Knifeaholic?.. [WARNING] ignore if you dont like Reading..

RemyKaze said:
That's why you only buy the few that are perfect for you and use them all the time.
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I Only got 7 or 8 Knives, and got one more coming, so it's not many, but i have not collected very long.
I rather have 5 Knives that i love, than 10 that i think i like.. But the prices here in EU is very High. So thats a big part of Why i'm feeling bad.
 
That's a symptom of a lot of types of collecting. The anticipation is better than the fulfillment, it's normal. But the bad feeling is troubling. It gets pretty expensive to yield to the desire or craving for new knives.
What I do to ease the desire to purchase is to clumsily attempt to make knives. It's pretty damn hard and gives you a real appreciation for the value of a fine blade. For me I am able to transfer the unhealthy craving aspects of collecting into a desire to improve my skills and satisfaction from getting it right when I do.
 
What makes you choose the knives you buy, is the because of what knife it is, because "everyone should owe one of ____"? Or is it because its features are those you actually like (the shape/size/ blade profile/how it fits your hand/material/intended use ect...)?

If you only buy knives that are truely perfect for you and the jobs you do you will enjoy them more than if you buy them cause its the current must-have and everyone has to have one ("every collector should have a ____ in their collection"). The job of trackjng a specific knife down and the thrill of purchasing can be enjoyable, but what you really need to do is concentrate on what makes USING the knife most enjoyable. Afterall your buying a tool not a fashion accessory/status symbol.
 
TouchOfRed said:
I Only got 7 or 8 Knives, and got one more coming, so it's not many, but i have not collected very long.
I rather have 5 Knives that i love, than 10 that i think i like.. But the prices here in EU is very High. So thats a big part of Why i'm feeling bad.
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Makes sense. Honestly I still think your answer is to practice "catch and release". You may be a closet knife hoarder, in that case, you need to lay them all out and look at which ones you love carrying, and which you kinda talk yourself into carrying to get some use out of them. The latter are the kind you should not be keeping when you buy. That's not to say you shouldn't keep what you already own; just that from this point on, when you get a knife you don't absolutely LOVE(you should know the feeling by now) then send that puppy back. Ideally if they're all knives you love, they will be rotated so that you have a different knife or two every day and they all get full use. Personally, although I have a good many folders, I tend to carry my Rat1 or my PM2 because they're just my favorites, and so they get a ridiculous amount of use.
 
I definitely know the feeling.

I have knives and machetes that I have collected and will never use just because I consider them "collected". They are not users.

I do have a bunch of users though - more than one for every day of the week. I usually carry two knives - a larger flipper of some sort (Cryo II or inexpensive Kershaw with about a 3" blade). Then one smaller more or less traditional folder/slip joint sub 2" blade. I also keep four Opinels in the kitchen. They are great slicers, easy to sharpen and inexpensive. I would expect that in the EU you should be able to get Opinels fairly easily for not a lot of Euro's.

Recently I went on a little binge and bought a few more knives and two pistols. Now I am waiting on my next paycheck to pay the mortgage so I have to scale back and enjoy the knives and pistols I have. I think we all binge a bit like that once in while. Nothing wrong with it as long you can meet your financial obligations. :rolleyes:

I really enjoy just taking out a few knives to inspect and study the workmanship and designs. I think this is the "after the binge" phase. No need for new items to add to the collection until I can decide on distinct design/engineering features that none of my knives have. For example, I have been buying a few traditional folders lately. There are a number of traditional patterns and infinite variations on those patterns. One of my collecting goals is to have one good example for each of the major patterns. Manufacturer is a consideration as well. At some point I may start working on the variants but for now major pattern family is the goal.

But for now, just taking mental notes and documenting my collection. Maybe I will be able to buy a couple knives for myself for Christmas. If not Christmas then early next year. No rush. No spare money either..... :(

Anyway - don't feel bad. Enjoy your collection. Just plan for expanding your collection (if that is what you want) in a fiscally responsible manner. You can feel good about that.
 
You could start looking for used knives in good shape to use, especially if you like or could like old slipjoints. Less money spent and more effort looking. More of that OCD fixation into research and refurbishing.

Some folks just use their hobby to distract themselves. Sometimes their hobby is drugs or alcohol. It's not a bad trait if it doesn't effect your life negatively, if you pick a harmless hobby, don't spend too much money, etc..
 
Knifeaholic, it made it to my new knife dictionary.... and yes if you have to ask, you have a problem...;)
 
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