2010 - A year in review

[Rupestris]

I think it's safe to say I'm done spending this year and I have to admit, this past year has been pretty slim. My grand total for 2010 is $55.

I don't think I fared too poorly. In fact, I think I did pretty good for being on a shoestring budget.

This past summer I I did a little Yard sale and flea market shopping. My first score was a Case 6233 from a yard sale in the neighborhood. Most folks don't think to put their old pocket knives out so I've taken to asking. This is the knife an older gentleman went in the house to fetch:

Just a few weeks later I happened across this classic at the local flea market:

And most recently I lucked into an auction win for this KaBar Peanut:

The Spyderco is a slipjoint as well and set me back a whole $7 brand new.

Here is a group shot of my 2010 haul in all its glory.

As you can see, I tend to do more "hunting" than "killing". For me its the thrill of the chase. Constantly keeping a eye open for that can't-pass deal. I doubt these knives will bolster my retirement plan and I'm not even sure that they're my cup of tea. What I am sure of is that I spent no more than a trip to the movie theater on any of them and I learned a lot from each of them. I've spent some quality time with each of them trying to absorb some of the "soul" that might reside in them.

Overall, I'd say this has been a memorable year when it comes to knives. I've studied more and spent less. I've used what I have more and collected less.

So. Enough of my blathering. What did this past year bring you? Did you learn anything? Score any stellar deals? Please share your tales of 2010 .

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Mack]

I'd say you had a good year. I hope next year is a good or better for you.

 

[dannyp]

It has been a pretty good knife year. I just recently got my first forum knife, the 2010 Moose. I also bought a fixed blade from David Farmer, the first one I have purchased from one of the makers here on the forum. There have been a couple older knives as well, from a certain auction site. I agree that the hunt for good deals on vintage slippies can be more fun than buying new ones. I may not have gotten every knife that I wanted this year, but I don't regret buying any of the few that I did and that's good enough for me.

 

[kamagong]

2010 was a strange year for me. I picked up four fixed blades and only one slipjoint. Very unusual considering that I'm a city boy at heart and I use pocketknives much more than fixed blades.

I think I've reached contentment, at least when it comes to sharp and shiny objects. This is the first time in years that I don't have any cutlery on my Christmas wish list. I can't even think of a single knife that I want. There are a few custom slipjoints that I have on order, but I'm pretty much past making impulse buys. I don't for a second believe that I'm done buying knives as I'm too much of a knife nut, but I'm much more deliberate with my purchases now. It's not enough that a knife is good, I want to be wowed.

I'm also focusing more on using the knives that I already have. I've realized that I get more enjoyment from using a fine tool than I do from occasionally fondling a minty safe queen.

- Christian

 

[mckgreg]

I tend to agree with kamagong. (not that he agrees with me) I can't really see, in all practicality, how another currently built production knife or one made in the past 10 years can benefit me or my collection. With cost not being a factor, whether it be one of the highly praised junk "Value Knives" that have entertained the gullible because they are cheap and shiney (they are gathered up by the hundreds like civil war cannon fodder) or the new, almost made right (but can't really do it right because of governmental restrictions) American produced knives that have been making such a huge splash. I can see myself turning my back on the current pick of newly produced production pocket knives until someone produces something worth the pride in showing it. Until then, I ll be buying pocket knives from the 1940's. Ever wonder why they are gettin' harder to find? Something to think about.
Greg

Ooops, Didn't mean to derail the thread

 

[cj65]

I like how you did that. I got a nice pre 70 6233 Case. The bone is usually extraordinary on the pre 70's Case knives. Great work!

 

[NirreBosse]

I at last found a newcondition EKA 38 wood that I bought at a fleamarket in stockholm and there I also bought a very sheap old EKA penknife with a corkscrew. It was in so so condition but I saw the posibilitys to fix for ex points that was above the handle and much dirt. Now its good.
I also bought one workingknife, a Hultafors carpentars knife, as all of the ones I usually rotate was dull, since then They have been at the grinding wheel and is OK again.
I like kamagong said want the new knifes to realy touch me, and so far this year this hasnt happened.
The thing Im waiting for is a message from Kerry knifehead Hampton that I have mooved to the right end of his list, That gives a nice tension to the knife ego.

As for using knifes this was a good year. I have carried The case medium stockman Sunnyd gave me last spring almost every day and sometimes doubbled it with another knife like the sodbuster and minitrapper bought from people here at the forums last year.
I have hunted and fished a lot and had my share of use of a knife and I have built my garage and workshop during a 10 weeks summerwacation and spare time in the late authumn. Im now close to start making knifes of my own again in the workshop.

Another thing, of all that knifeusing just a minor, very small part was done with stainless steel, I have becomed more and more a carbon steel junkie.

Bosse

 

[mckgreg]

If you know the SunnyD, you are in good company. Hey! That sounds like a song from the Beatles, or maybe Andy Williams? Perry Como?

 

[texasflyfisher]

I think I've reached contentment, at least when it comes to sharp and shiny objects. This is the first time in years that I don't have any cutlery on my Christmas wish list. I can't even think of a single knife that I want. There are a few custom slipjoints that I have on order, but I'm pretty much past making impulse buys. I don't for a second believe that I'm done buying knives as I'm too much of a knife nut, but I'm much more deliberate with my purchases now. It's not enough that a knife is good, I want to be wowed.

I'm also focusing more on using the knives that I already have. I've realized that I get more enjoyment from using a fine tool than I do from occasionally fondling a minty safe queen.

- Christian

Pretty much sums it up for me as well.

 

[JUST1MOR]

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I learned a lot from each of them. I've spent some quality time with each of them trying to absorb some of the "soul" that might reside in them. I've studied more and spent less. I've used what I have more and collected less. Chris
Chris, from the above comment, I would venture to say you have gained a fortune in return for what you actually spent. Jeep131 has a saying at the end of his posts, can not remember the exact phrase, but I think it applies to this. Good looking knives & an even better return from them.
Good luck in 2011.
Be safe.

 

[Cheeseburger]

I think I've reached contentment...I'm also focusing more on using the knives that I already have.

My grand knife total for 2010...$0. Nada. Nothing. It wasn't intentional. I didn't even buy any knives to give as Christmas gifts this year. Goodbye 2010, the strange knifeless year.

 

[jazub]

this has been a very enlightening year in knives for me. i was on a fixed blade kick with less emphasis on folders up until the "revelation" that, for my everyday uses around Chicago, 8" camp knives weren't exactly the most useful focus of attention in terms of regular usability. who knew?

on the other hand, i can actually carry and use a nice traditional folder on a daily basis. i get much more satisfaction from just knowing that little gem is in my pocket throughout the day. i sold a couple of fixed blades in order to fund some GECs to carry around and, man, i couldn't be happier! my favorite discovery of the year is the toenail/sunfish pattern. i love that stout, thump of a "click!" it makes when opening. such a pleasure to carry and hold and i'm thankful that my favorite manufacturer is producing them.

great year in knives, indeed :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Nightshifter]

Good year for me also. I scored on an old Sears,made in USA stockman, AITOR made in Spain SAK and a small celluloid at a N.Carolina antique store while on vacation for a whole $23.00. Than was given(free) a Camillus USA camper knife, 2 more small celluloids, and an old FB Gerber Gaurdian(dagger) from a friend of my dad's. I also purchased a Boker cattleman's stockman and a Kissing Crane small sodbuster.

 

[navihawk]

I tend to agree with kamagong. (not that he agrees with me) I can't really see, in all practicality, how another currently built production knife or one made in the past 10 years can benefit me or my collection. With cost not being a factor, whether it be one of the highly praised junk "Value Knives" that have entertained the gullible because they are cheap and shiney (they are gathered up by the hundreds like civil war cannon fodder) or the new, almost made right (but can't really do it right because of governmental restrictions) American produced knives that have been making such a huge splash. I can see myself turning my back on the current pick of newly produced production pocket knives until someone produces something worth the pride in showing it. Until then, I ll be buying pocket knives from the 1940's. Ever wonder why they are gettin' harder to find? Something to think about.
Greg

Ooops, Didn't mean to derail the thread

I can agree to this. I've returned three current production pocketknives this year. I would be happy to find some old knives but all the flea markets and antique stores around here are about gone.

 

[mley1]

I bought one new Case medium stockman for 30 dollars on sale at TSC, yellow and cv. Plus, I spend a lot of time in flea markets. I've picked up a couple of Schrade Uncle Henry stockmans for ten bucks a piece, a Schrade 12OT that was given to me by a pawn shop owner, 15 different saks from that auction site, a Case 6254 John Deer trapper at a flea market for 10 bucks, a Case 6265 hunter for 30 bucks that was like new, a Victorinox one hand Parachutist(which now resides with NMcBride), and a SOG Twitch 2 that I got in trade for the Vic Parachutist. Second to last was a Queen stockman I got at a flea market for 5 bucks. And the last knife was a Buck 110 that I got at dept store on sale for 19 bucks. So, I guess I've spent about 130 dollars or so on knives this year.