Biting the bullet.

B

bladefoolish

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
620
Lately I've started to re-evaluate my knife philosphy. I probably have a couple of hundred, but most are put away and rarely, if ever used. I have about fifteen or so "users", and the rest are safe queens. Also, if I like a model, I have to have duplicates in case something happens to one -- I mean, do I really need four mini-grips? What fun are knives I never use, and hardly ever even look at? And sometimes I buy a used version of a model I like so I won't "mess up" my new one. Collecting has sorta become a compulsion.

A couple of years ago I went through and got rid of a about a third of my knives, now I'm about to have a major reduction, and only keep about 25-30 of knives that I actually intend to use (with the exception of about five that are especially collectable). The money will go towards buying some rural property in Western PA (I currently live in Texas) where mebbe I can actually get more use out of my toys.


. . . . . Or am I about to do something totally insane?
 
I'd say keep 'em all...but force yourself to use them! Even if you normally gravitate towards a particular few, try using the others! You might find a new avenue for your hobby! That being said, selling off ones that you have no intention of using, nor have a practical use for, could indeed help recoup some funds that could go towards other things...like more knives! :D
 
. . . . . Or am I about to do something totally insane?
Click to expand...

You are making perfect sense, which is why you are wrong.

You need to keep lusting after and buying knives that you will never use with money that could be better spent elsewhere. That's your right as an American, and I'm pretty-sure there's something in the Texas Constitution about it...
 
If you don't use them you won't miss them.

A little chunk of rural heaven will bring much more pleasure. Sell them off and buy the land and at some point down the road when the bug bites start collecting again.
 
"Why on Earth would you ever move from TX to PA?? Is the better question. "

A woman. I'm engaged to a woman who lives about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. She has about 4 acres, half cleared and half woods. We're looking to buy a house on six adjoining acres.

I live in the city -- Fort Worth. I love Texas, but up in PA I can walk out the back door and shoot my guns, go for a walk in the woods, etc.. Also, I have no immediate family alive, whereas my finacee has a 14 year old daughter, who would have to be uprooted, and elderly parents up there.

She's actually willing to move here, but I sorta think that my moving up there would be best overall.
 
PA is beautiful, and well, less hot. It has seasons, SEASONS! for crying out loud. You'll miss Texas, sure, who wouldn't miss home. But PA is great.
 
Except for a couple of years in Colorado (Boulder) and a year of school in Virginia, I've lived in Texas for 50 years. Texas will always be in my heart, but I think I can live elsewhere for a while.

You're right about it being beautiful. In the summer, that is. Winters aren't so hot there. So to speak.
 
I made a major move for very similar reasons... good luck!

This brings up something I have noticed myself.

Knives... I dont have a collection what so ever, I have just 3. A Boker Hyper, BM Leopard Cub (broken) and a SAK Companion...

I am now getting ready to pay for and receive my 1st custom. My intention has been all this time to make it an EDC for office/sheeple type situations but I am now starting to get worried about carrying such an expensive knife and using it (and I do use my knife every day all through out the day, from paper to boxes, hard plastic, rope etc)

I find myself so close to buying this knife or that light cause they are good deals or I think I need more than 1 just in case..... And I am not liking what I see in myself... And this forum does not help 1 bit.... It only feeds the addiction.

I got by with 1 knife in my pocket for almost 10yrs, I still will....
 
I wish my life was less complex. My grandfather lived to be 93 and had two knives in his lifetime.
 
Although it makes sense, selling a knife is hard for me to do. Back when I was a dealer selling at gun shows -- mostly Bark River and Marbles (Gladestone) knives, it just broke my heart everytime someone bought one of MY knives (even though that's what I was there for).

I sorta play this game with myself . . . hmmmm, I need a zombie knife -- I don't have the right knife for dealing with zombies . . . okay, I've got my zombie knife, but now I need my matian knife -- can't use a zombie knife on a martian . . .
 
You'll miss Texas...but you won't miss Ft. Worth. :P

I live in Irving, work in Arlington, and have lived in Garland, Lewisville, Coppell, and Frisco. I was born in Michigan though.

Anyways...

I agree with FlaMtnBkr; if you don't use them you won't miss them.

Keep the users, and the collectables, and sell the rest. You can always start collecting again if you want...that's half the fun!
 
"You can always start collecting again if you want...that's half the fun! "

True. I'm an ebay addict, and am always on the lookout at gunshows, flea markets, garage sales, etc. for a good deal. The thrill of the hunt is at least as much fun as owning the knife.
 
I tend to agree that knife 'collecting' vs 'using' as become a norm in society in general. There used to be a time when every man carried a knife on his belt and used it at least a few times daily. These days very few men wear a knife, most, if any wear a multi tool. It's a sign of the times, and the encroachment upon our civil liberties IMO.

Although owning a collection of knives is not in any way a bad thing; getting to use them is better IMO. I only own users and enjoy the craftsmenship that went into making them each time I use one. Since they are different models, and sizes I get to experience a whole range of knives and find which fit my lifestyle and needs. Everyone should and enjoy knife ownership, not the other way around....ie, don't let your 'collection' of anything 'own you'....
 
I'm just worried that I'll sell a bunch off, them regret it for years. In my last sell off I got rid of a mint Vietnam era Gerber Mk I (1971) and a matched set of Al Mars -- a push dagger and larger dagger, with matching serial numbers -- that I still regret.
 
Besides BladeFoolish, you'll enjoy the PA outdoors once you get to the area. There is a VERY nice area in Northern PA called the 'Grand Canyon of PA', that is a great place to hike and camp. You'll be in an area with lots of other knife and gun folks, with access to the NE and places to explore. Life just got a whole lot larger than Texas if you ask me!

Disclaimer....I LOVE the food in Texas, lived in San Antonio, and Mesilla, NM...can't eat it hot enough!
 
I was thinking you were selling 2nd and 3rds of the same models you had of a particular knife. I would always keep the 1 offs I had in a collection, just sell the duplicates. Though I only have 1 offs because I can't personally afford duplicates, and would rather have more models of a brand.
 
"don't let your 'collection' of anything 'own you'.... "

That's sort of what it's turning into. During the week I wear a suit and go through metal detectors every day, and it really pisses me off that have to leave my edc in my office. Although their not supposed to, the deputies at the courthouse know me, and are willing to "hold" my edc if I forget and take it down there. I really, really resent the policy of no knives allowed in the building. My usual "dress" edc is a mini-grip, which I usually carry with a Moore Maker trapper. In jeans, my edc is a Benchmade fixed blade Outbounder; on my motorcycle I usually carry a Nimvarus Cub and a Buck 110. When camping I recently retired my 40 year old Marble's Ideal for an ebony handled BRKT Northstar.
 
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