Knife Collection . . . Why ?

PocketKnifeJimmy said:
I write the following, not just about my knife collection, but about my entire collecting hobby, (one that may seem very eclectic).
As a kid, while growing up, I would see, (and sometimes get to handle), objects that were simply "cool" to me. I would often see such items in store displays, in museums, or in private home's walls & display cases. The combination of seeing these "cool things", and seeing the way some were being displayed, are the catalyst for my collecting "things" that today are a major aspect of my interior decor. I find the items in my collection to be very "cool", and just like when I was a kid, these "cool things" make me smile :)

So... why do I collect?... For the pure pleasure I get from it :)

Here are just some of my collection displays...













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Probably the best reason why I collect is stated above. would like to see how you insure all of that!! :D
 
Hard to explain. First, I've always liked knives. Second, and most relevant to your question, I didn't set out to "collect" knives. The dynamic is more: "I like that knife. The cost is justified by the pleasure I'll get from having it around to use, play with, or just look at from time to time. I'm buying that knife."
 
Bad Ninja said:
Collecting is cheaper and more effective for removing stress than a therapist.
;)
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Of course, some would say you need a therapist if you collect most anything. But I tend to agree with your statement. Some people are destined to collect and others never. You can probably tell when kids are very small when it comes to collecting stuff. I had "my drawer" for putting stuff in when I was a little kid.
 
I more accumulate than collect. I have too many hobbies/things I like to buy.

Having been compartmentalized from a 4 bedroom home to a single bedroom at my parents, new purchases are sparse.

I get a small amount of money from disability, but not enough to fund many of my hobbies.

Pretty much one or two knives per year. Currently saving for a new gun. Haven't bought one in nearly ten years. Dan Wesson 715 with the pistol pack.

I've loved knives since I got my first SAK at age 7.

There have been quite a few threads like this
 
Strong hoarder mentality ran through both my parents, it was “hoarder-show” bad with my Mom, Pop’s just had a big warehouse and didn’t need to get rid of anything...I have to be mindful, the hoarder is in me too...

Being an actual cutlery knife sales rep I buy a lot of knives from my customers as good will, I buy from them for my personal and professional wants and needs and they but F. Dick products from me, we both give each other discounts, though, my discounts are always better than theirs, but I don’t set the margin like knife shops have to based on how good they buy an item...Not all margin is the same on knives, generally, knife shops will discount better on kitchen cutlery than sporting knives, this is a function of how they buy their knives and their discounts, also quantity and frequency matter too in wholesale purchasing, they matter to the manufactures and wholesale knife distributors.

In the last month I’ve bought over $1000 in Japanese cutlery for my professional education (purchased by my business) and over $700 for my personal collection (purchased with personal funds), all from my customers in knife shops in Northern California.
 
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It's fun and interesting. Everything I have has been used at some level usually right when I get it. If it's a really great design it will start getting used a bunch. If not...I might give it away or relegate it to a knife roll. I like have lots of different ones for lot's of different situations as well.
 
Collecting is part of human nature. Knives are useful tools, a form of art, easily purchased, easily stored, easily hidden from my wife.

You can spend a lot, or a little, and be equally satisfied. When the excitement wears off you can sell and typically break even, perhaps even make a profit, you can trade, or even if you sell at a loss you can still find some joy knowing the guy you sold it to is going to enjoy it just like you did.
 
Japacheze said:
What drives folks to collect knives? I have many pocket knives and a ton of kitchen cutlery. I can't seem to get enough. However, I feel that I could not possibly use all of them at a level that they deserve. Why am I obsessed with knives?

Let me know your story and how you deal with this addiction. How does one settle on just a select few?
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Collecting for me...fun, hobbyist nature, shiny objects, adrenaline, thrill of the chase (aka chasing the dragon)...probably a lot more reasons involved that I can’t think of...however I recently got a couple pieces and have become quite satisfied with their function to the point where I have found what I need and won’t be purchasing any more for quite some time!
 
I have been collecting knives for over 40 yrs... The wife used to complain (hence hiding) but now that I am actively selling my older knives, she thinks I'm a financial wizard! ($300 for selling a knife... Yea! The fact that I paid $275.00 ten yrs ago is irrelevant to her because she doesn't know what I paid...)

So all the money I 'wasted' on my hobby over the years... now it's like I stuffed it under my mattress... Still there! Unlike all the money she has spent on horses... Which is now mostly horse dung..
 
One way I could try explain to someone why I like the feeling of having a handful of knives on both hands
is to ask them what it would feel like to them having
both of their hands filled with polished silver coins.
 
For me it started with a Kershaw Leek and an Amplitude 3.25 that I purchased for cutting straps, cardboard, plastic, etc for my job. Was very impressed with the quality (for the price)... Bought a couple more for the hell of it then I started looking into ZT’s. My first ZT was a 0452 and the second I opened the box I was hooked lol now I got about 100 knives total, mostly ZT, and a few Spydies and BMs that are awesome too. So, it started out as a necessity until I found out how wicked cool and well-made some of those other knives are, now I’m more of a “collector” just cuz I like em.
Edit: now I find it hilarious when a non-knife person shows me their expensive knife and they tell me it was “almost $50” lol
 
ironically I rarely need a knife for my new job, but the place is a mill and apparently they used to make bayonets like 100 years ago. How cool it would be to have one made from there!
 
22-rimfire said:
Knives are my dominant hobby right now. It used to be guns but when stuff I like pushed over the $1000 mark, I eased off and bought few new additions for my collection. It has gotten to the point that I seldom even handle any of my collection and they may sit for years between my even looking at them. My tastes in knives don't run so rich and it's still fun.
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And you don't have to buy ammo and pay range fees. And they're easier to clean!
 
4mer_FMF said:
...The day might come when my tastes are so specific that I’ll be content with just a few. That day isn’t today.
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I'm not there yet but, I am getting closer. I've been scaling back and paying closer attention to what type of ergonomics work for me.
On top of that, there are certain features that I prefer:

1. Stainless drop point blade, 3 to 3.5 inches.
2. FRN, G10 or CF scales.
3. One hand opening is a plus.
4. Metal scales are to be avoided on medium use folders and Fixed blades.
5. Assisted opening is not my thing.
6. Nail nicks are to be avoided.

This has only come about because of all the knives I've tried over the years.
 
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