If I had it to do over again...

O MY! I must be real sick! I have 8 or 9 different folders on my dresser that are in and out of regular EDC duty! I don't even know how many I have in collection, in drawers, and in other nooks. This doesn't even take into account all the fixed blades I have built handles and sheaths for.
To be honest, I gave up model aviation years ago because of the crazy amount of money I had tied up in that hobby! So every thing does have it's price.;)
 
Jug Johnson said:
I like your style Chris.
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Thanks. And I love your BF handle. The Dobe Grant & Jug Johnson stories were great reading when I was younger.
(RIP, Skeeter.:( )

ThundarStick said:
To be honest, I gave up model aviation years ago because of the crazy amount of money I had tied up in that hobby! So every thing does have it's price.;)
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We have a friend here who has 'invested' almost $5,000. into remote control cars over the last 3-1/2 years. We were interested in it for a time, and I may work a trade or two with him, knives for RC equipment.

Another neighbor has at least 60-70 (or more) fishing rods, and with all his fishing gear, it's at least $7,000.+ If he fished competitively, I could understand. But he just likes to fish.

You're right: it all has a price.

~Chris
 
I fish, but I only have a few rods (and I fly fish as well as spin). That's a slippery slope right there, too. Got a buddy who never fishes with at least 40K invested with big, unnecessary bass boat. I guess knives are the only thing I collect. Could certainly be a lot worse.

For some reason I have trouble with the idea of selling any of my knives, but I do give a lot away.
 
I think this thread has turned into group therapy. Addiction, regreat, and new starts. I learned a long time ago we all have addictions and its best not to judge someone because of them.
 
I learned the lesson of moderation when I got into the watch hobby before becoming interested in knives. I've been through the process of buying and flipping watches so I started off being extremely careful when I got into knives. I have only bought 2 folders in my 8 months of being a knife nut. I've been tempted by many knives, but I've managed to not make any impulse purchases. There aren't many knives that fit what I want in all categories. Being extremely picky and not making compromises in what I order has helped me decide against buying many knives. I am glad I passed on a lot of knives also since I have no interest now in some of the knives I really thought I wanted at one point.
 
My collection has been tweaked several times over the last decade. I like it the way it is now, but now that I'm so in like with the #85 I might do another tweak but still figuring out if I really want to and how to go about it. I think I'm well rounded for what I like for now.
 
I wouldn't be happy with only a couple of knives. Like a beautiful lady, small variations in the shape, curve, appearance make each one unique, and desirable. I have never noticed a lack of muscle memory, although I do hold each new knife to get a sense of what it is. I enjoy hearing about those of you that are content with few knives, it just isn't me, nor do I want it to be!!

Interesting reasoning displayed here though, thanks for showing what my polar opposites are like. If I would change anything it would be understanding slipjoints sooner, I regret nothing that led me to where I am now.
 
CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
I wouldn't be happy with only a couple of knives. Like a beautiful lady, small variations in the shape, curve, appearance make each one unique, and desirable. I have never noticed a lack of muscle memory, although I do hold each new knife to get a sense of what it is. I enjoy hearing about those of you that are content with few knives, it just isn't me, nor do I want it to be!!

Interesting reasoning displayed here though, thanks for showing what my polar opposites are like. If I would change anything it would be understanding slipjoints sooner, I regret nothing that led me to where I am now.
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Neither would I. Although I agree that you can make do if you have to, knife designs tend to have their strengths. Let's take kitchen knives for example. My favorite is probably a 6" chefs, but I tend to use a 4" utility the most. Not because I like it the best, but because most of the time I don't need a knife that big to do things like peel a fruit or cut a piece of cheese. Could I do so with the chef's? Of course I could, but why would I want to? Why carve a ball-in-cage with a barlow when my whittler makes the job easier?

I'm a big believer in moderation, but there is no magic do-it-all knife. Or gun for that matter. An AR, 1911, over/under shotgun, .22lr plinker, or centerfire hunting rifle all do different things and I like to shoot them all. The AR and 1911 are my serious guns. I use the .22 to practice my markmanship and to teach new shooters. Sometimes I like to shoot moving targets and making clay birds explode. And a blued and walnut bolt action is a thing of beauty; I even get the warm and fuzzies oiling it up and working the bolt. They all have their place.

I am thankful that I am blessed enough to have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my belly, and most importantly a loving family. As long as needs are met I don't have any problem spending a little money on things that bring me enjoyment. At least knives and guns are durable and have tangible value. That's more than my future brother-in-law can claim with his IPhone and monthly data plan.

- Christian
 
I feel exactly the same way. Now I am trying to out some of the lesser used/carried knives in my collection. Some never even carried. Still, I am always looking and thinking, "I want/need that knife!" After buying of course I think why did I just buy that knife? It's a sickness that I am sure some of you can relate to.
 
I had fun, I learned a lot, I met a lot of great and a few not so great people. All of those knives that were just possessions, most of them are gone. All of the knives that mean something to me are still in my possession (I still won't admit that I'm a, gasp, collector"). Knives are better than a cocaine addiction, although not as slimming.

I''m pickier now, I know what I am looking for, I can spot quality a lot better than I could before, but I know what I like. Older jigged bone or delrin will give me whiplash from a couple tables away, at a gun or knife show, just think if I wasn't half blind!

I wish that I could have the money from all of the knives that I jumped on the bandwagon for, that weren't really my taste, or that I just bought because I had money burning a hole in my pocket. However, you can't cry over spilled milk. If nothing else, I can take it as a learning experience.
 
LKJW said:
Most people go their whole lives devoting maybe 5 mins of thought to knives. We think about them all the time.
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I like the way you put that, Dan. I wouldn't have it any other way but we certainly are a rare breed.:)
 
Railsplitter said:
I like the way you put that, Dan. I wouldn't have it any other way but we certainly are a rare breed.:)
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Thanks man. I would even go as far as to say that the vast majority of people don't give much thought to anything. At least we're learning something. :)

I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts here. Got me all confused again. That's a good thing. My three year old daughter opened and closed a little easy open jack the other day. My wife about had a heart attack. I held my breath. She did just fine. I may own too many knives, but there aren't a lot of 3 year olds that can safely handle a knife, tell a bail from a bolster, and treat a knife with the respect it deserves. Crazy, maybe. But I'll take it.
 
Not only do I get to enjoy my knife collection, but when I am gone, my two boys will have lots of awesome knives handed down to them.
 
If I had it to do over again...
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At one time, in the not too distance past, I admit to getting caught up in the " Gotta have it Crowd" only to eventually be dissapointed. Although many of the current offerings were done well in comparison to the newest available knives they didn't compare in quality or tradesmanship to the older knives from the past. It's an eye opener when you realize that you can purchase a near mint knife from the 1930/50's era for the same amount you will shell out for a new "Gotta Have It Now" knife. It's not that a person lacks common sense, it's because we are so prone to dealing with hysteria that it makes fools of us.
Greg
 
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A very small percentage of my knives were purchased new. I like old knives far more. The hunt and the feel.

mckgreg said:
[ If I had it to do over again... /QUOTE]

At one time, in the not too distance past, I admit to getting caught up in the " Gotta have it Crowd" only to eventually be dissapointed. Although many of the current offerings were done well in comparison to the newest available knives they didn't compare in quality or tradesmanship to the older knives from the past. It's an eye opener when you realize that you can purchase a near mint knife from the 1930/50's era for the same amount you will shell out for a new "Gotta Have It Now" knife. It's not that a person lacks common sense, it's because we are so prone to dealing with hysteria that it makes fools of us.
Greg
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