Collectors “vs” Users - Which are you?

I fall in the user camp. I never purchased a knife with the intention of selling them. I only recently started selling knives because I ended up owning too many knives to use them all reasonably and I wasn't getting to use my favorites as much as I liked. I also don't enjoy owning things that I don't use. I wish I could be one of the collectors as it seems awesome but it gives me anxiety.
 
I'm strictly a COLLECTOR of the knives that I speak about or am interested in learning about here.

There are currently around 340 knives in my collection. They are all commercially made knives (no customs but some rare models) that mostly range in cost between $150-500; a few of which are now valued at over $1k @.

While I may carry one from time to time, I have not used any of the knives that I "collect" to cut anything more than some paper or tape.

The knives that I actually USE are either really OLD and/or really CHEAP. There are a couple dozen of those -- mostly kitchen & utility knives -- that seldom merit any mention here.
 
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I collect some with the intention of not using them and I collect the rest for using. I like having the option to choose which knife to carry for the day. Problem is, I’m carrying longer between rotation and have some that haven’t seen pocket time.
 
ferider said:
All my knives are being used. That being said:

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If someone asks me how many knives I have, I tell them more than Jupiter has moons but less than Imelda Marcos had pairs of shoes. I honestly couldn't give you an exact number and that number changes sometimes daily.

I would never view my knife collection as a financial investment, anymore than anything I blow cash on. I've given plenty of knives away but I've never sold them into steel slavery to a stranger. Other than some commemorative knives and a few completely impractical or whack a-doodle designs (2-3% of them), almost all of my knives are meant to be used and at some point will be used.
 
For the most part, I carry all of the knives in my collection. If I don't, I usually pass them along. Some of my knives are used heavily, for things like hiking, kayaking, camping, farmwork, etc.; while others serve the main use of simply bringing me the enjoyment of fooling with and admiring them while sitting on the back porch after dinner while sipping my evening whisky, listening to some good music, watching the sun go down, and appreciating life. I am of the opinion that there is no wrong way to do a hobby as long as it brings you enjoyment.
 
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Both. I have fun collecting knives that I use for work, I like to try how suitable are steels and designs in my line of work. Such knives i usually use for a year or so, “retire” and move to another knife I find interesting to use for my work.
‘I also like to collect interesting designs, or some how iconic designs per brand, like the Kershaw Tilt, the CS Hattamoto or the old school Gunsite edition, some Benchmade Snody and so on…
‘I also like to modify some suitable designs like my Rat 1 folders or put more ergonomic scales, or grind waves on the blades, if this goes for modifying at all…
‘I never care about resale value, in fact I never sold knife, I’ll give it away (for one cent 🤣 ) but never sell,it for more $$
 
I don't buys knives to collect or to sell, and don't sell to make money. That said, buying is the only way to get a knife into my hands. Some are love at first sight, and some never click. I don't keep any knives I don't use, and of curse some get used more than others. I try to keep the user collection between two and three dozen and only four knives are modern locking folders with pocket clips.
 
More than a collector or accumulator, I consider myself a knife de-valuer. ;)

I plan to keep and use every knife I buy, but it’s not uncommon for me to decide I don’t really like a particular knife. Unfortunately that’s almost never until AFTER I’ve used it and scuffed it up.

Not the most cost-effective approach to knives, but I take some solace from providing other enthusiasts with used knives at a good price now and then…
 
All mine are users except a few, and I bet I’ll wind up selling those off. I’ve always been that way - if I don’t use it I’ll eventually sell it or trade it away.

Nothing against the safe Queen guys. I can relate, but I use my sh!t. Life’s too short not to enjoy the stuff I buy to carry and use.
 
A few times I’ve bought two of the same knife, kept one for my collection and flipped the other for twice the original purchase price. It’s an interesting way to score free knives.
 
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