Anyone else do this?

G

Gautier

Joined
Aug 31, 2006
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461
Alright, so I've come to the conclusion that I have a sickness, and like any good illness I need a support group that can understand my ailment. That's where you good folks come in.
Now, onto the cusp of the matter. You see, I like knives(who'd have thunk it, huh?) and I enjoy using knives. At the same time, I appreciate and admire the craftsmanship and detail that goes into making a precision tool. For that matter, I just appreciate good designs. Here's the rub though--
In the past few years I'll find myself buying a knife with the full intention of using it or carrying it regulalry. Then somewhere along the way, my wheels start turning and I think-- "What if they discontinue this model?", "Should I get a back up now, before I wear this one out or sharpen it to a nub?", "Should I use the last one I bought first?", "Do I carry more than one now...you know, just in case?", "Maybe I should save this one for my grandchildren"
You get the general idea. I find excuses to fondle them and ogle them and do the occasional light cutting task. They aren't really getting the use they deserve though. So, as a result, I end up carrying a knife that I've already "broken in", or that has a cosmetic flaw or two.
Am I alone here? Am I simply becoming neurotic and senile with age? I mean, I can remember a time when I USED ALL of my knives, whether I really needed to or not...I think time is playing a dirty trick on my mind. :o

So, how 'bout it? Anyone else have a little OCD or neurosis, or just plain quirks about what they buy, use, collect, or put away for a rainy day?


Gautier
 
Yeah, I like to get at least two of everything: one for use and one for "backup". It's a sickness, but it feels good, so why fight it. :D
 
When i love a knife too much, i dont use it,like i should do.I use an old one instead.So i love more my used knives.
When a buy a knife its for using it a lot but its hard to use a nice new knife.
Sometime i buy two knives of the same model,for backup if they discontinue this model i love.
My dream is to own only one knife for all my life,one perfect knife.....and i can't find this One so i continue to buy knives,its stupid i know it.In fact i like the buying act (thrill).

my english is poor sorry!:rolleyes:
 
At least I can find some consolation in the fact that I'm not the only one. Thought I had finally lost it there for a minute. :p


Gautier
 
Nope. If I buy it, I use it. (unless I don't like it.)
 
If I won't use it, I won't own it, that goes for knives, guns, cars, etc. I have never understood the concept of closet queens. I am too old for most things to appreciate significantly before I am gone and I am sure my heirs would rather have an heirloom that their Dad/Uncle actually used rather than a safe queen that has no sentimental attachment. What fun is inheriting something that can't have a story attached to it?
 
I'm not talking about closet/safe queens exactly, or knives that don't get used. Just knives that get babied a little more than say the one that already has a loose scale and some staining from removing the battery cover one day while stranded on the road. I mean, there are knives I use and then there are knives I REALLY use.
Was just wondering if anyone else made this sort of distinction, and how it affected what they carried. Guess I need to work on my sentence structure a bit more, my apologies for the confusion.


Gautier
 
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I got your meaning, Gautier. The way I handle that dilemma, is to buy a backup for each of my 'users', that way I can be assured that if I lost or damaged a knife, I will have a NIB replacement. What determines which knife will be a 'user'? Simple, it's the one I find myself picking up most frequently.
 
Gautier said:
At least I can find some consolation in the fact that I'm not the only one. Thought I had finally lost it there for a minute. :p


Gautier
Click to expand...

No. You are not alone. I think I was happier and my life was easier when I had one knife. Now just deciding what to carry and the EDC rotation drives me nuts. When I'm home sometimes I go through four EDC changes...much to the amusement of the wife.
 
i think most knife users here suffer from this problem. Just take a look at the EDC page. Almost all the knives pictured look brand knew. They may be users as in they are handled but they are never truly used. I had the same problem a while back. Id order a knife up get it and then not want to use it.

After some thought I realized that this was not only a waste of money, it was just plain consumption. These knives i wasnt using could go to people that could really benifit from their use. I decided from that point on Id use whatever knives i bought and only get a new one if my previous one broke or if I decided to hand it on to a new owner that could benifit from it more than me. I gave away almost all my knives and have 5 left I think. All but one have been used a fair amount. My edc is my 710 and I take it wherever i go. I also use a miniskirmish but i busted the clip so its out of commision until I want to send it in for a new one.

Now and then I see a new knife and really want to get it but for now I have been good. Im thinking to get a pair of knives for when my brother gets married though (Me and my bro are real close so I think it would be cool to have a brotherhood of knives). Then Ill give my 710 away--probably to a coworker=)
 
adorable_harree said:
No. You are not alone... When I'm home sometimes I go through four EDC changes...much to the amusement of the wife.
Click to expand...


You too huh? I do the same thing around the house, especially in the kitchen. I use a SAK for can opening duty, and after dinner I grab an old Schrade for an apple. Then there's a few others lying around on the desk and strategic places :thumbup:


Gautier
 
My knives are mostly for Accumulating/Collecting.

If I need a knife for carrying, I buy a duplicate for that purpose. Currently I have three knives designated as Users; each is a duplicate of a knife already in the collection.
 
I carried a BM 640 Mini-Spike for several years. When I lost it, I thought, "I loved that knife. I think I'll get another one." Problem was, they had been discontinued for five years. It took me a year to replace that knife, at 30% more than the new one had cost me.

Lesson learned. Now when I buy a knife, I carry and use it long enough to decide if I would miss it if I lost it. If the answer is yes, I look for another one. I don't consider them "safe queens", they are pre-need replacements.

I have very few wall-hangers (knives that I bought to look at but not use). That just isn't my cup of tea.
 
adorable_harree said:
No. You are not alone. I think I was happier and my life was easier when I had one knife. Now just deciding what to carry and the EDC rotation drives me nuts. When I'm home sometimes I go through four EDC changes...much to the amusement of the wife.
Click to expand...
Me too!! My wife says quote "I need a life" and I reply, No " I need a knife":D
 
I buy a lot of knives but only carry a few. It seems like it takes at least a year before I retire a knife. Once I find that perfect knife, it takes me a while to find the more perfect knife.
 
knarfeng said:
Nope. If I buy it, I use it. (unless I don't like it.)
Click to expand...

Same deal here. If there's something that turns me off about the knife, or that I'm just not thrilled with, I intentionally DON'T use it so that I have the option of selling it off later.

That way I can buy something I AM thrilled with :D
 
My problem is not that I buy two of everything... it's that the thrill of the chase for the newest and best ends when I have it. I compare, read, shop, save, get the knife that should be "the knife..." and within three days I'm looking for the next one.

That's probably a super common problem for folks around here, and one that keeps a smile on knifemaker's faces...
 
My stag scaled slippies are the ones that are too pretty to use. So, I simply bought duplicates so I wouldn't feel bad about them banging around with the keys and change in my pocket. Sometimes I put them in a knife purse, but don't tell the other guys I said that.:D
 
Pretty much everyone on this site has a problem with knives. With dependancy comes redundancy, knife a holics cannot be without thier favorite vice.

This starts out with one favorite knife, and then with time thoughts turn to "what if I loose it". Thats when back up copy knives are bought, followed by other knives, and even more.

As time goes on, the interest in knives can vary from knifemaking to collecting and of course using knives.

With using knives, comes the need of carrying them which creates other challenges. For myself that means heavy duty belts and suspenders:D
 
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