Culling Musings

OldHercDude

OldHercDude

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IIRC we had a 2023 knife resolutions thread where I mentioned I was going to make some changes this year. So, a little follow-up.

Based on carry habits the last couple years and a focused effort to carry more of my collected traditionals this year. As it sits now, I've made an initial gathering of the knives I like and carry most of the horde I've accumulated over the last 4.5 years. For some of us, we can have too many knives. I want knives I like and like to carry/ use, not knives to sit and be admired in a display case. There aren't many multiple-blade knives, I tend to prefer single-blade knives outside of SAKs. There are multiples of certain patterns, I like the pattern and each of the material sets. I've come to the realization as much as I like the Tribal Lock, when I need a slightly larger locking folder (than my other traditionals) I find myself reaching for one of my one-handed prac/ tac folders. Some patterns I like, but they are just too small and fumbly for my fingers these days.
original.jpg


original.jpg


Selections may change over the next month or two, and I might decide to pare down even more. Not pictured are the handful of non-tradtionals I've decided to keep. This paring down of my knife stuff coincides with a general de-cluttering of my life.
 
Whats the sak that you have 5 of up there? Do they make additional colors? if they did, would you buy them to have an easy rotation choice for the week?
 
mrknife said:
Whats the sak that you have 5 of up there? Do they make additional colors? if they did, would you buy them to have an easy rotation choice for the week?
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That's the Cadet. Doubtful on the additional colors, most others I've seen are special editions (higher costs) or colors I wouldn't like. I'm happy with the set I've selected.
 
A couple notes.

The ESEE in the first image is not going to be in my weekly carry rotations. I plan on that being part of a very small kit I carry when heading off-pavement for walks. That might change, and if it does I'll be using whatever small fixed-blade is in rotation for the week for my walks.

I also have a few knives that fit in the traditionals category that also won't be in the weekly/ daily carry rotation. A SAK Hiker and Trekker are going into a couple of small emergency kits, and an Alox Pioneer X and Swiss Army 1 are being kept but won't normally be in carry rotation. Still debating on whether or not to keep the Classic SD on the keyring - useful but small enough it's right at the point of becoming fumbly in my fingers. My dexterity will likely get worse instead of better, so that one will likely be getting passed along at some point this year.
 
Some nice knives in those photos..sweet patina on the copper Bokers. It’s neat how copper turns pink first like that ..
 
awjones said:
Some nice knives in those photos..sweet patina on the copper Bokers. It’s neat how copper turns pink first like that ..
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Thanks. Yeah, I'm loving some of the materials combos Boker is using these days, watching the patina develop on each has been enjoyable.
 
OldHercDude OldHercDude , I am on a similar journey in 2023, decluttering my life by reducing my possessions including my knives. I planned to part with every knife that I don’t carry, but that has been more difficult than anticipated because I keep telling myself I WILL carry this one or that one. If I haven’t carried it in the last 2 years I’m just going to let it go. I think I’ll end up with 5-6 knives…hope I don’t get voted off the porch 🙃
 
rishma said:
OldHercDude OldHercDude , I am on a similar journey in 2023, decluttering my life by reducing my possessions including my knives. I planned to part with every knife that I don’t carry, but that has been more difficult than anticipated because I keep telling myself I WILL carry this one or that one. If I haven’t carried it in the last 2 years I’m just going to let it go. I think I’ll end up with 5-6 knives…hope I don’t get voted off the porch 🙃
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Decluttering/ downsizing isn't easy for some of us. I'm having to overcome being raised by depression-era parents. If something was still good/ had more life left/ could be repurposed... it was kept for use later down the road. I have a lot of stuff being gone through and going for sale/ donate/ recycle/ trash.

I have similar thoughts as you on reducing the knives, one of the main reasons I've been trying to rotate everything through a carry cycle. Finding that there's quite a few I like but don't really carry, and probably won't. But I doubt I'll get down to just 5 or 6... 🤔

Good luck with your decluttering.
 
These are an excellent assortment of knives to be sure. Every one appears to be a winner. I love that Tribal Lock.
 
OldHercDude said:
That's the Cadet. Doubtful on the additional colors, most others I've seen are special editions (higher costs) or colors I wouldn't like. I'm happy with the set I've selected.
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nice! I too have often considered cutting down from time to time, but I love knives, well anything with edge almost. I have resolved to just stop or reduce adding pieces as often as an alternative. That or be more considerate of the pieces I add. Im often curious how people with tremendous collections go about managing all of it, especially finicky and temperamental steel (pun not intended but happy accident).
 
Quiet said:
These are an excellent assortment of knives to be sure. Every one appears to be a winner. I love that Tribal Lock.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Even currently planning on letting my Tribals go, I can't let let go of this one. I think I was very lucky, it's not quite as orange as others I see posted but the amount changes with lighting. It is a wonderful knife IMHO, I love it.
 
mrknife said:
nice! I too have often considered cutting down from time to time, but I love knives, well anything with edge almost. I have resolved to just stop or reduce adding pieces as often as an alternative. That or be more considerate of the pieces I add. Im often curious how people with tremendous collections go about managing all of it, especially finicky and temperamental steel (pun not intended but happy accident).
Click to expand...

Me too. As long as the pattern works well for me. But I've decided I only want what I'm actually going to carry and use (what little I actually use knives these days). Managing all the steel is one of the reasons most of what I have is stainless even though I prefer the look of carbon patina.
 
Lol the luring imagery of minimalism.
Certainly sounds good, sounds responsible, sounds MANLY even
But the problem is, as stated above. You never know when your circumstances will change.
New job? Unexpected move? Injury or illness

Heck, how many times you sell or give something away and think later. Dang it! I wish I still had that.

Perhaps the wiser choice is to recognize the issue and stop buying wants and stick to needs. Certainly eliminate the obvious daydream stuff. Most of us are too old to become a paratrooper
And zombie or cordycep infected are not likely to actually materialize.
But ya never know when you wanna go hiking or camping and ..ya know...just in case
 
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