How to sort through what to keep…and what to let go…

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Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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How to sort through what to keep…and what to let go…

Ok, so most if not all of us face this from time to time. What can we part with, live without? Now I know there are some fortunate ones that are able to keep every knife they’ve ever bought, bless their souls ;) but, in order for the rest of us, we need to part with some in order to get new, at least I find this to be true.

Recently I struck upon an easy way to sort through such a dilemma;

Lay out your selection of knives that may be on the short list.

Pick up one, hold it, examine it and then look at the rest of the table of knives and think;

“hold this one, or is there one on the table I like more than this one?”

If there was one that you gravitated towards more than the one in hand, put the one in hand on the side table and now pick up That one you found you would want to hold more.

Then, start the process again, while holding THAT knife, look at the rest and see if there is another that you’d really want over that one, one that you would just feel natural about reaching for when you need a knife…Then take THAT new one and continue the process.

Now, if you have a short list to begin with, this won’t take long, and in your heart you kind a know what you would really love to keep and what just plain needs to move on to a new home.

This isn’t saying those you part with are ‘Bad’ it is just the flavor of the month has worn off and time to move on to something new.
AND of course there are those that you just could never part with and maybe you will come to realize you had the one you’ve been searching for all along, ;) could happen, unlikely but hey, we can dream…

Just some thoughts on a sleepy Friday morning vacation day at home

Hope you all have a great weekend!
G2
 
I hope to have this problem one day. My collection used to be huge, then life happened and my collection is quite small and has very few "worth" keeping other than my love for knives. Most of them were lost in transition from one place to another. I even keep my junk knives in a safe place now.
 
Hi G2!
I'm cleaning house, knives, and it's been interesting, to say the least.
IF... I own a knife and it's not in my EDC rotation, or very sentimental, it goes for sale.
I feel a lot lighter.
Have a great vacation!
rolf
 
Hmm well I have accumulated over 25 folders in the two years I have been a member of this forum, I think I have done really good lol. I don't think I'll part with any of the Emersons just cause I like them and I guess its the start of a collection, would like to get one of each model just for the experience. But to be honest the ones that I use every day are my two Chris Reeves Sebenzas and my Unumzaan. I'm trying to slow down my knife buying obsession so maybe just one more before a sell off again.
 
If I were making that kind of decision, I would do something similar to you G2 although I would always fall back on my general preferences for keepers. Most here seem to not think of their knives as keepers and it is a constant buy-sell kind of process. I did this with firearms, but have yet to do it with knives.

I understand the choosing and just choose not to choose for now. But in all honesty, I have a pile of knives that I would never really consider using whether they be a fixed blade or folder. I just like them all to be honest. My most recent purchases were a couple Rough Riders (slip joints) as I wanted to really handle, look at them carefully, and hopefully use at least minimally >> well beyond something you might do in a store. Not much money involved, so I just bought the patterns that appealed to me at the time. Of course, over the years, I have developed certain preferences. The last knife that I have been really taken with is the GEC #14 Lick Creek Boys Knife (two blade version) as I continue to want to try out using smaller slip joints as edc's rather than the larger ones I routinely carry.
 
I add to the equation-how hard the knife may be to replace. I seem to return to sold knives.
Ah to win the lotto.
 
My kids love it when I "thin the herd".
Especially my youngest. He's 29 now, and has the bug real bad.
 
Yep, guys, it's never cut and dry, (pun intended) in this process, but sometimes I also buy repeats...goes to show you never really learn lol, there are some I've bought 4 times and still end up selling it off, as I forget what it was that made me sell it off and later on it hits me...oh yeah, that's why but then it's like I think I'll MAKE myself love it THIS time round...see, never really learn! BUT I am gaining! my collection is far reduced at this time, so now there are not many that I have to chose from and it's getting down to 'this will work' group.

and Rolf, good luck on that sir, hope to see you in Lewisburg in Feb !
G2
 
Thank you, Gary. I'll see you in Lewisburg!
This is a no brainer but I'm going to hold on to my Dozier, my Busse AMS and some of my one-offs, like my Willumsen Tuco folder. No explanation needed.
rolf
 
I've more satisfaction in traveling light, not that the collection reflects that. Good thoughts Gary, thanks.
 
Sounds like some nice knives Rolf

And Skidoosh, thanks and welcome to the forums
G2
 
Has the knife been used in the last six months to a year?

Is it a family heirloom or have great sentimental value?

Is the knife suitable as an investment item? Be realistic here.

Is the knife required as part of a set, kit or outfit? A rescue knife in a medical bag, for example.



If it does not fall into a category listed above, then put the knife up for sale or donate to another family member (or BF member:) ).



If you are honest with yourself about the questions above, you will be amazed how your collection will slim down.
 
sabre cat said:
If you are honest with yourself about the questions above, you will be amazed how your collection will slim down.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I don' want to be that honest. Using only minimal "need or use" standards, my pile of knives would probably be down to under 10 knives total and I don't want that. That's like stepping back 20 years..... That takes all the hobby aspects out of the scenario.
 
Certainly agree with that, this isn't intended that it would be for everyone, just those that may be looking to trim back their collection and not sure just how to go about it.
There are those that have great collections, myself I had at one time about every flavor of William Henry T10 folders, loved that style and just had that itch to get all the different scales they offered, and now...they're all gone :( but it sure was nice while it lasted !

Here's a shot along with a couple of T12's thrown in for good measure...

attachment.php


G2
 
Just as personal as the question of why you buy a knife in the first place.

I've achieved a certain amount of self-awareness, so I know that I'm very reluctant to part with a knife, once I have it. I try to solve the problem on the front end, as it where, by putting a lot of roadblocks between being interested in a knife, and actually clicking on the "buy now" icon. It works for me.
 
Shorttime said:
Just as personal as the question of why you buy a knife in the first place.

I've achieved a certain amount of self-awareness, so I know that I'm very reluctant to part with a knife, once I have it. I try to solve the problem on the front end, as it where, by putting a lot of roadblocks between being interested in a knife, and actually clicking on the "buy now" icon. It works for me.
Click to expand...

Understood, and I try to maintain the discipline also. The ''new'' wears off a knife so quickly now that I think I just seek the buzz of a new toy. I had knives from last year that I didn't use or even take out the door. Sometimes I just want to do another dump and keep the primary users. But I get bored without the variety.
 
I seem to sell mine, then realize 'oh that is one i should have kept'. Still helps me zero in on what i really want though, just not the most financial friendly way of doing it. When said and done ill probably be around 10 knives overall. Of course i still try out new ones, but alot of them dont stick around.
 
Sigsog226 said:
I seem to sell mine, then realize 'oh that is one i should have kept'.
Click to expand...

Lycosa said:
IF... I own a knife and it's not in my EDC rotation, or very sentimental, it goes for sale.
Click to expand...


My system expands on these. First of all I have sold my share of items that eventually I wish I had not sold, so I've learned to be very cautious about what I sell.

For knives I put all of the "users" in my EDC rotation. I put them in an order and go through them #1 then #2 then #3, etc. If I come to the next one on the list and I am not excited about carrying it, maybe I even with it wasn't next in line, I will take it out of the rotation for awhile. Occasionally I think about putting it back in the rotation and if I still am not excited about it then it stays out. After many attempts, or should I say evaluations, I might finally decide to sell it. Then I again let it set for awhile and see if I still feel that way later. Only after giving it many chances to become favored again and it failing will I actually go forward with selling it.
 
I have a hording problem, so no I keep everything I want. If I let it go it is because I have to many multiples.
 
Shorttime said:
....I've achieved a certain amount of self-awareness, so I know that I'm very reluctant to part with a knife, once I have it. I try to solve the problem on the front end, as it where, by putting a lot of roadblocks between being interested in a knife, and actually clicking on the "buy now" icon. It works for me.
Click to expand...

This is closer to what I personally do.

What I suggested a few post back is what I do with my daughter when all of her stuff gets out of control. She is a spend-a-holic. No clue where she gets it from. Must be her mothers side of the family.

You know, being a member here has cost me a wad of cash but I am much happier with what I own now than, say five years ago. Plus, I really am beginning to scale back.
 
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