Duplicate / Backup Knives

TRfromMT

TRfromMT

Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
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Do you buy duplicate copies of knives as a backup? If so, why? If not, why not?

I suppose I see some reasons - one in my bag, one stashed in the truck. One user, one safe queen.

For me, the closest I come is having similar knives - maybe in different steels I like (PM2, for example) or comparable models with similar blade shapes. (CRK Sebenza and Inkosi, for example). Not really duplicates.

I've never had two exact copies. Any time I get something similar it's not long before I'm comparing them side by side, evaluating which one stays and which one gets sold to fund the next thing.

For me, I don't do duplicates because I'd rather apply the limited funds toward something different. I have no concern that my modest knife use would ever break one, so no need for insurance spares.

What about you? And why?
 
I have purchased duplicates of knives I really liked in the past. The main reasons were- in case I lost one, and in case the knife were discontinued.

Problem is, as much as I think I love a particular knife, I eventually find something I like better. Or, like enough to carry instead of the previous knife. Then I'm stuck with knives that I have no use for. I often modify my knives to suit my exact tastes and needs, so selling isn't always an option.

I got burned pretty good buying multiples once. At one time many years ago the original Benchmade AFCK was my favorite folder. I couldn't imagine liking a folder better. I bought 2, then a while later I heard Benchmade was discontinuing the knife, so I bought 3 more (at $100 a piece), I wanted a "lifetime supply". Well, Benchmade did discontinue THAT particular AFCK, but then they produced several more varieties over the following years. And as I mentioned before, I eventually found a folder I liked better than the AFCK, so all 5 went into a drawer. I still have 3, gave the other 2 away.

I can think of three other knives that I bought multiples of. A boot knife that was truly discontinued, (manufacturer produces much different model now), a folding stiletto (bought several for modding and customizing, then discontinued), and a cheap but very decent fixed-blade I carried and used at work, (cheap enough not to hurt my wallet).

Fortunately I always convinced myself that I couldn't afford to buy duplicates of my expensive knives.

I still get the urge to buy multiples, but then I think of the AFCK, and I resist the urge.
 
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I think most knife enthusiasts are always on a constant look out for a "perfect knife", but with new material, technology and treads, it is practically a never ending quest. I bet many of us may have some variant of a knife, just because how much we like it and it is of good value or affordable. But majority of the time, I probably would reserve fund for trying a new knife.
 
I used to, because there are/were some models I liked enough I didn't want to risk being without.

Eventually I stopped and sold off most of my backups because I realized there are so many models I like that it doesn't matter if I don't have a particular one.
 
I buy duplicates because once a knife is discontinued often it's impossible to find, especially in good condition. I was pretty much out the hobby for several years and when I came back I noticed none of the knives I owned had decreased in price on the secondary market so my exposure for buying duplicates "just in case" would have been pretty much 0. With the ascendancy of Chinese knives I'm not entirely sure that is still the case but I am moving forward with the assumption. Almost all the knives I buy now, I buy 2 of.

Over the years I've let go of some real rare gems that I wish I would have purchased duplicates of (and kept!). Lots of models rarely come up for sale and when they do they're often modded, in terrible condition or prohibitively expensive.

These are very old pics and I don't own any of these knives anymore. Sometimes even if you buy duplicates you can't hold onto them.
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I snagged a knife that always seems to be out of stock but was briefly back in stock yesterday. So I ordered two, didn't think about why. Thrill of the chase? This is an interesting question by OP.
 
In the past I bought a few duplicate backups of less common knives I liked the most in case they get discontinued and I won't find a good replacement.
Now I don't buy backups or safe queens. I stopped worrying about discontinued. There will always be knives and new ones probably better or cheaper than 10 year olds I kept in storage. I never needed these replacements anyway. I will get bored and want something new long before the first one is worn out.

I have many Rough Rider trappers, but they all have different color or finish of bone handle, so I don't consider them the same knife.
 
I have a few dups but they are all "collector" knives (usually in different blade variations, not exactly the same knife) and not anything that I'd use/carry, EXECEPT for the 3-4 Swiss Army Explorers (and knock offs) that I have stashed away in different places that I have always found indispensible when I needed a basic pocket knife w/some simple tools attached.
 
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TRfromMT said:
For me, I don't do duplicates because I'd rather apply the limited funds toward something different.
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This is pretty much where I'm at, too. I do own a few duplicates, but they're near-dupes not exact dupes: PM2 red G10/M390 and PM2 waved/S30V. Both PM2s...but quite different knives, really. I think "same knife with different colored handle scales" is as close as I'd get to an exact duplicate.

If I lose or break a knife I can't replace, I'll be sad for a little while before moving on. :)
 
I really like the Knifeworks exclusive benchmade Contego in 390 and it was made in limited numbers so I bought a spare. Same with the Cutlery Shoppe exclusive Manix LW.

I am not sure how I wound up with so many SAKs, multitools and Griptilians. It was not premeditated.
 
Omnius said:
In the past I bought a few duplicate backups of less common knives I liked the most in case they get discontinued and I won't find a good replacement.
Now I don't buy backups or safe queens. I stopped worrying about discontinued. There will always be knives and new ones probably better or cheaper than 10 year olds I kept in storage. I never needed these replacements anyway. I will get bored and want something new long before the first one is worn out.
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That's what I came to realize too. Yah, my favorite old knife might become unavailable to me, but there's always a newer knife that can fill its place. It'll be different, but just as good or better.
 
The only knife I ever had an exact dupe of was a Spyderco Sage 2, the titanium framelock. Gifted the safe queen version to a good friend as a wedding present. And the other was in my pocket as I went through TSA at San Jose Airport. Oops. Now I have none. I consider it a void in the collection.

Buy duplicates of your favorites if you think they'll be discontinued. You never know.
 
Never made any sense for me to have multiples of ANY knife. Even with the significant limitations of only buying lefty/ambi knives. For me there is simply so much out there to try and use (and I carry & use all my knives) that it's a complete waste of money to have a "backup" for any of the knives I really like. Having multiple versions of a knife (i.e. different steels, scales, locks.. etc.) makes even less sense to me.
But hey, if you feel the need to own every PM2 ever built. Go for it. Especially if it makes you happy. It's just not even remotely my cup of tea.
 
spoonrobot said:
I buy duplicates because once a knife is discontinued often it's impossible to find, especially in good condition.
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There are certain knives that I really click with and don't want to be without, i.e. ZT630, AD-10 (especially the AD-10) that I like so much I just sleep better at night knowing that I have a back-up stowed.

Even readily available (for now) knives that I like a lot cause me to have a back-up. I truly do not know how I wound up with so many Spyderco Pacific Salts or Becker Tweeners (some sadly discontinued). I even have a back-up Drop Forged Hunter and SRK (Ok, different steel on the back-up).

Some might call this mild hoarding; I call it seriously prudent.
 
Exact duplicate?

Only one.



I never ever want to be without a Spyderco Southard, specifically the brown stonewash variety. (Even though the DLC is cool).

I keep a backup NIB in case of loss, spontaneous combustion, or whatever.

I’ve been tempted with other knives. Most recently the Spydiechef.
 
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