I just can bring myself to it

Liking and owning knives shouldn't be a cause for guilt. They're a hobby, and like anything else can be obsessed over to a point where it becomes unhealthy.

Knives and guns bring me enjoyment. They're some of life's simple pleasures. It's curious, but shooting a finely crafted 1911 or using a beautiful stag handled knife that was made by an expert cutler brings a smile to my face. My wife doesn't mind, and even encourages me. Whether I'm at the range, or just at home admiring my knives my wife knows that I'm not getting myself in trouble. I'm not out gambling, I'm not out drinking, or getting into any other sorts of mischief.

- Christian
 
I can go back some 34 years when I was 22. Had just finished school working my way through an expensive one and was pretty much broke trying to decide to buy oatmeal or gasoline to get to a new job. :D.

Back then I would go to flea markets or gun shows or as someone mentioned look for closeouts. Of course back then those closeouts are now what many of us consider fine production knives. There was not much junk at all as far as knives back then.
 
Gus hit the nail on the head in the above post about there not being much junk out there then (35)
years ago. What seems sad is somehow, somewhere along the line someone thought cause something
was cheaper it was better or at least they could hoard more of it.- Remember when all guns had nice
walnut stocks?
Ken.
 
At 22 I am exceptional blessed to have a great job and a supportive family on both mine and my wife's side. We don't have to worry to much about money as long as we stay with in our means. But we are not over flowing with green stuff by any stretch of the imagination, so while I can support both my wife and I as well as my hobby(s) my collection will grow slowly. I'm ok with that though, I feel it gives more time to appreciate the knives.
 
Blade_Crazy said:
At 22 I am exceptional blessed to have a great job and a supportive family on both mine and my wife's side. We don't have to worry to much about money as long as we stay with in our means. But we are not over flowing with green stuff by any stretch of the imagination, so while I can support both my wife and I as well as my hobby(s) my collection will grow slowly. I'm ok with that though, I feel it gives more time to appreciate the knives.
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Sounds like you have things a LOT more sorted than I did at 22. My hat's off to you! :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
Thanks, Like I said God has blessed me and my family. It helps a lot that we are particularly close to her side. They tend to watch out for us and lend advise when we need it.
 
kc custom said:
Gus hit the nail on the head in the above post about there not being much junk out there then (35)
years ago. What seems sad is somehow, somewhere along the line someone thought cause something
was cheaper it was better or at least they could hoard more of it.- Remember when all guns had nice
walnut stocks?
Ken.
Click to expand...

That seems to apply to most things -- guns, knives, tools, cars, and even clothes. Quantity over quality is the byword of the day. Fortunately well-made goods are still available and the internet has made it easier than ever to find them.

Your observation reminded me of the late Col. Jeff Cooper.

Personal firearms should not be subject to the whims of fashion. If you have a good gun you hardly need another one. This, of course, is exasperating to the salesman, whose aim in life is to make you discontented with what you have. In my case - and I believe in that of most readers - I am not discontented with what I have. The weapons I own, and have owned for a very long time, do just fine, and while true perfection exists only in the mind of God, a really good gun approaches the ideal very closely.

- Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, vol. 10, no. 2
Click to expand...

We are informed that the retail markup on firearms is 400 percent. An item which costs one hundred dollars to produce will be listed at four hundred dollars over-the-counter. Of course, markup is the life of trade, but one's annoyance may be eased by the knowledge that a good gun is a lifetime purchase. You only have to buy it once. Thus a cheap gun is nearly always a mistake. Much better to save your money and buy a good one the first time.

Note the following paraphrase from John Ruskin:
"There is hardly a product of our culture that someone cannot make a little worse and sell for a little less. The one who puts price above all other considerations is the natural prey of this man."

- Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, vol. 11, no. 2
Click to expand...

In both cases the Colonel was talking about firearms, but these tidbits of wisdom apply equally to knives.

- Christian
 
mnblade said:
Sounds like you have things a LOT more sorted than I did at 22. My hat's off to you! :thumbup:

-- Mark
Click to expand...

Agreed, he seems quite squared away. I would have been ahead if I'd spent my money on knives at that age. Instead, I tended to blow what little I had on alcohol and pretty girls. Looking back I treasure those memories, but I have nothing concrete to show for it.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
Agreed, he seems quite squared away. I would have been ahead if I'd spent my money on knives at that age. Instead, I tended to blow what little I had on alcohol and pretty girls. Looking back I treasure those memories, but I have nothing concrete to show for it.

- Christian
Click to expand...

Sometimes memories are better than any "thing" you can hold in your hand ;)
 
I used to worry about spending 40 bucks on a knife without doing research. Now I will impulsively buy a 60 dollar knife.
 
At age 20, the first knife I bought with my own money (that wasn't an Imperial) was an Old Timer Middleman Stockman. Early 1980's, so it was USA made. Superb knife. Since my monthly income was about 200 dollars at the time, every penny counted. So the whole event--purchase and knife--was a big deal.

Now I buy a GEC or a Case every once in awhile (sometimes on impluse!). I can afford it and yet it still seems like a privilege...I guess that's as it should be.
 
Don't make your hobby into regret, but more money equals better quality.
Brands of low price and high quality are hard to find, but Kershaw, Rough Rider, BUCK, and Case usually deliver in that aspect.
Enjoy it. Knife collecting is fun, and functional. :D
 
I feel like the crazy one! The most expensive knives I own are my Peanut and my 301! $35! ..Actually I lied. The most expensive knives I own are my grandfathers' knives. They are priceless to me. I always see the "if you could only have one knife" threads. Those are easy for me. I'll take my great grandfather/grandfather's old St. Louis made stockman. It's my favorite knife in the world and nothing could replace it.

Here's how i think about it. Buy a Buck or Case Stockman Cv for around $40. They are relatively inexpensive, easily replaceable, and good quality knives. If you lose it, just buy another one. If you never lose it, it becomes an old friend and a family heirloom.

I, personally, cannot justify getting a $150 knife if a $30 dollar knife will do the same. I could save my $150 dollars instead. I can buy a stockman at a flea market for $7, a Mora online for $13, and a machete for $10. That's a thirty dollar setup that will take care of all your cutting chores.

Chances are - your son will have more nostalgic memories with a good old yeller knife than a pristine stag GEC. Something about yellow..
 
What's fun is when you can combine knives and family! This is my Peanut with a yeller handled Case peanut. The scales match her baby blankie, and the knife was made on her birthday. I've carried it every single day since I got it. Every single day. I plan on giving it to her on her wedding day.

IMAGE_1000000988.JPG


I will tell you that having kids is the single biggest and best thing I have ever done. We have five wonderful, distinct, amazing little individuals. Watching them grow is a blessing every day. I have one daughter who wants to make her own pocket knife! I say, why not?!

I guess what in rambling on about is this; money is necessary, but definitely not the most important thing.
 
medicevans I like what you are doing with the peanut and your little girl, I briefly followed the original thread about it. I am adapting a similar idea for my kids but I think I want to give them (we want three) my first 3 traditional knives.
But as for your last thought I totally agree, money is only a means. Its all about (for me) Christ and family.
 
So much good insight and advice in this thread. :thumbup:

I reckon any time you can find an old man with a smile on his face (who's not nekkid and/or drunk), if you were to ask his advice on how to live well, spending big cash on fancy knives wouldn't even make his top 20.

-- Mark
 
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