How Do You Know When You Have Enough Knives?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Free-Range Cheese Baby
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
3,117
I have a grand total of 10, and that includes 4 kitchen knives.

Regarding knives that belong more in the realm of art, I don't see myself getting into that market, but I suppose with a little more knowledge (and a lot more money), I might.

If I had more money, I am afraid I would just keep buying them, especially hand-mades, but I wouldn' t be using them much. I just want to study them: handle shapes, overall patterns, blade geometry, grinds, fit and finish. I would want them to study, and think about traditional tasks they were designed for, and the culture they came from. I haven't done any hunting for about 30 years, but if I was to take up hunting again, it would be easy to find an adequate knife for that. I guess my Condor Tavian would do.

I would just buy knives and keep them as long as I wanted to, then "release" them. I have not started a catch-and-release hobby yet, but I could see myself doing that. Right now, I'm holding onto the small collection I've got. They are all useful for one thing or another.
 
Last edited:
I'm sort of in the middle of the spectrum based on what you are talking about... At first, I didn't know I had enough knives until I found myself with a couple of knives that served the same overall purpose- then I realized I had to thin the herd a bit by selling off any redundancies. I've also collected some handmades and some 'form over function' blades based on art appreciation but have a harder time releasing those regardless of need.

Ultimately, I try to keep my modest collection as diverse as possible with regards to usage, length, steel type, handle type, and even brand now... key word- "try".
 
When you start asking yourself if you have enough knives.
 
My pendulum seems to swing - at times, I think I have enough knives in my collection, only use a couple as EDC, and should thin the collection down. At other times, I just want that new knife to add to my collection.
 
I've always had enough knives. All I really need is one, and it dosent need fancy steel or anything.
But, I like my knives and see them as "man-jewelry" as some may say. I use them all and rotate them regularly, but I've never sold off one of my knives.

I feel if I sold one, I may regret it one day when that company ceases to exist, the maker passes on, or if the model gets discontinued. For example, LE ZT's. Or CRK's, one day the 21 might not be around and it's only 25's, then the 21 is more of a "collectors piece" that I can still use.

I'm a collector, but I also like to carry my knives. Makes me feel like I got my money's worth...
 
An answer in search of a question isn't much different from a solution in search of a problem. Enough knives? That's like having enough ammo or enough money or whatever.
 
The wife starts screaming?

dunno.gif


best

mqqn
 
When they stop being knives and become clutter.

For me that is when I don't have a specific use for a specific knife. Right now that is 3 fixed blades, 5 folders.

Subject to change at anytime, though. :)
 
Enough knives? What is this concept you speak of? :confused:
 
Is there actually a number?? I don't think so. I beleave when you feel that your needs are fulfilled you may SLOOOOooooowwww down on you acusitions. I personally only own three. I dare say that I had a few more. But I now know what I actually need and use. If it collects dust. Gift it to a friend. Some guys have a revolving collection of EDCs. You get tired/bored. That urge reappears.
 
I have a knife for any purpose that I need one for but I like them, so I will always have room for a few more.
 
If you have all the knives you actually need for the types of cutting you do, then you have enough.:thumbup:


I'm sure plenty of people get want and need mixed up when it comes to collecting knives though. Not that I've ever done that...:o
 
To be honest, one quality knife would suffice for me. No practical reason to have the hundreds that I do. I just like them.
 
My humble collection of 15 knives...



[video=youtube;vqBUBGCc8Ng]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqBUBGCc8Ng[/video]

There are 9 knives I'm currently waiting on.
 
I stopped counting after about 300 and that was probably three years ago. Seriously. And mostly custom. I started collecting though in the early 1980's and while there were periods of slowness, I went full bore around 1990 and never looked back. Over the years you can probably throw in another couple of hundred that have either been sold or given away. I don't think at any point I wondered if they were "enough or "too much".

It has been a VERY rewarding hobby.

Life is short. Revel in what you love while you're here because it's a biotch at the end of the ride!
 
My problem is/was that there is alot of knives I haven't tried and my goal is to find the perfect knife so I just keep buying and trying to find the "Perfect". I'm getting to a point now where I have gone through just about everything I've had interest in (or not even really interested in but just to get my hands on it to see what the rave is about on certain knives) so hopefully I'll be able to let alot go. My real problem is when I find something I like I "Must" buy multipules in fear of it being discontinued soon and them becoming scarce. I'm not even really sure of how many I have at the moment but know it's too many. 30-50 and would like to cut that in half. As somebody said above "clutter". It takes me weeks usually to make up my mind on weither to get rid of a knife or not even if not really digging it at first cause one day I might deicide "hey I like this". I have alot of stuff I really can't afford and need to start progressing in life and buy stuff I actually need so that will hopefully push me into only 10-20. And that I don't even need. I could live with 5. I think. If I made a descent living it would be whole different story. It's all what you can afford and have the space for.
 
Last edited:
Insipid Moniker said:
Once they make the perfect knife for me I will have enough. Until then, I'll keep looking and buying more.
Click to expand...

Same here. I'm not a collector but I do have a collection. It's my collection of knives that don't work for me. :D I need to look into selling them. It's just a lot easier to leave them in the drawer.
 
I'm thankful that I never got bad into watches. I only own one watch now. I sold the Submariner to buy a DDR custom.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top