make the experience of winning or loosing that much more intense in order grant me greater amounts of entertainment. All money brought to a table should be viewed as a sunk cost that I will likely never get back. I am just paying for entertainment.
As for #5, Somewhere once I saw an old ROMAN Multi tool. (YES ROMAN around 100 AD) it had a 3 tined fork, a a folding Knife Blade, and something else I can’t remember. I think it was made of Bronze. Some research probably could find it. There was a few pictures of it. It was in rough shape, but still all there. The historian stated it probably belonged to a wealthy person that traveled on business, or for pleasure.
Just thought I’d mention it.
In my opinion ... someone saying, "Dude, that blade is too freakin' big" is a *SELLING POINT* ! I've never held an XL Edpada, and *MAYBE* I'd draw the line there, but when a 4" blade is "too big for EDC" (except for legal reasons) I just have to SMH.
You get reviewers who say that because "it's too big for opening packages", yet they concealed carry a pistol that they'll (hopefully) rarely use. If all I wanted was a utility knife to open packages, I'd spend a few bucks on a Stanley box cutter!
As a utility knife collector I've just discovered your channel and I'm so glad to find a kindred spirit. I'm a different generation in a different country but you speak for me. Keep it going
You're truly the voice of Common sense, Cedric. Right on! 👋👋👍
Now I'm waiting for an absolute proof video from cold steels new line of screwdrivers.
Good objective opinions as usual. Totally agree on the weight, blade steel and tactical separation. The amount of people that view all knives (except kitchen knives) as aggressive weapons is phenomenal. Most people don't bat an eye if I whip out my deluxe tinker to perform a task, but a lot of those same people totally freak when I pull out a Spyderco or Benchmade neither of which are remotely tactical or aggressive in my opinion. Don't even think about pulling an Emerson out, it's like you've pulled a gun and stuck it in their face. To a degree I understand their fear, especially here in Australia where we don't have a gun culture to desensitise the masses. But marketing and media share a lot of the blame and don't help when it comes to perception.
Sir, your opinions are well thought out, rational and probably beneficial if put into practice.
You should get off of UA-cam immediately!
YES, YES and YES! I was Yes-sing throughout the whole video. You sir, have a great mind. This should be a slap to most of the community.
6. Lottery. "Tax on hope" is a good description. My more negative take is that it's taking advantage of the desperate. Not everybody who plays is desperate, but far more desperate people will play. Percentage of the population who play and income level are inversely proportional - the lower your income, the more likely you are to play.
subscribed. modest, honest, well spoken. great videos man, I'll be looking for more!
Nice try, buddy. Get everyone else to give up on the lottery so you can swoop-in and win it without competition. We're on to you, Shirley Jackson.
+Ryan Lawrence and I would have got away with it too, if it wasnt for you damn kids!
Hahahahaha
@@CedricAda Bwahahahaha!!!!!!! Howlin' laughing
I use my knives more for food prep and yard work than anything else. I am 68 yr. old and traveled the country from coast to coast and only had to use a knife for protection 2 times. I am happy to have survived my youth but I do have to say a cane or walking stick will beat a knife every time. I do love my knives and they are good tools but people are so afraid for no good reason.
Honestly as for number 5 I get it that not everyone is into that aspect of knives but really they can be used for self-defense and it should be allowed. Never used one for that purpose myself, I have opened a lot of packets of food lol and packages that were delivered. But still, it is a valid reason.
Couldn't agree with every single point more, ESPECIALLY number 5! Here in America the tactical survival nonsense image is overdone to the point of being so cheesy. It's terrible and like you said, turns a lot of people off including even myself. Rock on dude. Love the channel.
Love the video. I cringe (while rolling my eyes) when people on UA-cam stress the "tactical" use of knives. I often wonder how often regular old people are using their knives for self defense.
Lottery? "So, you're telling me I've got a chance!" -- Lloyd Christmas (Dumb and Dumber - 1994)
I would say it's important for me to know the weight of a knife. All else equal, I'd rather have a lighter knife. But it's rarely a deal breaker unless it goes way over the heavy side.
Also, I never heard of tactical tomahawks before this video.
Even if I don't agree with everything you said, it's cool to see more folks discuss these topics. I'm fully on board with your discussion on the "tactical" marketing.
Hi merry Christmas to you. This is my first comment on an internet pltfm. 46 years old I supposed I can start. I am collecting knives since I was 4 I believe. I convinced my Mother to buy me an Opinel n2. YES the odd one with a plastic handle and no lock.Ridiculously small but cruelly sharp. Your thoughts about the knives acceptance in the society are really relevant I think. Tanks a lot for all your videos.
How did i miss this one? Great content Pete,Very well said.
your point about the lottery 100% accurate. I lived with a friend years ago that lost his job, had only $100 left. instead of using it to keep us afloat till he could find a job, he spent it all on lotto scratch offs. hope and desperation made him believe that god would let him win. surprise we didn't win shit.
Hey Pete!
I think your point about knife marketing is super salient even 4 years after posting this video. If you haven't already done it (I still have a lot of catching up to do on your older videos), you should make a video highlighting both types of marketing: the ridiculous over-the-top military ad, & the sensible ad you'd like to see companies make. I think it'd be really entertaining on both sides.
Dig the new house, my man, & hope everything's going well with you, the family, & Ada. 😃
Just discovered your channel through this video. Well put together. Subscribed for more.
I agree with everything you say in this video. Including the point about screwdrivers, lottery, etc. These are much better than your choice of purple hoodie with blueberry fruit stripe t-shirt.
Just kidding man! ;-) I just found your videos recently and they are really good. Plenty of helpful information and pretty entertaining, as well. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into the hobby.
Absolutely agree. Can't stand the whole weight argument. "B-but, it weighs a whole 4.2 ounces!" My EDC is a Buck 110, two large multitools, varying knives, two flashlights, Victorinox nail clippers, a pair of gloves, a carabiner, three paracord bracelets, a paradox necklace, lock picks, a tape measure, and a small multitool. All the time. Wherever I am, my EDC is. Seriously, even when hiking, an extra 2 ounces isn't gonna kill'ya.
Great points about trying to overuse tactical as a selling point. Agree in principle about lottery. My wife and I spent $20 (US) a year. Cheaper than a movie to imagine good life. Anything more seems overkill.
Okay, here's the thing about knives being marketed as weapons. Everybody brings up this point like it's some sort of enigma as to "why we can't have nice things" in the knife community. Weapon marketing isn't the reason the knife community can't have nice things. Anti-weapon fascists are the reason we can't have nice things. In a country where I can carry a concealed firearm with far more lethality on my own time, a knife as a defensive tool shouldn't bother anybody with a strong stomach that backs a logical mind capable of reason. The reason many of us can't carry knives into work isn't because knives aren't allowed at work, but because "weapons" aren't allowed at work. Work has become an enslavement contract that dictates how well you can or can't defend yourself and how well you can do your job based on someone else's standards. That someone else being the fascist who believes they should dictate what we have on our person. You guys might think we need to put knives into a positive anti-weapon light, but I think this "enigma" will improve once weapons are seen in a positive light in general. Your argument is something along the lines of, "we're losing the right to carry knives as weapons, so let's fight for a right to carry knives as tools." You can't have one without the other. It's a two-way street. My incredibly unpopular 2 cents.
" Weapon marketing isn't the reason the knife community can't have nice
things. Anti-weapon fascists are the reason we can't have nice things." BINGO. Too many nanny state loving pussies are the problem.
sniperhat1 in Australia? Cool if so.
Im gonna play devil's advocate.
A knife IS a tool... A gun IS a wepon.
A knife is next to the hammer, one of the first tools man used. A TOOL is a instrument of utilitarian use.
A WEAPON is an instrument of solely combat/self defense.
You don't use a gun or brass knuckles to help build a house, put up a door, take down a door, open a package.
A knives intended use is not self defense. Just like if i made and marketed a shovel as a self defense wepon... It can be but that's not its intended purpose.
When would anyone who carried a firearm EVER use a 3.5" folding knife for self defense INSTEAD of the firearm on there person??
Promoting knives as self defence weapons is partly the reason "we can't have nice things"
We're never going to convince every "pussy" that weapons are a good thing lol period.
Lets just stop trying to add fuel to the fire.
I think it's both/and. The fascists are a problem, yes, but the knife community has given them a lot of ammunition, most of which stems from ignorant mall ninjas who have no business carrying anything that could conceivably be used as a weapon because they'll undoubtedly hurt themselves and everyone around them should they ever try to use it.
SSS I totally agree. The marketing is the main issue. If we market anything as a weapon when it performs other tasks way better and way more then the weapon part is all that gets seen and the others are overlooked. Weapon trumps tool even if it's a better tool than weapon.
Weight for me is more about two things, 1. Balance - is the knife balanced between blade and handle, I prefer thinner blade thickness and want the balance point at the finger choil. 2. Footprint/bulge - you covered this point well.
I agree with all of your unpopular opinions, particularly the “tactical army law enforcement survivalist” marketing. I’m never going to use my Ka-bar to fight my way past leather-clad marauding be-mohawked bikers in a desert wasteland, but I like owning a piece of history that has form and function perfected, and is aesthetically pleasing.
I quite enjoyed this video . You've made some good points and we do have a lot of steel snobs in the hobby . My Father called lotteries a tax on the poor and the stupid . He also told me never to gamble more money than i could afford to loose , so I don't spend a lot on them .
Entertaining video, well done! All points are good to some degree but we particularly agree with 6!!!
Daaaaamn. I agree with all your opinions in this video. Especially number 5. I wholeheartedly agree, in order for the EDC knife world to grow , marketing needs to switch from a mixed message of tactical and edc to a more focused approach. It literally would change the industry tremendously. The growth would be immsesurable if EDC knives were considered as tools by the common "everyday" user. This all starts from the top though. So Spyderco, ZT, and all you other knife Giants, if you are paying attention, make that switch and create that impact. You'll change the world.
Regarding knife weight, I very much agree. The Benchmade Bugout is a 'solution' to a non-existent problem. Though I had a Steel Will Bruiser 500 for awhile & at 9oz (255 grams) it proved to be quite impractical.
Deployment speed is almost always about fun & feel though I was in the food line at Bark River Knife CO's "Grind In" back in June when one of the food prep people asked if anyone had a knife to open a package of hotdogs and my trusty Griptilian won the race & saved the day.
Great video btw. I bought a lottery ticket once. That was enough.
Can't disagree with anything you said. What I thought of when you got into blade steel, though, is that the people who only own/carry one knife are often (not always, but often) the the ones who couldn't care less about the steels that hold their edge longest. It's the folks with massive collections to rotate in/out of their edc that obsess about edge retention. LOL
Really enjoyed this and everyone of the opinions are all very true. As soon as I get the chance I think I'll try to do one of these vids as well seems like a lot of fun. Well brother hope your having a great day talk to you later
You make some good points. Before you mentioned them, I was thinking "Victorinox has their marketing all sussed out."
The odds of winning the Euromillions top prize is 1 in 139,838,160. Yep, it could be you...
Do people need a knife as much as they would need a screw driver? If you need to screw or unscrew something, only a screwdriver can fulfill that role. For cutting there are multi tools, scissors, and box cutters that are alternatives for people not into knives. Most people have knives for food and kitchen tasks but probably don't see knives good for anything else(other than self defense). I worked in a warehouse for 13 years before I got into knives and a $0.99 box cutter with 100 refills for $2 did almost everything a knife could. So whether a knife looks tactical or not, it still would be a hard sell to the mass market on why they would need to carry a knife.
One more thing, trying to convince the general public to buy a knife is one thing. Trying to get them to spend more than $20 on a knife may even be a harder sell.
Good point about marketing the practical aspects of knives. 👍
I've seen and liked a few of your videos but this one prompted me to subscribe. I pretty much agree on all points. The only one I don't entirely agree on is knife steel - but in my case I think 8CR13MoV is fine (for my needs) although, having recently picked up a RAT 1 in D2 I do like it. My problem is that I have discovered that the Spyderco Resilience is my 'favorite' EDC knife (right now, at least) and to my knowledge they haven't done a D2 version of it.
As far as the overly tactical knives, I also agree to a large extent. Sort of along those lines I have to ask why do mass market knife companies constantly insist on ruining what would probably be pretty decent, production knives by putting damn serrations on the blade? Serrations work pretty well on steak knives, I guess but for everything else they just get in the way. That is a trend that I would like to see go away. Honestly, what I would really like to see - what I think would be the ultimate EDC knife, for me - would be a large sized, 'mass market' (as in I could get it for $40, give or take) Sodbuster style knife with a pocket clip (not for tactical reasons but just because I like the ease of accessing it), locking blade (I had a slipjoint knife close on my hand when I was in my teens - I keep my knives sharp, don't believe we are meant to see our knucklebones and would just as soon not repeat that experience) and one-hand opening capability (again, not for tactical reasons but just for convenience, especially if my other hand is occupied.) It doesn't have to 'flip' open quickly I'd just like to be able to easily open it one-handed. I would love for such a blade to be done in high carbon steel (I still prefer high carbon to stainless for pretty much any type of knife - shhh, don't tell the knife steel snobs.)
I have to say, I am also a non-lotto person too, no matter how high the jackpot becomes. I think your opinions on the knives are in line with most people. When I was a young soldier, many years ago, I carried a Swiss Army Knife. In the field, I also carried a fixed blade. As an older soldier, I largely moved onto multitools, such as a Leatherman or Gerber. I never considered a knife as a weapon and I carried firearms anyway. Lately, I have started to carry a rescue knife when driving. I doubt I will ever use it, but a single use would justify it being handy. The weight of a knife sometimes matters to me. When I wear elastic or draw string shorts, weight matters. By the way, I work with people who have broken tips on their knives due to using them as pry bars or as a screwdriver. I don't loan knives I like to others, but I keep a cheap knife handy and even that is not for those tip breakers. By the way, the tests here have kept me from buying a ZT 0630 or a 0909 in S35VN even though they are on closeout.
I see you everywhere, dude.
The truth has always been unpopular. Thanx for spotting the naked emperor. I love your stuff.
fun and informative. i love the marketing for the spyderco kapara and spydiechef (FOOD PREP).
Excellent point on knife branding. I never looked at it like you put it in your right
Absolutely wonderful video. You're very keen, and you have certainly given Shabazz a run for his money :-)
If you long distance hike the weight of your knife (and everything else) matters, if you pack loads of bulky, heavy gear you have to carry it and if you strain or injure yourself through this, yup...you still have to carry it out of the middle of nowhere. The A.T. has boxes where people abandon gear that's weighing them down and one of the most common items left are big/heavy knives. You are right in why this weight obsession has carried over into areas where it really doesn't matter but in some it does.
I personally need a good opening knife because yours truly has carpal tunnel from time to time, and opening my 'regular' sized cold steel recon 1 can be a pain when carpal tunnel takes over
"Lottery is just a tax on hope."
You, sir, are a word smith, and I love it!
Also, I so rarely see or hear the word insipid used in a sentence.
We need more articulate content creators such as yourself to combat the vapidity of social media.
The lottery is indeed a tax on the poor. It is designed (and has been frequently redesigned) to maximize revenue garnered from the poor while minimizing the chance of a payout. It is similar not only to casinos, where the house always wins but also to insurance companies that carefully evaluate risk to avoid paying out. However, I don't agree about your prescribed alternative - just save that money.
Don't get me wrong; I agree with the goal of saving, but the reason that people play the lottery is that our economic structures, especially in the past 30 years, have made it increasingly difficult for normal working people to survive, let alone save sufficiently to attend the needs of the next generation. That is not accidental, either. Corporations have hijacked our legislative processes with "lobbying" (read legalized bribery) to stagnate wages, limit their responsibilities to workers, and decimate labor protections. Poor people may not be aware of all those mechanisms and machinations, but they do know that unlike their parents, they now have to work three jobs just to pay basic bills.
The lottery then is like high-interest predatory loans that target people who are already struggling and desperate. Change the structures so that corporations cannot screw their workers so hard and people will be less interested in the lottery.
Huge like for this comment. Corporations have gone past the point of harming!! I'm not into communism/ socialism, capitalism is JUST as unbalanced, just on the other end of the spectrum. What the problem is seems people paid and rewarded to force and mine for more savings-based profit. It's riduculous and a super tiny amount of people have set it in the mind of society that people are less value and importance than nonsentient profit money. Business now doesn't even wanna touch less than outrageous amount and convenience of return on investment for irrational fear they will miss easy money! Average people with their head on straight are wage slaves..
Making barely enough to survuve to do more to make more for the owner. How many billions are wasted calculating the least they can compensate workers and operate? The fight on robots is that they are more profitable brc after recouping robotics cost they are pure money makung machines like a milling machine was bought fir the day it only operated at pure profit. People are not profitable enough. There will never be enough profit for the greedy.
Here's mine. Deep carry pocket clips are unnecessary, and most of them only make it a bigger hassle to get the knife in and out of your pocket.
How did I miss This? Never showed up in feed.
No.5 brother! Very sensible.
I think I may do a video on this.
Awesome job brother I agree 100% with everything you said! Can't wait till the next one....
#Cedric&AdaRocks!
Thank you Pete.I really needed to hear the perceived need point in regard to super steels ( I have gotten to the point where I usually don’t go lower than s30v as a baseline and have gotten stuck at zdp_189😅)
There's one lotto in my area that is relatively popular. I did the math one day to calculate the odds of winning the jackpot. nearly every human being on Earth would have to buy TWO unique numbered tickets for a winner to be guaranteed on a given draw... roughly one in 14 billion. While I'm okay with people having the choice to throw their money away on these slim hopes to buy a ticket out of their squalor, I'd also be okay if the lottery was done away with. I don't think either is inherently more immoral than the other.
I concur with most of your points, Pete, and on knife steels in particular, since I find sharpening an enjoyable hobby. I have a personal appreciation for a nice patina on carbon and tool steels, so one of my unpopular opinions would be to see more modern folders with such steels.
Great video! I'm loving your channel more and more everyday!!!
You've hit the nail on the head Pete. I appreciate your thoughts and feelings on the topic, and I think a lot of people would enjoy your opinions on a broader spectrum of topics than just knives. Always refreshing to see someone well spoken relay their beliefs concisely without feeling the need to start a dick measuring contest. Keep it up mate! 👍
This video was enough to get me to subscribe even without the lottery thing. The untold story of lottery winners is most are less happy after they win.
I'm on the same page about the lottery. Coo!👍🏽
I do Macmillan's "lottery" it's a shitty top prize, and it costs me a quid a week. Ive had 2 grants out of them when i lost the health lottery and got cancer. It's just a charity donation that pays off for many sick people that may be worse off whilst ill. I live from cheque to cheque and don't miss it
Totally agree on super steels and the whole tactical bollocks. Learn to sharpen your knife, if you cant doesn't matter what steel you get at some point your knife will be an expensive paper weight. Personally as someone who enjoys sharpening and usually has a couple of knives on them i really dont care. I touch almost everything i use up to shaving sharp every few days on a strop. Its way easier to do that on something around the 440c level than some super expensive steel.
for your second opinion... think about going into elevator with your dog, but right as the doors close your dog runs out and you are left with the leash in your hand and dog out side the elevator strapped into the leash... i think at this point every millisecond will count to open you knife and cut that leash and save the pup... but yeah mostly it really doesn't matter imo how fast the knife opens.
budoka92 eehhh! Hit the emergency stop. Solved.
come on, you get the point :D English isn't my native language... basically there are some situations where time matters the most when you need to cut something
budoka92
You could just take the stairs to prevent this worrisome scenario. Or get a cat instead.
Imaginative though! And you're right about the possibility of time being of vital importance. Chances are pretty slim that any of us will experience an "Oh if only I had a [inset perceived fastest deployment type here] knife!" moment in life. Speed of deployment is not simply the action of the knife. Getting it into your hands from your pocket takes longer than most blade deployments and that'll depend on how you're dressed & where you carry it. Familiarity with what you carry will give your dog a fighting chance.
type in to search bar: "dog elevator accident", but yeah i agree and besides if you want to limit deployment time you could carry fixed blade
Funny story about the lottery. My In-laws play all the time, and my wife told me when she was a kid she went to the store with her mom, so her mom could buy her ticket for the week. My wife said she asked her mom how to pick the numbers, then picked them, and gave them to her mom......well....she of course didn't buy the ticket with her daughter's numbers, but later when the numbers were drawn, they were the numbers my wife had picked. I didn't believe it at the time, but we have been together for 9 years now and they bring it up a couple times a year. Never bought one myself
I completely agree with your thoughts! Here in Norway we have tried to reduce gambling, but's in an uphill battle. We still have a national lottery being broadcasted on the national channel which is just absurd! At least the slot machines are gone, but now the internett casinos is marching in :( Even famous fotballers and bloggers are promoting this negative business. I can't say that I look up to these people promoting gambling. A friend of my brother lost 10K USD in one night!! Its very easy to loose control especially if you win some at first!
And how is that loss of you friends brother anyones fault or issue but his? I gamble from time to time because its fun. Trying to restrict peoples fun because ohhh some people have no self control is just ignornat
agreed the lottery is a stupid tax
I'm too broke from buying knives to play the lottery! Good video, good points. I like the D2 of my Rat better than the 154 of my 2 Emersons, but man, nobody designs a sexier knife than Ernie Emerson. That said, I probably won't buy anymore of them. Kershaw Emersons look really nice with some nicer steels so all is not lost.
Very nice video man. Those are all extremely unpopular but also extremely true. You did a fantastic job explaining it and #5 was perfect. That was the best description I have ever heard about why most people aren't accepting of the knife culture. Very Very Very Great Job !!! 👏🏼
Great point on steels. 420c was the sht in the 90s.
Wow, point number 6 is so, so right! Lottery’s are a tax on the poor! I’ve been banging on about this for years, decades even!
I hope my wife does not see this, but she bought me a tac-tickle pry bar, Titanium, nice sharp edge, $85.00 American. She was so proud that she got it for me for Christmas. So everyday I clip it in my pants, and off I go. Still have not used it, but someday I will, maybe...anybody need a paint can opened?
Honestly, I’ve almost 80 knives that I carry, that’s at least 8,000 cuts or almost 5 years before I need to sharpen a knife, and by then, I’ll have bought at least another 60 - 120 knives. Edge retention matters not a jot! I sharpen knives because I like producing mirror edges! Now point 5 is key to the future! In the uk everyone is paranoid about knife crime. It’s part of the reason for my channel. I only show UK legal, sub 3" non-locking pocket knives. So far, I’ve shown over 70 options for UK carry that don’t break the law.
That is the 5 knife commandments.
Sorry about Australia vs France! #5 sounds like Ernie Emerson and Lynn Thompson. There was a guy named Mick Strider, but I dont think he really exists.
Another great one Pete, keep them coming.
I agree...
About your points 1.-3. I basically think the same...
About point 4. I do not fully agree. Everyone should know that most tactical tomahawks are not the ideal choice for processing wood, but what you forgot to mention IMHO are the hybrid designs: for ex.: Medford Tomahawk Axe, or CRKT Kangee T-Hawk and Chogan T-Hawk, or Böker Carnivore, or TOPS Hammer Hawk and VI AX, etc...
These multi-purpose or all-purpose Hatches, Axes, Entry-Tools, Survival-Tools and "Tactical Tomahawks" some of those hybrids are actually designed for a specific variety of uses. For example: some of them offer a good wood processor which would serve you well as a defensive weapon, or an entry-tool that also makes an acceptable wood processor. The problem with alot of these tools is adequately mentioned on your point 5.:The declaration and promo bullcrab missinforms the customers and scare a lot of people of, and (what I found worst) it ring the alarm bells of not just lawenforcement, but also rangers and of course all non-knife-people who look at you like you were Freddy Krüger...
6. I hope I soon win the lottery so I could produce a "Tacticool Tomahawk" which offers you the best of both worlds: an adequate forest axe on one side and a propper chill pill to cure the paranoia of spending the night alone in the woods...
Nice video btw...
The tacticool and bushcrafting scene is my personal pet peeve. I EDC fixed blades. The main reason are Germany's fucky laws due to which one hand knives (can open and lock blade with one hand) are practically forbidden to carry. I also just like fixed knives better. Do you know how hard it is to find good ones for that purpose?
The selection is really small. The blades are often coated black, which I really hate as it makes for worse cutting, looks terrible and serves absolutely none of my purposes. They also look scary to some people or they think you're a tryhard.
Thanks to bushcrafting and especially knife videos about it makers make their fixed blades thicker than necessary. If you know some idiot is going to baton with it instead of using a hatchet you have to make it thicker. Thick knives carry much worse than thin ones and they slice worse. You also only get them in sheathes that carry low so everyone is going to see that you're carrying a fixed blade. It looks too excentric in an office or if you're in the city.
So more fixed EDC knives please, knife companies! I don't like to look like I'm about to operate a tactical tier-1 operator terrorist hunt operation. I also don't like fat knives made to chop wood like a moron that has never heard of axes and hatchets.
+DerPafferfish have you seen the Spyderco Enuff or the Bill Moran? They are really good EDC fixed blades you might enjoy if you can bear the prices 😊
The Moran especially if you want a bit more of a slicer
Spyderco is one of the very few companies that actually makes fixed knives good for EDC. I regularly carry a Street Beat and a Junction. Especially the Junction is great but nobody ever talks about it.
I find a flatter knife to be more comfortable in the pocket, but also less comfortable for heavy cutting. Weight usually only matters when I have a small pocket knife in my dress slacks at work. So I agree, in case that is not clear. I have to say though, that if you have been in a fight where someone is choking you that from that point on, you will likely want a knife you can open easily with one hand. Just saying. If anything just to give you options in that (for most people) rare situation so you don't panic. Ok, one more comment - tactical hawks? When I was a kid, it was "throwing stars" and "nunchucks." Yes, that was the '70s.
Number 5, agree completely.
*cough * cold steel *cough *.
(I own several, but their marketing really puts me off)
The Swiss Army knife is so well marketed as a useful safe tool the uk knife legalisation mentions them as an example as a sub tree inch non locking knife
Excellent points, especially #5. Spot on in my opinion. I love the tactical look, but it's not for most people.
Tacky Force makes some of the ugliest, most tacticool knives out there.
I think, two years after this was made, that the industry is changing to this. Gerber specifically is marketing to edc and regular sportsman as much as the war fighter. I see Chinese knife companies marketing to edc gear as trendy much more than old school companies such as Spyderco or Benchmade.