Buy expensive knives, carry cheap ones. My dilemma.

Dude that's the name of the game as a knife enthusiast of modest means.

Grab the occasional used knife and divert those into your carry rotation, and keep carrying a replaceable user along with it.

Also there are tons of <$200 knives that would probably satisfy your nice things itch while being more accessible and easier to resell after use.
 
I suggest making a conscious decision to use all of your knives but do so with the intended purpose for that particular knife. There is way more enjoyment in using them despite cost. There are other things you can sell besides your unused/used knives in order to fund other ones.
 
In my eyes buying a 400 dollar modern knife but carrying a $30 Rat would be like buying a Sig or H&K but carrying a Hi-Point :confused:
 
I used to do that but not anymore. I sold off all the ones I wouldn't carry or got just to have. With the exception of one.
 
I think there are a lot of people that feel the same way as the OP.
There are tons of pictures on this site of expensive, "hard-use" knives that are pristine in every way, looking like they've never been out of the house (or in a pocket, for that maytter

It's the internal struggle!
 
jc57 said:
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.
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Insipid Moniker said:
Feel bad if you spend $1200 on exercise equipment and never use it. Don't feel bad if you enjoy having a $1200 knife without using it.
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Posts of the thread IMO. I never knew there was a rule in this hobby or any hobby that states you must use everything you accumulate. Really doesn't matter what anyone else says they would do.
 
First of all, nobody cares if you spend $1000 on a knife and never use it. I can relate and I know that nobody cares one way or the other. I do care for myself. With few exceptions (Ivory scale Northwoods traditional being the exception), I only buy what I might choose to use now. That doesn't mean I necessarily use them. Have too many anyway for that.... It is simple, I only buy knives today that I might choose to use. If I would purchase a knife similar to the Northwoods, I would go into the deal assuming that I will not use it which I have no problem with what so ever.

So at work, if you really use your knives hard, carry a knife that you don't care so much about. If you have little need or desire to carry a knife elsewhere, you might need to re-evaluate your habits (or accept it for what it is and don't worry about it).
 
I carry all my folders except the ones I haven't gotten around to, which isn't many. I don't buy insanely expensive knives though... probably top out at $250. I do hesitate to use a nice knife as a screwdriver or to scrape grout, weed the garden, hammer nails, chop down trees, etc... when there are screwdrivers, hammers, axes, and weed pluckers available that do a better job. Big indestructable fixed blade knives are different, though I tend to have only a few users and multiples. Anyone can collect or use however they want. Makes no difference to me.
 
I am a user, not a collector. For me, buying an expensive knife and then not using it is a waste of money. In order to justify, let's say, a $220 knife (ZT0452CF that I picked up last week) I have to get my money's worth. I measure my money's worth in the amount of work it will do for me. Not the knifeboner that I get from looking at it in a glass case.

If you're a collector, cool. It's just not my thing.
 
I have the exact same issue, I can't bring myself to carry my more expensive built for abuse knives and I end up carrying my Keyshaw chive. I think it's because I know how hard it would be to replace my nicer ones and how easy it would be to replace my cheaper ones.
 
footballplayerchris said:
I am a user, not a collector. For me, buying an expensive knife and then not using it is a waste of money. In order to justify, let's say, a $220 knife (ZT0452CF that I picked up last week) I have to get my money's worth. I measure my money's worth in the amount of work it will do for me. Not the knifeboner that I get from looking at it in a glass case.

If you're a collector, cool. It's just not my thing.
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Yup, that's probably the one I carry more than any others, though I have a CF 0566 and a OD Canvas GEC Bullbuster today... I am not beating that knife though. I don't think it could handle it.
 
AntCaps said:
I have the exact same issue, I can't bring myself to carry my more expensive built for abuse knives and I end up carrying my Keyshaw chive. I think it's because I know how hard it would be to replace my nicer ones and how easy it would be to replace my cheaper ones.
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Kershaws are great. No matter the brand though, the cheap stuff has blade play and cheaper steels. I don't have a Spyderco or Kershaw that is a cheap import where I cannot move the blade. I cannot think of any $100 plus knives except maybe one Benchmade where I can get any blade play. Some knives like a Thermite for example, you could literally snap in half if you wanted to. I like Thermites, but just saying. I prefer to carry a production knife with good steel and no play, great fit and finish. If some sit in boxes because I have way too many, so be it.
 
crufflers said:
No matter the brand though, the cheap stuff has blade play and cheaper steels. I don't have a Spyderco or Kershaw that is a cheap import where I cannot move the blade.
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This x2!

The only reason I buy high end production/midtech knives is for better steels and more precise machining/fit and finish.
 
Not asking if im wrong or not, just having a discussion. Lots of good input and opinions so far.
 
Hi! This topic pops up from time to time :). As said already, for me knives are tools and I use them as such. Maybe I just can add one thing to what I said somewhere else: as a knives hobbyist and enthusiast, I think the use of a knife opens up new dimensions of appreciation for the design, ergonomics, material choices, and all the features/characteristics we appreciate and talk about here. Cutting, slicing, carving, sharpening, disassembling and re-assembling, cleaning, etc. really make it possible for me to better understand and appreciate the engineering and workmanship behind the tool (or sometimes to poke good fun about :D). It’s a way to understand what works for me, what doesn’t and why. An “aesthetic only” appreciation is incomplete, as far as I am concern. I can’t help it, I need to use my gear :). Do what you feel like with your knives, what makes you happy the most. I think there is no right or wrong in an hobby, just fun :thumbup:!
 
footballplayerchris said:
I am a user, not a collector. For me, buying an expensive knife and then not using it is a waste of money. In order to justify, let's say, a $220 knife (ZT0452CF that I picked up last week) I have to get my money's worth. I measure my money's worth in the amount of work it will do for me. Not the knifeboner that I get from looking at it in a glass case.

If you're a collector, cool. It's just not my thing.
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I think you must get at least a little "knifeboner" from your $220 ZT haha. Because I guarantee its not doing 8x the work for you that my $25 Rat 1 could if your measuring price strictly by how much the knife can do. But I get what your saying.
 
crufflers said:
Kershaws are great. No matter the brand though, the cheap stuff has blade play and cheaper steels. I don't have a Spyderco or Kershaw that is a cheap import where I cannot move the blade. I cannot think of any $100 plus knives except maybe one Benchmade where I can get any blade play. Some knives like a Thermite for example, you could literally snap in half if you wanted to. I like Thermites, but just saying. I prefer to carry a production knife with good steel and no play, great fit and finish. If some sit in boxes because I have way too many, so be it.
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I don't have any play in even my cheaper knives because if it has play I fix it or get rid of it, the cheaper steel doesn't bug me because I enjoy sharpening. I'm just too nervous to ruin my hobacks or other more expensive knives.
 
22-rimfire said:
You pay for that and both probably cut just as well for the most part.
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Depends on the use, but yeah my Thermite will cut cardboard and packing tape fine, but dulls fast. Cardboard is pretty damn abrasive. Cheaper steels have to be sharpened way more often, edges roll or chip easily, etc... It isn't like there are no budget knives that punch out of their price range though... uhm... Blurs in various steels, etc... Personally I don't like the Chinese alphabet steels or VG10. I've rolled and chipped both.
 
You're not so crazy, and there is nothing wrong with your reasoning. We all have our quarks. I'm reading this at work with a Field Grade Typhoon in my pocket and yet I have a Stag Mako, Hammerhead, and Sharktooth still in their boxes. Never used never will be.
I have some expensive knives I bought to use and some to look at. I bought some less expensive knives to use and some to look at.
We all have our reasons to buy this knife or not to buy that one. Your reasons, your knives, enjoy owning them however you want. Don't let what some one else thinks or say interfere.
 
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