Confessions of an Accumulator

A Bladeforums search indicates that I first recognized myself as an "Accumulator" in 2001. :)

My "accumulation" consists of hundreds of knives of every sort: hunting, military, display, traditional, modern, junkers, customs, bayonets, hand-me-downs, novelty-item gifts, priceless heirlooms, knives from my childhood, and knives purchased last week.

Since 2001 though, something interesting happened. I found two small particular areas in which to focus on, creating small mini-collections within the overall Accumulation. It's been an interesting experience for sure, the eBay 'hunt',the competition for rare examples, the thrill of the find, and the emotional satisfaction of seeing both mini-collections increase in value and desirability.

And even though I may occasionally explore specific areas of focus, I will never give up my Accumulation habits! :)
 
For me the custom world is of little or no interest or appeal. My most expensive knife to date was a Spyderco Civilian purchased for $240 CAD and for me its the equivalent of jewelery. I have no desire to venture out of the realm of production folders and fixed blades to satisfy my steel addiction. I too, am a discerning accumulator.
 
Mongrel said:
Former 'accumulator'...

Currently in the process of dumping everything possible that would serve no other purpose than to wind up causing a burden on my family if I died (mommy what do we do with daddy's 300 knives?), lost in a flood or fire, or confiscated by someone.

I came to a personal decision after the nonesense that went on after Katrina that I would convert my unnecessary steel into cash.

As much as it has been painful, the end result is freedom. I know longer worry about what my EDC will be, or my 'chopper' , etc.

I'm not done yet but I'm getting closer...

Interesting thread btw
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Way to go Mongrel!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I did a major downsizing of my stuff a few years ago, and got down to about 6 or 7 knives that I rotate often. Got down to two handguns and just two rifles as well, but thats another forum. I gave most of my almost 100 piece knife accumulation to family, friends, former co-workers from before I retired.

It was so liberating I can't begin to describe it!:D

I think these forums make you buy more than you need.
 
I accumulate and use. I'd love to find that perfect combo (wouldn't we all?). So I try different patterns, steels and what-not. But if I don't use them I'll trade/sell/gift them. I have very few knives compared to many of the folks here. But I have most of my bases covered and I don't agonize over a blade getting scratched.

Frank
 
_habit_ said:
I think that you and I are Knife Enthusiasts! We appreciate knives much like a collector, just in a different manner, mirite?
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Yup - yurite. I'd say that pretty much sums up my interests. I may not buy a collector piece, but I definitely like looking at the work of good makers out there. I have two of D. Darom's books, and plan to have them all. The photography is amazing, and it brings the custom world almost as close as a show.

Other than that, I'm on that eternal quest for the perfect knife combo. Right now, for me, it's a Buck 110 (or clone) and a Vic Huntsman; I have a lifelong history with each. I love the other knives I've "accumulated", and each has its own story, but if I was in Mongrels' situation, I could easily live the rest of my days with those two (and a spare or two of each.)

thx - cpr
 
Along with being a knife accumulator, I am also a gun accumulator. While I have some high priced guns and some customs I shoot every single one of them. I cant abide having something that is meant to be used and not using it. That is one of the reasons I cant bring myself to spend a lot on a fancy custom that would be a shame to use. I dont mind spending a few hundred on a good knife but by God Im gonna carry it and use it.
 
I have pile of sub $150 knives---some cause I like them--some to see what all the hype is all about---some just for something new to play with.

When the dollars get more than that---I'm looking at firearms.

The G B hatchets really have my interest at the moment.
 
I just also realized that I am a accumulator/user. I have no nice custom knives, just a bunch of crappy knives, a lot of midrange, and just one expensive microtech.
 
I'm only keeping what I really like and carry, but, these knives are unique. Warren Thomas, need I say more; Mission MPF for the All Titanium construction; Busse Warden for the INFI; Emerson HD-7 for the Tom Krein Grind; Pat Crawford's "one-piece handle" tanto folder and two Leu Customs because I love his blades. That's all folks! Thanks!
 
orca8589 said:
Interesting point - are you planning to keep one or two EDC's? And if so, are they going to be tough users, or something nicer?

thx - cpr
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Well, right now my EDCs are a Benchmade Mini-TSEK and a Spyderco Co-Pilot. The Co-Pilot is for work because I work in a School and it's sheeple and legally friendly. The TSEK is just one heck of an all-around great pattern and well made little knife. I did just finish up test-piloting a Spyderco Endura 4 that someone put a wicked flat grind on. Suffice to say, it would be on my short list for an EDC if the occasion presented itself. If I need something larger, I'll go with a small fixed blade, and on up the line.

Basically, I separated out the one's given to me by family members-my father, mother, wife, daughter's, and in-laws. So that's six 'users' that take up little space and only have sentimental value.

Then I broke it down to categories-

SAK
Tactical style EDC
Small Fixed Blade
Large Fixed Blade
Chopper
Machete
Saw
Axe

I've got them broken down into two bug-out bag type kits and the one's I use every day or frequently. I also tossed a couple of SAKs into our vehicles glove boxes.

I have found more pleasure in a knife that's less than $75 that I use without so much as a second thought than in all the $100+ knives I own. Right now I need a $100 bill more than a $100 blade. And honestly, for my needs, I haven't used a knife yet that justified costing over $100 for-period. (Understand that is from a 'user' standpoint and not a 'beauty of craftsmanship' standpoint). But then, I'm just a regular guy who likes to walk around the woods not an operator who needs to cut his way out of a Helicopter.

As I get older I realize the fact that life will always be too short and the time and effort involved in "accumulating things" is better spent "doing things".

But again-I am not a prophet or a preacher, so to each his own, like I said-I'm a "former" accumulator so I know what it's about. :thumbup:

My humble apologies to the OP for the hi-jack. Just trying to answer the question as truthfully as possible.
 
My collection ranges from
This (2 dollars)
2651010265_0926955605.jpg

To

This ($162.42)
2860512329_1501cd7fc5.jpg


And a whole lot in between

The funny part is
I think my knife collection is almost worth more than my gun collection :eek:
Who woulda thunk......
 
I'm not sure price plays any role in defining a collector vs an accumulator. If you buy a knife just to have it, with no overriding theme or intended use, doesn't matter if it cost $50 or $5000. Both could increase or decrease in value.
 
i buy what interests me without breaking my all time high of $90 bucks. (guess i'm thrifty:D)
when i go and somebody pokes through it hopefully they will at least think its interesting:) decent quality and interesting...
ivan
 
I don't think price has anything to do with it either. Simply spending more does not automatically make someone a "serious collector", and there are plenty of serious collectors who's area of interest are not high-dollar items. Personally, I take joy and pride in buying knives from a wide variety of price categories; I would never minimize my shopping selections by limiting myself to a certain dollar range.

I'd also like to throw out this: I expect that many knife Users tend to accumulate more knives than they really need, and that many Accumulators also enjoy using their knives. But in general "Accumulator" is not the same thing as "User". Nothing against Users, but they're not me and I'm not them. ;)
 
Sharp Phil said:
I realized today that I'm an accumulator, not a collector, of knives. All of my stuff is ordinary.

What about you?
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I am also an accumulator. None of mine are worth heavy money, all of them are users.

I'm OK with that, though. I'm the same with guns. If I don't think I'll shoot it or carry it, I don't buy it.

Andy
 
I view my knives like I view my coins.
I want only knives that I think are cool and that I can use. A tool that just gets looked at is not a tool.
Same with my coins, I only collect coins that have been in circulation. I don't go in for the proof sets and the commemoratives - they are made to be collected and that takes all the fun out of it. Kind of like giving someone five bucks to tie a duck to a pole so you can shoot it. You get to take home a dead duck, but you didn't hunt it.

Some of you guys calling yourselves accumulators are really the collectors!

Rob
 
People can collect anything, it doesn't need to be expensive to be part of a collection. My brother used to collect business cards, match books, and pencils, mostly just things given for free with company logos on them. I've seen people collect those stuffed animals in McDonald's Happy Meals.

A knife collection doesn't have to be expensive customs.

Some good examples of possible collections consisting of production knives are current or former military knives, Boy Scout knives, movie knives, knives from a certain time period, etc. Someone might collect knives from Tekna, the BMF, MK I, MK II, Guardian II, and Command II from Gerber, the brass guard Tanto, Urban Shiv and Urban Pal from Cold Steel, the Buckmaster, the Lifeknife, for a 1980s collection.

I know a guy who, at least in the 1990s, got the United Cutlery Gil Hibben fantasy knife for each year.

I both use and collect knives. A few years ago I bought an AF Fighting Knife, an AF Smatchet, 2 F-S Commando knives (one for the collection and one to practice with,) and a couple Gerber Guardian IIs. Aside from the F-S to practice with, all these are my CQC dagger collection. All are production and the only one over $100.00 when I bought them was the Smatchet.
 
I'm down to three folders as of last night. Gave away my Benchmade fecas snipe to a cop friend who showed more interest in it than I do. It's one of the few vices i have, that in my poor financial state I can give others a tool that they'd probably use...instead of languishing unused in my drawer.

But the three folders that are left me, I will keep...and will accumulate more in the future.
 
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