How has your knife collecting philosophy changed?

I started out collecting high end production knives such as Benchmade, Al Mar, Chris Reeve, etc. I have always preferred smaller folders (<3.5" blades). After I accumulated 15 to 20 of these knives, I started to migrate to higher end collector knives. Now I buy about one very expensive (> $800) folder a year and it becomes a safe queen. Typically something in Damascus and Ivory. I still have the first 20 or so production knives that I use on a regular basis.
 
Someone said it best in a thread a year or so back when he said the levels most people seem to go through:

1. CCC
2. CRKT, Gerber, Cold Steel
3. Benchmade, Kershaw, Boker
4. CRK, Busse
5. Customs

I was at level 1 as a teenager, at 2 when I first started 'collecting,' bounced through 3 real fast and am now stuck between 4 and 5.
Still collecting the same type of knives (tactical folders and big fixed blades), but quality has changed.
 
When I first started collecting, I dont think I was truly collecting. I was more simply... acquiring. I would see a knife I thought was cool, and purchase it. Now I have some cool knives that I probably wouldn't have if I had actually been collecting. They are good knives from good companies, but I just don't have much interest either in using them or collecting them.

After that initial few-year spree, I started honing in on both collectability, and rarity. Now, I just dont have the income to buy rare prototypes/one of a kinds, so I set the bar at the middle of the range.

Currently, I am on the lookout for deals for Camillus CUDA Maxxes, and Combat Elite blades, as for as collectibility goes. They both appeal to me as blades, are within reason price-wise, and are comparably rare. The way I see it, I don't need to buy for use anymore - I have more than enough "working knives". If I am going to spend money, it should be for something I can collect.

So I would say my philosophy went full circle... from impulse buys all over the spectrum to a narrow window.
 
My philosophy has, and always will be, that knives are meant to be used. I don't care if it did cost $300 and is a custom. If it's got good steel, and it's sharp, it's gonna be used. That's why I've taken a lot of interest into traditional slipjoint patterns lately. These knives are often used to the point where there's nothing left but little toothpicks. If someone is willing to carry a knife for that long, it must be good.
 
I used to buy a lot of tanto, partially serrated, coated, and assisted opening knives. Now I buy satin or stonewashed, plain edge, non tanto, manual open knives.
 
First real knife was Higonokami, a carbon steel laminated blade.
It could be sharpened to razor sharp even when I was a kid, but chipped quite easily.
Then I sticked to stainless steel blade folders.
Then I lost interest in folders and stainless steel blades and started making knives for myself
(and some of my friends).
 
For me, the older I get the smaller my knives seem to get. I like practical knives that have a thick working blade, one that provides good utility. It needs to sharpen easily, take some hard use, and not rust.

I have a couple of old "dress knives" that I carry when not a work, an Al Mar Hawk with ivory micarta handles, a 30 year old Case canoe, and a 20 year old Gerber Silver Knight made by Seki.

But for work, simple and sturdy fills the bill. I carry a Kershaw Scallion S110v as an EDC, and my newer EDC is a CRKT Drifter. The Drifter is a really spiffy little knife, kind of like a Sebenza in feel except thicker, and with an inferior steel to the Scallion or Sebenza. It is a surprisingly good knife, though.

Both Scallion and Drifter clean up nicely with kerosene, mineral spirits, etc. with no worries about the knife handles. This makes them ideal work knives as I can get off caulk, tar, roof sealants, mastic or anything else I get on them.

My only guilty pleasure: I play with my Benchmade Apparition as it is such a well made, cool knife. Haven't EDCed that one, and it is the only knife I own anymore that hasn't seen extensive pocket time.

Robert
 
It has really not changed and probably never will. I see a knife that I want and I buy it if I have the money to spare.
 
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