How to explain to women & wives who ask us but don't understand,"Why all the knives?"

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My girlfriend recently found out about my knife collection/obsession. We've only been going out for a few weeks but she sat me down and asked me, I quote, "Why all the knives? Just wondering."

At first I was taken aback like what's wrong with collecting knives? I mean people collect virtually everything stamps, baseball cards, books, vintage cars, dolls, toys, etc.
Then it dawned on me that she wasn't really asking me why I collect "things" but why I choose to collect and obsess and care so much about "things" that for her have no value or meaning AND can be used as dangerous weapons.

So my question to all of you guys is how do we answer our women when they ask us, "Why all the knives?"
 
She don't need to understand it, she should accept it(to some extent :D ).
 
It's obvious:

You have "all the knives" because you're passionate, caring, graceful, prepared, and loving.

Passionate because knives represent humanity's first tool and yet they're constantly being refined and improved on tens of thousands of years later and your sense of life shares that passion.

Caring because your knives can open the boxes and separate the twist-ties used for shipping baby furniture and toys - your multitude of knives suggest you're family-man material.

Graceful because opening those boxes and cutting those ties with a knife makes much less of a mess than using a club.

Prepared because you can use your knives to obtain and prepare food, shelter, fire, and water (don't carry the water on your blade - use the blade to make a bowl or bucket).

Loving because you're willing to share all of those good traits with your new girlfriend.

Now I don't know you from Adam, but Adam sold me one of his chef knives and it was incredible, so you must be a-ok, too. :confused: Please don't prove me wrong by wearing human skin to court cases. :eek:

Me, on the other hand, I've got the type of OCD that's geared towards hoarding instead of cleaning and had more dollars than sense.
 
Tell her it beats collecting stamps.:)
I've found that works for many people.
 
"Because they're cheaper than guns". :D

Seriously, it's just another collection of useful items, like purses or shoes. Many women collect knives too. I have multiples of many items that I use daily/weekly -- shoes, jackets, watches, backpacks, beanies, gloves, knives, CCW, down sleeping bags, backpacking stoves, etc.

Sure, I only "need" a single, versatile version of each, but I like having a selection. It's simply a luxury. I own more than one pen too - why all the pens?
 
Keep it simple:
Just ask "Why so many pair of shoes?"......." Well, it's the same for me"
 
klhayes77 said:
Just because I really like them. Then ask her -(Why all the shoes and purses?:D)
Click to expand...

Haha, I use that exact same line! :D

I usually say that it's a hobby, and that (unlike most hobbies) mine have practical use. When they don't believe me I usually let them take a small blade and carry it for about a week or so, telling them to use it as much as possible, if they need to open a package, reach in their pocket instead of looking for the scissors or something like that. Pretty soon they see that it's much more convenient to have a blade on you than to hunt one down.

A friend of mine (the first person to get the above treatment) said it best, "Man, you don't realize how much you can use a knife till you start carrying it, now I don't wanna leave the house without one." That's the ideal response, but don't expect it all the time, I was rather shocked when I heard those words. :p It's one of those things you don't really think about till you start using one. Kinda like with a flashlight, I didn't see a need to EDC one....till I tried it. Now it never leaves my belt.

Those are just a couple things I tell women when they ask.... or pretty much anyone come to think of it.... Another good thing to compare it to is all the stuff they keep in their purse, why so much crap? Because they use it, and feel they need it. Why do we have an "obsession" with knives? Because we use them. Just my $0.02.......
 
I think the best way to explain why we collect or just have so many knives, guns, tools, etc. to your significant other or anyone who simply "doesn't get it", is to use an analogy to whatever their passionate about (like clothing, purses, shoes, etc.). I have to do this almost every time I get a new knife or gun.
 
Look her in the eye and smile at her. Take her by the hand and lead her to the sofa and sit down with her(knife collection in hand, of course). Take out a couple of your most valuable knives and explain that certain knives do have value,thus their collectibility. Take a knife that has been given to you, perhaps from your father,grandfather,or your best friend. It has a sentmental connection with you. Take a knife and show her that it's a tool, the uses you have for a knife, but not as a weapon, a tool. If this doesn't work, lose the chick, find you a new squeeze, one that appreciates your hobbies! Shoot, some women just don't get it. I don't know man...................!!
 
:DLook her in the eye and smile at her. Take her by the hand and lead her to the sofa and sit down with her(knife collection in hand, of course). Take out a couple of your most valuable knives and explain that certain knives do have value,thus their collectibility. Take a knife that has been given to you, perhaps from your father,grandfather,or your best friend. It has a sentmental connection with you. Take a knife and show her that it's a tool, the uses you have for a knife, but not as a weapon, a tool. If this doesn't work, lose the chick, find you a new squeeze, one that appreciates your hobbies! Shoot, some women just don't get it. I don't know man...................!!
 
I get the same thing, but to be honest it's not just women/wives. I've
been asked the same thing by guys too.

The way I explain it is this (and you guys tell me if you agree): Knives are
not a socially acceptable hobby. People can only accept and compute in
their minds what is the norm. For the most part anyway.

So if you say you collect baseball cards, stamps, etc. they have no problem
with that cause it's known by the masses these are collectable items. Knives
however, have not (and will not) been put into a socially acceptable activity.

So that's why when you tell people you collect knives they immediately reject
the idea in its entirety. This is the same for many other things too, but since
I've rambled long enough I'll keep it at that.

P.S. I've tried the "they're tools" line. Doesn't work. I get laughed at in my face.
 
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knifezoid said:
The way I explain it is this (and you guys tell me if you agree): Knives are
not a socially acceptable hobby. People can only accept and compute in
their minds what is the norm. For the most part anyway.

So if you say you collect baseball cards, stamps, etc. they have no problem
with that cause it's known by the masses these are collectable items. Knives
however, have not (and will not) been put into a socially acceptable activity.

So that's why when you tell people you collect knives they immediately reject
the idea in its entirety. This is the same for many other things too, but since
I've rambled long enough I'll keep it at that.
Click to expand...

I've found that they magically become socially acceptable once they are above a certain price-point.
Almost everyone I've run across cannot conceive of a knife being used as a weapon if it cost over $200. Truthfully, how many people ARE stabbed with knives costing that much? I've never heard or read of any instances.
If you want to gain acceptacnce for your hobby, roll out the priciest knives first.:thumbup:
 
After friends and lovers get to know you they will accept your obsession with knives (in my case firearms too) I always figured they realize as time passes you aren't psycho and they are safe!:D
My Mom won't touch a gun or knife (other than kitchen) My Dad said within a week of meeting her he talked her into going to the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking. He said he knows she was a bit nervous when she saw he had a big folder with him. Now, she totally ignores whatever we do with firearms and knives. Time has allowed her to feel very safe around us!
 
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stabman said:
I've found that they magically become socially acceptable once they are above a certain price-point.
Almost everyone I've run across cannot conceive of a knife being used as a weapon if it cost over $200. Truthfully, how many people ARE stabbed with knives costing that much? I've never heard or read of any instances.
If you want to gain acceptacnce for your hobby, roll out the priciest knives first.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

True, but then you get the good ol' "You PAID THAT MUCH FOR A KNIFE!"
LOL! You just can't win!
 
Hi,

I tell my Wife that it's either this or drugs, alcohol, and prostitutes. :D Which would you rather I collect?

dalee
 
Dalee100, I used a similar line: Least it's not crack.
But I use it to myself to justify my knive purchases
most of the time, lol.
 
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