Buying a Custom knife... Impulse buy VS Planned purchase

[RobertHankins]

This question has always intrigued me.
Impulse or Planned purchase...

Even as a maker I collect both Customs and High end production knives purely for the enjoyment of owning a well made blade.

My purchases are usually determined within the first 90secs after looking at the knife.

How long do you find yourself pondering a blade purchase?

If you really mull it over first, what are the determining factors before handing over your cash?

Your Candid opinions (Are there any other ones on this Forum) are greatly appreciated
Thanks
Robert Hankins

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

According to those "in the know" and that those that "get it" all, you can not make an impulse buy of a custom knife and there are no "custom" dealers or "custom" knife shows. These things have been relagated to being a figment of my immagination due to "websters".

Seriously most of mine are planned out. That is not to say temptation does not arise, but what do I know. I still do not get it.

 

[flava]

Both impulse and planned out purchase.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Polls like this need to be done in two parts because I think that the top two and bottom two each need to be answered. I voted that I needed to know the maker, but also wanted to check off that I always plan the purchase.

I get an idea from seeing the knife that I want it, but after that I start looking into all the particulars of the purchase. I need to find out things like; price, waiting period, materials choices and can I get a few changes made if I want to. All the while I am getting to know the maker, because I will not buy a knife from someone I do not like. Even if he makes a great knife, if he is a jerk I will have nothing to do with him.

 

[alelser]

I've been collecting knives for the majority of my short 28 years, and have only recently (last couple of years) made the switch to custom knives. So, coming from somone new to the game, I can safely say that at this point I usually have my heart set on a particular knife for some months before I make a purchase. Of course, it isn't easy on a graduate student's salary to have the cash on hand for an impulse buy in the world of custom knives.

-Al-

 

[bandaidman]

When I was buying factory or inexpensive knives it was usually an impulse buy. Now when I buy a custom knife it is a planned purchase. Most of the planning relates to how I will explain it to my wife !!!

 

[shappa]

Had to vote: impulse...Tho I don't just buy anything.

I look for a small fixed blade, well ground, good use/combo of materials (stag a plus), the better known the name the better but it won't stop me from buying an unknown.
If it has all these things in the right combo ...bam! it's mine!
Then I worry about how to justify it...but that's another subject.

 

[samhell]

E-All of the above

 

[knifenerd]

For me, it has to be at least somewhat planned. After all, you're talking about a fair outlay of $$$.