It's a slippery, slippery slope!

dsvirsky

dsvirsky

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
Messages
1,910
August 1999 -- agonized for days over spending $65 for an Almite Walker before finally deciding to buy it
December 1999 -- rationalized that I was still under the $100 mark when I bought the GT mini, since tax and shipping don’t really count
May 2000 -- $175 for a CF Lancet, but it was my birthday and I deserved something special
September 2000 -- ordered a small Apogee this morning; $375 seems perfectly reasonable




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Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon
 
Know what you mean. 2 years ago I couldn't believe I was spending over $50 for a Buck 560. Today I found a $200+ custom that I am seriously considering.
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12 years old: This Imperial Schrade sheath knife for $20 is kind of neat. But it is really really expensive! I guess I should give it a try, but I'm not too sure (I ended up buying it anyways).

13 years old: Wow, this Buck Protege for $25 at Wal-Mart is really an expensive knife. I feel a little uncomfortable putting so much money ($25!) on just one knife. I mean seriously, I can get a $3 pocket knife at the hardware store and it will probably still cut.

13.25 years old: That Buck Protege actually worked pretty well. I think I need a fixed blade knife, but that Buck Mentor will cost me another $25!
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Well, I guess if I want a really solid knife, I better be willing to pay my entire two months' allowance!

13.5 years old: This one hand opening thing on the Gerber EZ-Out is pretty neat. $35 is a lot of money for a knife though, but I guess it is worth it because it is really cool.

14 years old: Wow, I scratched the hell out of my Gerber EZ-Out, time to get another one. Not too much guilt about spending $35 on the knife.

15 years old: Still carrying my Gerber EZ-Out, which has become very well worn. Finally decide to get a S&W SWAT for $40 (I know, I could have paid less).

15.5 years old: Handled my first Benchmade. SWAT feels like a piece of crap. I sell the SWAT to a friend, and run out to get my Benchmade Stryker for about $100.

15.75 years old: Trading knives rapidly, and going through about 3 Benchmades, an Emerson, 4 CRKT's, and some other stuff. Sells most of it dirt cheap to some friends to get them hooked on knives.

16 years old: Saving his meager allowance and pay from various small jobs for Microtech and more Benchmades. Averaging about $115 per knife. Absolutely no second thoughts at all about buying the knives.

Not quite as rapid a change as some people, but you have to understand that I was 12 when I started and that means I simply cannot afford Benchmade until now.
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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
until I was out of high school i got all my knives for free..courtesy of my dad and grandfather.....fast forward....got married.. started collecting knives...decided i needed to start making them....no one around to learn from but that didnt stop me...$2000 later I had all the basics....20 years later (and add about $2K per year in equipment, gadgets and accessories) and Im wondering ....like Bob Loveless....if I will ever break even on this habit?

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Well, it isn't a cheap hobby by any measure, but if it makes you happy, go for it. WTH, I can always earn more money. I've got friends who spend thousands playing golf and still come back each time looking stressed out.

And *gasp* Tom, do you actually feed yourself by making knives? I though you knifemakers were all doing this for charity
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Seriously, you're doing fine. I've handled the knife you made for BF member Keninshiro and was really blown away by the Koa handle which has an unusual 3D effect to it. What about doing one of your talonite folders with titanium bolsters and koa scales? Pretty, please?

Red


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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Yup!

First it was Gerbers...Then it was Spydercos...Then it was Bucks...Then it was CRKTs...Now it's Cold Steel...WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END?!?!???.
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(I hope NEVER...
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
199? started "making knives" because I couldn't afford or find good knives locally.
1994 sold a set of HSS butcher knives to a hunting friend because he liked mine better than the plastic handled ones.
1995 started making skinnig knives out of old military macheties.
1996 Started making knives from SS bar stock.
1997 Started forging 52100
2000 Can't keep a knife long enough to say its mine, still cann't afford them.

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
I worked up the numbers for my custom knife purchases for the last few years. This data represents the purchase of 23 custom knives. Two were gifts for family, but are included in these calculations. Two are knives on order, but expected soon. The average cost of knives purchased in the last four years was:

1997 $177
1998 $239
1999 $324
2000 $529

The most inexpensive knife cost me $85. The most expensive was $775, and was purchased this year. By my calculations, I should be completely broke, but very happy, by sometime in 2003.

Slippery slope? It's a Perilous Precipice! The slope just keeps getting exponentially steeper. Who else is taking the pleasurable plunge?

Paracelsus, lover of slipping and sliding (who worries about consequences when you're have fun?)

My Knives

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 09-25-2000).]
 
It was a sad, sad day when I discovered custom knives...nothing was the same after that. Suddenly, several hundred dollars seemed reasonable for a knife. I'm much too young to have such an expensive habit!

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"I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"--Kramer
 
Hi...My name is Mitch and I am addicted to collecting knives.

I guess this is the path we all follow.

One year ago - I only owned a Gerber EZ-Out ATS-34, and a Sypderco Wegner

Nov. 1999 - Lefty Mini-Task

Jan. -> May 2000 - too many knives too fast(but all production, and all under $125)...my head is spinning.

Late May 2000 - recieve my first custom from Gene Osborn...Now I'm screwed.

Summer 2000 - need to lay off and let myself catch up with my addiction. Met Chuck Bybee, and got to handle all kinds of customs. Find out about Ray Rogers (20 min. north in Everett), and order a knife from him. Find out bladegallery.com is located 15 min. by bike from campus.

Late Summer 2000 - Meet up with Tom Mayo and Ken Onion while at home in Honolulu. Order a TNT...good thing Ken isn't taking any orders.

Today - Talk to Daniel O'Malley about visiting his house...seeing some knives from bladegallery on Thursday...now I'm REALLY screwed!
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I CAN'T STOP THE INSANITY!!!
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~Mitch


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My Hobby Page
 
It just keeps getting worse and worse. Or better and better, depending on which way you look at it. There was a time when $25 was too much for a knife. I figured a $3 SAK ripoff was good enough. Came the day when I spent $80 on a real SAK, $150 on a AMK, $280 on a SOG, and just recently, $450 on a Talon. But I rationalise that it's still alright. I figure that $500 on a knife that will be with me for the rest of my life, will never become obsolete, and can be passed on to my kids, is a much better deal than spending about $2000 on a computer that will only last me for 3-4 years (and that's hardware alone, nevermind about the software).

Good reasoning?
 
Man, I really feel sorry for all you addicts!
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I decided yesterday to quit today (after I go to the post office and send payment for my LAST knife).
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You guys are doing better than me. I can't really admit that I collect knives. I mean just because I own over 30, it should't imply that I collect them. After all, I don't ever get rid of any, and I plan on using them all for something....someday.
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Phil
 
Tom
Sounds familiar I always did wonder were the knife income went. I always thought it was reinvested but I never noticed anything new in the shop that covered it.
Three compound bows, and a couple of safes full of rifles in my den, I think I found the missing cash flow!!!!
To hell with knife making lets go hunting(knife testing) for the next month or so.


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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
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