Interesting Quandary Regarding Knives and Knife Collecting

MostMenAreRuthless

MostMenAreRuthless

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Sep 27, 2011
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I would classify myself as an "average knife guy.". I am not quite "knife knut" status, but am certainly more interested and enthralled by blades than the average individual. I have relatively small collection of blades, mostly folders, that range from $10 specials to Sebenzas and a Mnandi. Here is the quandary: I don't really have much of a need to ever USE a knife. Sure, I have cut tags off of clothes. I have cut up the occasional cardboard box to place in recycling. I have used it to cut off the strings on my pocket from the wear of the knife clip (which, if I didn't have a knife clipped there I wouldn't get the strings!) I have used a knife for 6 of one thing and half a dozen of others, but they all seem like trivial tasks that could be performed with any $10 special.
I realize there are plenty of guys and gals that really get out there and USE their blades at work, in the woods, at home, or otherwise. But, I can't be alone in my quandary. Please tell me that I don't have psychological addiction issues. Certainly there must be many others out there that simply enjoy knives because of their functional beauty, inherent utility (utilized or not), and other mystical reasons... Or, am I alone?
Thoughts?
 
You are not alone! Call 1-800-knife lovers anonymous 24 hours/day
 
I must admit, I'm probably close to your condition....but I probably do have psychological addiction issues - but at this point, I don't want to be cured. Mike
 
It's good to have whether you use them a lot or not. Let's use a hypothetical situation (the crowd goes wild (YAY!!! hypothetical situations!!!))


You're in your car. You're driving. A deer runs out in front of your car. All of the sudden the deer transforms itself ( Aha, didn't know the deer was a shapeshifter from the 4.5^10th dimension did you? Exactly) into a stone barrier coated in 3/4'' thick steel plate.
You swerve you're car flips and somehow midair catches on fire (you are still not on fire yet).
But "OMG" guess what, your seat belt clip is damaged, smashed closed, and you can't get out of it, your car is upside down, and will explode in 45 seconds.

You reach into your pocket and BOOM, (the car didn't explode, it was a hypothetical boom representing enlightenment), you have a trusty knife with you.

You cut that seat belt off, your knife was sharp, the seat belt had no chance, and let's say for sake of this story, it was definitely sharp enough to cut the seat belt.

You escape the car, but you don't run, you walk, you got out in 15 seconds.

You have 30 seconds to walk away slowly, put on your sunglasses like a badass and have a nearby observer film you as your car explodes in the background as you walk away folding your knife and putting it back into your pocket.
 
I understand your quandary. Most days I get to use mine for something like opening mail, cutting down a box or opening a dog food bag. I find something. :) When I have a house project they get used more.
 
You don't have to hack down a tree or dress a deer to use a blade, it's all in the context of your environment. Sure a $10 special cuts, but a Sebenza- slices beautifully. Besides, a $10 special doesn't cut like a Sebenza or even a Spyderco for that matter, after repeated use as an edc. And yes, it's all in what you value and appreciate.
 
I have the same thoughts as the OP. I'm going to buy or build a functional chest/display. Show my knives as works of mechanical art. I have about 5 or 6 knives I keep as daily users. The rest are just for viewing. A well bought knife seems to hold value. I look at the BM Skirmish as an example. I remember holding one in my hand at the LGS and thinking this is a fine knife, I'd like to own one, and $168 seems reasonable. Too bad, lol, I never did buy one.

Anyway, I will have a subtle display, have my knives assume their role in my field of view, from my desk.
 
Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Life is unpredictable - always best to be prepared.
 
The same thoughts are slowing down my knife purchases. Unless a knife blows me away, it's getting harder to justify spending money on something that
will sit on the shelf looking pretty or on another knife to go into the rotation when I have plenty. Probably better for my bank account anyway.
 
For me it's a collecting thing, Zippo lighters, watches and pocket knives. I've always had a few nice knives, all Case folders up until not long ago. When I was at camp over the summer, one of my Scouts had a particularly nice pocket knife. I found out it was a Spyderco, and that led to my current fixation.

Now I have too many, just like my Zippos and watches :D
 
Well said . . .
dark impaler said:
You don't have to hack down a tree or dress a deer to use a blade, it's all in the context of your environment. Sure a $10 special cuts, but a Sebenza- slices beautifully. Besides, a $10 special doesn't cut like a Sebenza or even a Spyderco for that matter, after repeated use as an edc. And yes, it's all in what you value and appreciate.
Click to expand...
 
I think every collector should have at least one expensive knife that gets used. The beauty inherent in such knives tends to be what keeps folks from using them. All you have to do to break the "safe queen" spell is drop the knife in a pocket full of change a few times. Once you get a few scratches on it you'll be much more likely to use it, and probably happier with yourself for making the decision.
 
My high use applications involve the manicure tools on the little folders (cuticle nippers and nail files). I also do a lot of food preparation in and out of the kitchen. Opening letters, boxes, and blister packs requires the frequent use of EDC's. I don't get into a lot of life or death situations, but I may be better prepared than the average Joe. Being ready for the next task is a big part of it. Acquaintances are always asking to see my latest knife. I can't disappoint them.
 
I often carry a pocketknife, especially when riding or hiking. But most of the time it's just along for the ride and never gets used. And, due to the durability and longevity of even mediocre-quality knives, I've been carrying the same knife for almost ten years.

So yeah, I mostly buy knives for aesthetics, interesting designs, collecting, and historic interest.

Fact is, if we only bought just enough knives to suit our actual cutting needs, most knife companies would be out of business in a month. :)
 
I'm lucky enough to work outdoors, so get to use my knives regularly, but even if I didn't, I know I'd still buy and collect knives (it would be harder to justify though!).

So, yeah, I have an addictive personality, I know I would be collecting something if it wasn't knives. I have always collected something, as a kid comics/cards/certain toys and now as an adult I collect big boy toys :D: flashlights, knives, gadgets (I'm sure you all know the type of thing ;)).

John
 
I have my small knife collection in a small rectangular shelving unit on the wall. It's about 30 knives, all but one a folder, most of them EDC sized. I enjoy looking at them. And each morning as I'm getting dressed, I decide which one or two I want to carry.

And in the course of a day I'll use that day's choice in the kitchen to prepare breakfast, because I keep my EDC sharper than our kitchen knives, plus it's right there in my pocket. I use it to open food packages, clamshell packaging on products I buy at the store. I often use it at lunch at work to cut up whatever I'm eating.

The other day at the library, the pencils supplied at the look-up desk were all broken, and there was no pencil sharpener. So I discreetly sharpened one of the pencils with my EDC (a Kershaw Scallion that day, which I opened slowly with two hands to avoid the loud switchblade "SNICK!" that might have attracted attention).

There are many opportunities in the course of a day to use a knife, you just have to remember that you've got the knife and that it is a very versatile tool. You also have to overcome any inhibitions about being seen using it. Naturally, at work or other public places, you don't want to be wielding some big scary tactical death blade.
 
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Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it

Knives appeal to your inner cro magnum man and remember everything in life does not have to be needs based if it did the world would be a pretty sorry place. Stop feeling guilty about collecting a few small pieces of steel, after all its recyclable. Its not like your collecting cars or something, lighten up and enjoy your collection, obsession, addiction whatever.
 
You are right, you don't have much need of a knife. Put them in a box and send them to me. I'll see that they get to a new home, where they will become useful tools again:D
 
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