I want more knives but I just can't justify the cost

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KennyB

Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
2,312
I guess I'm like, one of those guys that can say he DOESN'T have a problem because I haven't bought a knife in forever, I just can't ever justify the price. I never really even look at $100+ ones except for a couple of fixed blades, and the other day I was even wanting to get a Mora or an Opinel but just decided that by the time I paid for shipping it would be close to $20 and I could use that for other things. It pretty much just always winds up a matter of, "Do I really need another knife?" and I always decide no.

I really want to try different knives out, but since I already have a decent folder and an EDC I just don't ever find myself thinking that the cost is justified. I've even wound up selling a couple of the knives I do have that I never use.

I guess I just haven't seen any knives for the right price that just reach out and grab me and say, "You need that!" I EDC an Izula now so every time I see a folder I think, "Well, what would I use that for?" and all I can really think of is for times that I want a nicer looking folder than my "Needs Work" and can't carry the Izula. Which is very rarely, so even that little circumstance alone I can't justify buying a new knife over, and then a bunch of the ones I want wouldn't even fill that role.

So anyway, here's a list of knives I want but will probably never get.

Spyderco
-Gayle Bradley
-Yojimbo2
-PM2
-Delica in ZDP-189

Benchmade
-Griptillian (custom)

Kershaw
-Leek
-Wild Turkey

ESEE
-5 or 6
-Lite machete
-Izula II
-Candiru

Becker
-BK7
-BK9
-BK14

Opinel
-No. 6
-No. 8 Folding Garden Knife

Mora
-Companion MG

Buck
-Vantage Pro

Case
-Swayback Jack
-Texas Toothpick

Boker
-Anti-Grav Framelock
 
I think you're probably on your own here man...most of us find ourselves buying more knives every chance we get...
 
The problem comes with finding silly justifications for buying knives. "well this is my gym shorts knife" "Oh, well I'll just buy another PM2 in a better steel and use the one I have as a back up." I told myself I couldn't justify buying more knives, but the truth is I just find asinine reasons to.
 
nothing wrong with wanting to see what other brands offer which is basically what I do. Sell the ones that don't make the grade, thats the nice thing about this hobby is you don't lose a whole lot in monetary terms usually.
 
I try to tell my wife the usual "but it's a good deal and I can always re sale it for the same price" lol now I have 11 edc knife rotation of customs and productions. A friend I have strictly uses 200 dollars a year for edc knives. He buys a few then trades or sales them throughout the year to keep his edc line refreshed.
 
Its because you are justifying it with the word "need." None of us really "need" more knives, it is truly a "want." So if you dont really want it then dont get it. I want more knives, so I will get more knives. Unless it is taking food from your child's mouth you are doing nothing wrong. A leek can be had for like $25-$30, go buy a damn leek and enjoy life a little bit.
 
mkjellgren said:
I think you're probably on your own here man...most of us find ourselves buying more knives every chance we get...
Click to expand...

Ayup. All my bills get paid, groceries are purchased, both cars are paid for, we feed the pig, and necessities are obtained all before any money is issued for a knife. The fact is, all hobbies cost money, guns, cars, knives, boats, planes, etc. if funds are lacking and you don't have a passion for it, chances are the interest will wax and wane, and eventually subside.
 
If you enjoy knives and would like to buy them and try them out, do it.
As long as everything that comes first is taken care of and you can, get yourself more knives.
Do I NEED more than 1 or 2 knives? No.
Do I NEED a knife worth more than $100? No.
Do I have them? Yes.
Why do I have them? Because I like them and enjoy them.
As long as you like them and enjoy them that's the only reason you'll ever need.

The way I look at it is this...
Yes, I can spend the money on something else, like a movie, go out to dinner, buy other little things I don't need, something fleeting. OR I can spend the money on a knife I like and enjoy it for a long time, knowing it's gonna be there for me to love and enjoy and it will last, versus something else that gives me a good feeling, but is fleeting and is only a good feeling for an hour.

I say buy them. No one around me understands why I spend so much time and money on my knives. It's simple. I like them, a lot. I thoroughly enjoy them. They make me happy. So where's the problem? I could have ate junk food for a week instead, but that's not worth it to me.

If it's worth it to you and you know you'll like and enjoy the knives, I don't see an issue with buying some.
 
I don't own but a small handful of nice blades but I never justify a purchase if I see one I like I save a bit and buy it if I don't like it then I sell or trade it I'm pretty sure everyone here is about the same in this hobby
 
Well you are just flat out weird!:) Many of the rest of us have the same rational thoughts but the "I wants" over powers the "need" and we own too many knives.

Sounds like you want us to convince you to buy some of the knives you want. Well here is my effort.

Watch the exchange forum, (for sale production individual) take your time and you will make a good buy on knives you "want". An example, not too long ago a user Spyderco Gayle Bradley sold for $60. Compile a list be patient and you will own and experience some great knives.

Relax and enjoy your interest in knives by owning what your want. Buy right and sell with very little loss. View it as a hobby...enjoy.
 
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As I understand, OP makes a wise choice given his situation. Also useless telling him just to enjoy his knives or to practice sharpening, he's doing those too.

Salute for the decision making! :thumbup:
 
When money is tight it's rock solid not to spend it on hobbies. Personally, I try to use my knife habit to cut back on my bad habits. Cook something healthy instead of grabbing fast food? Put that money towards my next knife. I'm making good progress towards quitting smoking by dedicating my cigarette money to blades instead.
 
I am old enough to know better, but I keep buying. If you really have the bug, you will always want one more. The only thing that works for me is to try to wait as long as possible and do as much research/ soul searching as possible between purchases.

Since you are able to control yourself, perhaps you are not truly addicted. That is a wonderful thing for your finances. So just enjoy reading about knives and soak up all the knowledge you can from the good people here on BF.

And if you you put away a few pennies a month and scan the sales here, it won't be that long before you can get that big honkin' BK9 and go out and wail all over some lumber.
 
KennyB said:
I guess I'm like, one of those guys that can say he DOESN'T have a problem because I haven't bought a knife in forever, I just can't ever justify the price. I never really even look at $100+ ones except for a couple of fixed blades, and the other day I was even wanting to get a Mora or an Opinel but just decided that by the time I paid for shipping it would be close to $20 and I could use that for other things. It pretty much just always winds up a matter of, "Do I really need another knife?" and I always decide no.

I really want to try different knives out, but since I already have a decent folder and an EDC I just don't ever find myself thinking that the cost is justified. I've even wound up selling a couple of the knives I do have that I never use.

I guess I just haven't seen any knives for the right price that just reach out and grab me and say, "You need that!" I EDC an Izula now so every time I see a folder I think, "Well, what would I use that for?" and all I can really think of is for times that I want a nicer looking folder than my "Needs Work" and can't carry the Izula. Which is very rarely, so even that little circumstance alone I can't justify buying a new knife over, and then a bunch of the ones I want wouldn't even fill that role.

So anyway, here's a list of knives I want but will probably never get.

Spyderco
-Gayle Bradley
-Yojimbo2
-PM2
-Delica in ZDP-189

Benchmade
-Griptillian (custom)

Kershaw
-Leek
-Wild Turkey

ESEE
-5 or 6
-Lite machete
-Izula II
-Candiru

Becker
-BK7
-BK9
-BK14

Opinel
-No. 6
-No. 8 Folding Garden Knife

Mora
-Companion MG

Buck
-Vantage Pro

Case
-Swayback Jack
-Texas Toothpick

Boker
-Anti-Grav Framelock
Click to expand...

Why not just get one or two on that list, the ones that you really want the most? ;)

People work for their money so I feel they should be able to enjoy some things every now and then.
 
This. ^
My Dad carried the same folder most of his life. I really want to emulate that. And, I want to do it with a $30. folder.
 
If you can't justify the cost of a new knife, no matter what price you are talking about, you are not into the whole knife thing. Otherwise, no manufacturer would be able to sell their $300 folders with ease.
 
I am a well educated person. Do to the economy I am working a blue collar job while putting together a startup business on the side. The first thing that comes for me is my bills. Once all my bills are paid I put an x amount in my savings account as I treat saving as a bill. Then I tend to my social life because I'm young and like to hang out with people. My knife hobby comes last to all of that. My knife collection and outdoor hobbies are built on whatever little amount of money that I can scrap together from doing odd jobs, selling stuff or whatever is left over from the budget (if I decide against saving it).

When I get older and have more money I hope to splurge a little more on my hobbies.

My knife collection is mediocre. I have a Ka-bar which is the jewel of my collection. The rest of my collection is built off Buck knives, Swiss army knives, second hand purchases and junk that I now wish I never bought.

Knife collecting is a hobby, but building a good life needs to come before pursuing a hobby. A lot of people don't realize that and it puts their life to shit.
 
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I cant justify sitting in a bar paying 3-4 times the price on drinks that I can enjoy at home..I can't justify going to resturants and paying 4-5 times the price for food that I can prepare at home..(The wife and daughter enjoy eating out so its a once a week thing)..I can't justify eating out for lunch everyday like some of my co-workers do..(I pack my lunch everyday)..I can't justify owning a 6 or 8 cylinder vehicle because of gas prices..My 4 cyl Nissan tows our pop-up camper and boat just fine.(not at the same time)..This list can go on and on......

I can justify buying Spyderco,Grayman,Case,Kershaw and Buck knives that I want..I have to save a little but, to me its worth it..My next is a dedicated chopper/batoning blade for the woods
CD
 
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