I frequent the various EDC blogs with all the amazing items and beautiful images. Such as an Antique Rolex watch with a custom Sabenza next to a 200 dollar titanium mini light. Question. Do you think these people really EDC this stuff or just take a photo for the web and put it all away and load up their pockets with a Endura or Griptilian, a G-shock, and a Fenix light? Thoughts?
im sure some people carry that expensive stuff, but i wouldn't be surprised by people who do something similar to what you explain. personally i wouldnt carry all expensive gear like that. i dont want to be constantly worried that im going to lose or scratch or get dirt one something thats so expensive. besides the fact that they frequently dont do thier function any better than cheaper alternatives.......its about cool factor for some people
Some do buy the really expensive gear and use it and beat it up, some probably carry it and are very careful to keep it in the best condition possible, and some probably buy it and stick it in a safe. Personally, I'll only own stuff I use. I don't have the money or the space in my life for fancy gear that's going to sit in a locked box. That said, some of the stuff I own is quite nice (for me anyway, eg. a couple of ~£100 knives) but still get used and abused. There's another forum similar to this one where it seems like the emphasis is on extremely expensive custom and mid-tech sharps, and on the picture threads many of them look barely used, despite the emphasis on toughness and longevity in both the materials and the manufacturing processes used.
If i cant afford to break, damage or loose something I try and not buy it. I buy things to use, some things I may be more careful with but I don't buy things other than artwork to just look at. If I ever thought about purchasing a car such as a Ferrari I wouldn't pull the trigger on it until I could afford to park it up front where it might get a door ding and not care.
I gotta go with Ogre on this one - there are people who buy (and wear!) Rolex watches that cost thousands of dollars. That still just blows my mind. After that, I can absolutely see people sporting super-expensive gadgets as an EDC item. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I have a ZT 0350 in my right pocket ($150) and a Surefire E1L on my hip ($110-ish), paired with a CRKT M16-13ZER ($45). And some people might ask me why I feel the need for $300+ worth of gear when I could get the same done with a $10 incan Maglite and a $30 generic locking pocket knife.
I expect some people do. At the same time, for some people the cost of a Sbenza isn't prohibitive wrt to replacement. Google "Roland Iten prices" Belt buckles run for $25,000-55,000 USD. Different scales of economy.... the prices you listed are not even remotely the deep end of the pool. In the end, it's a pretty moot point.... we all taste the same to worms. ATB, Sam
I think there have been a similar thread before. I do use the expencive stuff like my Hinderer or Sebenzas. Maybe not as hard as they are clamed to handle. But not afraid to get the stuff dirty. But when I'm know I'm going to really use my tools I choose some cheaper well proven tools that are more easy to replace if lost or broken. Like my Izula II and Pioneer. Some of us here on the forum do spend a little extra time to get that one right picture to post. It may look like braging pictures, because everything looks new and unused. But we are proud of our gear and we want it to look the best when we share. Some snap a picture with their phone and share it right away. And some use an hour to find the right light and angles and to make the picture look the best. I think I have said it before. but I have taken 100-200 pictures to find that one that shows the best in my gear. But I like it.
I believe you have discovered the fact that some people are wealthier than others. Fact of life. Unless I win a lottery I've resigned myself to being mostly poor and only buying stuff that I will likely use and that fall in the "value" category. If I had a lot of money I might well decide that a $500 knife was a beater and not a cherished possession. As it is I look at spending over $100 on a knife to be getting into the luxury category, since I have been able to find perfectly adequate knives (for my needs) in the $25 to $60 range.
I didn't mean to sound like I'm knocking the great images. I'm a photographer and dig the the nice composition and lighting that folks try to achieve.
I like pics of new, shiny, fancy gear. I LOVE pics of well used gear. I just bought a V11R and when I was doing research some guy on youTube was complaining about scratching one of his lights when he moved/removed the clip. He seemed upset and even mentioned that "if you want to scratch up your light, then use the provided clip." I thought to myself, this guy wouldn't be caught dead with any of my scratched up, scraped, dinged or worn gear. Hell with the exception of the newer pieces of gear I have most of my EDC items look pretty well used.
I'm getting ready to buy a ESEE Candiru to EDC along with my Alox Pioneer. I've read some good reviews on it and I plan to abuse the crap out of it...lol. I've heard those are some really good heavy use knives. I'm sure the Izula is similar. I'm going to get some pic of it when it is new and shiny and some pics of it after I (ab)use it some.
The Candiru can take a beating too. Nice size for EDC IMO. Some think that is a bit too small. Any ESEE will stand up to use and abuse. My Izula has been through hell! Usen a hammer on it, and done a lot of prying. never any problems.
I believe it's relative to income mostly although some folks save up and buy the pricey gear if they can't just drop the cash. I'm not able to spend alot on edc gear and consider my Candiru and Maxped Jumbo costly edc items. They are tough and I use em every chance I get as that's what they're for. I am glad the folks who can afford the gear post the nice photos. Its one of the reasons I come here. Good on em for being able to afford it all and also for sharing. Polish it all up and let me see it in its glory.....thanks for it. Edit: That a great patina on the Izula there Vesp. I love it!
I am personally utilitarian. I don't mind dings or scratches or wear. I also don't understand why you would get a tool and not use it. That being said, if someone gets a thousand dollar watch or knife or flashlight and doesn't use it and only shows it off, that's their bag. What other people do or don't do with their stuff, money and/or time (insert sweet T.J. quote)"... neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." I say go enjoy what your going to enjoy.
At least I know that I can share my misery with others. Sadly all or most of the Iten stuff are limited runs and made with jewelry class materials (rose gold, platinum, sapphires, rubies, etc). I wish they had a more pedestrian line that was full production using stainless/brass/copper/titanium that retained the design which is brilliantly functional in addition to being gorgeous. Until then, I will lust after Cobra buckles and vintage engine-turned buckles. ATB, Sam
I use my McGizmo haiku and Sebenza like any other knife and flashlight. I dont really thrash on my stuff, unless it is designed for it, so that is not an issue. St. Peter doesn't give bonus point for pristine gear. How about this: write a review for my site and if you win the Haiku, tell us how much you use it? http://www.everydaycommentary.com/p/custom-benchmade-give-away.html?m=1 I have the light all ready to give away, it arrived Monday.
It's just one of those things that is just personal taste. Most of the stuff I get I use and use hard. But I have a few custom fixed blades that I won't touch anything with because they are just too good looking. I like to have them, look at them, trade them, use them as conversation pieces, etc... Just because something was designed to do a task doesn't mean it has to do that task or otherwise be considered a waste. A knife can be display art and be worth its price or it could be used hard and be worth its price too.