How to tell someone you're not into those knives...

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JTR357

JTR357

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Good afternoon everyone.I have a family member that keeps buying me really cheezy BudK type knives.They're starting to pile up.
When he gives it to me,I just smile ,say "thank you" & feign interest in my new knife/tactical mall ninja accessory.I don't mean to sound ungracious.I really don't,but I hate these things.

Is there a way I can tell him I'm not into those types of knives without sounding like a snob or hurting his feelings?I've shown him my collection several times(CRK,Hinderer,customs,Spydies...etc).I don't think he notices the difference.

I know I should be grateful that he even takes the time to think of me when he visits a flea market or garage sale,but frankly I'm running out of room to put these.

Thanks for any help.
 
When you showed him your high end knives did you also tell him how much they cost? I have a buddy who collects nice watches that costs $25k+ so common sense tells me I shouldn't buy him a $10 digital watch from Walmart as a gift.

Or what you can do is, just start giving them away to non-knife people. Either that or leave them in random places where you might need a knife (ie. car, bathroom drawer, garage/toolbox, etc)

Or.... do a bulk giveaway here on BF. Buyer pays you for shipping and you ship out to first "I'll take it" :D
 
This is actually a really hard question.

If it were me, I would start with simply keeping up what you've been doing. Showing him the stuff you're into should help him unless he's extremely unobservant.

From there, I would start dropping hints while showing him the collection of things you like. For instance "I've been trying to find one like this but a bit different" while pointing out the features that you really care about. Or if you like old traditionals saying something like "I love finding old knives like this in peoples old garages. These ones have so much history. If you ever find anything like this, maybe it could be your next gift :)" .

Having them as "junk" knives to teach people to sharpen on, practice mods, or make abstract art (:p) might not be a bad way to use them either.

The giveaway idea isn't bad, unless you think he'll ask to see the ones he's given you.

Good luck man.
 
Do a collage in a picture frame, just pile them together semi-artistically, put it up on the wall. When he gives you another one, add it to the mix.

Just smile, say "Look, see what I do?", and say thanks....
 
That's a tough situation.

Try showing him a knife you have on you and say something like "Look at this awesome new knife I just got," and hope that he asks you how much it was. Tell him how much you paid and hopefully he will understand what The Logical One was talking about. Or you could accidentally have all them fall overboard on a boat.
 
I know that in one of those Northern European countries, it is not considered bad form to decline unwanted gifts. Straight-shooting is prioritized. This discussion came up on this board before I think.
 
I would suggest you take him knife window shopping. If he cares, he should start to develop a sense for what you like in addition to what you already own. Christmas presents are tough.... you have a budget, time issues, and you make your choice. I think people are far better buying a Mora as a present than some mall ninja stuff when cost is an issue. I am not a Mora fanboy, but I do have a brain and recognize why folks here like them.
 
Perhaps just explain to them that you're running out of space in your collection and are only looking to add key/specific pieces in the future. True enough, I suppose. That way they might think twice about buying you a 'bargain' knife and you won't have to hide any new acquisition.

Good luck, OP! :)
 
JTR357 said:
Good afternoon everyone.I have a family member that keeps buying me really cheezy BudK type knives.They're starting to pile up.
When he gives it to me,I just smile ,say "thank you" & feign interest in my new knife/tactical mall ninja accessory.I don't mean to sound ungracious.I really don't,but I hate these things.

Is there a way I can tell him I'm not into those types of knives without sounding like a snob or hurting his feelings?I've shown him my collection several times(CRK,Hinderer,customs,Spydies...etc).I don't think he notices the difference.

I know I should be grateful that he even takes the time to think of me when he visits a flea market or garage sale,but frankly I'm running out of room to put these.

Thanks for any help.
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Just explain very clearly that you only like certain brands of knives and that you allocate a definite budget to purchase these for your collection due to their cost & value. Then kindly (or not) explain that you simply are not interested in any other brands.

Its a relative, you're going to insult him no matter what you do. ;)
 
xander99 said:
maybe get him a few nice knifes in return, that might give him a hint.
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That doesn't work with non-knife people. I showed a buddy of mine my small sebenza with customized scales and asked me how much it costs. I said, "five seventy five".... and then he said, "oh that's not bad for $5.75, where did you get it?"
 
Show him a knife that you bought recently that he hhasn't seen yet. Go up to him and say "hey look at this knife I bought. I got it for a killer deal, the MSRP is ______, but I only paid _________. That might hint him in the right knife price range.
 
Ugh... that's a tough one. I'm the type that would just keep taking them and saying thank you.

The thing I'm wondering about though is why he keeps buying these gifts for you. What is the root cause? Is he just an opportunist when he sees a cheap knife at a garage sale and he can't pass it up, or is he seeking your approval or friendship?
 
^^^ Sounds to me like the gifts are out of pure thoughtfulness. He knows you like knives so when he sees knives that he thinks look cool, he gets them for you. That's a lot better than a lot of our families do lol.
I would explain that you like certain brand names and such, maybe like Kershaw and cheaper Spyderco's so he feels like he's still getting a good deal and pleasing you with gifts at the same time.
I also would talk to him in simple terms about other things like steels and materials as well. I do this with my mom and my girlfriend. They understand a little bit now.
Just explain the kind of things you like and maybe show him pictures of the cheaper BudK type knives(not the ones he has given you) and explain why they're not so good.
This is the best way I can think of without flat out telling him he's buying you junk, you don't like it, and to please stop.
 
You could try making a joke the next time he gives you one about "Running out of room to put these things!" or that you "Have too many knives and not enough stuff to cut these days", maybe he'll get the hint and change the types of gift he gives you. It seems like it would be too much work to educate him both about what a quality knife is and then what your taste in quality knives is to get to the point where he can pick out a good knife as a present for you. I prefer to pick out my knives anyways as I am a bit picky. Seems like your best route is to just get him to stop buying them for you.
 
Just put on your big boy Underoos and say "thanks". No need to insult them or demean their intended gift.
My MIL does this stuff to me all the time - not with knives but with BBQ and cooking gifts. I compete in BBQ and cater so I'm always getting "stuff" I cannot possibly use but I just smile and say "Thanks, Mom!".
Better to be gracious and have a collection of stuff than be act like a snob and come off line an a-hole. It's not like your being forced to pay for the stuff. :cool::D
 
BladeChick777 said:
^^^ Sounds to me like the gifts are out of pure thoughtfulness. He knows you like knives so when he sees knives that he thinks look cool, he gets them for you. That's a lot better than a lot of our families do lol.
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Better to be appreciated than tolerated.
 
This.

timberweasel said:
Perhaps just explain to them that you're running out of space in your collection and are only looking to add key/specific pieces in the future. True enough, I suppose. That way they might think twice about buying you a 'bargain' knife and you won't have to hide any new acquisition.

Good luck, OP! :)
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Consider yourself lucky. My better half know I love and collect knives. Nevertheless, instead she opted to give me a gift card for a facial treatment for my birthday. Worst gift I've ever gotten. :rolleyes:

A cheap gas station knife doesn't sound that bad now, eh?
 
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