Is it worth buying multiples of certain knives?

22-rimfire said:
I'm probably missing out not even paying attention to the secondary market with knives. What you "truly want" can change over time. It has for me. So, when your interests shift a bit, the backup knives become useless and for some that means buying more. It never stops. Don't really care if I have a 100 knives I never use.

I have settled down on what fits for me in terms of knives. I still like to try new stuff however, but the new knives generally closely resemble the older knives that fit me currently. I honestly see little need for backup knives unless a particular knife you really like is discontinued.
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For myself I've been having a really nice streak finding knives either on Kijiji/CL or at pawnshops. Here's a great example. I didn't really have any interest in ZT at all. But I found a 0350 in the Pawn Shop for only $35 cad ($26 US). I went home and took it apart and cleaned, and oiled it. For me it did three things. 1) I love the hunt and the excitement of finding treasure 2) Was able to take it apart and learn how it works with very little risk 3) Learned that I actually really love ZT and would like a few more. As for me It's kinda hard ordering a knife from the internet if I don't know what it's really like.

The trick with the secondary market is just searching at least every few days. Eventually something cool will show up.
 
I have duplicates of a few of my knives but that's because (for the most part at least) I forgot I already had one like the one I was buying. I've been collecting for half a century so it's hard to remember all I've accumulated. I have bought a few duplicates simply because they were too good of a deal to pass up at the time.
 
I agree with the others who say if it’s a favorite user, a backup is a pretty good idea. I have two 940s and will probably pick up another GB2 one of these days when I find a good deal one one.
 
So far as identical twins go, I only have one pair, the brown stonewash Spyderco Southard. I never want to be without one.

Variations of the same model, yeah, I have a couple of those.

Otherwise I try to fight off the urge to have identical spares of knives, so as to enjoy variety. It’s been a hard pledge to keep in some instances.

If ZT ever discontinues the 0450, I might not be able to resist picking up a spare.
 
My opinion - Only for a great user (what ever that happens to be for you) that you may not be able to find in the future.
 
I only have exact duplicates of three knives. Two of those sets were where I wanted to tinker with the knife but still have one in original condition. The third pair was a knife that had been discontinued right before I ordered them so I wanted to make sure I had a spare around. None of these were especially expensive, so I didn't tie up a lot of money in them.

I do have multiples of the same pattern, but in different steels, blade shapes, and/or handle materials.
 
It's really easy to end up with multiples of the same pattern if you like traditional folders. We have certain preferences and when in the buying mood, sometimes very similar knives get purchased to what I already own. But that's okay. I've done the same thing with revolvers.... find out I already have one just like it. Again, if the price was okay, I'm okay with this.
 
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As a fellow knife addict I fully support any bad habit that means getting more knives. Even clones.
 
I used to, not anymore.
I'm trying to be rational in my old age... it's not easy.
The reality is that I have enough knives to last me the rest of my life, and they're legit users.
All that being said a backup of a Gayle Bradley 1 is probably a good idea. Can't believe they discontinued it. It's the best work knife I've ever used.
 
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I have some knives that are very similar but they never were the same.

e.g. I bought a Lionsteel Big Daghetta G10 in some time ago because it was cheap. I didn't exactly want it but it was a killer offer. I ended up loving it. Some time later I saw that they released a titanium version as well and bought it. Kinda unnecessary but I don't really regret it even though I like the G10 version better.

I also bought a Bastinell RED V1 after owning a V2 for some time. The V2 is one of my favorite fixed blade designs but I wasn't exactly happy with Fox knives build quality so I went for the V1 made by Viper.

Finally at one point I bought a K390 Spyderco Urban even though I already had a N690 Urban.

But I also own sever Extrema Ratios that only differ in Blade / Handle color.


So is it worth to buy a certain knife twice? For me usually it isn't. But I am not a hard user. I work in an office and any half decent knife would last me a lifetime. If you fear that you might outlive your favorite knife go ahead and buy a second one. When you feel like you need a safe queen so that you can carry your favorite knife carefree so be it.
 
if you want to be 100% sure you have a backup in case of loss - absolutely.

good things have a way of no longer being available when they become wanted or needed in the future
 
one is none, two is one
But it only applies to the handiest and the reasonably priced ones. That is why the only double I have is ZT 450 regular and ZT 450 in ZDP :)
 
[QUOTE-But I also own sever Extrema Ratios that only differ in Blade / Handle color.[/QUOTE]

I've just recently found out about Extrema Ratio.
Do they make good blades?
 
In my view of the world as a genetically inclined hoarder, and someone who struggles against wanting more stuff. There are two knives making it out the door if the house is on fire, three if I get pants on. They are just stuff. I have, and am not opposed to multiples within a purpose, I have a couple Opinels that may at some stage become gifts, and I would do the same if another mora or three came across my path, but I don't find I'm needing backups. If I loose a knife I can replace it then with something that will do the same job. Or by that point maybe the purpose will have changed. This is just my way of looking at things, and I'll fully admit to my own hypocrisy in it. I've got two Vic compacts, one with Bianco copper scales, and I've been casually looking for a glass lens explorer (as a backup) but I really don't need those things. To a certain extent all knives past the first one are redundant to a degree. I certainly don't feel the need to own a knife just to have it. Gifts are a little different, but in the generalities this is how I feel about it.

I feel that kinda sounds very "high and mighty" but the truth is I really appreciate the guys who buy every version. Those guys made it more likely that the Native Salt would get released, and I really like it! (had a LW5, it didn't do anything my other folders didn't, so it had to go, but the Salt does do something special) They are the guys who bought enough Rat-3s and 4s that the ESEE guys took a second crack at the design when production moved (love my RC-3). They were the guys that made it possible for Ethan Becker's designs to make it with Kabar (I only have a remora, but one of the heavy choppers is on the wishlist.) In fact most of the knives I love the most owe their existence to the guys who are willing to own more than one version, or more than one iteration, or more than one maker of the same knife. It really is strokes for folks. So in that way, my collection would be a lot more boring if we all just stopped at one. So if that makes you happy, and you want to own a closet full, cool. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be the guy looking for a replacement on the secondary market, and you'll have one to move. And thus the world turns.
 
DARCISIO said:
[QUOTE-But I also own sever Extrema Ratios that only differ in Blade / Handle color.
Click to expand...

I've just recently found out about Extrema Ratio.
Do they make good blades?[/QUOTE]

Decent knives, not particularly ergonomic, a little expensive for the materials. Something you buy more for design than practicability, but if you like the design and are okay with the price you'll get a decent knife. That seems to be the consensus.
 
:) I don't see anything wrong with exact duplicate "backups" for special favorites , but I usually end up with some variations of the same pattern .

Different steel types , PE vs SE , different materials/color handle or scales etc . Variety is spicy ! :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
b00n said:
I've just recently found out about Extrema Ratio.
Do they make good blades?
Click to expand...

Decent knives, not particularly ergonomic, a little expensive for the materials. Something you buy more for design than practicability, but if you like the design and are okay with the price you'll get a decent knife. That seems to be the consensus.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that..i was looking at the NK3K neck knife they have, looks great in the stone wash.

If anyone has one please let me know. :)
 
I'm occasionally tempted to buy a spare even though I know it's illogical and will almost certainly be sold down the line in the same unused condition.
At one time I had a number of duplicates but now I don't think I have any that are identical. I have a few that are variants.
I'm currently fighting the urge to buy a second Delica with coated HAP40 blade and red G-10 scales. It's just so good looking! And a great EDC.
As someone else already posted; with a limited amount of money to spend it's more satisfying to buy something different.
 
I currently only have 1 identical. Spyderco military carbon fiber/ titanium s90v. I own around 8 millies, but this one is my favorite. I bought a spare because this knife will most likely never be made again. A bit excessive to most people, but when the second showed up I was happy. The other bonus, is I can most likely sell it for no loss if I decide I no longer want it.
 
I say no. My knives are all durable enough that they will last me pretty much indefinitely. I have never lost a knife either. So I don't see much use in having multiples. It would just be funds tied up that I could use to experience something else.
 
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