Collectors “vs” Users - Which are you?

I have several that I won't use because of how rare they are but the majority of them I will use. I'm both a collector and user.

I feel like anyone that has more than say ten knives is a collector whether they use them or not. Collecting is just having more than you need because you like it. Anyone that uses a knife regularly, I'd call a knife user.

I think we need to work as a community to not turn our noses up at the guys who choose to collect over using knives. There seems to be a bit of underlying distane for collectors by straight "user" types because they don't do things the same way. It's similar to the; "You spent HOW much on that?" outrage. People have different priorities and we should work to support not criticise. Let's try to not push away the collector guys as they are a valuable part of the community and the driving force that keeps the knife market and design evolving. Maybe I'm totally off track but this has just been my observation.

As far as investments go, knives are not it, I'm not saying you can't make money but that is with a minority of blades.
 
I don’t own a tool I wont use, be it knife, pistol, flashlight, watch…

That certainly doesn’t mean I hold collectors in any disregard. I wish I could be a collector but I just cannot. I have a rather compulsive and obsessive personality and I lose my mind when I start collecting, proof would be my 140 Buck 303s I had at one point.
I come here to admire, wonder and marvel at all knives and collections. I go the same at a flashlight forum and a pistol forum
 
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I collect knives to use, I have only two knives in my collection that are not actual users; everything else is put into service of some sort. I am not very good at selling what I don't/haven't carried in awhile; sooner or later I will likely purge a few things off.
 
Knives are a poor investment, so no on that; but I try to use every one I own, even if it’s just sparingly. If they don’t get used I either sell them, or more likely give them away as a gift. I have so many friends, family members, and former students carrying knives I’ve gifted them that I can’t even remember. I do like knowing people I care about have a dependable tool, and hopefully they think of me periodically when they use it.
 
Definitely a collector, but I carry and use (reasonably) what I collect🤷‍♂️
 
I have some knives because I like them as users - plastic handle, good ergos, good blade, PB washers - purpose driven tools.
I also have gents folders for EDC, slicy, handsome, compact pieces, alox SAKs. Then I also have others that I just admire for some special reason. Eg I really like Ti and burl.
 
User. I carry everything I own. The one exception is the pocket knife my grandpa carried. I don't carry it for sentimental reasons. Although I'm good about not losing things, I'd cry if I lost his knife.

I never look at a knife as an investment piece or something to flip later one.

For those that collect, invest, or flip knives. Life is short, do what makes you happy.
 
I have been on a search to find "the one" so I guess I have been ab accumulator more than a collector. Since getting my current EDC my knife buying has dropped off significantly. I have been very happy with it this past year and it doesn't seem like I will be replacing it with something else any time soon.
 
Definitely user. If I can’t carry and use it, I feel I’ve wasted my money. Just bought three Brian Tighe customs. One was too nice to carry so I sent it back.
 
I have two different sets of knives. Work knives that get well used, get dirty and are used hard if necessary.
Then I have the other set that I’ll carry evenings and weekends. These still get used but not hard, just paper, threads etc.
But they’ll all get used to some degree.
 
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