If I had it to do over again...

Somebody has to keep 'em, otherwise all those knives might fall into inappropriate hands....:eek::D

In the end, it matters not if you have one knife or one thousand, just that you appreciate them and have been able to share that experience with others...this place helps.
 
I've owned hundreds of knives, but in the end I have a fairly small collection of 50 or less. If I'm not totally smitten with a knife, I'll sell or swap it.
That way I only keep my true favorites. I've only actually regretted getting rid of one or two over the years.
 
I collect them, hold them, open and close them, admire them, research them, trade them, sell them, photograph them, write about them, talk about them, look at tons of them, and even dream about them. I don't quite hoard them. I do carry one at all times. I've only lost one! I still have quite a few I'll probably sell, and quite a few I'll take to my grave. Looking at my Ebay score, I've bought and sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 knives on the Internet, and it has not been a black hole of spending (it was at first) Such is the life of an enthusiastic hobbyist. My tastes in keepers has changed since I started, and continues to evolve. I've never counted them, or tried to figure out how much I've made or lost. I inherited the trait of collecting, and came across the addiction to pocket knives kind of by accident. I feel enriched by the knowledge I've attained with pocket knives, the history of American Cutlery, and all of the interesting people I've met in the chase. I enjoy it, and as long as I do, I'm sticking with it. I see a lot of folks spend time and money on a lot less productive pursuits that this. I dig it!

In closing though, you never get to do it again...
 
Last edited:
LKJW said:
...knowing what I know now, I would have a knife collection of 30 or so carefully chosen knives (and family knives of course). Addiction is what it is, but I own a stupid amount of knives. I like them, and it would be hard for me to get rid of them, but if I was starting from scratch, I'd be more selective and stick with a good handful. Food for thought if you're just starting out your collection. Anyone else agree?
Click to expand...

I agree, but I don't have any knives I would get rid of. Never sold a knife, doubt I ever will. I always make sure I have the cash in my pocket to buy a new knife. Makes it much harder to buy then using a CC. :)
 
I so totally agree that it ain't even funny.

If I had to do it all over again, cowing what I know now, I would never have bought all those 'other' knives. I'd have kept it down to just the 4 or 5 knives I've really used in my life, one or two of them for some very long periods. In fact, I wish now that I'd remained a one knife man like I was for so long. Not only did life seem simpler, but the knife meant more to me, and I was better with it. I knew the feel of it with any of the three blades open, and I think I actually was a better knife handler with that old stockman after 15 or 20 years. By 25 years, I think I could have done surgery if I had to. Even when my old co-worker gave me his 303 cadet, it still was enough like my old 301 that I was at home with it after a little getting used to lighter weight.

I think for a while there in the later 90's and early 2000's, my hand and muscle memory must have been all confused to hell and back. A stockman one day, a sodbuster the next, and a ask the day after that. Like using too many guns, you just don't have that feel that puts you over the top. There's some truth to the one gun or knife man myth. The few I've known have been spooky in their competence with their chosen tool.

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
I so totally agree that it ain't even funny.

If I had to do it all over again, cowing what I know now, I would never have bought all those 'other' knives. I'd have kept it down to just the 4 or 5 knives I've really used in my life, one or two of them for some very long periods. In fact, I wish now that I'd remained a one knife man like I was for so long. Not only did life seem simpler, but the knife meant more to me, and I was better with it. I knew the feel of it with any of the three blades open, and I think I actually was a better knife handler with that old stockman after 15 or 20 years. By 25 years, I think I could have done surgery if I had to. Even when my old co-worker gave me his 303 cadet, it still was enough like my old 301 that I was at home with it after a little getting used to lighter weight.

I think for a while there in the later 90's and early 2000's, my hand and muscle memory must have been all confused to hell and back. A stockman one day, a sodbuster the next, and a ask the day after that. Like using too many guns, you just don't have that feel that puts you over the top. There's some truth to the one gun or knife man myth. The few I've known have been spooky in their competence with their chosen tool.

Carl.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point. The first gun my dad taught me to shoot on was a 1911. That is all I have ever shot since. Over and over...

The first knife my dad really gave me was a standard mil issue ontario machete. I still have it and use it today. Want to talk about spooky...

Good point.
 
It's interesting to read the comments from the "if I knew then what I know now" school of thought. The problem remains that knowledge is not gained in a vacuum. It can only be gained over time and with experience. You don't start out drinking Macallan, you usually start out with some sort of swill. And most men aren't lucky enough to find their wife the first time around, they have to sort through a few crazies first. A similar process occurs with knives I think.

In addition, tastes change over time. When I first got into slipjoints, my favorite pattern by far was the stockman. While I still have a fondness for them, I now prefer single blade knives. I have no idea if I'll still favor them ten years from now.

The trick is to enjoy yourself. Buying knives costs money of course, but so do most things that are fun. If you aren't having fun with them, then by all means take a step back. They're not worth stressing over.

- Christian
 
I've bought only knives that I like (and still like), but I've definitely bought way too many. Having a bunch of knives sitting in drawers is useless, and not a wise use of funds, for me. I wish I had shown more self-control, looking back. Problem is I still struggle with this from time to time.
 
knarfeng said:
I don't have a collection I have an exploration.
I keep wanting to try this or that, because, until I carry it, hold it, and use it, I really don't know much about it.

I only need one knife. I just haven't found it yet.
Click to expand...

That is an outstanding way of putting it. :thumbup:

For most of us here, knives are more than just inanimate objects. They have memories associated with them or a history to them that sometimes outweighs their intrinsic value.
 
jackknife said:
I so totally agree that it ain't even funny.

If I had to do it all over again, cowing what I know now, I would never have bought all those 'other' knives. I'd have kept it down to just the 4 or 5 knives I've really used in my life, one or two of them for some very long periods. In fact, I wish now that I'd remained a one knife man like I was for so long. Not only did life seem simpler, but the knife meant more to me, and I was better with it. I knew the feel of it with any of the three blades open, and I think I actually was a better knife handler with that old stockman after 15 or 20 years. By 25 years, I think I could have done surgery if I had to. Even when my old co-worker gave me his 303 cadet, it still was enough like my old 301 that I was at home with it after a little getting used to lighter weight.

I think for a while there in the later 90's and early 2000's, my hand and muscle memory must have been all confused to hell and back. A stockman one day, a sodbuster the next, and a ask the day after that. Like using too many guns, you just don't have that feel that puts you over the top. There's some truth to the one gun or knife man myth. The few I've known have been spooky in their competence with their chosen tool.

Carl.
Click to expand...

I agree with this to an extent. But the idea of jack of all trades, master of none, comes to mind. You can either choose to be able to use many knives very well, or choose to be able to use one knife like an extension of your body but be fairly awkward with any others. I prefer the jack of all trades choice because I like having choices.

And I don't really understand the idea of searching for the perfect knife. I don't have more than ten, so maybe I can't understand yet. But I mainly lust for knives because I want to try new ones, not because I don't think the knives I have already couldn't be a perfect knife for me. Honestly, I wonder if anyone who stays on this forum regularly has "found his perfect knife" and stopped purchasing new ones. It sounds pretty unlikely. It sounds more likely that we just like trying new knives. I'm satisfied with the capabilities of my knives, I don't really need any more. I don't think perfection is going happen upon me, and I will then proceed to marry it. At least not perfection in a knife!
 
Last edited:
Like life, the fun is the journey not the destination.

I just didn't know enough about knives from research until I started buying and using. There is no way I could have just bought the few knives that hit the sweet spot for me, as I just didn't know what that sweet spot was.

After a few years and a few dollars, I honed in on what I liked / didn't like and tried to make the purchases more selective.

I never looked at my hobbies as money makers - they suck up huge dollars and time, and really the only return is the relaxation factor, the friendships and the education you gained.

I wouldn't do a thing different.


BTW - I still haven't found "it" yet - still looking.
 
Well, sometimes I think it would be nice to have some more knives, than I have now. I own about 60 knives at all. About 40 of them are traditionals (including SAKs and Opinels). Here, in Germany, my hobby is quiet unique. I know noone else who is collecting American Traditionals. But that´s ok, to me.
I tried to buy knives which I´m interessted in. All of theese ones are users, just one is a safequeen.

I collect them, use them, clean them, sharpen them and so on.

It´s a great hobby to spend time with. Better than others in my generation that buy new parts to pimp their cars or go shopping twice a week. I like the collecting, I don´t know why exactelly, but I really enjoy; and wait til a new knife I ordered like a little boy for christmas :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Humppa said:
Well, sometimes I think it would be nice to have some more knives, than I have now. I own about 60 knives at all. About 40 of them are traditionals (including SAKs and Opinels). Here, in Germany, my hobby is quiet unique. I know noone else who is collecting American Traditionals. But that´s ok, to me.
I tried to buy knives which I´m interessted in. All of theese ones are users, just one is a safequeen.

I collect them, use them, clean them, sharpen them and so on.

It´s a great hobby to spend time with. Better than others in my generation that buy new parts to pimp their cars or go shopping twice a week. I like the collecting, I don´t know why exactelly, but I really enjoy; and wait til a new knife I ordered like a little boy for christmas :)

Kind regards
Andi
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right about that, Andi. As far as hobbys go, collecting knives is way cheaper than drinking, better for you than drinking or drugs, and at least you have a nice selection of cutting tools. Way better than stamp collecting, booze, women, or cars, or in my case, motorcycles. I hate to think of all the money I've spent on motorcycles in my life. But I did have fun. As for pimping out cars, there's money down the tubes. The son of a friend of mine spent thousands on his little compact pocket rocket. Custom paint, wheels, engine mods. A senior citizen in a big old Buick made a left turn in front of him, and the Honda pocket rocket was a total loss. Insurance company didn't care about anything except year and milage. Arguing didn't help, Brian was handled a token check and told to take it or not, his choice.

At least a knife collection is a pretty safe thing. Can also be compact enough to be hidden if going on a long vacation.

Carl.
 
Last edited:
But it's all relative.

I despise custom Hondas as much as anybody, but I would never try to convince someone who was into them that knife collecting was a better hobby.

And yes, knife collecting is a pretty safe thing but not as safe as collecting spoons. And you can't hide a Honda very well when you go on vacation -- but your Honda could take you on vacation. So it's all relative, we do what interests us. And knives will never do me like beer does.
 
kamagong said:
The trick is to enjoy yourself. Buying knives costs money of course, but so do most things that are fun. If you aren't having fun with them, then by all means take a step back. They're not worth stressing over.

- Christian
Click to expand...
I agree. Enjoy them. Don't look at them as an investment that will increase in value because this is the exception rather than the rule. If it was easy to make money investing in knives then a lot of people would do it. Enjoy what you have.
 
jackknife said:
I so totally agree that it ain't even funny.

If I had to do it all over again, cowing what I know now, I would never have bought all those 'other' knives. I'd have kept it down to just the 4 or 5 knives I've really used in my life, one or two of them for some very long periods. In fact, I wish now that I'd remained a one knife man like I was for so long. Not only did life seem simpler, but the knife meant more to me, and I was better with it. I knew the feel of it with any of the three blades open, and I think I actually was a better knife handler with that old stockman after 15 or 20 years. By 25 years, I think I could have done surgery if I had to. Even when my old co-worker gave me his 303 cadet, it still was enough like my old 301 that I was at home with it after a little getting used to lighter weight.

I think for a while there in the later 90's and early 2000's, my hand and muscle memory must have been all confused to hell and back. A stockman one day, a sodbuster the next, and a ask the day after that. Like using too many guns, you just don't have that feel that puts you over the top. There's some truth to the one gun or knife man myth. The few I've known have been spooky in their competence with their chosen tool.

Carl.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with what Carl says here. Back when I only had one simple little lockback I could literally do almost everything with it - and I do mean EVERYTHING. Now, with ADD and OCD, some days it's literally a chore to decide what I'll carry on a given day. I've been working my collection down to the few I like and the heirlooms I have, and my focus is generally Traditionals. I've been challenged by my doctors and friends to simplify my life, and trimming down my collections (I have several interests) is essential. My old Buck 301 is going out with me more & more these days, and it feels good.

And 'muscle memory'? I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 magnum, and I've been shooting it since 1997. I've taken the time to work out the right load combo, and I'm proud of the fact that I can shoot my SBH better than almost anyone else at the range can shoot their pistols. Mine is slower to reload, and heavier, but it only cost me $275., and I can punch out the center of a target at 30 yards (or a lot further on a good day) just as well as any $2,000.+ target rig. (This really makes some of those guys mad, too.) There's no way I'm that good - it just comes down to use and practice, and knowing what works. Some guys buy the newest model out this month, and they've gone through two others by the end of the next month, and wonder why they just can't warm up to a new pistol, rifle, whatever.

That's what started to happen with me, with my knives. So I'm cutting back (no pun intended :p ) to my favorites.

~Chris
 
Wow, I am amazed at the response to this post. I loved reading everyone's take and, believe it or not, I agree with all of you. Perhaps, therein lies the problem. :)
 
I have way more knives than I would need now. I'd like to think that if I did it again, I'd have fewer knives. Realistically, I would probably just have a few different knives that I didn't get on when readily available.
 
I've gone through quite a few knives but have cut back significantly in the last couple years. All that I have now are users. I think I have about 6 fixed blades and maybe 10 folders. A few of those will be sold when I need some cash but most will stay with me. I like a little variety and carry different things here and there. Being in professional school I carry only traditional blades and am very satisfied. When I go camping or hiking I enjoy a good fixed blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top