How big is it?

I have some.
The theme is "Knives I like." ;)
Completion is a myth; there is always another knife I like.

On the drive back from a recent trip to Chicago, we stopped at many gas stations because I felt the need to quest for the best gas station knife I could find for $20 or less..
Ended up with an entirely camo dagger with a camo sheath that was slightly too short for it...$20 well spent. :D

d9MjESJ.jpg


So I have a range of knives from ZT , Benchmade, Spyderco, customs, etc., all the way down to gas station trash made in China.
 
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My modern folder rotation is 8 knives. For traditional slipjoints, it's 5. I have 1 folder and 2 main fixed blades for camping/backpacking, plus 4 SAKs I grab whenever I need what each of them has to offer.

Add in 2 knives that live in my truck, 1 more folder and 3 more fixed blades for camping, and 4 sentimental slipjoints, and that's pretty much it.

So that's what, 30 knives all-in? Sounds about right.

Getting my main rotation -- sort of the core of my collection -- down to single digits has been eye-opening and fun, and has deepened my enjoyment of those knives. :)
 
At last count: 383

By Categories:

Automatics - 32
Balisongs - 17
Fixed Blades - 67
Folders - 267

By Mfg (3 or more):

Spyderco - 165
Kershaw - 63
ZT - 45
CRKT - 13
Gerber -11
Benchmade - 9
Cold Steel - 5
Microtech - 4
ProTech - 4
Buck - 3
KaBar - 3
LionSteel - 3
Olamic - 3
Tighe - 3

Others - 49 (1-2 each made by around 30 other Mfgs)

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

Sold off around 100 about 2 years ago (mostly cheap, late model Kershaws & CRKTs) but acquired over that amount again since then. Like to think the selections since then have been "better."

I've already targeted around another 50 to sell. Mostly those that I didn't sell before. Selling the 100 previously was a major effort and and, of course, I lost money on the knives I sold.

So, why bother doing it again, if I don't need the $? I've got 5 knives sitting on a table ready to sell now that might next me $500 but I'm just too lazy to do it.

I do not have a specific collecting objective. So, I don't have a specific "end" in mind.

FWIW, 383 knives is not a lot. There are people here who have a larger collection that, based on what they've revealed here and there on BF.

My collection pales in comparison to theirs.
 
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I’ve accumulated about a dozen fixed blades mostly Buck, and a few fish filet knives of various makes, around 60-70 folders mostly Buck. Some Case and a few Schrade Old Timers, Camillus and some odd ones. A couple of kitchen knife sets and a set of Buck, and six different multi tools Leatherman and Buck then a couple odd ones. A couple axes, hatchets, saws and a froe.

I really don’t have a theme or focus, I just get what I like and need for use.
 
Roughly 35 folders, with a couple slipjoints. A few cheap fixed blades that I just like (e.g. cheap Cold Steel).

Theme: Almost all are for daily carrying and made in the USA or Taichung. A couple from Italy, Germany and China. Mostly $100-$300, with a few over that.

It started with a fascination with Spyderco, and will grow with American midtechs (e.g. Medford, Hinderer, and Olamic) and anything else particularly interesting (e.g. TRM, Benchmade.)

Some day there will be customs like Keanison or young upstarts like Bless.

I may sell a few soon to fund a big purchase, but I rarely buy one I don’t like a lot.
 
The knife buying progression usually runs as follow:
1) knives that you need
2) knives that you like
3) knives that fill gaps in the collection
4) knives that provide exceptional value
5) unknown knives that you want to research

It should be no surprise that when you are at it for a number of years you end up with an accumulation.

n2s
 
I haven't counted but I'd guess I'm down to 60-70 knives, not counting kitchen or multitools. A few years back I decided to only keep what I'll use so no more safe queens or collector knives. All users, purpose driven use specific, and sentimental knives now. Probably had 200-300 before the purge.
 
On the drive back from a recent trip to Chicago, we stopped at many gas stations because I felt the need to quest for the best gas station knife I could find for $20 or less..
Ended up with an entirely camo dagger with a camo sheath that was slightly too short for it...$20 well spent. :D

d9MjESJ.jpg

Where's the knife? I don't see anythi.......Oh, Nevermind! lol
 
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