Knife Doldrums: I might have it bad

Tdhurl1103

Tdhurl1103

Joined
Dec 6, 2012
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I've found myself lately not really interested in very much in the way of knives.

Sure, I have some idea of knives that I want, but nothing that I absolutely HAVE to pull the trigger on. And this has me wondering if I'm in a collector slump or....am I loosing interest.....I dunno.

I mean, there is the Spyderco Sage 5 (compression lock) which I was really really excited about....until it was released. :confused:

Then there was the GEC #14 that I had been jonesing over for going on a year a now....until it was released.

I have been chasing a Barlow as well.....but can never find the one I really really want to have. I passed on many of them on the last year.

I even passed on the newest KA-BAR Becker BK20

And of course...there are my grails that are so far out of reach it seems, even without the doldrums; Sebenza, Strider, Terzuola.......

Anyone else in a period of stagnation like me?
 
Yep! I'm looking for a new knife to purchase, but can't find one that is worth it to me...price too high, quality too poor, other nit picky things like clip position and locking mechanism. Just can't seem to find that knife that checks all my boxes anymore :/
 
This happened to me too a few years ago. I took a break from knives and the knife community for a while and enjoyed the ones I already had. Now I'm back and catching up on all the knives I missed.

In my opinion, just take a break. Production knives will always be there, and custom knives can be made at any time.
 
I am in somewhat the same boat. As Jkjklkl said, I'm working more on using and enjoying the knives I do have now.

One thing I did was take my collection (which usually consists of 60 or so folders and about 20-30 fixed blades at any given time) and pare it down to the following:

- The core of ten to fifteen that I love and just won't ever get rid of, because I love 'em, simple as that.
- The five or six others that serve a specific need outside of general "EDC" use. Camping, whittling, carving, etc.

In the past month, I've sold a bunch, and will probably go through and do the same with some others. I've stepped back from the "collecting" angle, and am starting to gravitate towards the using of the knife. These are tools that will easily outlive me, so I'm kinda losing interest in "gotta catch 'em all!"
 
First time's bliss. Then you're just chasing the dragon... :D

I know exactly what you mean though. Nothing demands my attention nor money so I've just been trading in and out to save money. Inspiration will strike you again I'm sure.
 
I've been like this for a few years actually.

I've enjoyed learning about knives, and finding good tools for my use. However, I've found that I'm not much interested (at least interested enough to spend much/any) in any knives lately. At least until I find another need that needs filled/addressed.

And like most others, I've got plenty (too many?) hobbies to keep my time and money occupied. I'm not worried about it.

Enjoy what makes you happy :).
 
Only due to lack of funds. You could have a maker here on the forum design something just for you.
 
Definitely in the same position with folders, I put off buying the upgraded mini grip that I intended to purchase for several months. The sage 5 is sitting around with me just not getting excited about it. There are several knives in my wishlist that I want, but just not excited enough to buy or trade for it.

Fixed blades though, I'm still siked about those. Just in the last 10 days I've purchased a Bark River/Peter Kohler Grizzly, a Murray Carter neck knife (apprentice made) and a Bark River Ringtail. Its an issue.
 
The only knife I'm truly excited about right now is one that may not even be made: the Spyderco Lil' Nilakka:

h7FooEv.png


More pics and info: https://spydercollector.wordpress.c...production-sample-pekka-tuominen-lil-nilakka/
 
Honestly, there hasn't been much in the past few years that's really impressed me. A lot of designs on the major market are chasing after customers with only a shallow understanding of what makes a knife tick while costing an arm and a leg. I like tools that are more fun to use than they are to buy, and the market isn't catering to that sector much at the moment. It's not just you that's in a period of stagnation--the market itself kind of is. It's oversaturated with derivative designs that are desperately trying to be aesthetically different instead of picking a functional context and designing around performance factors.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Honestly, there hasn't been much in the past few years that's really impressed me. A lot of designs on the major market are chasing after customers with only a shallow understanding of what makes a knife tick while costing an arm and a leg. I like tools that are more fun to use than they are to buy, and the market isn't catering to that sector much at the moment. It's not just you that's in a period of stagnation--the market itself kind of is. It's oversaturated with derivative designs that are desperately trying to be aesthetically different instead of picking a functional context and designing around performance factors.
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I agree with this overall and I can understand the knife doldrums in terms of interest beyond using what you already have. I also passed on the BK-20... I considered it VERY seriously and then I thought about my Condor choppers and figured why do I "need" the BK-20 at all? I did pick up a GEC #14 (Boys Knife). Nice small traditional. Actually quite impressed with it.

I have been buying Condor stuff lately or better phrased, continuing to buy Condor stuff. I guess I am gradually learning that I'm pretty comfortable with some of the basic steel types with knives or blades. I don't "need" to buy the latest and greatest knife steel that is touted. My interest in knives has never moved to the point of trying to discriminate my preferences between super steels. They all kind of blend together for me and what I see are high prices for something that I cut a branch, open mail, or break down a cardboard box with.

I always fall back on Victorinox stuff too. I just have gotten such good service from SAKs over the years. I can understand people saying the same thing about Case and sticking to basics.

Been debating internally the purchase (order) of the 2016 Traditional Forum's knife. I am not partial to the awl and I see it as a wasted blade. But, I do like to support the traditional forum. So, do I order one even though I will never cut anything with it just for the community or pass. I'm leaning toward "pass".
 
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I'm there right now, even let my membership lapse. The only knife I have bought in months is the G10 version of the Buck Marksman. I really don't have a need for more knives. Most of the knives bought over the last year have been for collectors purpose, usually bought for limited editions or discontinued rare offerings. Let it slide, it will all work out.
 
I have been in a gun collecting doldrum also. For years, I searched and searched for certain pieces to add to my collection. Today, I just can't bring myself to spend a couple thousand on a collector grade Colt revolver when I have piles of them already. My thought in terms of Colts is that I need to consider selling. What is going to change in terms of my attitudes in the next 5 years... probably nothing at all. There are revolvers that I own that I have not even laid eyes on in 10 years. They are just stored....... for what? Waiting for a value increase? I don't know....
 
Maybe if we saw something other than an overbuilt, titanium slabbed, framelock flipper for once....enough already. Gah.
 
22-rimfire said:
I won't buy one of those titanium slabbed knives. I refuse.
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You must. Resistance is futile. Buy one for $700 then come here and complain about how hard it is to flip. Obey! Obeyyyy!

:D

Same here. I don't get them at all. But hey, to each his own.
 
Hard to say but the knife world is so huge and diverse that you can just shift your criteria a little and off you go again. I haven't bought much since I started making knives ( I've bought a heck of a lot of tools, equipment and supplies) but before I got to making my criteria was "automatic, custom, previously owned" I found that pretty stimulating.
 
I was into knives for a couple years, then like you kinda lost interest for a year or 2 and stopped coming here. All of a sudden my itch it back, grabbed the Sage 5 and think you should too! ;)
 
My CQC7 always ends up back in my pocket. I just like this classic folder better and better, as the years go by.
Try a Sodbuster also.
rolf
 
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