Collector or user?

S

Sharps77

Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
35
So, my fellow knife knuts, I am quite certain that this topic has been discussed a zillion times over the years. I would like to throw my hat in the ring and try to explain how I, personally, contrast the differences between being a collection worthy piece, or a user. I currently own a multitude of folders and fixies of all calibers from Kershaw's to customs, and I love all of them, but that doesn't mean that I will use all of them. I have heard knife makers say that their knives are meant to be used and will serve for a lifetime, but then they put a mirror polished blade inside of scales made from meteorites. So I have made up my mind that if a knife is rare (maybe 10 or less) and made of materials that can easily tarnish or damage, it's probably not going to see use. I am not wealthy by any means (check to check) so when I am blessed enough to acquire a piece of said magnitude, I determine that before I pull the trigger, where it fits in my life. I am always looking at knives that could serve me in my daily life and in an emergency situation. Some would say that one knife should be enough to serve you for life if you take care of it, but where's the excitement in that? Then a knife pops up that I fall in love with that I know that I will never use. It will sit in my case and just look pretty. But that is why I bought it. I know the purists are ready to pounce, but rest assured that when I buy a knife, I buy a knife for a purpose. Whether it is to serve as an edc beater tool, or a piece to look at, play with, and bring me personal satisfaction. So how do you knuts determine what is collection worthy and what is user worthy?
 
I understand collectors, and have a few heirlooms that don't see use anymore, but I use the overwhelming majority of the tools I own.
I don't own a museum, and don't think of my tools as a sound financial Investment.
But of you want to keep high dollar knives in a safe, that's cool, and I'll support your decision to do that.

Hell, if you wanna walk around with a Katana on your back, I'm good with that too.
:)
 
I view knives as a poor financial investment. So, if you collect, it is because you want to and not for financial reasons.

The only knife I own that is purely a collector item for me is an elephant ivory scaled Northwoods slipjoint. All of the others are available for use even though the lion's share will never see use.

I have a couple of Randalls that I will sell eventually when I get around to it. I have no need for them and the oogling days are past.

I only buy knives today to use. If I know I will absolutely not use it, I don't buy it. So, no more ivory handled knives for me.

I am way past the one knife for life kind of philosophy. Only as a kid did I own a single knife and that was because I couldn't afford two of them. I have knives to use as needed and because I like them.
 
I've had some collection-worthy pieces in the past. Ended up selling them.

I haven't so much "collected" the pieces that I own, I've more "amassed" them.

I have a "mass" of users, I guess.
 
Collector or user? I'm guilty of both.

Some items were purchased solely with collecting in mind. That is how I ended up with a collection of Victorinox & Wenger Soldiers and a toolbox full of bayonets. Others were bought as back ups to what I carry and use. Then there are those that I picked up with great plans and intentions but never have used and at this point in my life probably never will.
 
I own many tools including many knives (that I use mainly in the kitchen) but, in terms of the types of knives discussed on this forum, I am by far an unapologetic collector.
 
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I won’t buy anything I wouldn’t use. For me, that difference is in form, not price. I’d beat the **** out of a custom designed for use, but wouldn’t use a production knife with poor user form for my purposes. eg, I’d rock a custom EZC, but not a Reate Jack.
 
I don't really have much chance or need to use knives, so I am definitely more of a collector than a user. Have probably about 30% of my collection displayed around the house. But I do EDC a folder too (currently Cold Steel Grik).
 
The thing I have a difficult time understanding is the knives that are made of the best of steels tempered to hold an edge forever, the most durable materials for a handle, ruggedly designed for hard use and then suffer a dreadful existence in a display case only to be looked at. Then the exact opposite of a nice shiny well crafted knife polished to a ultra high mirror finish on a blade of 420j2 with exquisite art work on the bolsters the finest of exotic materials fitted and finished to perfection and some clod hopper is carrying it in back pocket cutting insulation materials, opening tri-wall crates, wedging it into strapping to pop it if it can’t cut it. I know it’s to each their own but I just can’t understand it. I’m thinking there should be a knife protective and custody services for such abuse. Oh the horror!
 
Even though I do like having a variety of blade sizes,shapes,and locks
(when talking about a folders),I feel like i'm a little bit more of a
user( <-- haha) than collector if there was a spectrum to the whole
user/collector thing.
 
Most of my knives are or where users, with the best steels ending up in my pockets most. I do have a small collection of rare and limited black Alox Swiss Army Knives, from which some have never even cut a paper sheet.
 
User here. If I have to think twice about using it, I won't own it. I'm the same with watches. I sold off my expensive automatics because I found myself not wearing them yet thinking way to much about them.
 
Lesknife said:
The thing I have a difficult time understanding is the knives that are made of the best of steels tempered to hold an edge forever, the most durable materials for a handle, ruggedly designed for hard use and then suffer a dreadful existence in a display case only to be looked at. Then the exact opposite of a nice shiny well crafted knife polished to a ultra high mirror finish on a blade of 420j2 with exquisite art work on the bolsters the finest of exotic materials fitted and finished to perfection and some clod hopper is carrying it in back pocket cutting insulation materials, opening tri-wall crates, wedging it into strapping to pop it if it can’t cut it. I know it’s to each their own but I just can’t understand it. I’m thinking there should be a knife protective and custody services for such abuse. Oh the horror!
Click to expand...

Lol.
A coworker bought me a ZT 350 after bragging about the brand for months.
I opened the box, checked it out and proceeded to open bails of material, cut packing straps and metal tape
:P
Thought he was gonna have a stroke.

That said, it's a fantastic knife and every bit as tough and overbuilt as they claim.
 
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