How I hide my shame.

S

smcjoecohen@yahoo

Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
515
Let me start by saying I'm not ashamed of my knife collection. In my mind I feel that it's a sound investment actually. Most of my collection is Rare, discontinued, or otherwise difficult to acquire. My wife just doesn't understand, she's pretty good w/the hobby overall but if she knew what I really paid there would be uncomfortable discussion that I would rather avoid. That being said I'd like to hear the creative or simple ways you all protect your better half from the reality of knife collecting expenses. I have a completely separate Paypal account I use for largeer purchases, really all purchases. I do keep a written record of all of my toys but when I record the price I just drop a Zero off the end, so I $550 Strider becomes a $55 knife. The $250 spent on the discontinued Lone Wolf Harsey T2 appears to have costed a mere $25, you guys get the picture. The guns I have to be mostly honest about because of the legality thing. But when I bought my BCM AR-15 I got all of the parts separately, little by little, and built (assembled) it myself. That way she only knew that the S&W MP15 Lower cost $130, and the rest, "Well honey it's just a 22 caliber rifle, it wasn't too expensive for the barrell and trigger" I try to be vague and minimize w/out actually lyeing. Tell your story.
 
I was standing at Bobby Branton's table at the second Blade Show I ever went to. I was holding the Branton/Brend #5 boot knife collabaration for the third time that morning. My wife, standing at my shoulder, said, "If you don't buy it now while you have the chance, you will regret it later." She was right. I didn't and I do. It's been pretty much that way for years.

A couple of years ago I had been pondering a firearms buy for a week or so, when my wife said, "How old are you now?" "64", I answered. "Well, if you don't get it now while you can still enjoy it, just when are you going to get it?"

Just yesterday she asked me what the $3,300 that I spent at Mark's Outdoors was for. (I've got to stop letting credit card bills lie around unfiled.) After I explained that a brand new Heine Nighthawk long-slide 10mm lying in a display case for sale was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, she said that me buying it was better than having to listen to me moan later about how I should have.

I have had to put up with this kind of stuff for over 41 years now.

But she knows she's a lucky woman. She has me and a good dress for every day of the week. all she has to do is wash it every night.
 
Not married. The only thing I can get my girlfriend to carry is a rainbow leek, but she will attempt to flip and flick open some others so there is hope. As to the cost of acquiring them, she just shakes her head. She's got her Coach bag collection, so she really can't say anything to me about my knives :)

She absolutely refuses to even touch my firearms though.
 
MikeH said:
I was standing at Bobby Branton's table at the second Blade Show I ever went to. I was holding the Branton/Brend #5 boot knife collabaration for the third time that morning. My wife, standing at my shoulder, said, "If you don't buy it now while you have the chance, you will regret it later." She was right. I didn't and I do. It's been pretty much that way for years.

A couple of years ago I had been pondering a firearms buy for a week or so, when my wife said, "How old are you now?" "64", I answered. "Well, if you don't get it now while you can still enjoy it, just when are you going to get it?"

Just yesterday she asked me what the $3,300 that I spent at Mark's Outdoors was for. (I've got to stop letting credit card bills lie around unfiled.) After I explained that a brand new Heine Nighthawk long-slide 10mm lying in a display case for sale was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, she said that me buying it was better than having to listen to me moan later about how I should have.

I have had to put up with this kind of stuff for over 41 years now.

But she knows she's a lucky woman. She has me and a good dress for every day of the week. all she has to do is wash it every night.
Click to expand...

I think this post made me smile more than any I've ever read:thumbup:

As for hiding, sometimes i'll do the drop a zero trick, but I mostly sell knives to fund knives or I trade, so it's not too much of an issue.

I dated a woman that was pretty supportive, even with $800 knife purchases, but all good things come to an end:)
 
If poor like me (knife rich) Buy right, lots of deals to be had so wait for em. A safe investment with a better return if I sale opposed to witdrawing $ thats just been sitting in a bank, she cant say the same about her closet full of clothes she never wears but always wants more of(and I oblige). Not only that, but I can play with them and they make me happy. She thought it was a bit crazy at first but it didnt take long before see dropped $600 on a Busse for me. She is a server and makes less then 25k a year to boot. Honesty, and facts is all it takes. If she cant accept that, well.
 
MikeH said:
I was standing at Bobby Branton's table at the second Blade Show I ever went to. I was holding the Branton/Brend #5 boot knife collabaration for the third time that morning. My wife, standing at my shoulder, said, "If you don't buy it now while you have the chance, you will regret it later." She was right. I didn't and I do. It's been pretty much that way for years.

A couple of years ago I had been pondering a firearms buy for a week or so, when my wife said, "How old are you now?" "64", I answered. "Well, if you don't get it now while you can still enjoy it, just when are you going to get it?"

Just yesterday she asked me what the $3,300 that I spent at Mark's Outdoors was for. (I've got to stop letting credit card bills lie around unfiled.) After I explained that a brand new Heine Nighthawk long-slide 10mm lying in a display case for sale was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, she said that me buying it was better than having to listen to me moan later about how I should have.

I have had to put up with this kind of stuff for over 41 years now.

But she knows she's a lucky woman. She has me and a good dress for every day of the week. all she has to do is wash it every night.
Click to expand...

Nice snag on the Nighthawk!

I'm sure you already know, but if you're going to shoot *HOT* loads, (not just watered down 10mm into a .40) The underwood ammo is the ticket unless you load your own. On Youtube one guy has about 16 different videos with 75 different brands/loads and chronographed 5 rounds of each. Underwood came out as advertised DT seems to have falsified almost all if not all published velocity claims.

Anyway, I'm not married, so I just buy stuff. :)
 
Hawkings said:
Married with 2 kids here, best advice I got is to stop lying and grow a pair.
Click to expand...


:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Married 41 years now with three kids and three grandkids, and this is the best advise yet. If she asks why you need another knife, ask her why she needs more than a couple pieces of jewelry. That usually ends the discussion. :D

Carl.
 
I get the wtf speech. My Wife doesn't get it either, BUT she understands that it's something i'm into.....along with traditional archery (yes, I need another bow....duh), canvas backpacks, watches, flashlights, kayaks/canoes, anything titanium..............blah, blah.... I think we all need therapy for our addiction...

I'm lucky.... Very lucky to have supportive in-laws...

Good luck.
 
jackknife said:
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Married 41 years now with three kids and three grandkids, and this is the best advise yet. If she asks why you need another knife, ask her why she needs more than a couple pieces of jewelry. That usually ends the discussion. :D

Carl.
Click to expand...

Ha! Just read that one!

Seriously, I never misrepresent the cost of my gear. If she luv's ya, she'll get over it. Just don't use the mortgage money for your hobbies and all is well!
 
Was married. Not married. Never hid costs, in fact I'll proudly announce what I ordered and how much it costs to convey the real value and high end nature of my purchases.

Think about this, let her know the 'value' of em, not neccessarily what you bought em for (what a sale!). Otherwise get buried with your knives or give em away, or she'll put $20 stickers on each one at your estate sale.
 
My better half is a pretty savvy shopper and comparisons are always done.
The few knives that I own, that may have a resale value are also tagged for what I payed, in case I forget or, so she will know where to start in a transaction. In the event my absence.
Her closet of clothes & foot wear makes my knife hoarding-Fu look weak.;)
Now, my obsession with early American V-twin bikes & parts, old cars & car parts,(30s-60s) big blocks, transmissions???
I have to beg and justify the spent money. It's best, not to lag on getting a project finished or have projects, parts visible out side my shop too long. she will attempt to estimate my losses at a glance...
- She cannot understand or appreciate the "value" of those types of items????
Her reasoning is. Why even rebuild old modes of transportation - when Manufactures release "new better ones" every year.:confused:
Still... I love her dearly, She makes me whole.
 
Women buy their stuff that they buy... And most buy a lot of it and it's not really cheap either so a few knives here and there that a guy buys shouldn't be a huge issue.

If it is then the guy needs to find a different Woman...
 
Someone made a good point in another thread that WTSHTF knives, flashlights, guns and liquor are going to be a hell of a lot more valuable than a closet full of lane bryant clothes, payless shoes, and ebay purses. (ok I guess you could make a sleeping bag from the lane bryant, use the shoes if they fit and don't have heels, and make a bugout bag from a purse, heh)
 
My wife know what I spend on knives and guns. She thinks its excessive but it doesn't matter. We have our own small savings accounts that we can spend on anything we want. If I want a $500 knife or $1500 1911 its not a big deal. Afterall I saved for it. I get in hot water when I find a deal and ask for a advance on my personal savings. Then the negotiating begins.
 
I buy what I want as does she. No super huge purchases, but some are a little more than should be spent on a hobby or clothing.
She does not complain, nor do I. We do not spend what we dont have, nor do we take funds from things that we need. We still save money for retirement and our son's education, pay the bills and live comfortably.
I do not lie about the price spent, nor do I "drop a zero". She does the same.
BUT, we both will tell each other about purchases. We don't ask for each others permission, but we both make sure there are no "suprises".
Does she think I am crazy? Probably. Will she sell all my stuff when I am gone? If my son does not want it, I am sure she will. Will she recoup most of the money I spent? Maybe not, but at least she will know what to ask as a selling price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top