Do you categorize your collection?

C

Chinikaylo

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Oct 28, 2010
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Do you have one of a specific type of knife in your collection? What I mean by this is one workhorse, one safe queen, one EDC, etc or do you just buy whatever you want?

Im newer to the whole knife thing so all I have is what I consider a workhorse, which is my zt0200, which I also EDC daily. I plan on in the future getting a large sebbie 21 in place of my zt, and also a benchmade 630bk-503(but I think I will keep that as a safe queen :D). At most, I think I will have a knife for everyday of the week but not more.

How about you? How many knives do you have? How many do you use? etc etc
 
That's a good question, and you're sure to get a wide variety of answers here.

Me, I have over 300 knives, and exactly three are Users. If I lose one of those, I'll have to select another and will still have exactly three users. :)

Most of the rest are an Accumulation, not acquired for a specific feature or criterion. Something that caught my eye, something on sale, something I was curious about, or interesting historic items.

Apart from the Accumulation, I also collect Old Timer knives made by the Imperial-Schrade Corporation and Bruckmann knives from Germany.

So I suppose that's a mixture of User, Accumulator, and Collector. Being a Trader/Swapper doesn't interest me though.

Good luck exploring the possibilities.
 
No safe queens. I do have knives that I have not used, yet. I got a Signature Series Ranger RD-6, #104 of #118. I wanted the knife, limited edition in S7. I don't keep it in a safe, and I keep wanted to go bash something with it. Is it really going to be worth money in the future? I'm not too worried about the money, but I just haven't used it.
Most of what I get are users, I at least try them out, but don't go out of my way to cut or chop stuff.
I like to have different EDC's for various situations. Some for pocket, some for belt, some for my neck.
 
The only knife that stands out as a seperate catagory from my other knives is my Mcusta MC-1 in damascus. I consider that my special occasion knife and only really carry it when I'm dressed up or during different ceremonies for scouts.
 
My knife collection is compartmentalized into four fairly distinct categories:

Traditional EDCs - mostly custom and production slipjoints, and a few lockbacks.

Modern EDCs - not too many of these anymore, but I still carry a few lightweight non-"tactical' custom and production one-hand openers when the need arises.

Custom safe queens - 'art' knives and rarities that are either too impractical or too costly to justify carrying around with a clear conscience, especially when I have more EDCs than I need already. For example, I just don't see myself carrying around a damascus auto-dagger with a carved pearl and mirror-polished fluted stainless handle, but I sure enjoy looking at it.

Antique safe queens - minty pre-WWII Case, Remington, New York Knife Co., Ulster, etc. slipjoints. Using rare, valuable and finite old collectables like these would be selfish, shortsighted and wasteful in the extreme. I assume a "caretaker obligation" for these in the hope that future generations will be able to appreciate them long after I'm gone.

When it comes right down to it, how many tools does anyone really need to perform the same task? I love the appearance, craftsmanship and variety of materials, finishes and styles that go into man's oldest tool, but I recognize that a carpenter only 'needs' so many saws and hammers; a mechanic so many screwdrivers and wrenches, etc., before his or her tool collection becomes hopelessly redundant.

YMMV, but as I accumulated more and more knives over the years, I realized that not only is it 'okay' to preserve some of them in mint condition for aesthetic's sake, it's downright wasteful to use up everything you get your hands on with no thought for eventual changes in collecting direction (I've had several in the last four decades) and future rarity, etc.
 
I used to but sold most. They're all "users" now except one. Anyone of them is fair game to EDC but they do kinda fall into 3 areas. If I was going camping or needed strength possibly, I can just reach into my storage and swap out what I'm EDCing for a heavy duty knife. (talking folders) :)

Hard use

Medium use

Light duty
 
Chinikaylo said:
Do you categorize your collection?
Do you have one of a specific type of knife in your collection? What I mean by this is one workhorse, one safe queen, one EDC, etc or do you just buy whatever you want?

How about you? How many knives do you have? How many do you use? etc etc
Click to expand...

I don't categorize. I don't collect. The quantity of knives I have is a result of my exploration of knife styles and blade alloys.

I have carried and used all of my knives as part of my evaluation of their performance. There are a few that I have continued to carry past the evaluation period. The others are in the drawer. I sometimes pull them out to use as reference points.

However, how many knives I have is none of your business.
 
I always buy two of everything -- one for the "safe-queen" collection, and the other to actually be carried and used.
 
Yeah, I'd say I generally categorize my collection. I use smaller, slimmer blades for general use and carry, while I use larger, sturdier blades for work and heavy use.
 
dericdesmond said:
Everything I buy must be functional.
Click to expand...

Yup, I only have users. I consider myself an "accumulator" rather than a collector, and I probably never have more than a dozen knives at a time (those that don't get used get sold/traded/gifted). There is some categorizing involved, though. The ones in regular edc rotation are in a tray in the bedroom so I can drop them in my pockets when I get dressed. The ones that see less frequent use are in a drawer, and my fixed blades are on my workbench in the garage. There are also a few stowed in the vehicles just to be handy and available.
 
Yes, some knives fill a specific role that I would not use others for.
For example the Kershaw JYD II gets pretty beat up compared to something like the Military and Caly 3. The JYD gets covered in grease, occasionally cutting sheet metal and some light prying. I would not put a Military through that sort of thing.
On the other end of the spectrum, I only use the Civilian to open Christmas presents.
 
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