I think I've reached "Collector" status

Railsplitter

Railsplitter

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Oct 31, 2010
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Ever since I started my knife obsession about 5 or 6 years ago I have been experimenting with different knives in an attempt to compile my perfect everyday carry ensemble. You know, a small group of EDC knives that are just right for me.

I like to rotate my EDC knives but if I have too many of them I get overwhelmed with trying to decide which one I want to carry on any given day. A lot of different knives have been in and out of my pocket during this quest for my perfect little group of EDC's.

Through a lot of trial and error, I think I have finally reached that point. The 5 knives listed below are the ones that have proven to satisfy me like no others and I will be sticking with these (and not adding or subtracting from them) for the foreseeable future. Since I am mentioning these knives I think I should also include some pics.

What this means to me is that any other knives that I buy in the future will be for the purpose of collecting only. This is a new concept for me and it will probably either drive me crazy or make me very happy.:) Time will tell.

So anyway, I think I have reached "Collector" status.

Thanks for hearing me out, folks.

Here are some pics of the above mentioned knives:

Ken Coats Sheepsfoot Jack. Always in my pocket regardless of which other knife I'm carrying.

IMG_1898.jpg


Case 22087 Serpenitine Jack. This is one of the most well made Case knives I have ever laid my hands on.

IMG_1804.jpg


Hen & Rooster CM-6 from the A.G. Russell era. 2 7/8 inches closed.

IMG_1721.jpg


Mike Alsdorf Equal End. Maroon Micarta. 3 1/8 inches closed.

IMG_1647.jpg


Case/Bose Norfolk. Chestnut Bone.

IMG_1888.jpg
 
That is an exemplary selection of EDC knives you have chosen! :thumbup:
Thanx for sharing those beauties!
Being a collector and a user, I must admit that I have a few collectables that I thought I would never use...sometimes an urge will overtake me and I'll say,awe geez, I'm gonna give this one a ride for a couple days...it's kind of fun to have a couple that only get used on special occasions
 
It looks like you don't like long - thinner featured knives. So there you go, thats the start of focused grouping. You will slip and lose the purity of your group (collection) but not to worry, you will keep those a spell and trade them for the correct ones, or you will put them in a spot no one can see but yourself. Where you will bring them out to handle on cold winters nights......ha Now where did I put those TL-29s. (:- }

300Bucks
 
That's a nice group of knives, Rick. You've got two very nice customs in that user group. They should be used and enjoyed... I'm getting close to carrying a custom... still need to work up the courage. The Norfolk is also among my own favorites.
 
I have that Case 22087. If someone told me I'd have to go the rest of my life with only that knife, I'd be okay with it. Wish case would make it with the same slick black and CV, but the pattern is excellent as is.
 
Very nice knives Rick, I cannot blame you for carrying around that Ken Coats all the time.
I have become a wee bit "stuck" as in knowing what to do with my knives, I find myself gifting quite a few of very nice knives as it gives me great pleasure to spread the Traditional use again of such beautiful knives - to good people...but when I do so I at times mourn in a way the loss of a knife lol..its strange.
I have decided some time ago to carry Traditionals ...as we all do, with one exception of my Kershaw Blur, but I am now trying to sort out just what to edc...and my pick is always the older slippjoints, when I say older-60's and some a lot more older, along with just a couple of modern GEC's gifted to me by just fantastic friends right here.
So once I have sorted it out, I will be in a more settled way with my knives that are "my collection" and then there will be my knives that I use.
But as we know...another knife will pop up and you start chicken eyeing that knife up and it starts all over again :)
Customs do come into this as well, and I have been brave enough to get them out and use them, so its neat to see you Rick have it sorted, as I find myself in what is probably a very shared problem within our ranks.
Thank you for your fine photos as per usual, and again a great read.
 
Thanks for the responses, folks.

Right now I feel very comfortable with just these 5 knives. It's really the first time in the last 5 or 6 years that I don't feel like I need or want anything else. It's a good feeling and I think that is why I was compelled to make a post about it. But I know how things can change in a New York minute. For now I will just play it by ear and see what happens.
 
Rick you have an out---you have 5 special knives---but there is 7 days in a week. LOL You have a very special group of knivesw.
Harold
 
Thanks for the plug Rick, even though I don't personally carry a sheepfoot they strike me as a real workhorse.
I have used them considerably on stockmans. Collectors need zillions of knives-----LOL
 
That's a nice set of users, Rick.:thumbup: I think we all go through different stages as knife enthusiasts. If you've found a way to enjoy this hobby more, then that's great!
 
Thank you everyone for the kind words. I certainly do appreciate them.


kc custom said:
Thanks for the plug Rick, even though I don't personally carry a sheepfoot they strike me as a real workhorse.
I have used them considerably on stockmans. Collectors need zillions of knives-----LOL
Click to expand...

Ken,
Good to see you here. Thanks for posting. That is an updated photo. Just took it yesterday. Aside from a few scratches on the blades and bolsters, which are invisible in my pic, the knife doesn't look much different than it did the day I got it from you. It's holding up great!
 
once i can afford KC CUSTOM....the rest will become collectors

edit..
that in no way a knock at ken.......his knives are certainally worth it


i would call that my "grail" knife
 
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That is a great rotation you got their railsplitter. That Coats knife is something I would love to give a try. Enjoy your glory days


Jeff
 
Railsplitter said:
Thanks for the responses, folks.

Right now I feel very comfortable with just these 5 knives. It's really the first time in the last 5 or 6 years that I don't feel like I need or want anything else. It's a good feeling and I think that is why I was compelled to make a post about it. But I know how things can change in a New York minute. For now I will just play it by ear and see what happens.
Click to expand...

It feels really good when you finally come to terms with how you want to use knives in our lives. Everyone has a system that works for them. It took me about 5 years as well and for me it is a smaller collection of users. Stuff I dont use, I sell or gift. I get a new knife now and then but overall I have a nice , manageable little herd :). Recently I had to sell quite a few knives to get by a rough patch but in the end I only really had to sell knives that I didnt use all that much (mostly fixed blades).

I think you made some excellent choices for your 5. Id love to own any one of those beauties :D
 
Rick,
nice to see you are happy with what you have. I can say I'm more or less aiming at the same thing; the only difference is that, once I get my "count of five" that I carry, I will not start collecting at all :D
I've told you before how much I like your Coats's sheepsfoot jack, and the serpentine jack looks good too. The feeling of not needing or wanting anything else is great, so enjoy it while it lasts. I assume someday one of those five knives will leave place to a new entry...but meanwhile you can spend your money on collectibles :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
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