Usually any knife that has a shield has at least one more place where they have the manufactures name. Beyond one, it's just excessive advertising. Leave natural materials shield 🛡 less. I want to see all of the abalone, not some stupid shield breaking up the natural beauty of the material. It's like a pop up advertisement in the middle of looking at something. I agree with having a shield 🛡 on a SAK because there are so many copies, not counterfeits. Shields also have a tendency to fall off unless they are pinned in place. Then you have a big chunk missing from where the shield was making it look funky.
For me I think in some instances shields are okay. I like a nice case red and gold shield on a white jigged delrin handle or in some instances a shield of case letters inlayed into a synthetic material. But I do agree with some nice bone and stag handles are better without. I agree that I really do not like shields on Barlows. There is plenty of room to stamp or etch on those extended bolsters, so why waste what precious little remaining handle material to put in a shield? However I have an old Buck Vantage Force Pro that has a shield that I do like, which seems unique on a modern style EDC and Buck has their shields uniquely placed on the opposite end and upside down on the handle so that the shield would be displayed with the knife fully open.
My favourite knife shield will always be no shield. But there are exceptions. Without going into half an hour of detailed text, I would refer to William Morris. He said."have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" This applies to shields as much as everything else. Is there a need for the shield (somewhere to engrave, the significance of the knife etc) or will be shield enhance the beauty of the knife? Otherwise, I pretty much agree with you!
Pretty much in agreement with you Tobias. I will say that the style of the shield does make collecting interesting, such as the Ichthus shield series by Case. Also, as with Buck, the shield can help you date the knife. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend.
LOL!. The Army had stopped using the sewn on sleeve rank about 10 years before I joined. They switched to pin on metal collar rank but that also became problematic. The reason they had swapped out the sleeve rank was because it is conspicuous and led to getting shot at, The went to pin on collar rank, so it could be easily removed when you went in the field. But then the Army authorized sewn on collar rank because the pin on rank looked like crap and was cutting soldiers! The Velcro stuff looks absolutely hideous. It's only a matter of time before they start sewing velcro patches in place so they aren't crooked!
I agree with you. If a shield looks cool then I don’t mind. If it detracts there’s that feeling of disappointment that it’s not as good as it could be which is especially bad on a more expensive knife. I have a Queen Barlow with beautiful saw cut bone and that dumb round shield. Still love the knife but wish it had no shield. Can’t stand bullet shields that are too large for the scale proportionally. The absolute worst shield of all time imho is Case’s patriotic shield. Putting our beloved flag on a knife, that’s cool. But Case stamps it’s name right across the flag! The size and the shine of the metal has the effect of making the Case name look like it’s standing out in front of the flag. It looks like statement of capitalism over America, as if that’s more important than the patriotism. Just leave the flag and keep your name off it dammit! People died for that flag, it’s sacrilegious! Great video and rant!
I like the shield on the smooth white bone. Looks good to me. But I agree, a shield on a natural scale like jigged bone, pearl, horn/antlers, or other wild materials make the knife look too factory made.
I only own two Case knives now and neither have a shield and one is sod buster jr both a deep canyon series in red bone the other is a stockman. I'm not a shield guy myself.
Sometimes the shield compliments the knife, but a lot of times it looks as if it was forced on the knife), an interesting subject and video, thanks, Tobias.
Very true! If a shield is used it should be pinned and there should be no letters on it. No blatant advertising. It could be a logo (again no letters) or a meaningful symbol, or object (think beehive, acorn, etc), an animal but no names, words nor even letters. Shields should NEVER darken full Stag, Mammoth, Abalone, MOP, nor even some bone covers. That's my opinion and I'm sticking with it... mostly...BSA forever. ⚜
What I hate is when they turn their knives into a billboard for their company. Shield, bolster stamp, blades engraved…Marbles being a prime example of this.
As an avid scrimshander I totally agree that white smooth bone knives should *never* have a shield. I really wish Case particularly would consider this. Otherwise I generally enjoy shields but in my collection I have a variety of slipjoints with and without them. It seems like case is so focused on the collector market that when they release a new series they make sure all the knives in that series have matching shields regardless of them being Sodbusters or Barlows or other patterns that really shouldn’t have a shield. Speaking of Barlows, I’d like to know people’s thoughts on the recent trend of using laser etching on the bolster instead of stamping it. Personally I can’t stand it and think it looks chintzy.
I really don't have a real problem with shields as much as I do with blade etching. But I agree that some shields are probably better left off of scales of certain materials.
I don't really own enough traditional pattern knives to really have a proper opinion, but I can say that I think my SAK's would look weird without their shields though. 🤔Interesting topic and thanks for sharing about it. Take care my friend and Cheers!
I hate blade etching, especially when there is a shield, bolster etch and then the blade etched. Makes a good knife look cheap. Shield alone does not bother me a bit as long as it's flush.
Depends on the knife and which covers it has. Some shields are just awful and over used -like the bland case oval. Of course every company misses , the GEC fish knife shield is terrible and not needed, but their elephant toenail shield on the 36 is perfect. Barlows should not have shields🤝
my mom always got my dad and my older brother a pocket knife for christmas and she always had the initial of their first name engraved on the shield... shields never bothered me but pocket clips do big time
I feel about blade etch how you feel about the shield. It’s hard to explain, but I feel if I’m buying a knife, the blade belongs to me. I don’t want stupid jokey titles or advertisements on it.
Absolutely I’m a shield guy!!!!! I know a lot of people don’t like them but I love them!!!!! Go figure right lol I’m odd I know!!!! Happy holidays Tobias stay safe out there…… there is alot of crazy nut jobs out there desperate people with no money looking to rob you or kill you…….. be aware of your surroundings bud🎅🎄😊
You're kinda wishy washy! I don't like them, I like some of them! I like them, they are proudly identifying the knife's brand! A stag handled knife without a shield looks like it needs a shield! Now to address another issue... knife clips! These are something that ruins the look of a folder! They are NOT needed! It for some reason has gained popularity, but I hate it! Pocked knives are meant to be put into a pocket! That's what I do! I take the clip off and toss it out, but then you have these holes and divots that looks horrible! Especially when it's been drilled and tapped for all FOUR ends of the knife! And the worst thing is you can't buy a knife without a clip! So I'm stuck with a knife with a ruined look to it! Unless you buy a custom folder for $400-500+ dollars and request no clip! 🤔😱😡
I agree Tobias and even more frustrating when the shield isn’t flush with the handle scale
I kind of equate shields on knives with automobile emblems on car grills.
They are the signature of the manufacturer.
Thanks Tobias
Usually any knife that has a shield has at least one more place where they have the manufactures name. Beyond one, it's just excessive advertising. Leave natural materials shield 🛡 less. I want to see all of the abalone, not some stupid shield breaking up the natural beauty of the material. It's like a pop up advertisement in the middle of looking at something. I agree with having a shield 🛡 on a SAK because there are so many copies, not counterfeits. Shields also have a tendency to fall off unless they are pinned in place. Then you have a big chunk missing from where the shield was making it look funky.
I agree with you 💯👍
For me I think in some instances shields are okay. I like a nice case red and gold shield on a white jigged delrin handle or in some instances a shield of case letters inlayed into a synthetic material.
But I do agree with some nice bone and stag handles are better without.
I agree that I really do not like shields on Barlows. There is plenty of room to stamp or etch on those extended bolsters, so why waste what precious little remaining handle material to put in a shield?
However I have an old Buck Vantage Force Pro that has a shield that I do like, which seems unique on a modern style EDC and Buck has their shields uniquely placed on the opposite end and upside down on the handle so that the shield would be displayed with the knife fully open.
My favourite knife shield will always be no shield. But there are exceptions. Without going into half an hour of detailed text, I would refer to William Morris. He said."have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" This applies to shields as much as everything else. Is there a need for the shield (somewhere to engrave, the significance of the knife etc) or will be shield enhance the beauty of the knife? Otherwise, I pretty much agree with you!
I agree with the shields-some it looks okay and others not so good.
Pretty much in agreement with you Tobias. I will say that the style of the shield does make collecting interesting, such as the Ichthus shield series by Case. Also, as with Buck, the shield can help you date the knife. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend.
so, its more about aesthetics than the shield itself. if the army made a knife, the shields would be velcro'd on.
LOL!. The Army had stopped using the sewn on sleeve rank about 10 years before I joined. They switched to pin on metal collar rank but that also became problematic. The reason they had swapped out the sleeve rank was because it is conspicuous and led to getting shot at, The went to pin on collar rank, so it could be easily removed when you went in the field. But then the Army authorized sewn on collar rank because the pin on rank looked like crap and was cutting soldiers! The Velcro stuff looks absolutely hideous. It's only a matter of time before they start sewing velcro patches in place so they aren't crooked!
i prefer that they match the knife either in purpose or as a theme....same... top 5 knife shields huh....
I agree with you. If a shield looks cool then I don’t mind. If it detracts there’s that feeling of disappointment that it’s not as good as it could be which is especially bad on a more expensive knife. I have a Queen Barlow with beautiful saw cut bone and that dumb round shield. Still love the knife but wish it had no shield. Can’t stand bullet shields that are too large for the scale proportionally. The absolute worst shield of all time imho is Case’s patriotic shield. Putting our beloved flag on a knife, that’s cool. But Case stamps it’s name right across the flag! The size and the shine of the metal has the effect of making the Case name look like it’s standing out in front of the flag. It looks like statement of capitalism over America, as if that’s more important than the patriotism. Just leave the flag and keep your name off it dammit! People died for that flag, it’s sacrilegious! Great video and rant!
I was never crazy about the Case Patriotic Shield. You make some good points about it. It would look much better without the Case name superimposed.
I like the shield on the smooth white bone. Looks good to me. But I agree, a shield on a natural scale like jigged bone, pearl, horn/antlers, or other wild materials make the knife look too factory made.
I only own two Case knives now and neither have a shield and one is sod buster jr both a deep canyon series in red bone the other is a stockman. I'm not a shield guy myself.
For the most part, I like a shield on a knife. But I definitely agree that certain cover materials look better without one. Great video, buddy!
If I like the look of the shield on some knives and some I don’t, it just depends on the knife and brand.
Sometimes the shield compliments the knife, but a lot of times it looks as if it was forced on the knife), an interesting subject and video, thanks, Tobias.
All comes down to personal taste I agree some handles are spoiled by adding a shield especially Barlow's.
If Depends made a knife, it would have a Shields shield.
Very true! If a shield is used it should be pinned and there should be no letters on it. No blatant advertising. It could be a logo (again no letters) or a meaningful symbol, or object (think beehive, acorn, etc), an animal but no names, words nor even letters. Shields should NEVER darken full Stag, Mammoth, Abalone, MOP, nor even some bone covers. That's my opinion and I'm sticking with it... mostly...BSA forever. ⚜
What I hate is when they turn their knives into a billboard for their company. Shield, bolster stamp, blades engraved…Marbles being a prime example of this.
As an avid scrimshander I totally agree that white smooth bone knives should *never* have a shield. I really wish Case particularly would consider this.
Otherwise I generally enjoy shields but in my collection I have a variety of slipjoints with and without them. It seems like case is so focused on the collector market that when they release a new series they make sure all the knives in that series have matching shields regardless of them being Sodbusters or Barlows or other patterns that really shouldn’t have a shield.
Speaking of Barlows, I’d like to know people’s thoughts on the recent trend of using laser etching on the bolster instead of stamping it. Personally I can’t stand it and think it looks chintzy.
I really don't have a real problem with shields as much as I do with blade etching. But I agree that some shields are probably better left off of scales of certain materials.
I don't really own enough traditional pattern knives to really have a proper opinion, but I can say that I think my SAK's would look weird without their shields though. 🤔Interesting topic and thanks for sharing about it. Take care my friend and Cheers!
No shield please?!? Better to not have it fall out and make me ocd crazy about it.
I never liked shields unless its blank so initials can be put there
Totally agree!
I hate blade etching, especially when there is a shield, bolster etch and then the blade etched. Makes a good knife look cheap. Shield alone does not bother me a bit as long as it's flush.
...or when Case ruins buffalo horn.
Depends on the knife and which covers it has. Some shields are just awful and over used -like the bland case oval. Of course every company misses , the GEC fish knife shield is terrible and not needed, but their elephant toenail shield on the 36 is perfect.
Barlows should not have shields🤝
I kind of like both
I love ur channel Tobias you are funny and very knowledgeable
my mom always got my dad and my older brother a pocket knife for christmas and she always had the initial of their first name engraved on the shield... shields never bothered me but pocket clips do big time
and guty hooks on fixed blades i think they ruin the look of the blade, the symmetry
Shields=some personality. Like em. Almost like to collect shields.
Good opinions
I feel about blade etch how you feel about the shield. It’s hard to explain, but I feel if I’m buying a knife, the blade belongs to me. I don’t want stupid jokey titles or advertisements on it.
I have a case sawed bone red
Absolutely I’m a shield guy!!!!! I know a lot of people don’t like them but I love them!!!!! Go figure right lol I’m odd I know!!!! Happy holidays Tobias stay safe out there…… there is alot of crazy nut jobs out there desperate people with no money looking to rob you or kill you…….. be aware of your surroundings bud🎅🎄😊
I have a stag stelito by Frank Beletreme ,and there are no shields
You're kinda wishy washy! I don't like them, I like some of them! I like them, they are proudly identifying the knife's brand! A stag handled knife without a shield looks like it needs a shield! Now to address another issue... knife clips! These are something that ruins the look of a folder! They are NOT needed! It for some reason has gained popularity, but I hate it! Pocked knives are meant to be put into a pocket! That's what I do! I take the clip off and toss it out, but then you have these holes and divots that looks horrible! Especially when it's been drilled and tapped for all FOUR ends of the knife! And the worst thing is you can't buy a knife without a clip! So I'm stuck with a knife with a ruined look to it! Unless you buy a custom folder for $400-500+ dollars and request no clip! 🤔😱😡
good thing knife companies don't listen to you, your opinion sucks.