Decided to stop buyng knves

[Charlie Mike]

I thought you were going to start making knives? You don't have to buy them if you can make your own!

I've made a couple of fixed blades. If I had the skill to make my perfect ideal folder I would never buy another knive.

I'm working on that. I need to buy equipment. All I have is a 1x42" grinder and 2 Dremels. I don't even have a workbench.

 

[elkins45]

SNIP

One can only have so much stuff.

SNIP

The older I get, the less important "stuff" becomes.

Same here, noodle. I've enjoyed building up the accumulation but sometimes it starts to feel like more of a weight around my neck. I feel like I need to get at least a token return on most of it rather than giving it away---where would I give it away but here? And how many BFC regulars really need my castaways?

I'm a horrible packrat-it's inherited. My problem isn't just guns, knives and tools. I just can't stand to throw away something that I might be able to reuse or recycle later. Maybe it's because of my Depression-era parents who were taught to scrimp and save everything?

Just last night I wired past the broken switch on my wife's hair dryer rather than throw it away. It still works, she just has to plug it in and unplug it rather than using the switch. I don't think she appreciated my electrical skills all that much, but why spend the $15 when I can make it work for free?

 

[The Government]

I know people spend way more than I do on knives, on tobacco, pot or booze. (or even all 3!)
And they don't have anything to show for their outlay of cash!

Thats my reasoning too : )

But, I always have enough money for beer.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

I bought a SAK Alpiner about a year ago for grins--its the most recently purchased knife I own.

Not saying I'm not buying anymore knives---just that I have enough for a lifetime and other priorities keep coming up and with child support and back taxes I only have so much $$.

Building another AR--needing ammo and magazines --and probably a 9mm---that's just the fun stuff----saving for a washer and dryer--needing a new mattress(my back hurts)----wanting a 50" plasma tv----car needs new back tires--not to mention Christmas coming up.

Anybody wanna give me $5k or so---then I can take care of all that tomorrow

 

[orca8589]

A lot of mine are gone and/or going to new homes.

Since childhood, I've had a hard time dealing with OCD and one character trait of that is packratting. I've finally come to grips with it, probably just because I'm older and a lot more honest about the stuff going on in my noggin. It's been a lot easier to 'let go' of various things I've held on to, and my knives were one area of interest where I went way overboard.

It's been hard, but refreshing to let a lot of this stuff go. I am keeping my heirlooms, those given to me, and of course, my Stockman patterns. Ain't givin' those up. But a lot of the knives I don't use (at least 50-60 at last count) are going to new homes, either sold or as gifts, where they'll get some good use.

I love Sal's (Glesser) quote with regard to Spydercos:
" . . . Spydercos are hungry and like to eat. As mentioned, open, close, cut, clean, oil, cut, cut, cut... To a Spyderco, that is living."

I think that would apply to most knives, at least the ones I have.

Great thread - good to hear others' philosophy on this topic. (I know I'm not the only one 'cutting the cord' with my babies. )

thx - cpr

 

[jill jackson]

I don't believe a knife can be hungry. It may be designed to be used, but come on it doesn't care if it's used or not.
(at least none of my mint ones have starved to death yet!)

 

[whateverlikesgadge]

I'm working on that. I need to buy equipment. All I have is a 1x42" grinder and 2 Dremels. I don't even have a workbench.

I'm in the same situation. I have a lot of designs already drawn out and very few tools so as well as browsing all the vids I could on the subject I recently bought this book......

A very good read considering everyone has to start somewhere.

Good luck with your future projects:thumbup:

 

[Hawk45]

I do the same thing.. but just cycle into something else.. knives, guns, guitars, motorcycles, tools.. then starts over again.

 

[Kaizen1]

I've had to cut back significantly on knife buying to pay for martial arts. I was faced with two interests that demanded limited resources and the greater passion won. I've been EDCing basically the same knife for some time now and it's working okay. I just need to stay out of the for sale forums. That's what really gets me.

 

[Stainz]

Years ago, before I had ever heard of Kershaw, Benchmade, etc, I was hitting the Sat AM garage sales with my then new bride. I bought a $1 'Old Hickory' kitchen knife block - moldy - and full of knives with patina. I spent weeks re shaping handles and blades to my woodworking or carving needs - ending with single bevels - I could sharpen those on my AR stones. Great fun - the best buck I've ever spent on knives. Despite a shop full of tools - I only used my Delta 1" x 42" sander/grinder - and 80-320 grit belts, the 320 being SiC. C.M., you can go a lot with a 1" x 42" sander/grinder - take your time, quench often, and leave your Rolex off!

Stainz

PS The paring knife made a great Butz-style carver - Wharncliffe style small blade.

 

[jackknife]

The older I get, the less important "stuff" becomes.

That's about what I found out. It's the people in one's life that matter. Stuff is just stuff.

 

[orca8589]

I don't believe a knife can be hungry. It may be designed to be used, but come on it doesn't care if it's used or not.
(at least none of my mint ones have starved to death yet!)

Just don't get too close. You might get nipped. I just bought three Spydercos recently, and I love using them. I understand the collector point of view, but I just can't leave my Spyders alone. I'll be keeping those, too. (Now if Spyderco would find a way to make a Stockman . . . oh, man . . . I'd never have any money left. Or sanity.)

thx - cpr

 

[SteelSnob]

Quitting buying knives and hanging out on knife forums for me is like quitting drinking and hanging out at the bar. I know because I've wanted to stop and then seen knives I want on the forums.

 

[jesseaction]

I feel like this place is a little like AA, except with free beer on tap..

I appreciate this thread though as I wallow in guilt from slipping up from my purchasing-fast with four Spyderco's in as many weeks. I was feeling fine, enjoying my EDC box, perfectly filled with the pick of the litter, the fruits of my searching labors. And now I blinked and the box is overflowing with even more beauties, so lovely that I want to carry them all at once and wake up in the middle of the night just to look at them. Did I just buy those? Where did I get the money? Was I drunk? No! I haven't had a drink in 10 weeks or so since I quit to help myself finish my graduate work!! And I could care less---not drinking seems to be dead easy compared to not buying knives! Aw man...maybe I should start drinking again; it would be cheaper.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that at an absolute limit I would spend $100 per month on knives. So, 1 mid-range folder per month. I now can't buy another one until February 2010...

Well, it is nice to be among friends though, even if there is free beer on tap (without the free of course, ack)

PS - CM, did you say you are quitting buying knives, and then say that you just bought a $400 Emerson yesterday? I think you just have a hangover bro! I'm with you on the making though; as soon as I move out of the apartment and into somewhere with a bench I'm there. Good luck man :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[udtjim]

This morning I promised myself no more knives. I made it until 8 pm when a Bravo one came along.

 

[jesseaction]

This morning I promised myself no more knives. I made it until 8m when a Bravo one came along.

Well...you're in good company

 

[Amaranth]

I keep my knife lust in check by using a few tricks. One, I always try to keep my knives in one location, instead of scattered around the house. This way when I see there's 7 in the drawer, instead of 1 in 7 drawers, I say jeezus, why do you need another?

Also, waiting until the next day to buy something, the urge passes and another 50-100 bucks is saved. Look at your credit card balance before buying. That usually stems the fever a little.

 

[Pointshoot777]

I find myself using the same few knives for particular applications (city EDC, outdoors when hunting, etc) so I seem to come up with fewer excuses to get a new model. Last time I was in the mountains a few weeks ago, the knife I used most was a Marttiini 571 forged fixed blade thats less than 15 bucks. I'm not a collector.

 

[udtjim]

Why do we do that. I see a cool Big Camp knife and chase after it until I get it and put it with the other 25 knives just like it.