Are you more of a shelf-collector or a "user"?

Other than two or three knives with family history, I am a user only. No shelf collectin' for me.
 
OK, here we go again.:rolleyes: The responses to this topic always remind me of a road test article in Road & Track (tm) magazine quite a few years ago. They were testing the latest version of a Bentley Turbo and the article ended something like "....of course every time we stopped the Bentley at a gas station there were a few people who made sarcastic and negative comments. Usually people who, if they had the money, would be the first ones to go out and buy one....".

Almost every response from "users" here ends with a comment like "....but if I had the money, I'd buy a.......". I simply don't understand why there is so much negative feeling (or sarcasm) directed towards knife collectors who, if their finances allow it, buy a couple of knives just to look at. It's MY money.

I myself have "users" and "lookers". The "lookers" were purchased with the same intent as I have purchased paintings and sculptures - to give visual, and tactile, pleasure. (I could also use a small bronze to crack walnuts, but I don't. I'm not going to use a Ron Lake to open a paint can.)

I try to "use" ALL of the knives I own - but with some of them it's even stressful to me to open an envelope with them.;)

As I've said before, I could care less what someone else thinks of my knife habits. What I find amusing is my own, anal retentive attitude towards my knives. I own wristwatches worth over $20k and I wear them everywhere. I used to have a car or two worth well over $100k - and I drove them most of the winter in Canada. But I can't bring myself to use my Kirby Lambert Gentleman's Folder for anything more strenuous than a cutting remark!;)

I give up.:mad:
 
I came here to research a good locking folder and a good 4" to 6" fixed blade for my particular uses. I think I found them in the Benchmade 806D2 and Gerber Yari. I'm pretty sure about the 806D2--awesome knife--but time will tell regarding the Yari. I haven't had a chance to use the Yari yet, and I'm still a little bit tempted to buy an M2 Nimravus, subject both knives to some "trials," keep the best one and sell the other). I'm not a collector. Any knives I don't use get given away or collect dust in my desk drawer or camping box.
 
I have a couple of knives that don't see use: one is an "art" piece by Jot Khalsa and the other is a Centofante side-lock that I really do intend to carry, I just don't know when I'll have the nerve (it isn't the $$, since the folder in my pocket right now was just as expensive). Other than that though, I'd definitely place myself in the user category (light use is still use). However, I can see that changing. Between the knives that I already own and the ones that I have on order, I've pretty much filled all the carry/use niches that I can think of (and then some). So, given that I'm not likely to stop buying knives, I'm left with a choice between buying "user" knives that aren't going to see any use and buying knives that I never intended to use in the first place.


I believe Tim Herman recently posted a nice one over in the Shop Talk forum. ;)
 
At 47 having been given my first knife and rifle at 4, I have accumulated quite a few users and shooters since then. Now the vast majority of the knives and guns I buy, are purchased as eye candy. I get more enjoyment out of buying just a handful of the finest I can afford now.

They are knives first and formost that could be used, but with engraving, and the materials I now prefer they are also art-work and I enjoy owning them. I also collect daggers - not much use for those :D.
 
I wont lie; most of my knives do not see any action. I do, however, take a few of the expensive ones out and do some cuttin and choppin from time to time.
 
lol...."l33t" losely is haX0r (hacker) speak for "elite"....just take it as a compliment to your avatar and glocks:D
 
Most of my knives are drawer queens and I am in the process of changing that. Sure, I like nice stuff, but the number of queens was out-numbering the users and that seemed silly. Even when I bought a knife to be an EDC it just tore me up to actually cut something that first time.

For example, I just bought my wife a Gerber axe. (The story behind that will come at another time.) It came packaged in a tough plastic bubble wrap that defied prying it open. I reached for my present EDC, a MT LCC, and then realized that puncturing the stiff wrapper would undoubtedly scratch the blade's finish.

I wussed; I went in the house and got a "cuts anything scissors" and cut the whole thing apart. I cannot wait for the Strider AR.

As for the axe, my wife loves it. It's scary.
 
Most of my knives are drawer queens and I am in the process of changing that. Sure, I like nice stuff, but the number of queens was out-numbering the users and that seemed silly. Even when I bought a knife to be an EDC it just tore me up to actually cut something that first time.

For example, I just bought my wife a Gerber axe. (The story behind that will come at another time.) It came packaged in a tough plastic bubble wrap that defied prying it open. I reached for my present EDC, a MT LCC, and then realized that puncturing the stiff wrapper would undoubtedly scratch the blade's finish.

I wussed; I went in the house and got a "cuts anything scissors" and cut the whole thing apart. I cannot wait for the Strider AR.

As for the axe, my wife loves it. It's scary.
 
100% user for now!, but that can easily change if I find something nice that I can't bring myself to use!:)
I have absolutely nothing against people who "only" collect knives, but I view my present bunch as mainly users and I simply enjoy carrying and using them!

Bo
 
I buy my knives with the intention to use. While I can enjoy simply owning a particular blade I gain much more satisfaction from using my possessions.
 
Most of my folders I use and rotate as the mood strikes me. I find that there are some I carry more than others and some I don't use because I don't like them. The only one I haven't carried at all yet is my TNT.
I have lots of fixed blades that I haven't used because I've had no opportunity here in Kuwait. A Busse Battle Mistress is not the most practical EDC!
I also have a small but growing number of customs and collectible knives that will never be used; Pacific island native knives, antiques, etc.
I also have some that I bought that the maker never intended as users, purely decorative: snake wrapped sheaths and bone handles from Afghanistan etc.
 
I'm mostly a collector. Honestly, I really don't have many things that need cutting so even though I may carry a knife with me, it will rarely see much use. :rolleyes:

And yes, I have a few that will probably always remain on my shelves.
 
I guess I am a little of both. My main users are a Spyderco Wegner, Police, Kershaw Onion Whirlwind, Buck 110, Gerber Scout Multitool, and an old Puma stag hunter. The others I will use every now and then, but I usually keep them clean and put away in the safe. Most of my slipjoints will never be used. I did receive my first Emerson Commander today, and I plan on using this knife, it is possible that it will become my EDC until hunting season, then its back to the Wegner.
 
Mine are users. If I find I can't use them they are gone:) .
My current hunter/utility is my Camerer beauty. Stag w/forged carbon steel. I'll baby it with oil when I get out of the field, but each mark I put in it will be part of a story my kids will tell as it is hopfully passed down the family line. This is why now I am saving or trading for more "custom" knives that I'll use and will be unique in 100 years from now and be something the great-grandkids can hear about me using in the bush.
 
Learned long ago if you don't use it you lose it! I've spent more $$$$$ than I care to admit for custom knives that I've 'used'. Why not? "It's all good!" Jimmy Hendrix? :D
 
Big time accumulator, mostly users I try to rotate around my accumulation. I generally carry between 5-7 knives at a clip,(small slipjoints lockers, keychain, and wallet/discreet carry) so everything finds it's way into rotation eventually, it just takes time, a long time. Granted some stuff eventually winds up on the shelf/in the box, but it's usually because they've worn past a sevicable point but they still look good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top