2018 knife resolutions

I intend to only buy knives I'll use. I'd already started to thin out some of mine that were not being used. Traded in a pretty much NIB Kershaw RAM as trade fodder. Got myself a Kershaw Dividend in M390 that I actually carry, and a standard Dividend for my oldest son as a Christmas gift. Need to sell a few more unused knives to generate money to use towards my only planned purchase for this year. I've known the knifemaker for a while and he's told me that though he no longer takes orders he'll take one from me. I intend to take him up on this. Other than that there's maybe 1 or 2 Spyderco knives coming out that I'm interested in.
 
I feel ya, OP. I'm in the same place and with some of the other posts.

* Quality mass production over expensive custom or even over similar mid-tech.
* Invest in "small customizations" whether done by me or service vendors, that don't cost a ton but make existing quality production knives more usable. Like getting a better sheath, adding better handles, changing the edge profile, or getting a total blade regrind on a blade you really like and plan to keep forever. In a sense, taking a production knife that you know is already really good, and spending a little effort or $ to turn it into "awesome", might be a better investment than a high $$$ custom.
* Sell off EVERYTHING that isn't getting used regularly.
 
Charlie Mike said:
I resolve to buy based on economy rather than exclusivity.

Selling off expensive custom stuff in favor of production stuff that quite possibly performs better.
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The production stuff performs very well these days. I just want to spend less money on blades in 2018. I have plenty of knives I am perfectly satisfied with already. Too many blades simply never get used as it stands now.

Added: I bought fewer knives in 2017 than 2016. But they were higher quality overall. If I simply buy fewer knives in 2018 than 2017 (let's say no more than half as many), I'll be okay. But I am still going to allow myself occasional impulse buys as they tend to be the most fun.
 
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Charlie Mike said:
I resolve to buy based on economy rather than exclusivity.

Selling off expensive custom stuff in favor of production stuff that quite possibly performs better.
Click to expand...
This would be way more impressive , if it weren't like the guy runs a fancy pastry shop refusing to buy someone else's gourmet strudel .;)
 
When you start dating a person often times you overlook major flaws or little annoyances because it's a new relationship. Rose colored glasses and whatnot. Over time those little things, molehills, become mountains and ultimately the relationship ends. A failure.

When I met my wife I new she would be my wife because I couldn't locate any of those things. Not only was there nothing about her that really annoyed me then, but I couldn't even find anything that would annoy me later. No parallels between her and things that ultimately drove me away from partners past.

I'm going to try to apply the same search tactic in knife purchases this year. Hopefully reducing the amount of reselling and trading I end up doing.

If a knife has a feature that caused me to get rid of a previous knife I'll avoid it. Regardless of whatever new feature it may have.
 
What cutting back a bit on spending really means is that I have to stay away from the Blade Show in Atlanta in 2018. Don't know if I want to do that. I spent more than usual on fewer knives in 2017. So, get fewer still, attend Blade, and have fun perhaps.
 
Keeping it under $200.

Waiting for Cold Steel to get around to the 3.5 Max before I break that resolution.

Talking myself into a CQC-14 Stubby. Maybe if I lurk the 'Bay for long enough, I can get this one done without breaking the first one.
 
Charlie Mike said:
... in favor of production stuff that quite possibly performs better.
Click to expand...

I am combining your post with maximus83 in post 42...
"getting a total blade regrind on a blade you really like and plan to keep forever."

Lots of production knives have the potential to be great, but often they need to be tweaked to make them stand out from the crowd. I've been on a kick of small fixed blades now for quite a while, and have one in the works. Will show pics when I get it back.
I have pretty well given up on folders as I always have my large Sebbie in my rh front pocket as backup to my cross-draw fixed.
Don
 
I'm not going to term these resolutions, more what I see happening in 2018, and certainly subject to change.
  • I'm trying to settle on a narrower rotation of knives.
  • Keep the key ring rotation of Victorinox Classic and Schrade LB-1. That is a nice combo.
  • Sell more than I buy. I can think of only two possible purchases right now; a specific knife I have been watching for and a Traditional Forum Knife, should one be offered in 2018.
  • No additional modern folders or fixed blades. I have a few I really like but more often carry traditional folders.
  • Update my inventory spreadsheet - it has fallen a little behind.
  • Whittle more.
JB in LV
 
Well it has taken me couple of years here to figure out what I really like.
So -
No auto assist knives.
As much American made as possible.
Knives that lock open.
Look for quality over quantity.
I liked the prior mention of no duplicates. I have a 940, do I need another 940? I have two Tribal Locks, do I need another?
Also said earlier - Get more of my collection into the rotation.
Sell what is still sitting around after a year. Someone else here might really enjoy it.
Maybe four knives in total for 2018.

And hopefully take another road trip down to Penn. to visit CASE and ZIPPO and GEC but this time with my brother. We are both getting to old to keep putting off some fun times together.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
evilgreg said:
Careful with that, you may find you have more 1911s than family members in short order if you're not careful. Ask me how I know this . . .
Click to expand...

This man speaks the truth! If you think the knife game is an expensive hobby, the 1911 game takes it to a level you never knew existed!
 
One of my goals is to buy only what i will actually use/want. Meaning no impulse buying, or buying because something is on a really good sale. For the most part i didn't do to bad at this in '17. And i sold alot more then i bought, and the money went to the other tools i use, family, more important things.

My biggest goal for 2018 is to get my (first knife) Spyderco Harpy back in action. I took the pinned scales off of it, and it has been in pieces for far too long now. Even if that means doing it myself. It will be in my pocket this year!
 
Hopefully I will cut back on impulse buying. I’ve bought far too many knives over the past years that I end up buying and immediately selling off, most of the time for a loss.

As I write this I’m currently scanning over websites to see if there are any last minute Spyderco purchases I want to make before the MAP change next year haha.
 
I will buy less and invest in other things. The few ones I will buy I want to support knife makers (custom/hand made).
 
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