Collecting farewell??

I have more knives on my "Really Want But Can't Possibly Afford or Won't Pay the Exorbitant Secondary Market Prices For List" than I can possibly count, so I can't really commiserate.
 
carbon2329 said:
Hello all,
I hope this is worthwhile. I thought it might provide some fun discussions.

I have been collecting for years, but only recently started contributing here on BF. I've mainly been collecting pieces in the $300-$1100 price range and have always kept my collection very refined (8-12 pieces, Thorburn, Skiff, CRK Shiro, etc...) because I use every knife and if I have too many they just sit.

Anyway, I have been trying to get two pieces (Norseman & Rask) for about 18months + and have had about a dozen near misses in trying to get them.

This has led to me being a little frustrated (first world problem, I know). So much so, that I am in the process of selling all my pieces because it's getting a bit too aggravating (no I'm not pouting :) ). Like I said in my sale thread, "I think I may be better off sticking with shooting etc.. things I can just get and not have to deal with secondary prices that are 2-3 times retail and 5 year wait lists". Let's be honest who is going to spend $7000 on a Rexford and actually use it when they move next week to open boxes or on the camp out when making dinner.(my guess is 1% of us, at most)

Money is not the main concern for me, however but the principle is. I am not really limited by budget, but I personally just cannot spend $1700-$2200 on a Norseman when it sold for $620-ish. I plan to USE each knife for:food prep, box tear down (I just moved), camping tasks (light tasks not batoning),....what they are designed for etc... If I buy a knife, I want to get something I like and not have ANY fear of using it...and fear includes fear of wasted money and wasteful behavior too (I hope that makes sense). For me that fear begins past $1399.00 :) (everyone's different). I was offered a Norseman with Damascus for $3400..I passed.
So....I'm selling just about everything.
I may give a shot at getting a Norseman and Rask, still. If I could really do what I wanted, I would sell everything and just get a Rask & Norseman and just cut into the sunset and leave the aggravation behind. (I know they say they will be selling more, but it's not fact until it actually happens, ya know)
I will still enjoy the community, but in the same way I do professional sports; I'll watch but not participate/buy etc... :)

I am, in no means, trying to come across bitter, but just thinking of moving on from the "hard to get" stuff, perhaps. Life it too short.

That's my story. Am I the only one?

Any thoughts, advice,...connections ;)
Click to expand...
Your problem doesn't seem to be with the knives or the collecting; it's with the secondary market for custom knives. So avoid that and you've solved the problem.

With the money you save by not overpaying you could go to blade show each year and buy the latest and greatest direct from the makers at reasonable prices. It's strange too, some makers with long waits have tables full of knives for sale... Seems like going to the table, assuming you don't want to have any personal input in the build, is the better option.

Is the Norseman any better at box breakdown than a CRK or Shiro? I doubt it. So you're hunting it for the sake of hunting it and complaining about it to boot. So stop.

I hope this doesn't come across too critical because I can certainly be equally ridiculous. Just thought I'd share my perspective.

Stop hunting the white whale. Just go whale watching and be pleasantly surprised if the gringo shows up.
 
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I collect. Knives. Handmade knives. Guns and badges. And, other stuff. I have had great fun collecting stuff.

I have realized, I have too much stuff collected.

Something has got to go.

Almost everything I bought had increased nicely in value and, I've sold some stuff on eBay. Knives I paid $100 for sold for $600. A leather fire helmet. Paid: $150. Sold $550.

That's serious money. And, it adds up.

I'm leaning towards selling more stuff, paying off my house (I actually don't owe that much on it anymore) and buying a beach house (Texas coast...yeah, I know...)

Rent it out half the year and, it pays for itself. I stay at the beach whenever I want to and, retire there if I feel like it.

Life's priorities change. That's not a bad thing. Money is still in the bank, just in a different form.

There are awesome things I own that I, literally, have not seen or touched in 20 years. They didn't eat much, they didn't take up much room and, I enjoyed owning them.

I would get more value in my life, out of something else now.
 
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Yeah, you may be frustrated with the market. I know I get that way, and I drifted away from knives only to come back. You'll find something else to light your fire and you'll be back it. It happened to me, it'll happen to you.

On a side note, it probably doesn't help you out that a certain YouTube personality raves about the Grimsmo knives you are after...
 
A few years ago I had the chance to work for a local firearms dealer. What could be better, right? I like guns so that should be a dream job but, I hated it. Guns had always been a hobby, now they were work. However, I did not give up my firearms because I did not enjoy them anymore. I just changed the types that I carried and used.

Why turn your back on a hobby that you obviously enjoy? Just because you won't/can't pay the extra high prices for a few special blades, you're going to stop? That's crazy. Looks like a perfect time to expand your hobby.
 
I could be wrong, but it sounds like you just got a little soured with knife collecting when you didn't find the knives you wanted at a reasonable price. Why not hold off on purchasing and selling for a while and just keep what you have? If money isn't a concern ( It must be nice ) then you don't have to sell your collection to fund another knife, you may find what you are looking for later on.
 
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The way that I look at my collecting "problem":) is; I'm always going to need a knife, so I may as well have a knife that I love to use and admire the quality and craftsmanship that went into creating it.
When a good knife can make a cutting "task" enjoyable...well, I've gotten my moneys worth right there! Some knives I own are strictly for looks. I just love the look of that knife! But most of them are users.

If I was going to stop collecting, I have a couple I wouldn't sell just because we go way back!:cool: And then I would keep three high quality knives. One for cooking, one for camping and one for EDC.

OP; I wish you all the best... we'll be here when you get back!:D
 
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I realized when I got my first ,and only, custom slip joint that I would never use it - made me think "d@mn!". So I try not to hate myself and just enjoy the pictures.
 
The chase and anticipation are the real thrills for me. Knives, guns, fly rods&reels, guitars, watches. Once I acquire one the immediate and short term emotion are great. But shortly they get picked up, mostly forgotten about, and occasionally taken out and "petted". There are of course the daily users in any category. I do understand the frustration of elusive pieces especially those grossly inflated in price but that is the owners prerogative.
 
You do what you want, it's a free country and you don't need anyone's seal of approval from this forum. It sounds like this is causing you much time/emotions/energy/$/grief and that's a great reason to reflect on the cause and fix the situation.

My personal example, I used to be a huge Spyderco fan since the 90's and I love the variety of models that come out. But I got disillusioned about their sky rocketing prices and below par customer service ($7 + shipping cost for a pocket clip, $5 sharpening Job thats a few swipes on a sharp maker, warranty fix on my Grail Shabaria that made it worse) I sold off all my Spydercos and swore not to buy another.
 
There will always be knives that are unattainable or just ridiculously priced(IMO) in the secondary market-extremely rare and or supply and demand effect. I like to carry and use my knives , so I have my limits and for the most part stay in and enjoy that playground.
Can't always get what you want
 
Absolutely correct.

For me, I get pretty "into" hobbies and "jump in" with both feet. In this case, I have enjoyed it for years, and still plan too. But, in this situation I found myself aggravated (my own problem) too often instead of enjoying. But, life is to short and many things/hobbies are not truly that important (in the scheme of things), especially if it causes frustration etc...

So I have sold most of my items.
It has been a little exhilarating and freeing, actually. :) (I'm not saying others should do it)

I plan on keeping 2-3 and use the crap out of them. I plan on keeping an eye out for a Norsman and Rask, and if lightning strikes twice (and at the right price) then, I imagine, I will get them and sell the others and use the crap out of those.

This way, I still connect and enjoy the hobby, in my own way.
 
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Take a vacation from knives.
The search for unobtanium is part of the lure is it not? ie the chase is better than the catch but it sounds like you could use a break. You will know when or IF that break is over.
 
Sell everything except the one or two knives you commonly use and give you pleasure to own. Then, start the whole process all over again. No sense in being aggravated about the "market". Just move on and enjoy.

My "oh s**t" level is much lower than yours in terms of cost (vs value). You like expensive stuff and pride yourself on owning and using them. This won't change regardless of whether or not you sell. So, you can sell or just do what I do and park them, and not worry about it and accept things for what it is, a hobby.
 
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