Ever Feel Guilty? ...I do

You can ask yourself a few questions:

Am I out of debt? Am I going into more debt because of my purchases?

Do I give any of my earnings to those in need?

Am I satisfied with what I have?

Answer those, and you will know if you should be feeling guilty or not.
 
I also often feel guilty, not just about knives but other gear and toys as well. Mountain bike gear, backpacking gear, etc. I try to just keep some control over what I buy and not go overboard (try is the main word). My goal is to have a nice knife collection and reaching that goal involves acquiring more knives, obviously not at the extent of not paying bills, etc.

Another thing I try to do is cancel out things, like say if I want a knife, well I will skip on eating lunch out or grabbing that sandwich for breakfast for a week or whatever. If you can convince the wife not to go out to dinner as much and you both can get something, well to me that is money way better spent. Since, well you just digest food and pass it through. The knife and her gucci purse will at least still be there tomorrow. It is all about balance, and staying in the middle of the road.
 
I don't feel guilty anymore, maybe a little in past when I was at the peak of my knife obsession. I carry one knife for a couple months and then rotate out for another in my current collection, haven't bought a new knife in some time though I still have about 150, of which I only carry about 15 different ones :). I would actually like to trade/sell off the majority of my collection, but is is so much work listing them and taking pictures and shipping, ect.
I have had my Wenger SI in my pocket for about three months now, it was the last knife I purchased and it hasn't left my pocket since.
 
THanks bleev3 - this is definitely an interesting thread b/c of what it highlights. As Americans, we consume/buy/store wayyy more than we need and i don't mean *need* in the sense of simple existence.

I think within reason, it's OK to collect a few things. Sure. No problem. However, we are among the most in-debted people in the world. There was a reason for bankruptcy law reform. Even if we aren't starving our families, are we really planning well for our future?

Are we going to be able to help our kids (if we have any)? And pridefullness aside, to actually help someone else without strings attached? What about when we have a national/global economic crisis? We have foundational, cultural level problem with consumerism and anytime someone questions our "right to acquire" we fight against it. Tooth and nail.

The question i try/constantly trying to answer is what i am *really* looking for in the next _____ (knife/camera/lens/rifle/backpack/tent/ice tool/etc). Will it *really* be the end-all be-all?

Do i own (and use) my stuff or is it all (quoting Gollum) "MY PRECIOUSSSSSS". Do i own my stuff or does it own me?
 
I look at it this way, some, spend a lot of money golfing,green fees,new clubs,balls,shoes,jackets,etc. Not to mention the food and drinks at the club house. Others in this area, spend a lot on skiing, the same scenario applies.

There are some, that love snowmobiling, a good machine cost a few thousand.
My neighbor has some very expensive racing bicycle's, others here, will spend big $$ for a top line mountain bike.

Others, would prefer to have that BMW, Acura or loaded F150.
Its all about priorities, if one, can afford these pleasures,then its all good. If it means going into debt,then its all bad.
Enjoy your freedoms,and thank a Vet for them.
 
BJE said:
I don't feel guilty anymore, maybe a little in past when I was at the peak of my knife obsession. I carry one knife for a couple months and then rotate out for another in my current collection, haven't bought a new knife in some time though I still have about 150, of which I only carry about 15 different ones :). I would actually like to trade/sell off the majority of my collection, but is is so much work listing them and taking pictures and shipping, ect.
I have had my Wenger SI in my pocket for about three months now, it was the last knife I purchased and it hasn't left my pocket since.
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Re; I would actually like to trade/sell off the majority of my collection, but is is so much work listing them and taking pictures and shipping, ect.

The same here, its such a hassle, last night I spent 4 hrs sorting out and boxing up, all as new, knives that I will give away.
 
stormbird said:
Working like a dog your entire life, then dying, seems like a complete waste. We were put on this Earth to live and love... love and protect your family, be kind to your fellow man, contribute to the betterment of society. And, have a hobby that you enjoy that doesn't conflict with why we are here. So many people bleed away their time and money on behaviors that harm themselves and those around them. I think folks on this forum understand these basic guidelines.
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Agree completely, well said!
 
When the feeling of guilt creeps up, just buy another knife to beat it back down! kidding.
 
Some great thought provoking comments, thanks for your participation.

Sal Glesser said:
Hi Bleev,
Make sure to appreciate your grandfather's efforts that have given us the opportunity to have this "guilty" lifestyle.
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Sal, you are right and I show him that respect and appreciation through words and actions. He is a very special Man to me.

And you should know your Stretch II CF is the knife that started all this. lol Such an awesome design. I thought the caly 3 was a perfect edc blade. All that was missing for me was a little more belly and length. Then I see the Stretch II CF...it has everything...

------------------

Some of the other comments reference money and the ability to easily allocate it's use to passions be it knives or other interests.. While on point it doesn't address the root of the issue. While I may have a million dollars in the bank...why isn't one knife enough as it was for the men a couple generations ago like my grandfather? Why do I need a safe full of knives be that number 10 or 100?

I'm not attempting to discourage anyone from pursuing honest and innocent passions like knife collecting, just looking at myself in the reflection of my Grandfather.
 
I think the saying goes...
Idle hands are the devils plaything.
-I think people back in our grandparents day were busy all day long.
They did not have the time, nor the resource (internet) to spend hours on a website chatting with other collectors.
-No credit cards to instantly get what you want no matter if you can afford it or not. Developing bad habits of instant gratification. ( I want, therefore I press "Pay Now!")
-Simple wisdom, they knew that having more does not generate happiness or satisfaction
-They were not bombarded by commercials on television growing up, showing them how they will be happy if they aquire (insert anything you want here.) We have been trained to act this way. We are now telling ourselves acting this way is normal, and teaching our offspring to act this way.

I think my issue is not so much collecting as Lusting. I acquire, I look for more, I decide I want, I acquire. I know I'm not really collecting, I'm needing. For things I don't need!
 
I grew up in rather austere circumstances - and I guess I am 'making up' for it, at least in some ways. I am blessed to be able to afford what I have. My home is 'meager' - tiny, actually - my 'new car' will be six this summer - it replaced one that was 14.5 years old. I bought what I needed - no leather, dress-up package, fancy stereo, GPS, etc. Both of my sons have veritable mansions - and have had several vehicles since I bought my latest. They are successful - one is a pilot for a large bank; the other is a bigtime civil engineer - with my three grandkids. I have an understanding wife - she has bought me knives and firearms - and lives frugally, too. My teacher's retirement could keep our heads above water, if my wife couldn't work. This summer, I'll start getting SSI - if we are both still viable. Yes, I have - and still - help others. Our church is a large part of our life, too. Ideal?

The answer is no... I feel guilty buying a new knife. I am a sick puppy. I fondled my new B-M 755 MPR - trying to find fault - it was/is near perfect - a great example of the knifemaker's art. Sometimes, I literally fondle - hold - a knife - or a flashlight - or an empty S&W revolver - as I watch TV with my wife at night. I am like a child with a new toy. I don't feel worthy of owning what I have. As others have said, that hasn't stopped me from wanting another one. It really is a sickness. The very best part of this is the relative size - I like smaller knives - folders - they don't take up much room.

The best thing that has happened to me is a new genre of TV show... 'Hoarders' (A&E ?) and 'Hoarding; Buried Alive' (TLC). I am starting to shed the 'collections' that just aren't important to me, starting with the used margarine tubs... Seriously, as collectors - or, perhaps, 'shop-a-holics' - we need the wake-up call. Watching those shows can be such a wake up call. It was for me. It hasn't helped the feeling of being unworthy of some of the fine knives, etc, I've acquired. I am working on that.

Stainz
 
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Buying knives for me is not an end in itself. I actually have a progressive curve of design principles that I go for. I have now reached the point where very few folders fit my specifications.
I still do a lot of searching, but not so much buying.
 
I look at it that I don't feel guilty.

I'm a medical student. My wife and I live off my loan overages and her job, which thanks to the garbage economy, isn't a great one. We scrimp, save and every so often, splurge just a little. A day at Disney World is a good enough vacation for this summer- we're going next week.

If the itch gets too strong, I usually just start carrying something I haven't for a while. Right now, that's a Douk-douk, which I'm working on profiling into a true zero grind. All the fun of a new piece, zero cost.
 
bleev3 said:
I'm 40 years old, my living grandfather is 90. He cane from meager beginnings, the depression and WWII. He bought a knife stuck it in his pocket and there it served him for decades.

Me...I buy one knife carry it for a few months and move on to the next. Always wanting more and more...the last knife is never enough. That embarrasses me sometimes when I think about it. I buy the fixation of my desires, drooling all the while...and when tracking it on UPS.com to my door I am already lusting over the next knife. I almost forget about the one on it's way.

Do I need to change my thinking?
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Yeah, stop being so wasteful.


-Freq
 
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