I've come to the conclusion

[Obsessed with Edges]

When I originally jumped head-first into 'collecting' knives, I didn't yet realize I wasn't actually a 'collector', but instead just an 'accumulator' of knives.

That being said, I also had second thoughts about WHY(???) had I accumulated so many knives. I stubbornly held onto them, save for a few that were stolen from me in a burglary of my house. In retrospect, I'm glad I did keep them, as many of them eventually became my 'learning aids' when I jumped into sharpening as my primary hobby (because 'accumulating' had become too expensive for me). I've never regretted it, and many of those knives with new edges have become much more attractive and useful, as a result.


David

 

[GuestWho101]

Hi, my name is GuestWho101..... and I'm a hoarder.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I am a knife accumulator that uses all of them at least once.

Jim

User and accumulator. Collection implies a planned direction and/or theme.

Same for me!

This is how the world sees me^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (~);-}

This is how I see myself ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ (~);-}

I like to think of myself as a User with a Selection (as coined by Humppa), but have much more of a collection now than I purposed to assemble.



I love having a variety of knives to compare and think about, but definitely bond more with the knives I actually use.

So: Both!

~ P.

(( Starts following Invoice around

))​

 

[singin50]

Both, for sure.

 

[Bob W]

I've come to the conclusion I'm a user and not a collector. I may have a large rotation but most of them get at least carried and sometimes used. So I'm about to really thin the herd. I know I'll probably regret selling them later but I just can't see having a bunch of knives that don't get used. There will be a few that will not go but won't be used. So what do you guys consider yourselves?
Users or collectors?

Only 5 (1%) of mine are Users.
A couple hundred were specifically Collected.
The majority were Accumulated. :thumbup:

I enjoy owning knives and bladed objects of every sort, but there are a couple of areas that I seriously Collect. And once a week or so I find myself actually needing to cut something, so it's good to keep a User or two laying around.

 

[Invoice]

Ronnie I'm a lot like you. As a chef I use knives everyday. You can't imagine how many times I use a folder during the day in addition to the big boys. Charles I envy your knives that you have collected and glad that you have. Some knives need to be untouched and in pristine shape. Knives that will never be made again. I would much rather use a costly custom than a pristine Winchester, Schrade, Camillus or whatever just because their like will never be made again.
Case in point. I got a little Alsdorf off of Sarah(I think I did) that I carry all the time. But I really have to think about carrying a Camillus Yello-Jaket.

 

[Ryouchijtx]

A user and a collector for me. I try to keep a base line of sub 15 knives..but there are 3 extra so far that haven't seen a day of use just yet. They were the 'hard to find or extremely rare and never to be produced again' kind. I also try to keep it so that if I buy several knives, I sell one or two to balance out the cost. I keep or try to keep the collection at that specific cost and never over spend.

 

[nugun55]

I've never considered myself a collector, because I don't own any vintage collectables. All of my knives were purchased new. Now, whether or not any of them become a collectable, only time will tell. By that time, it will be my son who is the collector. And, he has no idea what it is he may be a collector of.

 

[davek14]

Hi, my name is GuestWho101..... and I'm a hoarder.

There it is.

 

[RDaneel]

I collect a lot and use a few. I try not to collect knives that I could not see myself using, but have sometimes broken that rule. I have a couple of very specific collections I try to work on.

I have a bunch of knives that I have accumulated and am going to get rid of sometime, but that is a lot of work.

If you are able to thin the herd considerably, Invoice, I envy you! I hope to go down that road someday soon.

 

[GuestWho101]

There it is.

The first step is admitting you have a problem.

 

[mnblade]

I am a knife accumulator that uses all of them at least once.

Jim

This pretty well describes me too. I accumulate too many for my comfort, and every few years unload a bunch.

-- Mark

 

[stargawker]

I am mainly a user, but will pick up an interesting knife for display from time to time. I prefer inexpensive knives that cut great and fit whatever need I have for it such as garden knife, gentleman carry, everyday carry, camping, etc.

 

[KBA]

Invoice, I wrestled with the same thoughts around 8 months ago. I hope not offend anywhere here, but I could not justify having the amount I had. When placed in a situation, around 5 months ago, of where the extra funds would really be needed, I decided to sell off 90%. I kept the sentimental.

Since then I have become picky, really picky. Rockgolfer, I believe, posted in the GEC thread that it is sort of fun to watch [those he would like to buy] float on by. It is freeing imo.

I have turned my attention to enjoying the ones I have, building a history with them, and learning more. That said, I still pick up one every now and then to try, but sell it if it doesn't settle in quickly. I also have developed a real interest in ethnic fixed blades, or cutlery from other countries/regions, that are made by those in that area. It opens a door to study the region, people, and history of each the blade and people. Even those I plan to use.

I have three 73s from 09 that I haven't used, waiting patiently for the 4th to complete the set. I carry them but haven't used them.

In short, and sorry for the winded post, I am a happy user.

 

[Lemmy Caution]

I guess I'm a collector of used (or soon to be used) knives. LOL. Collecting in the proper sense would just stress me out too much... Rust, tarnish, having to have every single variation or version... Eek just thinking out about it raises my blood pressure. Nah I aggregate based on idiosyncratic and personal reasons and use what I have. What's the fun of a Star Wars action figure al sealed up in the factory packaging?!

 

[pertinux]

I am a knife accumulator that uses all of them at least once.

User and accumulator. Collection implies a planned direction and/or theme.

Same for me!

This is how the world sees me^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (~);-}

This is how I see myself ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ (~);-}

I like to think of myself as a User with a Selection (as coined by Humppa), but have much more of a collection now than I purposed to assemble.

I love having a variety of knives to compare and think about, but definitely bond more with the knives I actually use.

So: Both!

~ P.

Regarding Accumulation vs. Collection...?

I've shared the following picture (of knives I just happened to have out over a given week to photograph, compare, and/or carry) with those who have expressed interest in a knife they've seen me using or carrying at a given time.

Invariably, their response is, "Ah-- you collect pocket knives."

Which, in the most generally understood terms, renders my selection a collection.



~ P.

 

[emmknives]

I dont really have that many opportunities to use my knives working in and office and when i do, like when going camping i tend to bring what i would consider my users like a rat 1 or an endura and leave the nicer ones at home so i guess i would consider myself a more of collector than a user. though i wish it was an even split

 

[markv]

I am definitely both a user and a collector. In the past I've been a pattern chaser, having to try everything that was out there. Recently my buying habits have slowed down, now I concentrate on just a few patterns I like the best. I have at least 3 dozen knives that I carry from time to time, but rarely carry the same knife for more than 3-4 days in a row. For everyday carry I prefer slender knives, serpentine stockmen, eureka jacks, mostly multi-blade knives. The only thing that stays the same is my changing tastes!

oh,first i wanted to say i like your photo of your knives.
pretty much holds true for me. i was a pattern chaser years ago. i bought what i liked and what i could afford and found to be interesting, like three bladed whittlers and congress four blades.
after years of buying and putting knives in the drawer thinking someday my grandsons would inherit all these wonderful acquistions, i've decided to start using some of my favorites.
there i said it, i'm a user. lol

buzz

 

[coolio]

^Sarah, Abe's looking...bigger?!

I find myself to be a collector who has a limited assortment of users. Whatever that is. I have been focusing on staying around a dozen or so knives, that I really, really like. Almost all of them get carried and used. I may even sell a few more that don't get enough time. Very interesting thread.

 

[davek14]

I am mainly a user, but will pick up an interesting knife for display from time to time. I prefer inexpensive knives that cut great and fit whatever need I have for it such as garden knife, gentleman carry, everyday carry, camping, etc.

Kitchen drawer knife, Sunday go to meeting knife, next to armchair fondle knife, work knife, job interview knife (really), desk knife.......