Buy expensive knives, carry cheap ones. My dilemma.

[Baker_11]

I have been collecting knives for a while and lately I really enjoy production folders and mid techs in the $300-$600 range it seems. My preference also seems to be towards beefier blades with "hard use" reputations. The irony in that is I cant seem to bring myself to use these knives the way they are intended. I really have to fight my ocd to pay $500 for a knife and then stick it in my pocket. In my defense my job and daily activities ruin knives, at least cosmetically. It is impossible for me to carry a knife for even a few days and have it stay like new. I am also not a guy who can afford to keep everything I buy, so I usually have to sell a couple to fund my next purchase. I also like variety and to try new models, making it even harder to beat on a $400 blade when I know it wont be carried for years and most likely will be sold down the road. I may stick a expensive purchase in my pocket on a Sunday or pair it with a cheaper knife at work but what I usually end up doing is carrying my $30 Rat 1 all day then coming home and admiring my $500 hard use tool... which leads me to believe im crazy. I know im not alone here because when I look through the For Sale threads very seldom do I see any knives with more then light, if any, signs of use. So how many of you share my condition and how many just roll your eyes at my craziness? ?

 

[Kwon Kwang]

Sorry friend, I can't relate. I carry all my folders, especially the exclusive, one-of-a-kind models, as well as the ones I pay top dollar for. To do otherwise would offend the mighty knife gods! If anything, I carry my cheaper blades less than I used to.

 

[Lycosa]

I can relate. Some I use, some I don't but I admire all my knives.
rolf

 

[The Aflac Duck]

So how many of you share my condition and how many just roll your eyes at my craziness? ?

Use your d*mn knives

 

[GermanyChris]

I don't buy things to look at if it's to expensive for me to reasonable afford to use or loose I don't buy it. I don't understand this just like I don't understand garage jewelry

 

[scottabrandeberry]

I am a mixture of user and collector. I carry a ZT0600 most every day, and use it without hesitation (but don't abuse it), but I also have 0600 and 0600BLK safe queens in the collection. The rest of my ZT collection is about half users and half safe queens. Some are safe queens because I want a perfect example in my collection, some are because I just have not gotten around to putting into the rotation, and some are backups/duplicates. The bottom line is... do whatever makes you happy!

 

[socom1970]

For me, the more expensive the knife, the more I will carry it and use it. I like character wear on my knives and I don't mind losing a bit of value on them in case I ever sell them. I also like buying used expensive knives... the pain of the first wear marks is not a problem then.

 

[Lee48]

I don't own any really expensive knives. These days my main carry is a Benchmade or Spyderco in the $140 range. My knives don't see a lot of heavy use but if necessary I'll beat the dickens out of them.

My most expensive knife purchase ever was a small Sebenza. I wanted to use the knife and not worry over scratches and wear. The first thing I did was put it in my pocket with my keys and stuff. I carried it around for a week, loose in my pocket. By the end of the week, the knife had lots of scratches and snail trails on the titanium grip panels. Since it was no longer pristine, adding further scars was no longer a concern.

 

[TimmyJ]

I love to admire my most special and valuable knives. I admire them more when they are being used. Pick one and put it to use!!! You'll love it that much more.

 

[powernoodle]

how many just roll your eyes at my craziness? ?

There is no objective morality when it comes to what knives you like to buy, and what knives you like to carry. Stand tall, look someone in the eye, and tell them that you have some $400 knives at home and carry a Rat 1. If you say it with conviction, they will believe it is the "right" thing to do.

 

[blade dude]

I doubt you're alone on this concept of buying $400 knives that'll withstand abuse and not wanting to carry them. Same as buying a brand new let's say f350 crew cab and setting it for off-road. It takes that first scratch before you truly wanna use it

 

[Metalhed2434]

I can relate to some extent...I use and carry all my knives, but my daily use definitely wouldn't be considered "hard use" by any means. Until I end up putting a scratch or a blemish/whatever on my expensive knives it is honestly hard for me to want to use them hard...but once I do I typically don't worry so much anymore! The thought of something happening to one of them scares me, but I think I should put more trust into my knives. I am into pretty much the same type as you, $200-$600 range, large/overbuilt folders.

 

[netguy1999]

All my knives go into rotation. From $100 knives to $800 knives. They all get used. Use your knives. Enjoy them. Enjoy the feeling that is to have a beautiful knife in your pocket that you can admire every time you take it out to use it. I used to collect and keep my knives in my safe except for a few less expensive ones. Then I got a call from my doctor's office and my philosophy changed. Now I enjoy my knives as they were meant to be enjoyed.

 

[sharp_edge]

OP - as long as you are happy, you should use or not use your knives in whatever way. For me, I really wish there are more opportunities for me to use my knives on a daily base, but they are just not that many, well, except kitchen knives.

People own knives for various reasons, and there is nothing wrong for only looking, fondling, and admiring them. So again, don't feel bad for not carrying or using your expensive knives.

 

[Knifeguy12345]

Use your d*mn knives

Or don't I really don't see anything wrong with keeping expensive knives that you don't use. I think that it is ridiculous that not using your knives is so demonized in the knife community. When it comes down to it it's your property and you can do anything you want with it. Being a collector is almost considered an insult on a lot of the forums but we enjoy knives just as much and are just as passionate about knives as everyone else.

 

[clearkevin]

I feel your pain I have actually made a video on this, there are some blades that hold up really well though a brous t4 use it all day still like new, One of my best wearing knives has got to be my Ferrum Forge Ferox the finishes and construction just don't wear.
here is the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKvdA1eiUmg

 

[jc57]

You are a knife collector. There are very rich people that buy expensive classic cars but only drive them rarely if at all. Are you letting your view of what a forum full of random strangers dictate what is proper behavior for you? Is that why you think you have to use all your knives?

Do whatever you want, they are yours. You may have a touch of obsessive spending behavior. If that's bothering you, and you don't feel like you can stop buying expensive knives, maybe you should focus on that and try to do something about it.

 

[RevDevil]

Or don't I really don't see anything wrong with keeping expensive knives that you don't use. I think that it is ridiculous that not using your knives is so demonized in the knife community. When it comes down to it it's your property and you can do anything you want with it. Being a collector is almost considered an insult on a lot of the forums but we enjoy knives just as much and are just as passionate about knives as everyone else.

For some people, it's about buying something and living with buyer's remorse. The cost of admittance so to speak was on the high side to begin with, so they immediately fall to thoughts of resale value or whatever the case might be if needed. I do agree, everyone can do whatever they like to their property. I do not think that being a collector is considered an insult though, but I can see why you would think that way. Some folks collect production knives, some people collect gas station knives, some folks collect ABS Mastersmith blades only. By sharing an idea, opinion, or implied belief on the forums by default opens the person up to criticism by others. As long as it is respectful, there should be no problems. I mean, how exciting would it be if we were all the same?

 

[Baker_11]

A couple more thoughts... First, im not offended by anyone thinking im crazy, I agree to an extent. Second, I have purchased knives that are out of my price range, but resale value is not my top concern. I don't do much mail opening or box cutting with the knives I carry everyday. For work I cut in the dirt alot. Blades are constantly exposed to cement and metal. I do a fair share of scraping and occasional light prying. Lots of scratches are guaranteed and chipping is probable. I just have a very hard time exposing my pristine Dlc coated Hinderer to work because I know at the end of day 1 I would wish I had left at home! I know, i know, use it! Haha

 

[abcdef]

The OP's reasoning is exactly what slowed my purchasing habit. Even though I do not use knives much, my more expensive ones stay home while others ride in my pocket. It's all mental.