Advice on how to narrow down collection

BD_01 said:
Just. Stop. Buying.

Spend some time enjoying, carrying, using, or ogling over what you already have.

Somewhere around the 3-dozen point I realized I was buying a new knife without ever getting to know the one before it...or the one before that...and so on.

I forced myself to stop surfing the Exchange, dealer websites, etc.

I started rotating through all my knives. I pulled 5 knives from my collection and put them in my nightstand. These were my knives for the week. Each Sunday at least three of those went back to the safe and an equal number of new knives came out. I did that religiously for about a year—I still do it...sort of...just not quite so regimented.

Once I became semi-adept at sharpening, I started using my nicer knives for more than just pocket jewelry. I’ve come to really enjoy the use-patina I’ve created, along with the screaming sharp edges that may be a hair imperfect—but they’re MY edges.

Those two moves really slowed down new acquisitions and helped me figure out what I really like


New knives no longer interest me for being different or sexy or simply “new.” Now I only consider a purchase to fill a specific need or if I’m convinced I’ll like it better than what I already have. That’s a pretty high bar.

I’m occasionally tempted to sell off some of my collection. I haven’t, mostly because they’re things no longer in production & should I decide to replace something it would be a PITA.

And incidentally, these two knives haven’t left my nightstand for years.

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I try to go at least a week with the same knife. Then after that I’ll just carry that same one until I feel like changing. Sometimes I swap right at a week and sometimes I’ll go a month and kinda force myself to swap
 
I am generally in the <$150 camp myself but have different knives for different functions.
EDC with heavy pants/hearty pockets; EDC with lighter weight trousers - hence the AD-10, Recon 1, etc. and my Spydercos.
Travel and times/places/circumstances where the knife might be separated from me - perhaps permanently; Kershaws, etc.
When in and around salt water - love me those Spyderco Pacific Salts.
Beat the crap out of it and not sorry so much about it circumstances - sure, the AD-10 can take it, but that's what the SR-1 Lite knives are for.
I still have a couple Sebenzas and while they are excellent knives, somehow I enjoy owning them more than using them.
Though they don't cut so well, with the grind on the wrong side and all, I have plenty of Emersons that I just can't seem to part with.
Oh, while on the Emerson subject, the ZT630 and ZT620 are discontinued - so I can't sell mine.
I have a fully serrated stainless steel Spyderco Endura that is too heavy for EDC and too pretty to sell. I do like that knife.
The AUS 8 Cold Steel Voyagers I picked up on close-out when they switched steels are so darned functional I can't part with them.
Who here can be without a Buck 110 or more? Then there's the Custom Shop 110 I have in BG-42, and the Slim Select; can't part with 'em.

I won't even mention fixed blades, SAKS and multi-tools as they kind of don't count.

I also don't want to admit that I get more enjoyment out of using a knife that I have a back-up (or two) for. I really enjoyed using my ZT630 until it got discontinued - now I wish I had a back-up Safe Queen for it. I could create a whole thread on Users and Keeper duplicates.

And on and on it goes. Truth is one or two >$200 folders could and would serve all my needs for the rest of my life; I'll betcha I'm not alone in that regard. In fact there's little (in the realm of folders) that could not be accomplished day-to-day with say an AD-10/Recon 1 or similar coupled with a Spyderco Endura/Delica/PM, etc. If we get deep in the weeds of truth, there are more than a few old timers who went and did lots of stuff for many, many years with perhaps only a Buck 110 and maybe a gentleman's slip joint - for Sundays.
 
Stop buying cheap knives. By that I mean start collecting your grail knives, and that will thin out your herd quickly. Custom folders, high end folders, etc, and no more production knives. You'll likely find yourself selling off your cheaper knives anyways to buy that $1k folder you've been eyeing.
 
I'm at a similar point. For me it comes down to what really moves me. Being cool and interesting doesn't do it. I also am trying to get rid of things I hesitate to use. I just can't see using some of my expensive/pristine knives and taking the hit in value *unless* I really love them.
 
It's a road most of us travel...and many of us, (myself included), continue to travel. I like traditional knives...and I like modern one hand folders.

I like fixed blades, some big, some small.

Paring it down into some sort of meaningful amalgamation is difficult. Where some might see chaos, I see harmony.

The way I have been dealing with it of late, since I'm in my 60's and don't have family members particularly interested...is that I sell off some customs and production pieces from time to time, and may or may not use the proceeds to buy another knife or two (not to exceed the money raised)...and / or give some away when the mood comes upon me.

Either way, it's not a giant deal worth having angst over since the money invested over the years in the knives I own has not detracted from our savings, investments or quality of life. And never will.

Enjoy yourself and perhaps attempt to become more discriminating as time goes on.
 
I’ve pondered selling some of my years of acculturation . Some have become collectors and sit in the safe but with pay pal sending the IRS form once you hit $ 600 in transactions not worth the hassle .
 
Op here. Some great advice guys. Thanks.

Just some clarification, at least half my stuff is <100. Half of that <50. Most of the rest is <175. Only have a few (5-6) around 300. Nothing over 400 (maybe the sharpend Slysz Bowie, but not sure about that).
High dollar safe queens are really not an issue. I do have 2 Sebenzas that I tend to baby, but that wont last.
So cost has obviously been a deciding factor so far. Im not a cheapskate, but I tend to skew budget friendly. Im not built for the finer things in life....just not in my nature. Hell, I have lots of Harbor Freight tools...nuff said...LOL.

After reading thru your posts, it seems the overriding theme is obvious. Carry and use them all in some sort of rotation and see what you like. Go from there. I do that to a certain extent, but probly not consistently enough.

I thought about it for awhile after posting and I can already make some "filters". As someone said, there is a theme there, I just havent noticed it.

Looks like preference is <150 EDC users with smaller blade lengths. Dont care too much for flippers, CF scales, or knives classified as gentlemen folders. Also, not much into the tacticool look (ie. ZT). Blade shape and thickness still TBD, but will have to depend on the use.
Much to learn yet about different types of steel, so no preference there. But if I stick to my cost preference, that will take care of itself. That should get me started at least.

I appreciate the responses. I guess I could have sat down and figured this out on my own. But its always good to get an outside perspective.
 
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skyhorse said:
I’ve pondered selling some of my years of acculturation . Some have become collectors and sit in the safe but with pay pal sending the IRS form once you hit $ 600 in transactions not worth the hassle .
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Wasnt aware of that. Is that all transactions totaling over 600 (ie. 10 items at 60 each)? Or any 1 item over 600?
 
Kllrbee said:
Wasnt aware of that. Is that all transactions totaling over 600 (ie. 10 items at 60 each)? Or any 1 item over 600?
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From what I understand it's the combined total of $600 or more in transactions , though I could be wrong.
 
If your knife looks unused after a whole year after the purchase, sell it. You will probably get most of your money back.
The knives I really like I start using straight away, without doubts, while the ones I am not sure about, still look brand new.
I usually wait until I am 100% positive I can't live with a knife though or until I have the replacement to compare them.
 
Sell on the exchange.

Also, invest in a good sharpener if you have not already, practice practice practice. I used to think the super steels were the only way to go and hated S30V. Now, I enjoy sharpening, to the point were I never let anything get dull. I'm rather obsessive about it.

I have roughly 25 folders. I've sold a lot on the exchange, whether to pay bills or just because I no longer am into that knife, or type of knife.
 
I am where I am happy (satisfied) to be. I rarely look at any of the picture threads anymore, as I have all the knives that I could possibly want (need never enters the equation), and looking at more knives - kind of bores me now. I don't have a hundred knives, but am a lot closer to that than I really should be. However, I am not going to complain and sell off any either. Their all mine - mine-mine-mine....

Now, I won't say that I will never purchase another knife, but it is no longer a driving desire. But ya never know....
 
First, pick out the "modern folder" that you will absolutely keep, regardless of whether you use it or not...okay, make that 3 because I'm a generous kind of guy.
Since you used price to categorize earlier, divide the rest that way. Look at the lowest price group - are there any that you are particularly fond of, or still carry often? Any that you would miss if you didn't have them? (remember, you've got a couple groups to go; so be realistic about this) Set those aside. Sell, or gift, the remaining - keep in mind that this is the budget group...some of these you should be paying people to take. Bundling a few can help move them.
Move up to the next group, and repeat the process.
When making the decisions, don't necessarily focus on what you paid - focus on what you've gotten for your money. That one from the popular maker on instagram, that you've never even pocketed - unless you still love it more than the some of the others, it's probably a prime candidate for selling, as it will bring more of your money back. I've still got a Kershaw Vapor II - it's been 20 years, I've used (not abused) it quite a bit...and I would sooner give up my large inkosi than part with it...partially due to sentimental value, partially because I just plain like it better, and partially because I'd get a lot more for the inkosi, lol.

I've purged the majority of my pre-2010 modern folders. Unfortunately, I'm up to about 40 folding knives (not counting traditionals); so it's time to send a few more away. I've already sold about 5 by reaching to people that I saw looking (WTB, calling 2nds, etc). I'm looking hard at the PM2s - I was never a big fan, honestly; but I got caught up in the steels. I should sell most of those; but I found that the only way I could enjoy the PM2 was by swapping out the scales...and I got rid of the originals; so I can't sell the aftermarket scales separately. It's one of those decisions that will only hurt financially; but the money I put into them is long gone, so it will only sting until the knives are shipped.
 
I have a few that show a lot of use and a bunch that ride in my pockets and still look like new. I keep what I use the most and occasionally gift a handful of the others to people who will appreciate a good knife. I gave my son in law a big KaBar, an old Native, and a Delica on Easter. His reaction to the Spydercos was hilarious. He loved the Big Brother, but couldn’t figure out the hype behind the hole in the blades.
“What’s with the hole?”

A couple weeks later he calls to tell me he loves the Delica and passed the Native on to his brother who is a carpenter…its great when you can turn someone on to something they normally wouldn’t think twice about.
 
The simplest method is to sell off or give away all of your knives. Then buy and only buy the models that you really can’t live without.😁
 
Well I only buy a knife that I will carry or use.......
If I buy a knife and decide it's not for me, I give it to someone that will appreciate it. This is especially enjoyable when you give a great quality knife to someone that couldn't afford to buy it.......
I keep my collection small. If I have too many I will only carry the knife...... couple a times a month.
 
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