How do you decide to use it or keep it mint?

[Bob W]

Perhaps an example to give our User members a glimpse into the Collectors mind?

If these knives were used, they wouldn't be worth $5 apiece:

Maybe appreciate Collectors from an economic point of view? If each of us only bought a knife when we truly needed, once every ten our twenty years when our last knife became completely worn out, the knife industry would crash overnight and nearly every knife manufacturer and dealer would be instantly bankrupt.

 

[KnottyEagle]

If I know that the knife I'm looking at and eventually purchase is going to be used and It's a limited edition, I'll try to buy two. One to keep in mint condition, and the other one to EDC. If I see a limited edition knife that I know that I won't use, I'll just get one, because I've already got my main EDC that I love and carry everyday. If I'm not so sure about a limited edition knife, I'll buy one, then if I decide I like it, I'll buy another one. If I buy it and I don't like it, I'll just put it away and look onto my next knife purchase.

This Christmas, I received a Brown Kershaw Skyline. When I was reading and watching videos about it, I was sure that that was the knife for me, but a little part of me said that I should be sure about it, so I only bought one. I liked it so much that I bought another one, and that other one is my "safequeen".

 

[Jesse B.]

I'd say the decision to use or not to use is based largely on how people value their knives. Many (if not most) folks value knives for their utility, so while they may accumulate a number of knives, they aren't "collectors" as such. Others value knives based on things like aesthetics, rarity, collectibility, re-sale value, and/or because the knife represents something personally significant. And these different value systems aren't necessarily exclusive: For instance, I value my Spyderco Dragonfly or Benchmade 940 for their practicality in an urban environment, while the damascus LionSteel SR-1 and Kiku Matsuda knives pictured below I value for their design, craftsmanship, aesthetic and monetary/collector's value.

But things change. I have a small carbon fiber Sebenza I never intended on using and it's slowly creeping its way into my pocket and may become my main EDC. I also have a few LE knives I never thought I'd use but I'm starting to use them.
As another member mentioned, I've also noticed a bit of intolerance coming from a few people who "don't understand" knife collecting and seem to look down on it. "Knives are meant to be used" is the refrain. Well, people collect a lot of things that were meant to be used (pens, guns, pipes, watches, shoes, etc..) There's probably some psychological explanation as to why people collect anything, but if collecting (knives) is your thing, who am I to pass judgement?

 

[2 shot]

To answer your question directly I decide before I buy, some to collect and some to use. If it is a LE/sprint run knife that I want to use I buy a used one.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Knives are meant to be enjoyed whether they're used or not.

As opposed to the parochial attitude of a lot of BF members, some people collect knives the same way others collect coins or stamps. They collect them for the pure joy of owning them. And who's to say there's anything wrong with that?

In my case, I'm a collector and a user. Whether or not I use a knife depends on a number of factors. I'm not bounded by the restriction some folks impose upon themselves of never being able to buy knives unless they intend to use them. I can actually buy knives simply because I like the way they look or because they embody certain characteristics I'm looking for or because they're made by maker whose work I admire or because they have the potential to increase in value. And as a collector, I actually provide a valuable service to the knife community. When I get tired of owning a knife or when it has appreciated to the point that I'm willing to let it go, I can put it back on the market in pristine condition and give someone else the chance to own it. Oftentimes these knives have long since been discontinued.

I'm not a dealer, but I've sold a number of knives in mint or near mint condition. And this much I can tell you. Regardless of why someone purchased a knife from me, I've never heard a single one of them complain about the fact that I didn't use it before I sold it to them.

Very well said.

Okay, I totally get what you guys are saying.

I think part of (all of?) my problem is that I don't have the money to buy all of the knives I want. Well that's not completely accurate either. I have money, it's just that I have too many hobbies. All of my money is going into my motorcycle and associated costs which leaves nothing for knives. So far I have been able to sample a few cool knives because I've been trading them.

I guess my question should be... when trading knives when do you know that you've found the right one to stop with?

At this point I think the only (never say never) knife I'd trade the rift for is a para2. I'd hate to do it and really regret it though. No one would trade a para for a used and abused rift...

I think I'll just keep the rift (?) and buy a para when I have a few bucks. But that new helmet is soooo cool...

Ugh...

 

[XiaolongJackson]

I used to buy a lot of Cold Steel's mall ninja knives for the novelty of it, but after getting my first Spydie I learned the joy of actually using knives, and since the aforementioned CSs were good for one thing and one thing only, I kind of felt bummed out about having them but not being able to use them for anything.

 

[FW JSB]

The point I'm trying to make here, VL, is that knives like many other collectibles have both an intrinsic and extrinsic value. The prevailing view around here is that people who purchase knives for anything other than their extrinsic value (i.e., their ability to cut things) have no reason to live. And that's what I take objection to. If you buy knives because you want to use them, that's fine with me. But for someone to suggest that it's not OK for me to buy knives because I may not want to use them is intolerable.

Get it?

I didn't read this anywhere in this thread, so evidently you're exaggerating to make some sort of point. To me, it comes off as defensive. If you want to collect production knives with the idea that they'll increase in value, good for you, but I think you're chasing fool's gold. They're called production knives for a reason; a lot of them are made, which runs counter to the idea that they'll become rare enough to increase in value. If you are collecting some other kinds of knives, customs or whatever, that could be a different story. But it's your dough, so knock yourself out.

 

[FW JSB]

I safequeen all my fixed blades, and polish them on a semi-weekly basis.

However, once the first scuffs appear on the blade, they become my to-go knife and they I abuse the hell out of them. Due to the royal treatment they're given, however, this has only happened once when I had no idea what I was doing.

Why is it necessary to polish a knife that does nothing more than sit in a safe?

 

[tiguy7]

I will use any knife that bumps the current model out of the EDC position. I have too many knives to give them all an extended test. I have noticed that the knives that are in limited production seem to be doing at least as well as my stocks and CDs.

 

[A.P.F.]

I hope that I don't sound flippant, but I collect 'users'. Every knife that I own or buy will become a 'user' and get it's day in the sun. I love collecting knives, but the thought of not honoring their purpose, is alien to me.

 

[23xdm3.8]

One knife ill never use, due to its nature (rare, super exclusive, highly collectible)

 

[FCM415]

I never intended to be a collector, but I like so many different knives that there is no way I can use them all.

Also the thought that limited runs I really like will never be available again drives me to keep it new...

 

[bld522]

I didn't read this anywhere in this thread, so evidently you're exaggerating to make some sort of point. To me, it comes off as defensive. If you want to collect production knives with the idea that they'll increase in value, good for you, but I think you're chasing fool's gold. They're called production knives for a reason; a lot of them are made, which runs counter to the idea that they'll become rare enough to increase in value. If you are collecting some other kinds of knives, customs or whatever, that could be a different story. But it's your dough, so knock yourself out.

Just to cite one example and assuming you can even find one, how much is a Spyderco Hossom Dayhiker selling for these days? And if you're asking whether or not I'm being defensive, I am. Whether my defensiveness is justified is something we can discuss after you've been around here for a little while and you've had a chance to evaluate the prevailing view of those who don't use their knives for yourself.

 

[Bob W]

Very well said.

Okay, I totally get what you guys are saying.

I think part of (all of?) my problem is that I don't have the money to buy all of the knives I want. Well that's not completely accurate either. I have money, it's just that I have too many hobbies. All of my money is going into my motorcycle and associated costs which leaves nothing for knives. So far I have been able to sample a few cool knives because I've been trading them.

I guess my question should be... when trading knives when do you know that you've found the right one to stop with?

At this point I think the only (never say never) knife I'd trade the rift for is a para2. I'd hate to do it and really regret it though. No one would trade a para for a used and abused rift...

I think I'll just keep the rift (?) and buy a para when I have a few bucks. But that new helmet is soooo cool...

Ugh...

No worries. There's a fourth type of knife fanatic beyond Users, Collectors, and Accumulators. And that type is Swappers, people who get enjoyment from the social interaction of trading knives and/or are simply restless or looking for that one perfect knife.

I suspect that were are all some mixture of the above categories.

 

[bld522]

Why is it necessary to polish a knife that does nothing more than sit in a safe?

Maybe it brings High King pleasure to polish his knives. If that's the case, what harm is there in doing it?

 

[bld522]

No worries. There's a fourth type of knife fanatic beyond Users, Collectors, and Accumulators. And that type is Swappers, people who get enjoyment from the social interaction of trading knives and/or are simply restless or looking for that one perfect knife.

I suspect that were are all some mixture of the above categories.

Throw Investors into that mix and I suspect you're correct.

 

[A.P.F.]

No worries. There's a fourth type of knife fanatic beyond Users, Collectors, and Accumulators. And that type is Swappers, people who get enjoyment from the social interaction of trading knives and/or are simply restless or looking for that one perfect knife.

I suspect that were are all some mixture of the above categories.

I can work with that.

 

[pap11y]

I get some people see no point in buying a knife and not using them. That's their choice and I have no issue with that.

I collect and use my knives. My hamon knives and san mai knives most likely will never get used as they are to me more of a work of art than a tool (though they would be brilliant tools). My collection is not for monetary gain, it because to me these things are a thing of beauty. I can admire a knife for its beauty as much I can admire a knife for its function.

Everyone has different reasons for buying and none of them are correct or incorrect IMO.

Whatever floats your boat and knives float all our boats (otherwise we wouldn't be here) so its all good.

Some people buy and collect stamps... I see no point in that....

 

[other memory]

I always buy to use. It does suck when you get a knife that you really thought would work out, but it doesn't, and you have to sell it used knowing you're going to take a loss, sometimes sizable.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

No worries. There's a fourth type of knife fanatic beyond Users, Collectors, and Accumulators. And that type is Swappers, people who get enjoyment from the social interaction of trading knives and/or are simply restless or looking for that one perfect knife.

I suspect that were are all some mixture of the above categories.

Another well put point.

Bld522- I agree about polishing. And I guess if the point is valid we can throw in cleaning, disassemblying/assembling, moding and even batoning, throwing, testing to failure and anything else we do to and with our knives.