An heirloom knife, to me, can be literally anything. It's more about the memories associated with it and the use history, etc. I bought my Dad an inox Opinel about 10 years ago so he could whittle with it, and when he passed away last year, I ended up getting it back. It's literally just an Opinel, but the fact that he used it and it was a part of his daily routine, makes it an heirloom knife to me. Another one of his knives, that lived at his hip in a really worn out leather snap pouch, I don't even know who made it... but it bears the scars of rough use and there are so many memories attached to it, and that knife, to me, holds more meaning than any new knife I could buy for myself. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to should out and honor my Dad with this topic, guys.

Heirloom is all about feelings and memories. For me, it is the knife I remember my father using. And I clearly remember being allowed to use it for butcher a salmon as a kid. He lost the knife many years ago, but the Buck 55 still holds that heirloom childhood memories magic.

Sometimes an heirloom is just what was in the basement that never got thrown away.

You guys should frame the camera so that we can see all the knives while you talk!

I just want to say, this video made me really love about KnifeCenter. These videos, no matter how informative they are, also function as ads, and so to respond to "what are some great heirloom quality knives" with "I'm going to be honest with you: I don't think heirloom quality knives actually exist" is such a refreshingly honest response. It's the kind of response that could make it much harder to get someone to click through some of those links and buy something off of this video-- but it's what you earnestly believe, so you stated it and stood by it anyway.

Seth nailed the identity of an heirloom piece. Great examples and insight into what makes a knife worthy of handing down.

I had an opportunity to visit the Randall factory and museum in FL last year. While I was there I met one of "Bo" Randall's grandchildren. We talked about different hiking / camping knives. He made one comment that I would like to share - "whatever knife you ultimately decide to go with, my Grandfather would want you to use it. Randall Made Knives are made to use." I am currently saving my pennies for a Model 25 or Model 26. Trying to make up my mind - 4", 5", etc.

Any and all knives that my father, grandfather or great grandfather used or collected n passed down are heirloom in my humble opinion great video thanks for sharing

I have a penknife that my father carried for years. I don’t carry it but it brings back memories and I will pass it on to my children/grandchildren. As such I would consider this no name penknife an heirloom knife. As for my personal knife collection, I carry and use nearly all of my knives with the exception of a limited edition WE knife that is just too pretty to use. While a knife is primarily a tool, sometime they are works of art as well and best suited for display. As such, this type of knife could also be considered to be an heirloom knife.

Thank Guys! First i'd like to add to the conversation that a knife (it's edge) is a consumable product although It may take years to consume (like my first run Spyderco Military with it's 61RC S60V). I have no opinion on what makes a knife "heirloom" quality but in my mind an heirloom knife has to do with family history. I have 3 examples: I have my grandfathers Remington UMC brown bone Muskrat knife that brings back memories i have of him sharpening it and cutting apples/oranges. I have my fathers Camillus 2 blade "electrician" TL-29 knife that was always in his pocket. Lastly i have my uncles Kutmaster bone handled 3 blade knife (military issued) that he always used to prep his cigars.

Mine is a Puma White Hunter from the '70s given to my father by an artic guide that he went on a few hunts with. The Butcher, Leonard Anderman.

In my opinion something is an heirloom because of the emotional attachment to it so it doesn't matter much its real value it's the sentimental value that counts.

To me "Heirloom Quality" applies more to the owner than the object. No matter how high quality, rare, etc., the object is, it won't be a lasting heirloom if proper care isn't involved.

Re heirloom quality tools - I do have hammers and saws that were owned by my great grandfather who was a carpenter in Wisconsin in the 1880s. However an example of a tool that doesn't get as much wear are the measuring tools - I have his Try- Square as well, which is still accurate 150 years later. Thanks! Bill, Arlington, Virginia

I think David hit it pretty well. It depends a bit on what it is, but also depends on how it was used. I have a Buck 110 that I bought in 1968 in Alaska when I was serving as a Coast Guardsman on a buoy tender out of Cordova. It served me well on the ship for 2 years and then was semi-retired for newer and "better" knives. The brass occasionally needs polishing, but it's still in almost mint condition. That's an heirloom. I have a Dunn fixed blade made in the early 1980's from D2 when that was a super steel (although the term hadn't even been invented yet). I think that's an heirloom. I also have my great-grandfather's wicker rocking chair that I remember him rocking away in in the early 1050's. That's an heirloom although my grandmother had the cane seat and back replaced with upholstery in the 1960's. (I still rock in it every night before going to bed.) That's an heirloom. Good quality, a frequently used, and companion item, makes an heirloom. it's not the marketing about materials, it's the personal connection with an earlier generation that makes an heirloom. Great video guys, keep up the great work.

A knife that has a story. Great-Grandpa's bent K-BAR that stopped a German bullet would be somewhat of an heirloom knife.

I would argue that indeed some knives are intended to be heirlooms because they are works of art and not a tool. Your website has witness to that. Luv you guys.

I always feel like an heirloom is something that is not only valuable but has value in that it has been in the family for years passed on father to son even through generations possibly. There is a sort of familial attachment to the object that endears the object to the owner/user. For example, I have an old case xx hunter passed on to me by my father that he used to skin caribou in AK. You guys are making me think today.

I think there are two meanings behind heirloom. 1). Heirloom quality is a marketing term to instill a sense of quality, durability, and perhaps aesthetics - something you would want to pass on to the next generation because it is "quality". 2). An heirloom on the other hand is something with history, that has attached sentimentality either due to association with special people/ancestry or out of faithful use / fondness / familiarity - e.g. something that has been an anchor /main stay for a family such as a durable wooden dining table... a knife can definitely fit with both meanings of the word.

I truly appreciated how you started with your personal definitions of what an heirloom is. It goes to the heart of the purpose, attributes (shape, ergonomics, edge geometry, steel, heat treatment), workmanship, and subjective aesthetics of the knife, in that order. When all of these come together, the knife is more collectable. A superior design that reliably excels at its intended function can be an heirloom. As an example, a tactical fixed blade that is easily concealed and that is meant to get someone off you during lethal grappling might be the Clench Pick or MDV Plus One. Optimally, you're not going to use these knives often and need the skill to use such a knife effectively. But, I could explain why these designs are superior to an heir. By contrast, a tactical fixed blade meant to be open carried would result in a completely different set of criteria. So, to me, heirloom means ultimately fit for its timeless purpose.

I cherish the knives that belonged to my father and grandfather not because of their monetary or collector value but because of the memories they evoke when I use them. To me, the emotional connection is what makes an heirloom. Using something myself that I have fond memories of my dad or grandfather using is satisfying and I often say "Thanks, Dad." or "Thanks, Grandpa." when I'm using them.

Potential argument that fits both DCA and Seth’s narratives so to speak, is design. A wharncliff blade style has been used for centuries and we still use it today. Fillet knives, they’ve been used for centuries and they have narrow blades that will never outlast a meat cleaver when it comes to amount of use to sharpening ratio. I see both sides and agree with both sides; but if I may have my own take, it would be design. From the iconic and unmistakable clip point blades we see in the Buck 110 and Hinderer Rancher Bowie, to the tantos of a Chris Reeves Sebenza and the sharp lines of the Cold Steel Knives. Iconic brands can build knives that last for generations, but in the end, materials are replaced and disappear; just as past nations and societies, yet they still live on to this day because of the impact they had in history. Get something that speaks to you and pass it on. God bless and keep collecting/ searching.

Heirloom = the Marbles hunter knife my grandmother gave my grandfather for his 16th birthday in 1927. The heirloom part is the memory that comes with it

From my great uncle's WW2 combat knife through my antique Damascus and onward I have a hundred heirloom knives 😊

There seem to be 2 different questions here: 1. What makes a knife “heirloom quality?” and 2. What qualities make a knife “heirloom?” (which is what I think the commenter meant). To me, “heirloom quality” simply means that the item has the CAPACITY to be passed on through multiple generations. Basically, that it’s going to last that long. The real question about what qualities make a knife “heirloom” are obviously going to vary from person to person. For me, it would be a knife that has a sufficient combination of sentimental value, high quality, aesthetic value, financial value, and is something that the recipient will appreciate.

I have a Case that my great grandmother gave me on my 10th birthday in December of 1976. it was my great uncles knife when he was a boy. I never met him, he died in WW2. so he got the knife in the 1930s . it is a 3 bladed knife with black jigged scales and silver colored bolsters it has 3 pins a silver one on each end and a larger brass one in the center. it has a large spear blade, a sheepfoot, and a pen blade on the large blade it has Case , in capitol block letters the C ends on top between the A and the S, the bottom of the c underlines the entire word. the knife was made between 1932-1940 I carry it everyday in my watch pocket, but rarely use it. the back springs are tight and snap the blade closed with authority . there are no gaps anywhere on the knife and the fit and finish are perfect. it is a user , my uncle used it as a boy, so did I, the blades are a little worn from sharpening, now its just a conversation piece when I meet another knife guy. I do not know what it's worth, but I wouldn't trade it for a new Corvette ! one day , I'll pass it on to my grandson.

Seth was 'more right' in that quality usefulness and history of design proof, does add to the pass on special value to the knife. DCA was really close to it when he was talking about the 'used up' knife and 'stories' it could tell. Those stories 'of use' by that (or many of) those previous generations will ADD the inherent value. BOTH will lead to the definition of a proper heirloom. *Note: It does always seem to take both of ur minds to properly explain/describe/present the best KC has to offer. THX.!.

I think everything in our world is consumable, or can get used up. Houses, clothes, tools, even us humans. Nothing lasts forever. An heirloom is something that you choose to use but also take care of, has value and the ability to last for generations without falling apart. Knives are very much able to be heirlooms. The use gives them purpose and makes us value them to pass them down. I think almost any knife can be an heirloom. If youre not using a belt grinder to sharpen and you don't have OCD and sharpen the knife after every use i think most blades are capable of lasting many generations. Before I started collecting and really getting into the knife thing i could use a knife for many months without sharpening it, and it worked just fine. Only now that im obsessed does my knife have to constantly be able to shave my beard off at any moment.

I think this question I going to be completely individual. My uncle, who I was close to, had a couple of fairly cheap case knives. They were users, not abused, they were tools to be used. I have 2 brothers, and we each took one. My son did as well. They aren't something I would use, but they aren't leaving my collection. Now, for me, I love the old school looking knives. Like the Barlow, Stockman, etc. But I want modern materials. So my new kick is Pena knives, and Jack Wolf. I just bought the Jack Wolf Gunslinger with the the Iron Wood handle from you guys. That knife is the epitome of what I'm looking at. - Classic blade shape, but modern steel. - Classic looking handle, modern materials. - And I know this is silly, but it must lock. Also, these Pena and Jack Wolf knives MUST be used. If it just sits on a shelf, it's a decoration.

I think something should be said of seeing Dad or Granddad (or Mom, etc.) using/carrying the knife a lot. For me, since the day it arrived my carry has been the Leatherman Arc. It has everything I ever wanted from a multitool/knife and while I do have other knifes for this or that. They always see me with it, and I don't see that changing.

This to me ties nicely into the grandfather's axe paradox: "This is my grandfather’s axe. My father replaced the head. I replaced the handle. My daughter added some tape to the handle. Is it still my grandfather’s axe?" To me the continuity of the axe, the story and the obvious utility it has had for generations makes it heirloom quality. Still, it is not the only definition if heirloom. The term "heirloom quality" is also different from a "heirloom". A knife (or axe) can have a heirloom quality and still not become a heirloom item, and what turn out to be a treasured heirloom may not initially have a heirloom quality. For some, something being kinda exclusive and expensive may constitute a heirloom quality and it may be treasured for being unique or exclusive. Another heirloom quality may be that it has had utiliity and endurance for an ancestor and can be passed on and still be used and also be repaired and continued. I have two iron cast skillets from my parents. They are heirlooms for sure. My father’s old Mora knives are used and resharpened so much that the blades are almost toothpicks. They are certainly used up. They could be heirlooms as memory items, but they would not be repaired to be continuously used...

DCA and Seth, what are the 5 knives you would keep if you had to sell off everything else? Let's assume a.) Kitchen knives don't count - you get to keep those regardless b.) Everything else is being sold off so you can buy/keep any knife of any value c.) The 5 total includes folders and fixed blades combined. You choose the ratio of fixed to folding

I would push back, mildly, on the furniture comparison- If the blade of a knife is a consumable wear part, and that is a disqualifier, what about upholstery? Re-caning or re-stuffing.. replace a blade.. ship of theseus. And if ‘sitting not in use’ didnt count as longevity then no furniture could really count at all, since much of what it does is sit un-stressed. Points taken from DCA, dont get me wrong haha

I passed on my Swiss Army knife to my son. It must be 30 years old. I changed the scales, cleaned and oiled it. I changed the scissors spring and gave it a good sharpening. It's like new and he carries it to work.

As long as it means something special to you.That's What makes it special to pass on

Heirlooms are labeled by the person or people who will receive it. I have the first guitar I bought. That was in late 1959 or 1960. Fast forward to 1984. I was playing it and mentioned that I was thinking of trading it or selling it. Our youngest daughter, 11 years old, simply said, “Dad, you can’t.” I asked if she planned on playing the guitar. She smiled and said, no. She told me that she may just hang it on a wall, where she would know I was there. It is more to her than a photo of me. She’s now 40 and reminds me every year about the guitar and its connection to us. That is an heirloom.

Heirloom is in the eye of the recipient. An object doesn’t need to be expensive to be an heirloom. A pocket knife that belonged to a father, grandfather, uncle or even a brother that you know and remember this person carrying it daily. Can materials help play into “Heirloom” well certainly. But an old Jack knife that originally cost $12 can be an heirloom.

Dave, you overlooked the Chaves Ultramar CHUB Utility Blade Flipper. You can keep replacing the utility blade inserts indefinitely, so your argument that with sufficient use, the knife's blade will eventually wear out, doesn't apply.

personally i believe heirloom objects,can be anything passed down that has family history.its more about connection,use and function.vehicle,jewelry,tools,furniture etc.knives are in a special category of heirloom because they can save lives and be used to survive. everything has a life span.if i have custom knives made ,one of a kind to my specs,that is heirloom that can be passed down several times .

Heirloom to me is unique, irreplaceable. That object is special and unique cause of who passed it on, not just the characteristics of the object itself. Jewelry, watches, furniture etc, and most certainly knives.

DCA is literally the uncle iroh of the knife world, the best advice, knowledgeable in many aspects, humble, and now confirming he drinks tea

I think heirlooms are 100% personal. My brass Penguin that I have beat on daily will be more valuable to my kids than my Microtech UTX85 that I never carry.

Seth was correct. With your thought process, nothing is heirloom quality. Even the pyramids will turn to dust in time.

I have 5 Randal Made knives on order, including the knife in this video. I may keep 2-3, we'll see. Some may become gifts. 5 1/2 year wait when I ordered, but over 6 now. I also have a Diamond Blade Summit that I used on an elk, a buck short run that I used on another elk, and also a KOA Bush Camp and 3 Moraknivs. But my favorite, my heirloom, is the cheapest: my Buck 110 my parents gave me when I was 7. I couldn't even unlock the super tight mechanism to close it for the first 2 years I owned it. It has carved up 2 white tails, an Aoudad, and Axis, and a couple of rabbits. My wife and I used it on fish and pried open clams on about 15 trips to Baja CA, Mexico. It's still solid, although very marked up (with use comes beauty), and razor sharp. I carried it last weekend on a hike. I have had it for 49 years. That's heriloom.

If you would consider the difference between an heirloom and a keepsake. My gun cabinet was handmade by my grandfather a hundred years ago and is a family heirloom. My Shun folding steak knife is a keepsake that my daughter can enjoy for years after my passing. Her use of it should provide a moment’s reflection, “my dad loved using this”. The gun cabinet is an example of craftsmanship rarely seen today that should be cherished for generations.

My grandfather’s picnic knife was always an Opinel, and I gave one to my daughter last year.

Darn it David you had a convincing argument. First on the furniture example. What percentage of that furniture survived and could it be assumed that those that did were lighter users. A knife of todays quality with similar build as furniture made to the same quality as the furniture you described might survive to your great grandchild. The other argument for knives obtaining heirloom status is yes the blade wears out and yes us knife lovers think the blade is the knife but is it? Your special knife should be able to reblade and still make it an heirloom to its current owner since it was his Granparents. The blades are much like the fabric or the cane. It also wears out but easily replaced

It's the tradition of knife carry along with the types. My grandfather carried a Case medium stockman with yellow covers. My dad carried an Old Timer with a clip point blade and a Barlow. I've always carried a Victorinox SAK of one kind or the other. My brother and I have number of different knives e.g. Buck 110, KaBar, Spyderco, Kershaw, etc. My son now collects a number of knives. Incidentally, my son introduced me to Opinels and Moras, so it goes both directions.

I really appreciate these discussions between DCA and Seth. Google defined heirloom as a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations. Based on that definition, it's not an heirloom until it's been in a family for "several generations." Google also states it's a valuable object. Value can be in terms of money or emotional connection. A cast iron pan can be priceless to someone if it's been in a family for eight generations. I think my definition of heirloom is: an object that's been handed down to multiple generations and holds emotional importance for the same family.

For me its the memories that are retained through experiencing in use. Wether its a chair or a knife. My grandfather always caried a small traditional carbon steel folder. When he died I received 2 of them both Soligen Robertz both heavily worn with broken back springs,unusable, but both incredibly meaningful. I often carry a trad folder, and its thanks to him. My kids will probably carry SAK's because its what they have mostly experience me using.

I tend to remove the utility aspect from my mind when I consider heirloom quality knife. In my mind it is a knife that has built up character and has been well used and enjoyed by a loved one and something folks can remember them carrying and using.

I can see knives in a historical museum, when I visit, that has been handed down as an heirloom before it ever got to the museum. The museum sees value with a knife. So, yes, there are unique knives that can be heirloom quality. Maybe not the kind and type of knife, but the historical time era of when the knife was produced and used. For example, one can go to the Chicago Art Museum to see historical knives and swords from the Medieval era. Those tools and implements were passed down from generation to generation as an heirloom, until finally it got to a museum from individuals who decided to donate, display, and share its historic heirloom importance.

I have a swiss army knife my dad gave to me and he always had one. He gave me a new one roughly every five years because they may last a long time, they wear out. The last one he gave has been on my keys for almost 8 years now. If i don't retire it soon, it will wear out. It's only an heirloom if it lasts, but it won't last if I continue to use it. I suppose it's an heirloom if i pass it on but if unused it can't be the gift it was meant to be, a great tool given from a father to a son as a symbol of pride and love. I don't have kids, but i'd give them a swiss army knife, not as an heirloom but as family tradition. I conclude that my knife is not an heirloom.

For me, heirloom, knives are those that are made with high-quality materials and high-quality craftsmanship. Many knives can be heirloom as you have shown, but for me, Randall is still number one in my mind when I think of an heirloom knife.

As a custom maker myself i would say customs more readily meet the requirements than any others. While only a very few production models manage it. Aesthetics, durability/reliability, rarity of materials, as well as the level of skill attached to the maker & rarity of the piece all play a part.

A heirloom must have an imprint of a loved person, no matter what the quality of it can be. One must feel the attachment to that person, or perhaps that generation, or perhaps to many generations of persons, through the visual, tactile or even odorous perception of the object. Of course objects of great value or of particularly remarkable art enhance the preciousness of the link. One cannot buy a ready-made heirloom for oneself. A heirloom knife should reflect age, patina of usage, and some aspect of character reminiscent of the honored source.

"Heirloom" to me is 60% craftsmanship, 40% emotional attachment. And sometimes the lines can blur. My grandpa had an KJ Eriksson (pre Morakniv) with a red plastic handle that lived in his workshop. It now lives in my workshop, and I use it all the time. Does it look like an heirloom knife? Definitely not. But it is. On the flipside, my LT Wright knives, properly maintained, will far outlive me. And possibly outlive the next set of hands they fall into. There aren't years of memories attached to them yet, but they're built to last. So aside from the actual definition, "heirloom" knives could be anything to anyone. I think there are some we can all agree on, but past that, it's just as related to attachment and experience as it is quality.

The current owner decides what is and what is not an heirloom and passes that down. The heir of item determines if it is an heirloom to them. No retailer can tell you what is and what isn't going to be relevant to you and your heir.

I would argue that knives/swords/steels in-use will far outlast furniture. There are thousands of museum examples of blades from hundreds of years ago, even up to 1000 or more years old, that can still hold a useful edge and be put to task. The wood/natural material handles having long since rotted away. Whereas any furniture in a museum or historical display from more than an average of about 100 ago cannot be used anymore without significant damage to it, or need of massive refurbishment. Looking around the armories of the world, from feudal japan to western Europe; the blades and steel/alloy products dating back to the beginning of the iron age can still be found. One of the oldest living, bladed, artifacts in existence...a flint knife; has outlasted them all. Thanks to Otzi the Iceman! And I'd argue that the flint knife will abrade 1000 times easier and faster than any steel knife; yet it persisted and can still be seen today. Designating things as "heirloom" solely based on their useful life is sort of an exercise in futility. King Tut's golden dagger was never actually that useful as daggers go...but it's an heirloom from antiquities without equal. To me 'heirloom' denotes more of a philosophical and emotional connection to an object, with profound enough sentimental value that the owner and their descendants hold onto the object as long as possible to illicit connection to the past and fondness for heritage passed down through the object. The materials it's made of, and the service life matter much less than the importance of the historical identity of the piece. Still needs to work good and look good though...😉

To me the term “Heirloom Quality” means a knife that while it is carried, if not EDC, but instills the desire for that knife into a future generation. I have kids that I’ve mentored that have a love for knives becasue of what i’ve been able to give them. For example, I have kid that loved knives, that know carries both a RAT-1 and a Mora, neither are expensive but both are great users.

I have a slightly different take. Ask a kid his favorite knife and he’s likely to say something like “this one, the one my dad helped me skin my first dear with”. Or the one I learned bushcraft from my father with. I believe experiences make a knife memorable. I would choose a knife I like for the tasks I would be doing with my child. Then when appropriate, I would hand it to that child. Hoping some day he would relay it to his child with the stories about learning to use it from his dad, etc. Stories of use and times together make it heirloom quality, not a certain feature.

An heirloom is an heirloom. Whether it's a five dollar gas station knife, or an outrageously expensive top of the line knife. My most prized knife is an heirloom. A buck 119, that my grandfather left to my father, who left to my brother who left it to me. Not that it was ever in a will or specifically left. But three generations of us have owned that knife. My brother and I both dressed our first kills with that knife. One day I'll pass that knife on to my nephew or my son. There isn't really anything special about the knife. But it's definitely extra special to me

I have several knives that will outlast me. The ones that have been on combat missions, used at work, on epic travel are what my kids will cherish. The memories attached, shown through the scars the knives earned are the stories they will tell🤠🤠🤠

22:56 Haha, I actually just imagined my great great great grandfather (or great great grandfather) holding one of our very old, partially rusty, heavily patinated (or what's the word), and heavily ground down and used workshop knives, after purchasing it, when it was still fresh and new. They got a more classic blade style (as far as you can tell haha), like with straight spine with straight but angled edge, and a belly towards the tip. Thanks for that picture in my mind DCA!

I was brought up in a small village in the Loire valley in the 80's. My parents each had a Laguiole they'd bought in 1973 in Thiers (France) that they used on sundays. Carbon blades, horn scales. They still use them today. They're probably not worth much, they look very used, but theyre still sharp after over fifty years of good service. That's "heirloom" knives.

Hey D.C.A & crew. I enjoy learning the history of modern knives and have tried to learn as much about knife makers/ designers as possible. A.G. Russell is at the top of that list for me personally. Having learned how much of an impact he has had on the industry as a whole it amazes me that he isn't spoken of more like other makers/ designers of his generation. Arguably the industry wouldn't be where it is today if not for him. My question is, what are your thoughts on this, and are there makers/ designers that you feel should be better known for their contributions? Thank you guys for the hours upon hours of entertainment!

David, concerning your take on heirloom quality knives, I know they exist because I have a couple! Bought by my grandpa many years ago, they were tools and used like tools. But they didn’t need to withstand multiple lifetimes of cutting and sharpening, only one, because when they were passed down to me they stopped being tools and became heirlooms. They’re still knives that could do the job, but now they have a different job and it doesn’t wear down the edge 🤷‍♂️

My first thought of an heirloom knife would be a Randall, but by the end of the video I tend to agree with DCA, not really sure there’s such a thing. I think it’s about sentiment, and that’s what makes a knife worthy of being passed on. Grandpa’s 119 that was always on his hip at elk camp, dads case peanut that was always in his pocket. Like Seth’s choice of the Swiss Army knife. Tradition, special memories, and hopefully good enough quality that it’s still useable when passed down.

It’s something that is made of such quality materials and workmanship/craftsmanship that even though it was used extensively for its intended purpose it will outlive its original owner or user and be completely capable in relation to physical and functional properties of being passed on to another generation for continued use of its intended purpose and design.

I once read that a good Scandinavian knife was designed to last three generations. Maybe or maybe not, but I have a Brusletto that is two generations old and still in use. 🎸🔪

I sometimes work with prehistoric flint (chert) tools such as blades that were made several hundreds of thousands of years ago. Nothing we make or acquire in our lifetime comes even close to such tools. However, your take on heirloom is very interesting. Thanks!

I think the word Seth was struggling to find at 17:53 is “consumable”. The edge is designed to be “consumed” over time. It’s not disposable, or broken or failed it’s been fully consumed.

18:34 Yes there are many! We got a whole workshop filled with old tools from my great great grampa! Even those big old knives with the full tang and the fat wooden handle scales, he used the chrome out of those lol. All the old tools (and hammer heads) got that dark and almost black "finish" to them, I think that's a lifetime of patina haha. Mostly full metal tools, and some wooden parts.

I don't think quality and price has much to do with being an heirloom, otherwise only expensive premium knives would qualify. Obviously the quality has to be good enough for it not to be falling apart - but otherwise it's the memories attached to it. A first knife, a gift for a special occasion, a knife that helped me out of a tricky situation, a knife that was my companion on a special trip, a knife I rewarded myself with for some occasion, the knife I carried my whole life, etc.

In terms of a folder I think Chris Reeve is a good option for an heirloom.Their warranty along with the hollow grind and good heat treat with good steel should give you a knife with a very long life.

Depends upon what you have as heirloom quality. My mom gave my dad a knife for their wedding present and he has cleaned every deer and fish he kept for the last fifty years with that knife. It was just somebody going around selling knives out of his truck don't even remember the brand. My dad has carved every turkey he has cut up with a knife he got from his grandmother a knife from Germany that she had gotten from her mom when she got married. Way more than 100 years old. Already promised to my nephews fiance they are getting married when she graduates from college

Recently my fellow retirees jested that when I pass ( I’m 70 and have a knife collection of about 200 knives ) that my daughter will sell them as a lot for only $15 in an estate sale. So your “Heirloom” video has really got me thinking. Great video, guys!!

Agree with both of you. But to get the best of both worlds, best heirloom knife would be the knife you pull out once or twice a year for family holidays (Thanksgiving/Christmas) to slice the turkey and it can be handed down. Won't wear out cause it rarely gets used, but everyone will remember dad/grandad slicing the turkey with it.

In my opinion a family heirloom doesn't have to be a of a higher quality or price or availability. My grandfather was a minister for 55 years (retired in '78. died in '97 at 93). I have in my possession his last bible. I have my grandmother's favorite blanquet. I'm getting in to the here weeds here but a real family heirloom for me is something with first and foremost a sentimental value. I also have my grandma's old "grandmother clock" (I got a tattoo of it on my shoulder marking the hour of grandpa's passing and my grandma's favorite flowers). It doesn't even work! but it's a fixture of my childhood and my brothers and uncles and cousins all would love to have those things. I'm sure my daughter and my nieces would like to have some of my old Doc Martens boots that i've been using since before they were born. My daughter has her grandfather's (a Master Sergeant) rusty non working Zippo and his old army bayonet that I found within his old tools after his death (which she also proudly guards). So I'm more than sure where my 110 Hunter or my cheap Squier guitars and low end Gretsch or my Kangol hats or my music collection or my Bukowski books, or the SAK that's always in my pocket would end up after my passing.

I have my grandfather’s knife and my father’s as well. Either were expensive but what makes them Special to me is the history. I remember watching my grandfather skin a deer with his knife and seeing my father’s knife on his belt days we spent in the woods . I appreciate beauty and quality in a blade but there is nothing more heirloom than memories attached to a knife

Knives are meant to be used that’s true. The amount of used ‘collector’ knives I see for sale that state ‘never cut or carried’ shows that they are not being used for the purpose they were intended, merely as a piece of art or jewellery to be admired.

You are both right. I have knives in my collection that can be passed down, many have never been used. They have quality and history and legacy which is why they are in my collection. Big difference between those knives and my EDC. Firearms and even motorcycles can be heirloom quality. We have deer rifles and shotguns that have been passed down for a century, are fully functional and beautiful, but only get used in November. Vintage Harleys will last multiple generations of being ridden, but not necessarily a daily driver. To me heirloom means used and appreciated by multiple generations but intentionally preserved

an heirloom quality knife i picture is one covered in jewels, extremely well-made by someone renowned and never used except for ceremonial purposes and it wouldve been made at least in the 19th century or earlier.

I agree with David, there is no such thing as heirloom quality for a knife because ,if used, it will eventually be gone. I do believe however that there is such a thing as an heirloom knife, and that is any knife with a story and/or memories. For example, I have a Schrade LB-7 that I carried sometimes in my pocket and sometimes in its sheath on my belt, my entire teenage years and then 20 years in the Army so there are a lot of memories and stories there.

I believe my 119 will be an heirloom...my 1st fixed from my dad in 1997...still a very clean and looks like it did the day I got it! Not very used...only used for the animals I have hunted...it means a lot to me and I will pass it down to my kids if they decide to ever hunt

During the Korean War, the Orlando Post Office was getting letter addressed: “Knife Man Randall, Orlando FL” because of the reputation of older WWII soldiers on new incoming soldiers to get a great quality knife. I traded a Bernardelli .380 for a Randall Model 2 with a 5” blade in 1988 or 1989 at a gun show in Salt Lake City (same gun show I met Lynn Thompson in person - Huge ego, but great guy) I still have that knife and I love it. Randall Knives along with Loveless Knives are pretty much the epitome of “heirloom” quality knives. At the same time, a Randall is an exceptionally good outdoors tool.

My heirloom knife is the Emerson CQC-7 I got while in the Navy 25 years and still sharp.

Hey guys love the shows you bring us your a blessing to the knife community. My question is for Seth, my Microtech socom elite(manual) has a hole drilled at the very bottom of the non pocket clip side (show side) does yours have this hole? What's it for? Just very curious 🤔 any help will be appreciated. Thanks for the content love it!

I think an argument could be made that a folder is similar to an heirloom furniture piece in that you can replace the blade as part of maintenance just like reupholstering cushions on a couch. Fixed blades are a tougher case to fit into DCAs criteria since you can't replace the blade

Really interesting. Definitely know what you mean DCA. I have my grandfathers jack knife, and one of the blades has been sharpened down so much that it sticks out.

Perhaps an heirloom knife could be something used for a specific but special purpose. A special carving knife set for holiday gatherings. Or large serving set to cut wedding cakes that could be handed down and used for generations in the family.

I think that’s a loaded question as everyone asked would have their own answer and interpretation. However I do believe the new Finch Hellfires are worthy of passing down. I’d also say any buck locking folder. 112 or 110.

I think an heirloom is something that was previously loved by the former owner of the object. I intend to hand down my old field knife from serving in the infantry. It's not special, or expensive or even really nice but it was with me through thick and thin. Its a Gerber prodigy. The sheath broke and I have resharpened it dozens of times but it's part of me. And God willing I'll pass it down to my son.

Great topic, I always think case, I have seen my dad wear a case down to the spine, send it in for a free replacement, and repeat that process 4 or 5 times in my lifetime, dad gave me my first case, exactly like the one he carries.. not custom, but for everyday use.. dad gave me my first buck knife, and my first one off custom Stagg handled hunting knife with my name engraved in the handle...

22:42 Ha! That's how all the old and banged up workshop knives from my gramps look like, which he got from my grandmas paps I think. And yes, most of them had the same original shape, and some of them are reeaally used up and down (and sharpened), you can see it by the tiny blade with the same handle size lol. And yes, some have a smaller handle size. But some also got quite the original shape still, meaning a long and relatively fresh blade (don't mind the rust and patina haha).

Heirloom=Longevity Heirloom quality is in the quality and longevity of materials used in the handle. The blade is the usable portion and thus would be replaceable, in all knives. Though, a thoroughly tough blade steel would also suffice, something that can rust without proper care and takes an edge with difficulty but maintaining that edge with heavy use, needing less sessions of sharpening, losing less material per year than a softer blade.

To me, heirloom are the knives I 1)would be disappointed to go to a stranger after I’m gone, especially if has no idea of it’s inherent or sentimental value. And 2) are not easily replaced for relatively low cost. 3) are knives that should be in a respectable collection, even if modest in size. My favorites I hope to pass on.., a Randall, a special edition 117 Buck, a Helle, and a custom mammoth tusk handled knife by Swan knives. The other 20 or so can go in a garage sale. Now as far as my cast iron cookware, they are better than new thanks to how well they are seasoned after lots of use.

The way I see it is and is a reference I use for my own collection is what are knives that my children will use and instantly have memories of when I used to carry them. So for me those are US made quality pieces that I can hand down to take care of them in their future adventures

Once I bought a whole bunch of used SAK's on eBay and gave away a whole bunch of guys for work. They mostly got put on keychains and guys carry them around and pull them out for things like splinters at work

I have a 44 year old Buck 119. I have never used it for anything. I just like holding it 🙂