Collecting knives!?!?!?!

S

Steven Cobb

Joined
Oct 14, 2000
Messages
31
I have been collecting knives since I was very young, and I have always been a little cautious when telling others about this hobby. Most people I speak with think it is completely insane to spend $700 on a custom knife, no matter what materials and time has been spent on making it. So my question is, has anyone else had this problem letting others know about this hobby? and how have people reacted usually?

Thanks, Steve
 
Actually for me i don't let anybody know my interest in knives since it's very difficult to explain. They'll just find out sooner or later. Those people who sees the knife on me would like to see it or just ignore it.

My knife collection is for personal satisfaction only and it wouldn't bother me if others reacted differently. As long as i'm happy.
biggrin.gif
 
Steve,
i've also been collecting knives for a number of years and yes I've also run into the same problem,so now what i do if someone really shows an interest,i'll gladly give them my time.otherwise my collection is just that"Mine"
smile.gif


------------------
JimBob
 
I guess the main problem is that non knife folk believe that the kitchen is the only place for a knife and a knife anywhere else is a 'weapon'. Most times, i keep my knives hidden away and don't even produce a knife unless I know the people around me well.

I try to spread the hobby though, by talking knives to anybody who shows an interest. I recently gave one of my close friends a BM856. The big smile on his face as he played around with it made my day. I plan to give away a couple of CRKTs come Xmas. If we make more enthusiasts, may be the knife hobby won't be viewed so negatively.

I love looking at knives and using them, but if others feel different, that's no problem. I'm glad I found Blade Forums and finally feel relieved that my weird passion for sharp shiny objects is not uncommon.

Red


------------------
"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
I try to spring it on people only after they know me for a while and then introduce them slowly and gradually. My wife still doesn't fully understand it so I don't expect any other non knife knuts to either. I definately use discretion.
 
Same problems here everybody likes looking at my new knives but when the talk turns to price I usually here "You paid what for that?" or "you could have bought a gun for that kinda money" but no matter what is said I'm happy with what I'm doing so it dosent bother me.
 
I'm a 'born again' knife guy. I always had knives as a scout and the neighborhood raggamuffin, and I carried a Buck 110 all the time I rode with a motorcycle club. Then I got into business and started wearing better clothes (well, for me, they were better...) and having a daily carry waned. About ten years ago, I thought a pocketknife would be a good idea, and went to go buy one. Oy, things had changed! I bought one, lusted for another, bought that one, and on and on. As with guns, cars or bikes, I guess I just like nice stuff, and I like spending time with guys who feel the same way. But, I never thought I'd wind up a knife collector!--OKG
 
Collecting knives IS completely insane. Ask anyone you meet. Everyone knows a really good knife should cost around $20, even if it is a 8 inch forged blade with a Japanese clay tempered hamon and a carved bocote handle.
smile.gif


Many folks have admired my new daily carry folder, a mid-lock folder with a 3-inch 420V blade, stainless bolster, handrubbed finish, awesome pearl scales, and perfect 'walk and talk' made by PJ Tomes. They always guess that it must have been expensive, maybe $50 or so. I tell them that they are off by more than a factor of 10, and their jaws drop and they tell me I'm crazy.

Sadly, most people have never actually seen or handled a good knife, and when they do, they can't appreciate what is right in front of them or in their hands. Oh well...

Paracelsus, happy crazy person
 
I have the same problem with just about everyone I know... my family, friends, co-workersand even my wife, who understands me better than I do. But, it doesn't discourage me anymore. I see it as anything else... people are naturally hesitant about unknowns.

Most people don't understand my perspective on knives, because they don't try to learn anything about knives. They want to know why I am so fascinated, why they cost so much, what I need them for, and so on, but they really don't want to learn or else I could easily teach them all I know. They probably sitll would not feel the same way I or any of you guys do, but they would somewhat understand.

Either way, why should it change the way I feel... it won't... it can't... and neither can I.
 
It's like any other hobby. Did you ever see how much model trains can cost, or remote controlled cars, or baseball cards, or golf (greens fees alone, forget about clubs and stuff), or coins, or stamps, etc., etc., etc? People might think that spending money one those is odd, but they are not seen as we are. There is a stigma that knife collecting has that other things don't. I don't know why. I have seen people react better to guns being displayed than knives. It is weird and I can't explain it.
 
We are short-fused violent troublemakers who like to imagine a sharpened edge carving into human flesh.

OR

We are hick survivalists, always daydreaming we'll be lost in the wilderness completely naked other than our handy knife collection.

OR (in the case of swords)

We are street combatants, carrying a knife or sword in our trenchcoats, always ready to battle the evil ninja vampires who, coincidentally, also carry swords in their trenchcoats. Every minute we have to be wary of everyone...paranoia...is...life.

OR (wow, I'm still rambling!)

We are war veterans suffering from delusions of still being in the jungle. Our knives have to be plastic and stainless so they will not rust in the hot humid climate of the rainforest and must not be damaged by our blood soaked clothes while we charge into battle.

OR (another sword one)

We're lost in medieval daydreams that we're always going to be facing war against charging sword&shield armies of Europe and other areas around the world. We must stock up on weapons to fulfill our fantasies.

OR...

Well there are plenty more "OR"s out there, but that sums up about 1/3 of the knife/sword wielding freaks out there.

Shinryû.
 
I tell people that what i do is what I enjoy. I also know others who are collectors of other items and tell them. Well to tell the truth i would not have paid 1500 bucks for that fancy custom made saddle. Or you paid how much for that horse? It is all in the eye of the beholder. whether it is cars guns knives stamps or spoons it is alll what it is worth to the individual .
 
I appreciate all of the responses, and I am happy to know I am not the only one who has this problem.
Thanks, Steve
 
Sure I have run into the same response that you have. Don't care, I collect knives because I love knives and what other people think does't mean a thing to me.
 
Most people think collecting knives is a very strange hobby. Many understand a bit more when they see some of the beautiful art knives I own. It's great when I find someone else who's really into it. I've got lots of pictures to show. I try to limit talking about my knives to people who appreciate them, but sometimes it leaks out. I rarely discuss prices; then they'll really think I'm off the wall! I had a student I supervised a couple of years ago who asked if she could have one of my knife magazines. She takes the subway late at night and felt safer if people saw her with it and were a little afraid of her.
rolleyes.gif
 
i collect mostely tools but the knives are catching on i have had about 20 or so through the years but i really like the new stuff comming out now microtech is pretty hot right now so i have a few on order for christmas i would spend up to 400.00 i guess most people don't get why i like knives so i keep them to myself


Tim

------------------
I bleed when i am careless
 
Hi I'm Raptor,

I'm a closet knife collector-a-holic!!!

That's how I feel sometimes. I tell almost no one ever about my knives because I'm sick of the stupid reactions. I don't judge others on what they spend their money/time on, so why must they judge me?

I collect/acquire knives for my own personel interest. It reminds me of tattoos. Everytime someone finds out that you have a tattoo, they have to ask the same two stupid questions:
1. Did it hurt ??
2. How much did that cost??

These people bore me!!!

The only people that share my collection are my wife, in-laws (mom-in-law buys me a knife every b-day & Xmas), and my nephew. Even my sister-in-law (nephew's mom) made a comment on my last b-day. She said,"Geez, how many knives does a person need?" Of coarse I responded with the old H-D (Harley Davidson) phrase, "If I have to explain.....You would'nt understand!!"
biggrin.gif


Enough Said!!!!

--The Raptor--

[This message has been edited by Raptor (edited 11-28-2000).]
 
Originally posted by rkenny@wcupa.edu:
People might think that spending money one those [other hobbies] is odd, but they are not seen as we are. There is a stigma that knife collecting has that other things don't. I don't know why. I have seen people react better to guns being displayed than knives. It is weird and I can't explain it.
Click to expand...

I KNOW WHY
tongue.gif

It part of the reason we LOVE knives. How many of say we like knives, not many. We LOVE knives. It's primal. It's basic. It's encoded in our DNA to have strong feelings about such things one way or the other. When you see a knife - it holds your attention. We love or We hate them. Those who dislike them are really denying their feelings. Man has a need for knives. period.



------------------
Formerly known as "EdRozen"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top