Knife collecting - a lonely experience?

^^^ I actually looked it up... :p :oops:


I do look for clips in people’s pockets too... nicest thing I ever saw was a Emerson design Kershaw, but I still look.
 
I was mosty alone. My daughter has a small collection then she discovered boys.So I join blade forums. Met a few people here that are local and I met up with one regularly. His collection makes mine look like wal mart knives and I have some nice knives. WValtakis WValtakis some day.... I'll catch upto you... someday I say. Lmao
 
Nicest knife I've seen in the wild was one that belonged to a customer of mine, a doctor. He had a nice Benchmade in his pocket. He said it was a gift from a patient. I commented on how that was a nice gesture and while it was a pretty expensive knife buying it was most likely pretty painless for his patient.

He got a chuckle out of that one. He's an anesthesiologist.
 
I guess I'm luckier than I thought, most of my coworkers and friends at least have a passing interest in whatever new toy I'm carrying. This year has been nice as South paw draw South paw draw mentioned, we have been able to have a couple local meetups that have been chock full of knife love:)
 
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Eh, some family members seem to be interested in my knives from time to time but they think its nuts to pay $600+ on a pocket knife.

Knives and watches I seem to be on my own with in terms of interest.

Oh well.
 
not2sharp said:
I believe that what you are describing is a common sentiment shared by all collectors. Collecting anything is a fringe activity and an individual pursuit. Let’s face it, most of the crowd would rather be socializing, listening, drinking, eating, dressing, driving, thinking and speaking only whatever happens to be commonly in fad.

Collecting is more of an intellectual pursuit, an outlier activity. In accordance with our own interests we become experts in what is usually arcane subjects. We teach ourselves about the physics of using knives as tools, metallurgy, and the detailed history of long gone companies who were obscure in their own time.

We are scientist and historians, who in our own small way seek understanding and to create order. We contribute to the lore by rediscovering it and passing it down to future generations; even as we preserve the skills and physical artifacts.

That is an important and critical role. Even if it is not central to the social scene, we at least have the ability to entertain ourselves and can find challenges and self-esteem in places that most never will.
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^ :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Ya...no real knife lovers around me either, usually i hear “Nice knife...i should get one of those...how much do they cost?” Me: insert price. Them- “You paid how much! for that knife? Thats crazy”
Oh well. I have some good friends on BF thanks to the internet to talk to.
One lucky thing for me is that my Father appreciates quality and precision...when we see each other, he takes interest in what i am carrying, but doesnt collect. So thats cool.

Eta: I should clarify, I have knife affectionados within 3 hrs of me who are friends. But it’s somewhat of a journey to go visit with them.
 
eveled said:
I collect because it pleases me. I feel no need to share it. I do enjoy my time here. My Dad was a knife guy, but not a collector. I have no desire to go to a knife club or even a show.
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I feel about the same way. An internet forum is about the limit of my participation. The only place I have showed off any knife is here on the forum.
 
Lifetime knife carrier but only in the hobby for a couple of years. I prefer traditionals, and mostly buy knives I can carry and use. I have a few souvenirs, of course. Nothing kept in a safe or a display case. My two oldest sons usually have a modern in their pocket, but are not aficionados. My second youngest son bought an Italian stiletto when Texas lifted the restriction on carrying them, but I don't think he carries it. The other two don't seem very interested in knives. But my 16-year-old daughter LOVES knives. She was interested in the moderns at first, but now also likes traditionals. (We're going to a gun show Saturday to look at knives.) I think she was carrying three knives when we tried to get into a hockey rink. We had to go back to the car to put our knives away before they would let us in.
And my boss likes knives. He usually has a Case trapper on his belt, even though they are not his favorite--his family keeps giving them to him, and he uses them. He may even have used the castrator blade for its intended function (he used to work cattle--still does sometimes, I think). I am guessing he prefers the Spyderco military knife he has in his desk. (He is a retired Army colonel that did tours in Afghanistan and maybe Iraq.) And he says one can never have too many pocket knives. So I often show him my acquisitions. He recognized my Laguiole, for example, and appreciates it. (But he couldn't pronounce it properly!)
Other than that, it's mostly sharing on BladeForums. But that's fine with me.
 
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I always liked to wood carve when I was younger , now retired I started to make walking sticks from every state park I walk . That's what started my interest in knives . I like the mechanics of them , how the lock up , snap open and what just looks good . My latest is the Case Kickstart Mid-Folding Hunter , how do you stop yourself from playing with them . Seems I always have one in my hand opening and closing when I have free time . Great hobby didn't know there were knife clubs., addicting.
 
"But my 16-year-old daughter LOVES knives. She was interested in the moderns at first, but now also likes traditionals. (We're going to a gun show Saturday to look at knives.) I think she was carrying three knives when we tried to get into a hockey rink. We had to go back to the car to put out knives away before they would let us in."

Vince, Prester John Prester John - this one made me laugh and cheer. :D You are a lucky man with a cool daughter. :thumbsup:

Ray
 
RayseM said:
"But my 16-year-old daughter LOVES knives. She was interested in the moderns at first, but now also likes traditionals. (We're going to a gun show Saturday to look at knives.) I think she was carrying three knives when we tried to get into a hockey rink. We had to go back to the car to put out knives away before they would let us in."

Vince, Prester John Prester John - this one made me laugh and cheer. :D You are a lucky man with a cool daughter. :thumbsup:

Ray
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Thanks, Ray. I AM lucky, and she IS cool!
 
extrastout said:
I am on forums because I never see that pocket clip while waiting in line.
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Let's face it . . . we live in a world full of people who will think nothing of opening a pair of scissors to use one of the four inch long blades as a knife . . . all the while they are looking around and being scared of the few people who carry a pocket knife with a three inch blade.

The best I have done over the years while looking at pocket clips is a Benchmade Mini Grip (after he let me see it I liked it so much I bought one) and not too long ago a guy who was carrying a Schrade Sharpfinger in a custom sheath (I liked the handle more than I thought I would).
 
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My friends at least have an interest in them. I helped 3 of them find solid EDCs. One mostly keeps it as a desk tool, another uses his for opening boxes, and the 3rd carries it regularly and chipped the hell out of the tanto edge using it as a screwdriver. It was always more of a one-and-done sort of thing for them. Don't think I converted any of them to the hobby so on the collecting side, it's still a lonely experience but I don't mind it too much. I'm too far gone to be saved anyways.
 
I dunno how lonely "collecting" is ... I'm an "accumulator", which is lonely enough in its own way, I suppose ...


I can "brag" about my new acquisitions here on the forums, of course.
However, I am not stupid enough to think anyone really cares what Rough Rider/ Rough Ryder or offshore made Schrade family of brands I just added to the pile.
 
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