Collectors “vs” Users - Which are you?

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sharkattacksw

Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
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Collectors: Do you collect as an “investment”, collect “just to have knives”, or collect knives to actually use?
I carry and use all the knives in my collection. I don’t have any “investment knives/safe queens”, to me it’s no fun buying a knife just to look at.
My collection goal is to collect knives I can actually carry and use & enjoy.
How about you?
One of my favorites is the Spyderco Chaparral & Buck 112 line.
Have a great day everyone.
 
I’m both. I’ve got more knives in my collection than I’ll ever need to use for the rest of my lifetime. I love knives, so I have zero shame in keeping most of my collection as “safe queens”. Many of them, the most use they’ll see is some fondle time while I’m watching something on TV at home. Suits me just fine.

Folks that might disagree with that, well they’re free to do with their property what they like, and I’ll do the same. 😉
 
Question: Collectors: Do you collect as an “investment”, collect “just to have knives”, or collect knives to actually use?

My answer: I definitely do NOT collect knives as an investment!! I use most of my knives, but some don't get a lot of use, just because I have so many. There are a few that I collect as conversation pieces, a piece of history or just because I like them. I don't expect any to gain enough value over time to make them worthwhile as investments. I expect most to depreciate over time. Even if I sell one for exactly what I have in it, it's still a loss in terms of real dollars, due to inflation. This was still true even when inflation was 1%-2%, but of course moreso now.
 
With actual (not announced) inflation there is no such thing as investment !!
bust or BUST and how much only ...
:^(

So collecting
or storage
only
 
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All of my knives have been used/carried at some point.

Many of my knives live in a drawer, but I would have no hesitation to use any of them if I had reason to. I obviously have my favorites that see more active duty than others, but I have never bought a knife over the last 40 years with the intention of putting it into a safe for investment or collection purposes.
 
I don't really have safe queens, I do have a few heirloom pieces and retired knives that don't see much use. I put myself into the "accumulator" category. I'll buy a knife thinking I'll use it, carry it for a while, decided I'd rather carry something different and put the one I was carrying in a box or roll. My current "groove" as I've decided to call it is a small sebenza, a vic pioneer, a vic rambler, and a small sheath knife from David Mary David Mary in my bag.
 
All my knives are being used. That being said:

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I used to collect custom fixed blade hunters, because I liked them. I still have most of my collection. I collect folding knives to carry and use.
 
Quiet said:
I’m both. I’ve got more knives in my collection than I’ll ever need to use for the rest of my lifetime. I love knives, so I have zero shame in keeping most of my collection as “safe queens”. Many of them, the most use they’ll see is some fondle time while I’m watching something on TV at home. Suits me just fine.

Folks that might disagree with that, well they’re free to do with their property what they like, and I’ll do the same. 😉
Click to expand...
I’m very much the same way and I couldn’t have said it better myself 👍
 
I'm 51, and I've been into knives and have been owning/carrying/using/acquiring knives since I was around 7 or 8.

I was a "user" for most of my life (camping/hiking/chores/work/etc).

And for awhile I was also an "accumulator" (bought knives just to buy and have them). But all those knives were bought with carry/use in mind.

But today I have almost no need for knives, and could get by mostly with a pair of scissors and a box cutter. And my accumulating days are over. I'm not that person anymore, and it would bother me to spend money on a knife (or most anything) that I don't have a practical need for.

I would describe myself now as a "knife enthusiast". My interest in knives now is pretty much exclusive to those knives that simply give me pleasure to own them.

I now have all the "pleasure" knives I need, my buying days are over. Some might scoff at the idea of someone saying that they will never buy anymore knives, but I have truly reached my own knife-nirvana. I'm content (very happy actually).

Of course if I won the lottery I'd buy a few really expensive knives that have previously interested me ($800-$2000 each), but again, it would only be for the pleasure of ownership.

Different strokes. One of the most interesting aspects about this "thing of ours", and the vast knife community, is the diversity of those who populate it. As far as I'm concerned, whatever your reasons are for owning or acquiring knives, you can't be wrong :).
 
Mostly a user. I don’t really buy knives with the intention of reselling them at some point. If we wanna make bank, there are other more practical options out there. My philosophy is buy it, enjoy it, then pass it on to your kids or friends. Then buy some more. 😅

That being said, it’s perfectly okay to collect. You could make some serious, one-time-big-time cash with some sprint runs. Different strokes for different folks.
 
Sounds like I'm like many of others- I use all my knives but few of them get used enough to justify having bought them. That won't stop me from continuing to buy more. I buy knives because I like them, I already own plenty to take care of all my use needs. Once I buy a new one, I make a point of using it, which is part of the enjoyment of the new knife. Btw I don't sell knives (shudder) what's the point of THAT?
 
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