Why I Carried One Knife for 4 Years

[@nandayane]

I feel you, I’ve been on this knife journey for about 5 years, I’ve bought dozens of knives. I’ve have two or three more favorites. But the knives I go back are the first two I bought.

[@homeslicesharpening]

That's a cool perspective. Sometimes you just gotta appreciate the simple things you have. Cheers.

[@mikeobrien4081]

Good video, this reminds me of when Nick Shabazz started opening up about his personal life and his philosophical approach to enlightened gear hobbyism. Don't worry about appearing to push your faith on others; "pushy" is the last attribute I'd think of in regards to your attitude. While I don't share your faith, I appreciate the fine job you're doing demonstrating the values of humility, charity and gratitude. As for your dearly depated Millie, I'm sure Pete could loan you a drawer or two worth of S-tier users, no? :)

[@homeslicesharpening]

Haha - I have some lined up to try now that the waiting period is over. Thanks for the kind words my friend.

[@joshuabriggs7114]

Thank you for reminding me to be grateful and that often better can be the enemy of good 😊

[@homeslicesharpening]

No worries - I have to remind myself all the time!

[@archivist17]

Hey Gabe! This was a fascinating video, and I really appreciate your expression of your philosophy. I'm an atheist, and have been for over half a century, and I've known virtually from the moment I started watching your videos. Yet I feel that we have a great deal in common in our outlook. I try to achieve the Scandinavian concept of Lagom, but I have a long way to go to get there, and I don't always know how I can. Your kindness and humility are qualities I try to learn from, and I hope your influence continues to grow, in whatever way that might be.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thank you my friend - I have worked and served from the war-torn backcountry of Burma, to the refugee camps in Greece. I have seen people of many backgrounds living out a love for others that is inspiring and beautiful. None of the cultures or faiths I've encountered have changed my faith fundamentally, as I have found profound peace in my life through seeking God, but I have learned and grown so much from having relationship with others who have different beliefs from mine - and I think that humility helps us walk together, and there is such a benefit when we accept one another and learn from each other. I greatly value your friendship and honesty, and have been encouraged by your presence here. Thanks for the comment!

[@mariolara6127]

Thank you for sharing such an important message. As well as having the courage to share your spiritual journey online. I will be praying for you brother🙏🏽

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thank you my friend, all the best to you as well!

[@wadejensen3301]

Hey Gabe, good chat..some good considerations....I have found over the course of my life the tools increase in value to me through using them.....when something is useful it becomes valuable

[@homeslicesharpening]

Yeah I agree Wade - I think because of this I will always be more of a user of a handful of knives than a collector of masses! Because the things that make me value things are 1) Using them 2) Customizing them myself, or 3) Sharpening them well!

[@c3foto]

Thanks for sharing your story, your thoughts and experiences. So spot on. Although flashy, cool and high quality knives with the newest steel and handles etc. are awesome, and I must admit I have collected my share of them over the years, deep inside I do know that a decent Mora knife is probably all I need 😂 I’m looking forward to seeing your next series 💪🏻 Stay safe

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks man! Such an encouragement. Thanks.

[@mikafoxx2717]

A Mora companion is probably the most knife knife out there. Their naming was apt. I hope to make some knives like it out of 1084, puukkos and the like.

[@danielbottner7700]

I believe we all struggle with our internal expectations, as a machinist I realized that perfect is an elusive target. What constitutes perfection in our minds is often far from reality. Often the bottom line is; would a better knife/tool significantly improve the quality of our life.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Yeah, and there is definitely beauty in the refining process to make something lasting and excellent. I just think you are right, our internal expectations can ruin something good if we don't keep them in check.

[@latinodeathjazz]

I enjoyed listening to this video a lot. Humility is a deeply underrated character trait, regardless of what path you tread to find it in yourself. I’m an atheist myself but don’t begrudge anyone their faith, especially when it provides such a benevolent moral compass. Al

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks for the feedback Al, it's always a blessing to hear from you! Take care man!

[@latinodeathjazz]

Well this is rather eerie! I started jotting a message to you earlier on the Spyderco forum PM but got waylaid midway through and haven’t sent it yet. Just as I was going to go finish it and send it I got a notification saying you’d commented on here 🤔 I’m not normally one to look for signs, but that was pretty uncanny. Have a beautiful day man 👍🏻 Al

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks man! You too!

[@theodorosmalliopoulos7231]

Hello, Gabe. What you have been doing is remarkable. It shows how desciplined we can be if we put our minds to it. I understand it means a lot to you to finish the 5-year period, but i would have prefered it if you had replaced the Military with something similar. You never know when you are going to need a knife. I am sure you may not agree, but i highly suggest removing the clip and carrying the knife in the pocket. Whenever i was carrying a folder clipped on my pocket, it would fall in the car or any other place where i was sitting in a deeper/lower chair. Normal work trousers or every day denim jeans have deep and tough enough pockets for most folders. Never lost a knife ever since i started doing that, not even while riding a motorcycle. I do agree that it is a great practice to carry the newest or any specific knife for a long time, in order to understand each knife and steal better. For example, i like cru wear a lot, but i found out that it started showing rust spots due to my sweat. You cannot realize that as easily by rotating blades every day. Also, when you use the same blade for a long time, you come to uderstand how difficult it can be to have a hair whittling edge all the time, as well as if this level of sharpness is what you actually need or want. Unfortunately, we have to pay with our hard earned money, time and effort to learn what suits us the best. No matter what people may say online, we have to use/try something ourselves. Only then we get to have a solid opinion. I believe selling a collection is a mistake though, unless there is an emergency. We never know if we are going to be able to get the same thing twice in this life, so even the things you do not use anymore have a place with you. Even reminding us of a bad dicision can help not repeating a mistake. I found myself needing tools and items which i had not used for years. Food for thought, my friend.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks so much for the comment Theo - I understand your thoughts about replacing and keeping gear. I am not withdrawn forever from the world of knives and tools, and I do keep some things. I just don't really have the lifestyle to create and maintain a large collection, and I find I have more joy in having and enjoying a handful of knives and edc gear. My sharpening box will need to be pared down though, because that can get out of control as well!

[@John..18]

I'm planning on getting a CRK small Inkosi in Magnacut in a couple of weeks, and I plan on it being my daily carry, for the rest of my life,,, I may have an extra knife, or a leatherman on me, but the Inkosi will hopefully be the "one knife to rule them all",,

[@homeslicesharpening]

That's great! I just bought a MagnaCut Sebenza for a future video series!

[@kaizen5023]

BUY MORE STUFF! 😆 🙌 Atheist here with about 20 different blades.... but what you just shared is a powerful message and reminder good for all of us to hear in this capitalism. Sometimes we just buy things because we think it will make us feel better, and we might get some brief joy from it but it is all too easy to get caught in the cycle you described, and these feelings are very intentionally created by our culture and society in Western countries that are built on ceaseless consumption. Thank you bro! Very heartfelt and wise words.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Haha, thanks for the comment. I am glad the video blessed you. I think change can be refreshing and the creation of new and excellent things is not bad in and of itself. But I myself have to establish some distance from time to time from any acquisition pursuits to sort of check in with my soul. Bless you bro.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Very true, very true. I personally found myself finding a growing urge to buy a knife in MagnaCut despite not needing another knife. Instead, I decided to buy some steel for a fair bit cheaper so I could try making my own, as something more productive and educational. Just some thin 1084 and 15n20. Honestly, I've been using a carbon steel mora companion with a 2mm blade. Honestly, it's light, it's comfortable, and the patina takes on some life as you use it. It's pretty soft, but thanks to that I don't think I'll ever manage to break it. I have similar issues with other hobbies too, be it music with getting better headphones, or other things like that. But the joy just comes from using it rather than what IT is. I got better cameras over the years, but my photos don't look any different between them, a good photo is a good photo and a knife that cuts, will cut. Learning sharpening is the best thing you can do whether your steel is an old leaf spring from a Volkswagen beetle, or MagnaCut. Just enjoy using it, keep it sharp, and let it take on some life from use instead of chasing a grail.

[@stuponfucious7]

GAS is real. I've got about a dozen blades that I keep for various sentimental reasons but for over a year I've just been carrying an M4 bugout. Darn near perfect knife (for me).

[@homeslicesharpening]

My brother in law carries nothing else! Just a M4 Bugout. Beats the tar out of it from the port to the farm, and it always takes just a couple minutes to bring the edge back!

[@nomad636]

Man, I’ve carried 1 knife for the past 15years. Granted, I’ve replaced it 5 times due to loss or theft, but I always go back to the Benchmade Osborne 940. This month I lost it again on a hunting trip, and made the decision to go with a Benchmade Bailout. We shall see, but I have a sneaky suspicion I’m going to regret the change.

[@homeslicesharpening]

I have had a version of the 940 twice, and (you guessed it) I just got another one for the EDC tournament I am working on. It's just so perfect in most ways, Warren Osborne really nailed it on his design work.

[@LarsRibe]

I often talk with Beelzebub when I'm alone. Also 'bout knives and stuff. We came to sort of the same conclusion, but now I carry more than one knife and if I sell a knife, I can buy another one. Sort of a cool deal. It's a harmless cheap hobby and it makes me happy.

[@CNYKnifeNut]

I often talk with Mohamed Atta. He always tells me anything more than a box cutter is overkill.

[@musketmerve1436]

Well Lars, I know you joke, but only the Lord Jesus will matter when we are judged. And His gift of grace extends to any who believes.

[@homeslicesharpening]

I have found talking with God to be a source of much meaning and peace in my life, and I believe that Jesus came to model a life worth living and to offer us a second chance in all the ways we fail to honor and value one another. But I want all my viewers to know that they are welcome on the channel and accepted regardless of their beliefs and culture of origin. Bless you guys.

[@adadadad8251]

i stopped buying like 8 or 9 years ago, last purchase was green military in 204p - what year was that? never carried it, btw. have another 5 folders in rotation + small victorinox + le thiers + 1 fix blade that lives in kitchen. but now want something new, maybe will try magnacut...or not.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Haha! You have achieved the state of contentment!

[@JadeSchafer]

I am working on being content. Something I need to pray to God about more. It's funny I want a bunch of knives but I tend to carry the same one for a year or more. I don't switch the knife I carry daily. Which really begs the question should I get more knives when I know I tend to carry one specific one for extended periods of time.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Yeah - I know what you mean. And sometimes when I am happiest is when I decide to value what/who I have and just be present.

[@CSGraves]

Condolences on the Military. For all their convenience, once in a while, pocket clips can prove a liability. I lost a Spyderco CoPilot a few decades ago, also most likely due to the clip catching on something. Shame, those were a mighty cute lil' model of knife. Were I still religious, I might be tempted to pray for the strength to resist the urge to get everything in Magnacut and K390 😆 Admittedly, there are certainly _far_ more serious problems in the world that would warrant divine intervention 😥 That said I have had mixed success in saying no to certain knifely temptations recently at least. I think it helps, if one is aware of one's own consumption, to ask 'what is keeping me from enjoying what I already have?' and 'what is the appeal of this thing I'm currently pining for?'. Occasionally, I seems to work.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Good reflections bro, thanks for your thoughts. It's ok about the Millie, I have a few new knives lined up to try now that I am out of my waiting period. I just want to remember to be as grateful for the new stuff as I was in my time of limitation! Cheers bro.

[@musketmerve1436]

Your video reminded me of a song I love. Look up Richest man in the world by Eddy Arnold.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks man, that is a fun throw-back!

[@michaelwaldeck7081]

Awesome, now I can see why you are a good bloke because it’s the goodness of God in your life. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. It’s easy to fall into idolatry, so good on you for trying to find that balance and sharing something of your faith.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks man, I am thankful for the life I have been given, and I hope I can bless other people - especially when they are walking a hard road.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Bless you dude.

[@thaknobodi]

Interesting. As a muslim we believe the same that our wealth is for almsgiving and we should be mindful of our blessings and God will increase our provision, or, bless our provision if we recognize only God can help us acheive any goals. Not our own skills, or intelligence or lineage etc. I struggle to create parameters that limit my spending and fortunately ive managed to keep a handful only at a time and sell off what doesnt fit in the 6 knife roll.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Well done man, holding to your goals and values is hard in today's world. I appreciate your perspective. I have worked in Northern Uganda and in the refugee camps during the Syrian Refugee crisis, and I learned a lot from my Muslim friends and enjoyed my time with them. Thanks for your non-defensive stance and friendship, that's cool.

[@mikeking6686]

SORRY ABOUT THE MILLY, I LOVE THE LINER LOCK, I JUST FOUND MY PERFECT SLEEPING KNIFE, TOOK A FEW YEARS, BUT CAME TO MANIX 2 LT WT IN 110V, IT'S THE JOURNEY, GOOD JOB

[@johnlocke_1]

Turn off caps lock. Turn on screen magnification if you can't see.

[@homeslicesharpening]

Thanks Mike - what do you mean "sleeping knife"?

[@johnlocke_1]

Unsubbed.

[@musketmerve1436]

Romans 5:8

[@johnlocke_1]

@@musketmerve1436 judges 19:22-30

[@homeslicesharpening]

Up to you, bro. It's not a total change of channel direction, but it is who I am. Feel free to do whatever you want in the subscription world - that's your choice.