Yes using knobbys on the street is a wast of money and they don't corner to well, I have worn all the center knobs down and a few of the side ones have been ripped off.
What ever tire I have on the back is going to get a hard time but I will get some kind of on / off road tire.
My old workmate would use a tire for one ride then change it and put it under the house and he has a stack of them, I might ask if I can have a few to use up.