Ever "downsize" on knives?

[-Corey-]

Well I've managed to go four weeks without buying a new blade. I find I'm actually really enjoying some of the ones I 've bought, used a couple custom fixed blades that have been stuck in the drawer on a 2x4 chopathon.

I went about 5 months without buying any and then I stumbled back into a knife shop one day and within about 3 weeks I had about 20 new ones. Had to make up for lost time I guess.

 

[not2sharp]

Downsizing..... oh yeah, I just ordered two more knives that I need like a hole in the head. I am really lusting for a Kimber 22 rifle but I just can't bring myself to spend the $1000 (more or less) just to own one when I have others just as accurate. So, where do you draw the line on knives? It comes down to want not need.

No, you probably neither want nor need the knife or the rifle. If you are like me you chase these things for entertainment. Because, you enjoy talking to the many interesting people that you meet along the way, as well as, discovering the history and technological nuance behind every example. Unlike, concert and sporting event tickets or fine food and travel, the money put into your collection pays a dividend; the items will always be available for use as intended or they may at any time be sold for their residual value. Chasing odd knives and then chasing buyers for whatever parts of the collection you are bored of is fun. It is as much fun to sell as it is to buy.

Don't over think it....enjoy yourself.

n2s

 

[GatorMedic]

I am trying to,downsize to just having six knives.

That's the number I settled on as well. When the knives I have up for sale actually sell then I'll have 6 +1. Four folders and two fixed blades. The +1 is a sentimental Buck Bantam that I want to save to give away in the right situation, whether giving it to my future kid(s) or to someone else that is a good fit.


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[sabre cat]

Some. I need to do more. Recently made three knives go away with the Pay It Forward thread. Problem was that other knives took their place.

Bought a small Boker knife vault the other day. My top 6 are going in it. Amazing how many times I have changed what blades go in there.

My goal is to have three of those vaults. One for budget knives. Another for quality blades and the last for....well, not really sure yet.

They work well for watches, too.

 

[sabre cat]

That's the number I settled on as well. When the knives I have up for sale actually sell then I'll have 6 +1. Four folders and two fixed blades. The +1 is a sentimental Buck Bantam that I want to save to give away in the right situation, whether giving it to my future kid(s) or to someone else that is a good fit.


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I have to ask, what six are you keeping?

 

[GatorMedic]

I have to ask, what six are you keeping?

1. Benchmade Auto Presidio 5000SBK (work EDC)
2. Benchmade Griptilian (large off duty option)
3. Benchmade Doug Ritter Mini Grip (off duty EDC)
4. Spyderco Salt I (beach, kayak, boat)
5. Esee 4 (truck)
6. Mora Companion (backpacking)

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[K.O.D.]

A year and a half ago I had 35 folders. I have 7 now, haven't bought one in a year. I keep changing my mind on my next one. I have finally decided, waiting on money. I have room for 10 in my small nylon case and need three more then I'm done.

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[Cryptyc]

Yup. I make sure to only keep what I actually use and use often. If I have multiple knives that fit the same role then I pick my favorite then get rid of the other (I almost never sell knives and tend to give the one I'm not using away to a friend or family member that could use it).

Current users:
BK9
BK16
Tops MSK
Tops Sudden Impact
CKRT Sakimori

Sentimental blades:
Schrade sharp finger (given to me by FIL)
Kabar (old blade given to me by a close friend)
Bayonet (my Great Grandfather's from WWI)

 

[braillediver]

Ever "downsize" on knives?

Regularly.

 

[marcus52AR]

A year and a half ago I had 35 folders. I have 7 now, haven't bought one in a year. I keep changing my mind on my next one. I have finally decided, waiting on money. I have room for 10 in my small nylon case and need three more then I'm done.

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Are you going to tell us what you decided on?

 

[K.O.D.]

It will probably take a long time to fill.

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[snooka]

I've downsized to this... just a Spyderco Lava is on its way, but that is for my better half

 

[Billy The Blade]

I'm about to sell or give away a handful of cheap folders and a fixed blade. Nothing so cheap it's unsafe, but not the kind of quality I like to carry anymore now that I've got some better blades. I only carry 1 of 3 blades anymore, being an opinel 9, BM griptillian, or my Izula 2. I'm starting to collect fixed blades and periodically rotate through an SAK, so I'm not ditching them. Why hold on to knives that I don't use, have no sentimental value, and somebody else could use? Most of them are getting a 1 or 2 dollar sticker at the family yard sale. For gently used 10-15 dollar blades, somebody's going to get a decent deal

....So, When & where is your yard sale ? Lol,
Yes, I definitely need to downsize my collection...I have gifted some, & sold some,
but I'm in the "-Corey- Zone" , so to speak...I would like to organize them better,
so I know what's what. It would also be interesting to lay them all out for a
"Group Photo" B.T.B.

 

[sabre cat]

1. Benchmade Auto Presidio 5000SBK (work EDC)
2. Benchmade Griptilian (large off duty option)
3. Benchmade Doug Ritter Mini Grip (off duty EDC)
4. Spyderco Salt I (beach, kayak, boat)
5. Esee 4 (truck)
6. Mora Companion (backpacking)

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Thank you for taking the time to list your six. A second thank you for telling us what you use them for.

This really gives me something to think about. I am considering reducing the size of my collection. It is pretty cool that you have a common look, design, and feel to most of your folding knives. I am surprised that you do not have a rescue knife for work, though.

 

[upnorth]

at one point I had around 10 Spydercos, but I sold 7 of them and am down to an Endura, Native, and UKPK. I find I like having a few knives and using/carrying them more often more than having a lot of knives that hardly ever see use. anyone else "downsized" with knives?

I have often bought through the irrational lust of a new knife. Or it is pay day and I just want another toy as a self present. But what generally happens over time is that the 'new' wears off of the purchase and I am left with 'why the heck did I buy that' ? Really, what on G.ods green earth would I need a Condor Jungle bowie for ? Wellllllllllll, it was being dumped at give away prices, and I thought, what the he.., it's a cheap toy. They I get it and realise, realistically, that I will NEVER use this thing for any outdoor task that interests me. And that is the point. My orientation is outdoor use for my cutting tools. Last year I did a big knife dump and I am currently thinking of trading off some ESEE's for another brand that makes low maintenance/tough knives. ESEE makes great outdoor tools and the warranty is top shelf, but I simply don't want to deal with constant rust concerns with 1095, particularly with winter related activities. OK, maybe I'm just maintenance lazy. But to each their own, and our needs/interests can change over time. If I have any central focus in my cutting tools be it axes or knives, it's that they need to be practical for my wood processing/shelter/fire making outdoor needs. In the 5-7 inch category of fixed blades I likely have about 8-10. Do I need that many ? No, but it is refreshing, and interesting, to change my primary outdoor carry blade now and then. Another aspect is that I will buy duplicates of a preferred knife simply as a back up because it is particularly suitable to my use choices, like the Cold Steel SRK. I have sold knives, traded knives, and given some away. I go through them sometimes and get rid of the 'toy' purchases, and keep the real world practical working tools. With that said, I am sure that I will buy more 'toys' in the future, lol !

 

[GREENJACKET]

There is a few too many knives and there are collections.
Under 20 is a few too many. Over 50 is the beginning of a collection. The decision as a collector is break the collection before it gets too big or keep going. What pleasure is it giving and is it holding that pleasure of ownership? Money is easily spent.

I've sold a few drawer queens that were never going to be used, the rest I have are too well used to make much. A good knife is a good knife and has value just because its good as a knife.
My problem is finding an excuse to buy another knife. No point if its just what I already have. I'm not a collector. Thankfully I have a son, but in truth he doesn't need many more, and hasn't lost any!
I buy now knives that have a specialised specific use that I don't have in my cutting armoury. Or something with a new take. I'm also a succour for established classics that have earned a following because they are just very good. Have to have something to keep my enthusiasm up.
Lastly, I don't have the disposable income to go for very high ticket quality and generally stick to the better factory; a Chris Reeve is about as high as I'm willing to go. Now its just one every few years.

 

[GatorMedic]

Thank you for taking the time to list your six. A second thank you for telling us what you use them for.

This really gives me something to think about. I am considering reducing the size of my collection. It is pretty cool that you have a common look, design, and feel to most of your folding knives. I am surprised that you do not have a rescue knife for work, though.

You're welcome. I've never needed a rescue knife. I like that my work knife is an auto because it's easier to deploy with my off hand when I need to, but otherwise I have no need for seatbelt cutter or window punch or anything else on a "rescue knife." In reality I don't need the auto function either but it comes in handy occasionally. I've been doing this a few years and have my share of experience. Never once used a seatbelt cutter or window punch outside of training. I went through a two month period where I ran bare minimum of one rollover MVC (motor vehicle collision) every shift and generally it was 2-5 per shift just that I personally ran. It was ridiculous, but never needed those items. In my personal experience those items look good on paper but aren't usually needed in reality. I actually carry Leatherman Raptor trauma shears now, so if needed those have seatbelt cutter and window punch on them. But if they sold a cheaper pair without those add-ons, I would have gone that route. I bought them because of the shears working great on more difficult items like motorcycle jackets. Running a wreck with over 20 motorcyclists and having to go through multiple cheap trauma shears to no avail was the final straw that made me switch to the Raptors. But like I said, no need for "rescue knife". I'd guess in my area in the professional Fire and EMS ranks only about half carry a knife. And of those that do, more than half are cheap gas station type knives that may have the Maltese cross or star of life logo on them. Only a few of us carry good quality knives, and they're all normal knives, not "rescue" type.


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