Collecting vs Using?

Why do you buy a limited edition/Sprint run knife?

  • Total voters
    68
I want to say I use them but there are some designs I buy multiples of. I use them but save those multiples. I buy multiples because I like them so much I don't want to completely lose them if I actually happen to lose them. I voted 'safe queen' because I don't just use them wantonly.
 
ferider said:
Just a note that collecting and using are not orthogonal. I definitely use all my knives, but would lie if saying I'm not collecting.
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Well put.

As far as edc type knives, I've got a small collection(probably a dozen each folding/fixed blade) that all get used fairly frequently, but Ive justified enlarging my collection in the last year or 2 because I wanted to test the different characteristics of all the steels and different designs out there. Realistically, I could have stopped buying knives after 3 or 4 though.
 
I'm an accumulator, not a collector. I accumulate the knives that I've carried and used, then moved on to try something else.
I don't see how one can fully appreciate a design without using it to see how well all the design factors come together in use.
 
Every knife that I buy is a user, and I like to extract the maximum out of every item. I feel that things tend to become comfortable with use and that that process continues until the item is no longer able to perform reliably.

Naturally, this limits the rotation somewhat, so that the knives that I purchased last week are not likely to see use in my rotation prior to the year 7582. But, since I have yet to rule out becoming an elderly denture wearing vampire with corrective lenses, I’ll continue to call myself a knife user.

N2s
 
If I discover a knife is not working for me in ergos or in action, or if its use case scenario was rooted in an illusion, or if I am not attracted to its aesthetics anymore, or even if it is for political reasons, I will always sell it, used or unused.

OTOH, if they check all the boxes, I don't mind buying multiple backups - eg Spyderco Native, Military, Chief, Chaparral, SE Caribbean, Hultafors GK, Opinel #9, Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter. These are "my bread and butter" knives.

I also have special knives, that see some use, but are not hard use nor EDC. They are kinda archetypes - the ideal or perfect Ti framelock, the 'best' blade of a certain grind type, the nicest CF handle, the best edge retention steel, the greatest flipper, an interesting locking mechanism, or simply beauty. I keep them until something more interesting kicks them out the collection.
 
There should be a 4th option in the poll. "I don't/rarely ever buy sprint runs or limited editions (SR/LE)".

I use and carry all my knives. I also rarely pay over $125 on a knife so that eliminates many of the SR/LE out there.

The only 2 knives I own that might qualify for SR/LE are S30V Delicas and Enduras. All bought off the forum here for under $100.
 
If allowed, I could have checked two vote boxes. If there is a knife I carry and use that I really like, I will get a "back-up" safe Queen, just in case that particular model is ever discontinued. Cases in point being the ZT 630 and the Becker BK-15. Not that these aren't/weren't even limited editions, just knives that I really like that are no longer available except perhaps in limited circumstances on the secondary market.

Oh yeah, I got me a couple AD-10 back-ups!
 
I’m never plan on selling sprint runs, it happens once in a while if i need funds to buy a knife I like better. I have a handful of knives that have only been out of the safe and flipped a few times like my 0452G10, 0452GL, Hinderer Eklipse and my BNIB ZT 0400ST. My 4 favorites right there.
If I win the lottery and have the chance to build a 7 second race car then maybe I’ll ease up on being such an over-protective parent to my little babies :-D
 
I typically only buy to use. Some then turn out to not be users for whatever reason. Those I usually keep as ‘things I think are cool’.
 
I have knives that I will only use for certain cutting tasks because they are so expensive or rare, but they all get used.
I'd like to introduce a new category of knives. "Safe B*tches" These are rare or limited blades that you get a sick satisfaction from modifying and using.
 
All users for me, sprint run or not. Just every knife has a situational use and many fit into multiple categories. My sprint runs currently get light use, until I can dial in my sharpening.

-Hard use/work
-casual EDC
-working around the house EDC
-going out, family/friend events
-sweatpants/gym short (LOL, yup have this as a category)
 
All my knives are users, some I buy twice in case of losing one and they are discontinued.

I paid quite a sum of money to get a second BK17 NIB, and that one will be treasured until my first one is used down to a nub or I lose it.
 
FL23833 said:
The latest was an Arius that thing was like tits on a bull. Too pretty to carry and utterly useless to me.
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Only useless if you refuse to use it.

Pro tip: kill the resale value by putting the most godawful color of cerakote you can think of on there. Arii make great users.

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If it is something difficult to get like a Spyderco Sprint knife, a GEC or Albers Cutlery knife then I let them be a safe queen. Lets be honest trying to get a GEC or Albert cutlery knife is pretty close to impossible these days so why would I devalue it by using it?
I have plenty of other knives that I can abuse and replace easily.
 
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Most knives I buy are for using, like the BladeHQ exclusive Spyderco PM2 wtih DLC M4 tanto blade and jade g10 scales, that knife is definitely a user. The Microtech Combat Troodon Bounty Hunter - that's just to play with and collect may open a box now and then but will never see hard use, got plenty of other knives for that duty.
 
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