UGLY!!!

[midget]

Hey everyone. I figured I should stop and say hi this weekend.



Let me tell you. A lot of people out there say spydies are ugly. I don't understand it, because a spydie was really the first knife I carried... But let me tell you what an ugly knife looks like. A "masters of defense" knife. Yuck!



I don't understand those knives. Do they work?







Anyhow, I hope everyone is well. Take care and be safe this turkey day.

[ronin203]

I think spyderco makes some of the best looking knives around. Especially the Chinook, which is my favorite knife of all. If you want to see some really ugly knives, just look at Emerson Knives!

[knifepunk]

No Way! Emerson makes some Awsome Knives! i got a Mini Commander and thats the best knife ive ever handled, and it looks great<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> i think spyderco has SOME ugly knives, not all but some.

------

[dialex]

How interesting! I like MoD knives. If they'd use some G10 handles instead of those aluminum ones and a round hole for opening the blade... maybe it would come out something.
I saw the Emerson Karambit closed. It's ugly <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.
Spyderco has also some ugly knives. The interesting thing is that many knives I find ugly seem nice to my wife and veceversa <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
The conclusion: as someone here used to say,
we all operate on different levels of perfection <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
&lt;marquee loop=infinite &gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex&quot;&gt;&lt;font color=blue&gt;(my webpage)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/marquee&gt;

[fredswartz]

I have a couple of knives that just don't turn me on, the REKAT Carnivore is one and the Sebenza is another, but I just had to have one. The Spyderco's grew on me. Benchmark and Microtech I like also. Regardless of all the bad press I like the Emerson Commander. Jerry

[AllenETreat]

HOW DARE YOU FORUMITE(S) CURSE

AND / OR BERATE &quot;HIGH END&quot; KNIVES!?!

EMERSON, REKAT -OR- EVEN SPYDERCO!?!

YOU MOTHERF_CKERS WANT &quot;UGLY&quot;?

TRY ANY, AND I MEAN ANY CHICOM

&quot;KNOCK OFF&quot;; DARE I POINT FINGERS &amp;

NAME NAMES ( JAGUAR, MASTER, ETC.)

I suggest you take your half@$$ed


commentaries to Bladeforums.com!


Nuff said! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>





-ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Edited by - ATE on 11/23/2002 7:22:30 AM

[transistor]

Jeez ATE, at first I was shocked by your post. Then I laughed my tail off! Anyone who monitors BForums knows exactly what you mean.

[Big-Target]

Steady there ATE!!
Don't vapor lock on us!!!!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

BIG-TARGET>>>>>" If I survived an old lady ass kicking, I'd be bragging about it"--Tula(My Big Fat Greek Wedding)

[Easyrider]

Maybe you should cut back on the coffee?



Edited by - Easyrider on 11/23/2002 8:54:53 AM

[AllenETreat]

I tend to follow what Sgt. Barry

Sadler said in his &quot;Ballad of the

Green Berets&quot; : &quot;...men who mean/

just what they say...&quot; I SAID


IT &amp; MEANT IT! It NEVER ceases


to amaze me : forumite(s) talkin'


about the EMERSON folding


Kerambit, then, on the other edge


(pun intended) detract this


manufacturer. I say, say one


thing &amp; by Christ, MEAN IT!


Hypocrite(s) are &quot;low&quot; on my


&quot;peckin' post&quot; IMO




- ATE<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Edited by - ATE on 11/23/2002 9:28:24 AM

[sam the man..]

one man's wine is another man's poison.. you can't please everybody.. <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have scars will travel..

[glockman99]

To paraphrase Forrest Gump:
&quot;Ugly is as ugly does&quot;.

I guess ANY knife that cuts well CAN'T be thought of an &quot;ugly knife&quot;, so that rules out all Spydies as being ugly...EVEN the Sabaria.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663

[java]

&lt;b&gt;COFFEE?? Ugly??&lt;/b&gt; Only ugly coffee is decaf!! Wait a minute - ugly knives....oh!

An old gunny sargeant once told me, &lt;i&gt;&quot;Andy, ya know one man's Sh*t is another man's ice cream.&quot;&lt;/i&gt; Now I never came to understand his peculiar dining habits but I think his words kind of apply here. I don't think price or brand name has a tight hold on purty. I happen to be full bore in lust with my SFSW Viele and all Spydies in general. But I get reactions from &quot;Cool! Cute! and WOW!&quot; to &quot;Gack! What's that? Eeee-ew. and Get that ugly thing away frm me!&quot; whenever I whip out my Cricket or Rookie. Go figure. The Jot Singh Khalsa and Ed Bradichanski Shabaria at first made me avert my eyes and wonder what their attraction was and think, if I had a knife like that, I'd paint a face on the butt end of the handle and present em backwards. Now I consider the two Shabarias (Thanks ATE) deiciously sinuous and sexy and kick myself for not buying a Khalsa. Some knives you just seem to grow to love once you understand and appreciate their functionality. I reckon beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder and ugly dwells deep in the soul. Know 'em before ya hate's 'em!

BTW ATE, I'll pit my my purty little PE AUS-8 tanto bladed, aluminum handled, Master HC-888 against any Amer-Ee-Can S&amp;W, Low buck Buck, or Camulus in a bikini contest any day. She's cheap ($17.99) and easy (to operate, dangit - git yer mind back up here, you dawg!)and she's Nationalist (forged in free Taiwan - jes like some Spydies now) not ChiComm!! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Beats the heck outa Paki potlatch blades!

Anyways, Top of the mornin', y'all! Interesting subject to start the day and get the rant out about!! Thanks Midget!

Stay safe! Stay sharp!

Edited by - java on 11/23/2002 10:02:18 AM

[firedawgder]

Hey JAVA,

What is a MASTER H-888? Guess I'm out in the cold on this one, then again I don't hang with Blade Forums either. Thanks.

firedawgder

[ronin203]

I own two commanders and a la griffe. I think they are great knives, but they are ugly. I know several poeple who own emersons and they all say that his quality control is slipping. That's a shame because he makes some really good knives, even though they are ugly.

[knifepunk]

**Slaps Ronnin** The Emerson Commander is one of the best looking knives out there! better then them stupid ugly looking fixed blades that are a few hundred dollars.

------

[vampyrewolf]

... and you get people like me that find the Sebenza UGLY with a capital F!

no curves, no choil, no belly... just don't see the appeal in spending 250USD for something that looks like THAT!

And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teaming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patris, Et Filii, Et Spiritus Sancti.

[Sword and Shield]

MoD knives are supposedly quite good at what they're designed for. The function isn't my problem, it's the markings. I neither need nor want the knife's name, steel, maker, designer, favorite food, turn-ons, and nation of origin listed on the blade.

<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> and most other makers hit it about right. Company name, steel, model name or number (not always, but often) and country/city of origin. The &quot;John Smith Designed Masters of Reality SuperDuper Fighting BG-4290X Knife from Clodzukker Inc., San Diego CA, 49297 or at mastersofreality.com&quot; marks on the blade are simply too much.

Never underestimate the impossible.

[J Smith]

The date the knife is made would be nice to have stamped on spydies.Don't you think?Nothing major,maybe 2 digits. &quot;SPYDERCO 02&quot;
&quot;SPYDERCO 03&quot;
This may increase the number of collectors.IMO this is why Case is so collectable.You can have 40 of the same knife but they are still differant.

SOOOO!,I see the internet is on the computer now!....Homer Simpson

Edited by - J Smith on 11/23/2002 9:19:39 PM

[midget]

ATE.

I don't understand.

I did briefly view the post on ugly knives at bladeforums. But that was maybe five days ago, and I haven't been back since.

But no matter, because bladeforums is down anyway.


How come I can't berate high end knives? I can take that to a lot of places. Bentley's are stupid cars. Macintosh is too colorful and immature. And an Ivy league education may not be all that great.

Just because it's expensive doesn't mean I can't make a criticism, does it?

I mean really. I don't have any problems with Emerson, Chris Reeves, whatever. But MOD is so butt ugly!!

[sc_rebel1957]

UGLYYY? i'd marry this knife if i didn't already own it <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Ron

[ronin203]

ROFL, then slaps knifepunk twice. As I said, I own two commanders, and they are great knives. BUT, I did not buy them for there looks. All your taste is in your mouth. Besides, in case you didn't notice, this is the SPYDERCO FORUM.

[ronin203]

Midget, it's o.k. to berate the high end knives. I don't know why anyone would buy any of the cheap ones.

[voxnaes]

Macintosh .....But VW, I love my Mac....Is great for some jobs, and the whole graphic world uses it ! The same with knives. If it works for you, it&#180;s the good stuff! Some people consider Bob Terzuolas knives ugly, I would love to be able to buy one. One mans Icecream is another mans Macintosh!!
Vox.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


Repeat the mantra - "Spydie is good, Round is all - Life is Round, Life is Good, Spydie is Life is Round is LIfe. Round and Round, and Round forever." (Chuck.)

[AllenETreat]

To : ANY &amp; ALL -

I do not say that your opinion(s)

regarding &quot;ugly&quot; knive(s) have no


right on either this forum,


in public -or- to yourselves.<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


I merely cite hypocrisy ; one


spends &quot;high $$$&quot; on &quot;high end&quot;


&quot;widgets&quot; and then berates them<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


No psychiatrist, no priest or


philosopher will EVER fathom


human nature. Besides gang,


freedom of speech, as I'm sure


most of you forumite(s) know


is protected by the 1st


Amendment of Our Constituition <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



( God Almighty Bless it!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)








- ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Edited by - ATE on 11/24/2002 4:29:59 AM

[sal]

Frankly, I'm surprized at the focus on appearance anyway. If looks were the only think that was important in a tool, then a picture of that tool should suffice?

Why don't you get a picture of something that you think realy looks good. (car, knife, horse, pretty body, etc.) Then sit down and look at the picture. Do nothing else but look at the picture. It is my believe that you will stop looking and do something else within 5 minutes.

Beauty is only skin deep and embellishments (like jewelry) are less than skin deep. The true value of most things will generally be found somewhere else, other than in appearance.

When I design, appearance is of little importance, function and ergos being first. If a design can be made attractive (like the Kiwi), then great, but it is never the goal. Some say that I design in the dark?

I believe that as one becomes more involved in knives and their depth, then apperance becomes less important, and materials, performance, ergos, fit and finish take over, IMO.

sal

Sal,
I think the comment that you design in the dark could be complimentary. When you don't see with your eyes, you have to go by 'feel',and the sensitivity to all other elements of the knife than looks are what lays the foundation for a solid design.
After you've designed all the important ergonomic architecture, the decorative aspects can be played around with.

Ken

[midget]

Misunderstanding.

Personally I'm not after aesthetic looks. I don't care what it looks like, necessarily.

One could consider aesthetics as something like the new Kershaw Leek. Colorful, unique, what have you.
But one could consider MY aesthetics as a knife that looks like it &quot;means it.&quot; Whatever that means. A Strider, or a Delica, or a BM griptilian. A knife that is simplistic, no frills.
I just think that MOD knives just come off &quot;gaudy&quot; to me. Like, it's too much &quot;ass kicking&quot; for it to actually be butt kicking. My example would be the MOD ATAC, which to me, sort of resembles a fantasy knife in high quality steel. I just can't envision something like that in a modern day combat scenario, which is what it was built for.

My explaination is kind of hard to put in words...

My friend has a picture of an old, yellow BMW 2002 hauling down a dirt racetrack. (Incidentally, the same care he drives.) It looks all old and junky, but it was quite a quick vehicle. I take that look over any souped up neon Honda Civic with racing stripe and flourescent lights. It's a phrase coined by my friend as the &quot;Tom Hanks look.&quot; Just an average looking guy, but some true talent within.


But.. If I ever see someone carrying a MOD ATAC, I'm going to laugh at them.


Laugh, and then run.





Edited by - midget on 11/24/2002 12:20:21 PM

[midget]

Maybe I shouldn't be talking.

I've never seen an MOD in real life.





And Mr. Glesser, there is a picture of rebecca romijn stamos on my desktop and some landscape pics that I took in switzerland on my wall. Theres NOTHING wrong with looking at either of those for more than five minutes!! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[java]

Hmmmm...this post got more interesting the longer I left it alone! Guess I should say my piece and come back when I can’t stay so long. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Midget,

There is &lt;b&gt;definitely&lt;/b&gt; something wrong with staring at a picture Rebecca Romijn-Stamos for more than 5 minutes! I pulled up some publicity shots on ol’ Mr Gateway and the drool on the keyboard shorted it out in under 3 minutes! Five minutes would’ve shorted &lt;b&gt;ME&lt;/b&gt; out! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


firedawgder,

The Master HC-888 ain't no Becky Stamos but she’ll do in a pinch. A dynamite beater, she’s billed as tactical folding tanto. She boasts a T-6 aluminum handle with kraton inserts and a 3 7/8” AUS-8 tanto blade with swedge or false edge running from the blade splines to just above where the chisel point starts. She utilizes a compression liner lock on the clip side of the handle and the handle was milled for a clip recess that holds her pretty well. She’s tip down carry and comes with a braided lanyard and small key-ring. Action was smooth out of the box unlike many cheapo knock-offs I've had the questionable pleasure to experience. Handle isn’t the most ergonomic but hey, I paid next to nothing for her! I’ve abused her on household chores so she has a few minor scratches on the satin coating (unknown coating). She sharpens easily on the 204 and is still as smooth as the day I bought her with zero blade wobble! Not an EDC for me but like I said a great beater!!

&lt;a href=”http://www.mastercutlery.com/images/600/page-77.jpg”&gt;&lt;font color=”Blue”&gt;Master Cutlery&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/Font&gt;

[ken]

good post midget:
you got a lot of peoples attention!!!!!! and you did speak your mind. but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and i find some knives very ugly even some by spyderco however i think emerson knives look real good! Sal i cannot believe that looks are not very important or not that big of a concern in your product. a knife can look good and be of top quality, personally i like eye candy. when i buy a car i want it to look good as well as be good , not just one the other...anywaythis was a good post. very inteeting what everyoe had to say.....ken

[ken]

ronin 203-our right your taste is in your mouth but you can't eat a knife. knifeunk sai he likes the looks of emerson knives and i do also-oe more thing yo are right again this is a spyderco forum but it say's it is general discussion/knife talk---god this is fun---ken

[mac_heath]

For me, function is paramount, but aesthetics always factors in. I have a dislike for clip points (chinook, buck 110, renagade/blackhawk). I doubt they operate any less effectively than a drop point or modified clip point in most circumstances. And I'm sure clip points excel in certain situations. It's just a personal thing.

Aesthetics can affect in a number of ways:
1. How others perceive your knife. If you want to frighten someone, the Civilian design is truly scary. If you want to keep a lower profile, you would probably choose a different design (even if you are carrying for self defense).
2. How you perceive your knife. Regardless of function, if you like the way a knife looks, you're more likely to carry it. If you're carrying it, it will be used, even if it's not the best design for the job.

With my last knife purchase, I wanted a PE blade to go with my Rescue upgrade (to the new 93mm). I looked at the Delica, Endura, considered a PE Native (I have the SE Native) and none really appealed to me. I actually went and held the Endura and Delica to get a feel for them in-hand. I ended up choosing the FRN Vesuvius PE. It was the knife that most appealed to me (within my price range), mostly because of its blade shape.

I have to say I'm very happy with this purchase. And even though it wouldn't have cost me any more, I didn't go with the inlay. Aesthetics makes a huge difference.

Now for some applied theory:
There are objective measures of functionality, but for the most part, functionality is based upon the user's subjective perception. The two biggest factors that shape a person's peception are Primacy and Recency (first impression and last encounter). How something looks makes up a large part of the first impression. Primacy is always tempered by Recency.

E.g. - the knife looked really cool, but when I tried to open an envelope the lock disengaged and I cut my finger. Or on the other hand, as some of the members here have stated, the spydeco knife looked ugly in the display cabinet, but after using my buddies for a few weeks, I quickly became addicted to its utility and ease of opening and closing.

/end rambling tangent

<a href=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/Topic.asp?topic_id=6200&forum_id=7&Topic_Title=Terms%2Bused%2Bfrequently%2Bon%2Bthis% 2Bbulletin%2Bboard&forum_title=General+Discussion">Frequently Used Terms</a><BR><BR>Praise not the day ere evening has come, <BR>a sword before it is tried, <BR>ice before it has been crossed, <br>and beer until it is drunk.

[vampyrewolf]

you want an example of a nice knife I'm never gonna buy?

BM Osborne... axis lock, green alum handles...

I was handling one in store when we got them last year, and when I disengaged the lock, it bit my pinky finger, right above the nail. Bled for a good 20minutes with pressure, and only about 1/4&quot; long.

I was looking at it for a lefty model, and it bit me on right handed op.

that was the last time I've handled an axis lock. I know others have had similar experience with linerlocks and refuse to use them.

And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teaming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patris, Et Filii, Et Spiritus Sancti.

[ronin203]

First of all guys, I buy knives for there performance, not looks. I never said emerson knives weren't good. I own three and they are great knives. Second of all I want to thank midget and knifepunk for turning this into such a great debate. We need more topics like this one.

[knifepunk]

<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

¿--KP--¿

[AllenETreat]

Forumite(s) -

I'd like to know who(m) this

Rebecca Yojimo-Stamos (or whatever) IS

K.I.T.D./F.O.H.S. ( an &quot;insider&quot; for

those &quot;in the know&quot; acronym <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)

Any IMAGE(S)?















-ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[sc_rebel1957]

ATE she's a model , looks ok tall, blonde, she lost me when she married that guy from full house with the Joe Dirt 1970ish mullet.
<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Ron

[java]

ATE,

She's now an actress and has appeared as Mystique in X-Men and did a cameo as herself in The Spy Who Shagged Me. She's from Bizerkley...er I mean Berkley, CA (my old stompin' ground) but she was way too young to be one of the coeds I saw showering in Sproul Plaza Fountain during the Free Speech Movement. I couldn't find a JPG small enough to hold all her &quot;attributes&quot; so here's a Hollywood Headshot. Enjoy! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

&lt;i&gt;&quot;Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.&quot;&lt;/b&gt;

Edited by - java on 11/26/2002 7:19:55 AM

[knifepunk]

uncle jesse lol

&#191;--KP--&#191; &lt;a href=http://www.cobaincase.com&gt;The Truth&lt;/a&gt;

Edited by - knifepunk on 11/26/2002 11:33:56 AM