I am a machinist and work at a company where we use some of these steels. M4, D2, S90V and 20CV to name some offhand. I was laidoff after 6 years when the economy took a dump and they barely had any work. I was rehired 5 years ago and the business is now booming. This second time around I met their new sales rep. who collects also. He has a good knowledge of all these steels and most of the up and coming super steels, as our company always strives to have the best product. He travels worldwide and has quite a few knives from other countries that he is always telling me about. Most I probably couldn't afford.
I also have a brother who used to work at a gun store where he bought and sold guns. The top of one of his gun cabinets is full of old Pumas, all in their plastic boxes. He hasn't seen my collection recently and our conversations usually end up about guns. He is 2 hours away and we don't see eachother too often. I am excited to finish our basement and get my locking display up where I can finally get mine all together and he can see when he comes up.
My wife's nephew is into knives too, but at 17, his collection is small and most of which is cheaper china made knives that remind me of the truck stop knives post. I show him everytime my EDC changes or I get a new one. Am trying to educate him as much as I can from what I learn. We got him an engraved Buck last year for Christmas. I am hoping he sticks with it but there's no telling at his age. He has potential as he is a big hunter and fisherman with his dad. We shall see.
I do have a friend who has interest, knows a little, and likes what I have, but I know he isn't into it like me. Other than those, yes this is a pretty lonely hobby. None of who I mentioned do I see often enough where we can really sit down and B.S. about the subject and none have seen all I have. I guess our sales rep is the closest one who I talk to and knows his stuff. And he is away traveling for 2 or 3 weeks at a time for the company.
