How do you afford it all?

JOELSM said:
DINKs...not childless to support this blade addiction, but I guess that's where discretionary funds go given the circumstance.
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I guess that makes me a SINK... Glad I got a vasectomy.
 
Well, my budget is a Mora, CRKT, Gerber, and Buck, with my 3 Benchmade, and 3 cheaper Spydercos level.
I have figured out that my couple of expensive knives make me no happier than a good inexpensive knife. I splurged the other day, and dropped $50 on. CRKT Hootenanny. A Sweden Ken Onion designed blade, sharp enough to shave, feels great in hand. Perfect! So it's no $300 Spyderco. It looks better than most of them, and cuts great. I'm happy as a pig in slop.

I bought a Mora 2 months ago. Made a nice AZWELKE sheath from a similar Mora fit the new kid. I don't need to say anything about what a great knife it is.

My knife spending for 2 months: $65. What more can I ask for?

It's all relative, my friend.


If you want a really special unique knife, but a blank from Mora, Condor, or any number of other places. They're a fraction of the cost of the finished knives. You need a coping saw, a decent variety of sandpaper, and wood for scales. You can use bought scales that go from $3 to $50+, or take a walk in the woods and see what you can find.

Now you have a custom knife.

Be creative, my boy!
 
The last couple of years, I came to the decision that I can afford to my self spend around 10% of my annual earnings on hobbies. I came to this solution when understand that some times you don't see how much you spend on cheep, budget knives thinking that - I cant afford Sebenza, its to hard for my budget. But you buy 10 or 15 knives with 30 - 50 buck per each :D
Usually I spend winter time to decide what I want, its time of the bladeshows, announcement of new models and so on. Spring is the time to buy :D , because at summer and partly autumn I have hot production season (I am brewer), its no time to think about any hobby.
I'm already make my choice for this year and waiting for the mighty trinity - Lefty Sebenza 21, Strider SnG and Hinderer XM-24. You can't imagine how exciding I feel, considering that I never hold any of this knives in my hands.
 
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What a great topic. Good idea Comeuppance. I live frugally and don t have any other collection hobbies presently. I usually get my most expensive knives at Christmas or for a birthday. I usually buy knives that are good value for the money, as that is an important consideration in my knife buying decision. It s why MAP pricing, particularly with one company, has put me off purchases of over priced knives. I ve never had a custom knife.
 
I had a phase where I was buying custom knives which got a bit expensive . Currently the only custom I have is a Mosier. I have found that I can get just as excited on some higher end production knives. ZT, Benchmade and my latest favorite Fantoni.
 
Well I don't afford it all right now[emoji20] [emoji6] . I get my knives when times are good and I have some disposable income. There are times when I've gotten a new blade almost monthly and times where I can't buy a knife for an extended period(now). It helps me to appreciate what I do have when I am unable to purchase a knife for some time. I wasn't blown away by too many new releases this year so it hasn't hurt too much, but I really wanted a hap40 dragonfly and I'm pretty sure I'll have missed the bus on that by the time I can purchase again.
 
I set aside cash here and there. If I see a knife I want and can afford it, I get it. :)
 
Work a day of overtime at the plant. Plenty to go around, and one day equals a Sebenza if I wanted to drop that money on one, which I dont. I also try to sell one to buy one, or at least bring the cost down. But I only buy maybe 3-4 knives a year, most being under a hundred since my two main brands are Cold Steel and Spyderco.
 
I can't afford new knives.....I can just about afford knifemaking. Which (at the moment) I about break even in.
 
I get quarterly bonuses and that lines up roughly with my knife buying. That being said, like other enthusiast forums I'm a member of, I can assure you there are people here who are spending way more than they can afford on knives.
 
I actually have a video about this, what works for me is planning and listing. This way I know basically what I want and can wait till it shows up used here or I sell something else. Like many have said I do have a second job that sometimes allows me to buy something but often I need those funds for bills or household stuff as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SKaZ9q6f0c
 
Big_jack said:
That being said, like other enthusiast forums I'm a member of, I can assure you there are people here who are spending way more than they can afford on knives.
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I agree. The gun forums are a prime example and people load up their credit cards to satisfy their urges. I used to keep a cash fund for gun purchases. I stopped that as their were more worthy causes in my life. My next likely substantial spending on knives will happen when I attend Blade in early June. But if the funds are not there, I'm not going. That is definitely a candy store filled with expensive sweets.
 
Big_jack said:
I get quarterly bonuses and that lines up roughly with my knife buying. That being said, like other enthusiast forums I'm a member of, I can assure you there are people here who are spending way more than they can afford on knives.
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This brings up a good point, and another reason to belong to the various knife forums.

Lots of times you will see someone go on a buying spree. Then life smacks them with the unexpected and they end up in the "For Sale" section. All of a sudden that knife you liked, but didn't have the cash for, is now selling at a much reduced price. Maybe there are some cosmetic issues (snail trails in the titanium, scuffed clip) but nothing you don't mind.

End result is you get a new knife at a price you can afford.

That's another way to afford the knives you want - buy used.
 
Marry a RN.... why she keeps putting up with me I have no idea...but we are going on 27 years this year.

It helps to be old enough to have both new cars and the house paid off so my only living expenses are groceries and the light bill....
 
hatchettjack said:
First and foremost I only buy with cash! And I only buy knives I can afford! And I only buy knives I will use!
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This. Cash only, saving up for and buying what I can afford and enjoy using. Eventually I will end up selling a bunch I don't use, but have enjoyed none the less.

I have other hobbies as well which I apply the same principles too.
 
1 - graduate from HS
2 - get a job
3 - don't get arrested
4 - get married
5 - have kids
6 - in that order
7 - spend less than you earn, while paying off all debt and fully funding retirement and college funds; tithe on your gross income, and give generously to those who are less fortunate through no fault of their own, then
8 - spend the excess on knives

Seriously, if you want to succeed in life, hold off on the knife hoarding until you get things done in order. Otherwise, you'll never make it to step #7.

kn7.jpg

The fruits of delayed gratification.
 
You just have to keep the knife buying in perspective. There are lots of great knives that don't cost $300. If you work at a fast food place, you don't spend an entire week's pay on a knife unless you have a savings account built up somewhat, or live at home with the parents. ;)
 
I haven't had more than 50 dollars to my name in about 8 months. I lkve at home, work with my dad sometimes (havent been paid since last year), and caddie in the summer. I scrounge change and take our pop cans to the gas station when I can. 8 dollars is my average price for a knife. Flea markets are great! I do write for magazines sometimes too, mostly tool reviews and tips. Those earn me 50-100 a pop, but I quickly spend it on smokes and misc. crap. I think I'll sell some of my vinyl and my spare record player, some golf clubs, etc.

Connor
 
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