Knife Hoarder Thoughts

I go through phases. Sometimes I feel like it’s better to keep just a few of my gems and sell the rest. Other times I feel like I can never have enough knives. The more , the better. Then it hit me. It’s not the knives that I’m obsessed with. It’s the whole process of wanting , buying , using , collecting , and selling that I love. It’s a vicious cycle. And I keep the ones I like and value the most. It’s fun , I buy what I can afford and fantasize about what I can’t.
 
Good comments! Having 2 daughters may have something to do with it; I will equip them and show them how to use knives in general & defense but doubt they have interest in 30ish Spydercos, or another 20 sub-300.00 knives. I admire those with heirloom pieces or sentiments, or high end luxury knives, or even those who are just solidified in their process. I think my brain hit a tipping point when I read that Allure of Spyrdercos thread and I pooled all mine together and realized I basically have 20ish hammers give or take since many are so similar. I dont think I own a knife that was more than 900.00, that seems to be my limit., so yea, nothing too collectible on my end.

The fellow (Davis?) who posts every day in the Knife Pics thread who I am assuming is an electrician or something, and carries a large Sebenza seems to only carry that knife...that level of pragmaticism whispers in my ear I guess and its appealing. TO Each their own is key, and I appreciate every comment in a fairly silly post contextually to make on the forum, Ive just been in my thoughts lately approaching my 44th bday. I went through this with my firearms a few years back, selling off quite a few...maybe its time I pare down, quelling the desire to buy more folders and appreciate what I have a little more.
 
I am in the camp with the others that have stated that they are much more selective in their purchases, I tend to gravitate towards knives that are $400 and up; so I look at them mostly as life purchases - I have sold anything in quite some time.

Rather than chase the newest $100-150 whiz-bang knife, I would rather have four less of them and 1 knife that I can practically ensure will provide a life's worth of enjoyment. For me personally, knives that provide that level of satisfaction are often in that price range (which I realize there is a whole other stratosphere of customs), but they tend to have more character, pedigree and build quality.

I have gone through the phase of accumulating things (knives and beyond) and they only satisfy momentarily, I relate to the OP and agree.
 
sadmin said:
Caution: This is largely a pointless ramble brought on by internal conversations with myself.

I am coming to the realization that I am at a crossroads with this hobby, failing to have a goal or purpose. Im not a collector since none of my knives are very pricey, or unique in design, or created from rare materials; Im basically just a hoarder. Hoarding multiple knives that do the same thing, are fine by a utility standard, and will likely never increase in value for any reason bc they are just mediocre & I use them in daily life. I toyed with seeking high end knives but alas, I just dont think that is my calling.

Do you ever mentally sandbox the notion of scrapping everything for just a couple knives that will fill every task / situation? I always want to be the guy who has 1 thing and knows it intimately well, but instead I buy more and use less & this becomes a quiet frustration in hindsight. I got really into hand sharpening during COVID, watching MChristy videos and NWKnifeguy videos, bought all the good kit, but dont even carry 1 knife often enough to warrant a sharpening. Like I said, Im just shooting the bull, annoyed at myself looking at doubles of knives...why would I buy multiples?

Anyway - maybe Ill reduce my collection and just buy a new folder when 1 wears out, what a novel idea. Anyone else think along these lines? If so, was it liberating to go from 100 knives to 10?
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One knife is too boring. Multiples of the same knife is illogical, why buy the same blade twice when you canget 2 different models instead?
 
I have way too many knives that I don't carry. I have been giving them away to friends and co-workers. I could realistically keep about 10 and be covered for whatever comes up.
 
If I never buy another knife, I would be set for life. Not sure I would ever need to sharpen. Just grab a new knife when one gets dull. I still want, but I have more than I could ever use. Several super steel high carbide, high HRC. Several limited sprint.

Now I want a few back ups so I can take on freehand sharpening and have a knife to learn and make mistakes on with a replacement ready to go.

It’s actually a bit silly but then again it’s entertainment through a hobby. Better than gambling.
 
sadmin sadmin when I was working at the factory, I put about as much money into knives as I did into my RRSPs. But then Covid and the layoff, and though I was able to turn knife making from my hobby into my livelihood, it took a while and both my knives, and my RRSPs had to be sold off in order to make ends meet. And I have been a minimalist in a lot of ways for as long as I can remember. So yes, for me it is liberating to not have a collection, but only a few fixed blades and folders that I like very much, and know I will use.

But as a knife maker, I do sort of get to try a whole lot of knives myself before passing them on. And that, plus the enjoyment I see people getting from them is worth more to me than owning the largest possible collection.
 
brownshoe said:
One knife is too boring. Multiples of the same knife is illogical, why buy the same blade twice when you canget 2 different models instead?
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Once you’re really into this hobby, you’re also probably way out of the confines of logic. 😅

As for OP’s post, I’ll just share what my Dad told me once, “Don’t feel bad about things you already own.” If it’s time to stop, then great! Enjoy your present collection. If there’s still a few you absolutely have to have, then that’s great too, as long as your other financial needs aren’t compromised. Let the hobby bring satisfaction, not stress.
 
David Mary said:
sadmin sadmin when I was working at the factory, I put about as much money into knives as I did into my RRSPs. But then Covid and the layoff, and though I was able to turn knife making from my hobby into my livelihood, it took a while and both my knives, and my RRSPs had to be sold off in order to make ends meet. And I have been a minimalist in a lot of ways for as long as I can remember. So yes, for me it is liberating to not have a collection, but only a few fixed blades and folders that I like very much, and know I will use.

But as a knife maker, I do sort of get to try a whole lot of knives myself before passing them on. And that, plus the enjoyment I see people getting from them is worth more to me than owning the largest possible collection.
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My collection has been whittled down to just a few. I want other things in life and I'm not a rich man. For instance my bushcraft knife is a David Mary Kephart in carbon steel which I'll never wear out.
 
I use quite a few equipment forums where the expertise of members is very useful( flashlights, knives, guns, backpacks etc) but as a user not an enthusiast I dont relate to the urge to accumulate things. From time to time fellas with large collections do culls down to user level and I always thought good on him/her if it makes them happier or pays bills.
 
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sadmin said:
Caution: This is largely a pointless ramble brought on by internal conversations with myself.

I am coming to the realization that I am at a crossroads with this hobby, failing to have a goal or purpose. Im not a collector since none of my knives are very pricey, or unique in design, or created from rare materials; Im basically just a hoarder. Hoarding multiple knives that do the same thing, are fine by a utility standard, and will likely never increase in value for any reason bc they are just mediocre & I use them in daily life. I toyed with seeking high end knives but alas, I just dont think that is my calling.

Do you ever mentally sandbox the notion of scrapping everything for just a couple knives that will fill every task / situation? I always want to be the guy who has 1 thing and knows it intimately well, but instead I buy more and use less & this becomes a quiet frustration in hindsight. I got really into hand sharpening during COVID, watching MChristy videos and NWKnifeguy videos, bought all the good kit, but dont even carry 1 knife often enough to warrant a sharpening. Like I said, Im just shooting the bull, annoyed at myself looking at doubles of knives...why would I buy multiples?

Anyway - maybe Ill reduce my collection and just buy a new folder when 1 wears out, what a novel idea. Anyone else think along these lines? If so, was it liberating to go from 100 knives to 10?
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We may be cut from the same fabric. If what you are doing brings some pleasure to your life, then don't worry about it. I can get just as much fun out of an old Schrade as some people get from a high-end knife. As fare as "just shooting the bull, that is what a lot of us are here for, the knives are just an excuse, some common ground for an introduction."
 
sadmin said:
I pooled all mine together and realized I basically have 20ish hammers give or take since many are so similar.
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sadmin said:
maybe its time I pare down, quelling the desire to buy more folders and appreciate what I have a little more.
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I think I might have a helpful idea: buy more fixed blades!

I fully agree that there are only so many folders that one can reasonably use in a collection, however the same is not quite as true with fixed blades, as they come in an even bigger variety of sizes, styles, and uses.

You’re welcome! ;)

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Steely_Gunz said:
I've hit the point in my collection "career" where I tend to buy fewer knives that are more expensive than just any ol' cheaper knife that I kinda like at that moment. I just get more enjoyment out of the slightly higher end stuff.
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Basically where I am. In my case, that doesn't mean buying fewer budget knives, which I consider to be $40-$100, but rather fewer in the $100-$300 range. Consequently, my "collection" turns out to be a whole bunch of budget knives, which I like, and fewer in the $300-$600 range, which I like more and still use more or less like the budget knives.
 
Greetings,
this hobby is gratifying in terms of pleasure (imo) and satisfying temporarily until our thrill of the new knife/knives wears out and we start looking for buying or getting another knife to experience the whole process all over again.

reducing the number of knives?
well, to each their own.
between me and my son we have knives, no plans to sell so far, have gifted to family & friends in the past.

Aryan
 
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You are preserving history and enjoying your hobby. Even if they are normal in expensive knives does not mean they are not important.
There are all types of collectors. Those who try to chase limited edition drops..or scarce brands..or high end or custom or vintage and antique or even ancient.

Don't count yourself out just because you find your knives middle of the road.

I guess it's a balancing act between collecting and hoarding..buying just to buy.

I personally find no satisfaction in the " look at my rare knife!! " crowd. I dont blame those types either..that is their happiness in collecting.

I just buy knives that speak to me. I try to buy ones that not only work good but look cool..or interesting.

I also like to simply support brands who I believe in like Buck and Victorinox and Kershaw etc. Each one of us keeps the knife world alive and well..we all do our part so that for generations to come..knives remain in our lives. That goes for even the gas station tacforce knives or the Zombie apocalypse gooey green assault pocket knife lol..those who like that stuff help the knife world too.

If you are getting bored with your collection..maybe look for a theme foqr awhile. Like..say..usa made pocket flippers..or Midwest knife companies..or all orange knives.

It's a hobby and a passion..sometimes you have to get creative
 
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