End Goals

Slice O Life

Slice O Life

Joined
May 20, 2021
Messages
645
Lately, I've been reflecting on my personal journey with knives and have come to the realization that my fascination with them is bound to endure throughout my life. The allure of knives consistently captivates me, and I can envision myself gradually expanding my collection over time. These knives have become an integral part of both my work and personal life, and I genuinely enjoy using them in various contexts.

Although I find contentment in my current assortment, my primary focus lies in savoring the sheer delight that this hobby brings me. I am genuinely curious to hear about your own aspirations and ambitions when it comes to knives and building a collection. Have you already achieved the goals you set out to accomplish, enabling you to relish the present state of affairs, or are you still actively pursuing specific objectives?
 
My goals in life include “being equipped to cut things that need cutting.” So far, I’ve been reasonably well prepared for most cutting opportunities that have presented themselves to me.

Various tools have contributed to my success. Chainsaws, O/A torches, weedeaters and Dremel tools have all played their parts. And every day I carry at least one knife (and sometimes more) that I predict will meet my cutting requirements.

As I posted in another thread, I’m a knife user, not a collector. I have many more knives than necessary for my cutting needs, but I’m also prepared sometimes for the cutting needs of others.

Example: recently a friend was showing me around her garden. One little seedling had a store tag attached by a loop of string. Knowing I’m a knife guy, she asked “could you cut that off there for me?”

Quicker than lightning four thoughts flashed through my brain, not my normal speed of thinking at all.

1: What the hell is she doing walking around without a knife?

2: Asking me to cut it is better than asking to borrow my knife. Thank you.

3: Which of the three knives I’m carrying is best for that task?

4: I want to give her a knife, but the fact that she’s not carrying one now suggests that she wouldn’t carry it if I did, so my generosity would be in vain.

I think she chooses not to carry a knife, and I don’t know how to fix that.

So I guess life goals are a personal thing, and people differ on them. Duh.

Parker
 
catspa said:
My goals in life include “being equipped to cut things that need cutting.” So far, I’ve been reasonably well prepared for most cutting opportunities that have presented themselves to me.

Various tools have contributed to my success. Chainsaws, O/A torches, weedeaters and Dremel tools have all played their parts. And every day I carry at least one knife (and sometimes more) that I predict will meet my cutting requirements.

As I posted in another thread, I’m a knife user, not a collector. I have many more knives than necessary for my cutting needs, but I’m also prepared sometimes for the cutting needs of others.

Example: recently a friend was showing me around her garden. One little seedling had a store tag attached by a loop of string. Knowing I’m a knife guy, she asked “could you cut that off there for me?”

Quicker than lightning four thoughts flashed through my brain, not my normal speed of thinking at all.

1: What the hell is she doing walking around without a knife?

2: Asking me to cut it is better than asking to borrow my knife. Thank you.

3: Which of the three knives I’m carrying is best for that task?

4: I want to give her a knife, but the fact that she’s not carrying one now suggests that she wouldn’t carry it if I did, so my generosity would be in vain.

I think she chooses not to carry a knife, and I don’t know how to fix that.

So I guess life goals are a personal thing, and people differ on them. Duh.

Parker
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Sorry, but the signs are all pointing one way: she was hitting on you. No need to thank me but if you must, name your first kid after me, locutus49.
 
And to answer the original question, yeah I guess I do have way more than “enough” knives. It doesn’t stop me from buying more tho!
I consider myself a knife collector, enthusiast and user, in no particular order. But my collection is way more than I would’ve imagined just a couple years ago when I mostly just collected Zero Tolerance. I went from 0 Hinderers to over half a dozen. Also I own a Shiro, an Olamic, a few Microtechs…There’s been a lot of interesting knives coming out lately. I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until the world stops producing knives all together lol
Next up will hopefully be an Eklipse Wharncliffe, an MSI, or an Emerson El Bandito (or maybe another Olamic). Or if I win the lottery it’ll be another Shiro….
My name is Tony, and Im a knifoholic.
 
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Knives are just one aspect of an interest in gear and gear reflects a broad spectrum human activity.

I learn so much about what goes on in the world thru people discussing their gear needs and associated scenarios and contexts the gear is used.

Probs sounds weird, but I find it interesting and it's helped my mind grow.
 
I buy what I think I will enjoy. My wife has cousins who spend many hundreds of dollars on a bottle of wine. That’s what they enjoy. I don’t even drink beer. I wont buy coffee at a shop. I only drink free coffee.

I enjoy knives. But I enjoy the ones I already have. My collection is mostly complete once in a while a knife comes out that fills a hole in my collection. Or one that looks like fun. I buy it.
 
eveled said:
I don’t even drink beer. I wont buy coffee at a shop. I only drink free coffee. (… but…) once in a while a knife comes out that fills a hole in my collection. Or one that looks like fun. I buy it.
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With the money you saved by not buying overpriced beverages. I totally get it.

Parker
 
I wont bore with details but Ive made some changes in my life in the last 18 months. With these changes come not only a better life for me and mine but also hope that I can now enjoy owning a few knifes( or anything really) just for the joy of having without the guilt and anxiety that once plagued me and caused me to regret and sell every nice knife /thing ever purchased for myself.
I do not wish to become a serious collector but there are a few knives I want that I know Ill never really use…and thats ok.
 
I may never get tired of participating in "knife philosophy" threads, even though some of you will get tired of hearing me say the same thing, over and over again.

My own "journey" follows a typical arc. My purchases got more expensive, and at the same time, I learned what I liked. I eventually got to a point where I wasn't going to get any more satisfaction out of spending more money, so I stopped buying.

Psychologically, knives are a Dumbo feather, for me. As I've gained knowledge and experience, I've found myself "needing" less knife to compensate. I've slowed down the buying, I've got a couple I want to re-home (eventually), and I've got a list of features that a knife needs to have before I'll consider it. There isn't much that I will hit the "add to cart" button for.
 
My end goal is pure enjoyment. The second I gave up on trying to fill niche, imaginary needs and admitted fully to myself that I buy knives because I like them I started enjoying this hobby much more.

IMO, hobbies like this are a way to bring us small joys and I don't feel any more need to justify it than that. I just bought a Cold Steel 4Max Scout. I EDC a friggin' fixed blade with a 4.5" blade. I absolutely have no need for a big, heavy, indestructible folder. But it's cool and it was $50, so ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯. And I got something that put a big grin on my face.
 
I'm lucky in that my oldest son has inherited the knife-nut gene. I promised him a custom fixed blade of his choice if he got Eagle Scout - he did. I then promised him a CRK Sebenza if he finished college - he just graduated. Even better is that in his career field (Ornamental plants & turf science) he will have plenty of use for a knife - he's currently working a project on Sea Island, Ga carrying a Benchmade Bugout (and probably his Civivi Elementum).

While my knife uses have scaled back due to age & job, it's cool to see my spawn grow into it.
 
For almost 10 years, I used three knives: a SOG Flash II, a SOG Access Card 2.0, and a no-name Chinese combo lockback that my wife got me from ebay for $5. I was quite satisfied with these knives to use on our small sheep farm and to carry out and about. I did not think about getting more knives until 2018 when the Flash II disappeared (I found it in 2023 out in a sheep pasture). And the $5 knife was wearing out. I also found out that carrying the Access Card in an inside pocket was probably against Florida law. So I started shopping for some new knives. I have not counted how many I have now, but it's over 50. I still have not found any completely satisfactory replacements for any of my 3 original knives, but I am still trying.
 
My "knife journey" is over. I've fulfilled all of my lifelong knife goals, dreams, and aspirations. I own the knives I most wanted to own, I've produced the knives I most wanted to produce, and I've been well paid for my work. There are no more mountains for me to climb, no more grails to pursue. Now I simply enjoy the contentment and satisfaction of my journeys completion.

I suppose it's possible that someone, some company, might produce a knife that I just MUST have, but doubt it. I won't hold my breath.

My grails. The treasures of my journey. Childhood dreams come true.

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Insipid Moniker said:
My end goal is pure enjoyment. The second I gave up on trying to fill niche, imaginary needs and admitted fully to myself that I buy knives because I like them I started enjoying this hobby much more.

IMO, hobbies like this are a way to bring us small joys and I don't feel any more need to justify it than that. I just bought a Cold Steel 4Max Scout. I EDC a friggin' fixed blade with a 4.5" blade. I absolutely have no need for a big, heavy, indestructible folder. But it's cool and it was $50, so ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯. And I got something that put a big grin on my face.
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I think this is the most accurate to how I feel as well. Ive seen people get by with any knife, or no knife. People that have much harder lives than I do. The hobby to me is pure enjoyment, and self discovery. I do not actually try to buy more knives, but as I change I may do so. I don't try to sell knives or anything in general, because it is a hassle.
 
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