Acquisition

Camillus

Camillus

Joined
Jun 3, 2015
Messages
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Been reflecting on this lately as it applies to knives and knife collecting

“The problem with these dolls is the whole point of them is the acquisition,” she said. “It’s the notion that the things we buy will make us happy.”

For Linn, this habit—of getting something and then immediately casting it aside for something new—is what is driving the popularity of surprise toys. Kids and adults alike have short attention spans, and are hungering for adrenaline hits to get them through the day. Kids receive those adrenaline hits by getting and opening new toys, and then casting them aside. “We are in basically an ADD culture, where we are all encouraged to move very quickly from one thing to another thing,” Linn told me.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/576970/

Sure, that’s not a new phenomenom and all forms of collecting suffer from it to some degree, but it’s worth being conscious of it.

Perhaps the only good thing about the tragic lockdown events of this year (2020) was that for a brief period, we were all forced to enjoy and appreciate the things we already own.

Who else found it enjoyable and relaxing to have a break from hunting for new aquisitions?
 
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I suppose most of us are no different from the rats in Skinner's experiment. But there was nothing at all enjoyable or relaxing regarding this lockdown. I do appreciate the opportunity to keep things in proper perspective.
 
I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the lockdown.
Roads were less busy, more people out walking and riding bikes, you could hear the wildlife rejoicing.
It is also (probably) responsible for my new-found outlook on knife collecting... fewer purchases and enjoying the ones I got.
 
I have been taking to the time over the past few months to appreciate more the things that I already have. I had accumulated quite a bit of this and that cutlery, so this extra time has forced me to go through my hoard. It was like finding new knives all over again!
 
I appreciate this, I reflect a lot on the number of knives I have, why I collect them, the amount of money wrapped up in them.
 
Camillus said:
Been reflecting on this lately as it applies to knives and knife collecting

“The problem with these dolls is the whole point of them is the acquisition,” she said. “It’s the notion that the things we buy will make us happy.”

For Linn, this habit—of getting something and then immediately casting it aside for something new—is what is driving the popularity of surprise toys. Kids and adults alike have short attention spans, and are hungering for adrenaline hits to get them through the day. Kids receive those adrenaline hits by getting and opening new toys, and then casting them aside. “We are in basically an ADD culture, where we are all encouraged to move very quickly from one thing to another thing,” Linn told me.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/576970/

Sure, that’s not a new phenomenom and all forms of collecting suffer from it to some degree, but it’s worth being conscious of it.

Perhaps the only good thing about the tragic lockdown events of this year (2020) was that for a brief period, we were all forced to enjoy and appreciate the things we already own.

Who else found it enjoyable and relaxing to have a break from hunting for new aquisitions?
Click to expand...
That is the crux of it isn't it. ? We anticipate a new shiny thing, get it, go all gaa gaa and share our excitement, then on to the next one. Brought up on TV and countless hours of advertising, and the mail order catalogs, we were programmed to consume, consume, consume...

Since returning to the forum I have acquired about a half dozen new to me knives...did they make me happy, yes and no. They made me realize how easy it is to fall back into the trap of consumerism.

While I was away from the forum, I mainly had one knife which I carried daily, a modern traditional. It is the CK edition Lionsteel sheep foot with micarta scales, this knife was with me daily for about two years...didn't really think about it, just went on about my business with the same knife in my pocket every day.

I tend to be very conscious of my habits, and this uptick in acquisitions gives me some concern...I've recently been watching the A&E series on hoarders on the youtubes and can identify with the mindset. My parents were moderate hoarders and like father like son. Things do not bring lasting joy, only momentary. Life accomplishments and goals met can bring joy, as can an act of giving. I've got more knives than I can use in twenty lifetimes...and I seem happiest when I pick one and one only, and carry it day after day... but then, it's fun to pull them out and admire them from time to time.
 
Consumerism is a futile hamster-wheel if you cannot take time to reflect on things and to appreciate what you have materially-not what you don't have. Those who wish to impress others with their possessions have found an addictive drug with social media, but it's a mania craving without end.

The real test of a knife's importance is if you lost it would you be upset and does it have associations for you that are important? I was very much the youngest of my family (accident :cool:) and everybody imagines the youngest child is the most spoiled and pampered. Not in my case and I'm eternally grateful to my parents for this, I had to make do with my brothers' old toys and stuff, even old clothes, yes I had my own toys but birthdays&Christmas were not lavish times but pleasant. My parents weren't interested in showing off or impressing the neighbours it was irrelevant to them. Thus I learned fast how to judge people: are they genuinely nice&pleasant? Is it because they have xyz ? They are the same person whether they have something or not. It is actually UNHEALTHY to give kids too many toys as it sets up false expectations and a gross entitlement attitude that can be life-long ;)

Collecting things is obviously interesting but so is sharing information & experiences connected to the hobby/mania as we do here. For me, the 'dark side' of collecting is when people go to any lengths to get something (including criminal or immoral behaviours:eek:) but also that analistic reflex that wants to keep everything 'perfect' hidden away, worrying about light fading the boxes, keeping everything like in a tomb:poop: It's the other side of hoarding without the filth and chaos, futile :D

Thanks, Will
 
I have set myself parameters for new acquisitions which limit the potential for hoarding and overspending. The knives must be (in general):
  1. Inexpensive
  2. Not made in Ch**a
  3. From a company with an interesting history
  4. A model or pattern with a long history
  5. Carbon steel if at all possible
I can justify spending the occasional 10 to 20 dollars on a knife, even up to 25+ from time to time, figuring that by the time I have searched for it, read about the company that made it and the region it is from, ordered it, anticipated its arrival, sharpened it, maybe re-built or otherwise modified it, and used it for a couple of weeks, that works out to a fairly inexpensive pastime. The knives I have accumulated are just sort of a by-product of this process.

I estimate I have spent around $1500 over the past 4 years on this hobby, including on tools and materials, or around $30 per month, which still seems extravagant to me. Still, I don’t smoke, drink, play golf, bowl, or have any pastimes really which require me to spend money, so while I am fully aware of the ridiculousness of having 70-plus knives, I can justify it to myself as relatively harmless in the grand scale of things.
 
I do agree that the new pretty becomes addictive. Which is bad for me because I am one of the "if a little is good; then a lot will be outstanding". I went to an auction last weekend because they had a few knives but mainly due to a 20' heavy duty trailer I would like to have. Couldn't afford the trailer and the Case knives that were in the auction brought 2-3x current retail prices (and most were recent). But it was a hardware store auction and I sit there long enough that I come home with $300 worth of stuff I will probably never use. Bow saws, hack saws, diamond files, etc. etc. When I was putting it up in the shop I looked around and said to myself - "I bought everything in this stupid shop", which is mainly just clutter. Oh, how I would like to have the money back after the dust settles. But, the next auction is calling me....

I think everything we do excessively needs to be stepped away from periodically. That allows a good time to re-assess. This is especially true if it is something that causes us stress or aggravation. Although I guess some people handle these two better than I do; maybe even enjoy them. I personally can be full bore on my latest time killer and just drop it and walk away when I decide I am over it. When I come back to it or simply can't walk away from it in the first place - I don't count it a vice.
 
"Impress people"? With the possible exception of four ... possibly as many as five, of the roughly 60 plus knives in my accumulation, I doubt anyone here really wants to see what I have. I honestly doubt anyone is actually impressed by anything I have ... shocked (not "impressed") that I have it? Probably.
Do I care that virtually nothing I have is "fit" to be in some of the collections I've seen here? Why should I?

When I had a job at a auto repair shop, my tools were lifetime guaranteed whatever Walmart brand, not Snap On, Mac, or other off the tool truck brand. Guess what? The Walmart brand tools did everything the off the truck brands did, except impress anyone by the name stamped on them.
My knives are the same way. They do what I need a knife for. With few exceptions, They don't impress anyone with the brand name.

Does it bother me that I can't impress anyone with a material possession? Nope. Not a bit. :) If nothing else, I don't have to worry (much) about someone stealing whatever because a pawnshop might give them something for it. :)
 
For some time now I’ve been pondering (and asking the great Sky Daddy) how to be detached from all the distractions that the material world offers and yet still live in the world. Covid and all that’s come with it has given me more detachment than I thought was possible. Very sad that a bunch of people are getting sick and death is rampant though.
Our family has come together in the best way imaginable. We’ve sold our home in a snarled uptight urban/suburban area and are heading to a place where one can breathe and the kids can run around in the woods right out the back door. It’s gonna be good in the best sense of the word.
I used to collect British and European motorcycles. BSA FOREVER!!! Then I switched my focus to S&W revolvers & BHP and 1911 pistols. I’m pretty much over all that stuff. I had fun, but it was expensive. Knives cost less, don’t require taxes and tags or unconstitutional government oversight. I use them every day. I still have the Sturdy Boy Pioneer that I bought for Boy Scouts when I was 11 or 12. It bears the scars of my youthful lack of respect for a good tool, but I’ll never part with it.
I enjoy this forum. Most of what I read (knife specific and Not) is polite and thoughtful. I’m sick of the bickering that’s so prevalent lately (especially in my old hometown). It’s really good to be here... and still buying knives!
 
afishhunter said:
"Impress people"? With the possible exception of four ... possibly as many as five, of the roughly 60 plus knives in my accumulation, I doubt anyone here really wants to see what I have. I honestly doubt anyone is actually impressed by anything I have ... shocked (not "impressed") that I have it? Probably.
Do I care that virtually nothing I have is "fit" to be in some of the collections I've seen here? Why should I?

When I had a job at a auto repair shop, my tools were lifetime guaranteed whatever Walmart brand, not Snap On, Mac, or other off the tool truck brand. Guess what? The Walmart brand tools did everything the off the truck brands did, except impress anyone by the name stamped on them.
My knives are the same way. They do what I need a knife for. With few exceptions, They don't impress anyone with the brand name.

Does it bother me that I can't impress anyone with a material possession? Nope. Not a bit. :) If nothing else, I don't have to worry (much) about someone stealing whatever because a pawnshop might give them something for it. :)
Click to expand...
The reason -I think - that people want to see other people's collections is so that they can droll over things that they don't have but wish they did, and it makes for good conversation ("Tell me the story behind that one") Don't we all have a story behind every knife. Too many is when we can't remember each knife's story.
 
Someone on this forum used to have a line in their signature that read, "We don't buy new knives , we buy new emotions." I think it sums up many of the excellent posts here.

I've decided to start selling and giving away all but a handful of my knives when I turn 60, in seven years. I just don't use them all and I don't even see them as they are stowed away.

Great thread!

Zieg
 
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