Managing Your Collection, What to Buy/Sell and Use

watchknut

watchknut

Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
259
After thinking that a $150 Emerson was a "premium blade", I quickly decided to jump into the deep end at the time with a Strider. I would look at pictures of Hinderers, and wonder why on earth people paid so much for them...were they really worth it? Well, I bit the bullet and bought a 3.5" spanto, and quickly learned why 1 was not enough.

My question is this, how do other members, and I hate to use the word, "curate" their collections? Do you have a "user" and then some safe queens? Other than customs, what models (i.e. wharnie, spanto, slicer) and finish combinations (i.e. stonewashed, bead blasted, ano, dlc, sterile, non-flipper) would you keep in the long run? As far as scales, screws, spacers and accessories, they are can move from knife to knife, so need to discuss them.

I am trying to figure out my next Hinderer, and the future of my collection. Thanks for the input, and sorry to be so vague, I just want to get some insight from people with in a similar quandary.
 
More on point.

Trying to guess what's the rarest this or that is never too easy. For example, had I known Pond scum G10 was going to so beloved, I'da bought every available scale back when I ordered mine. At that time I was looking for options, not uniform color matching of the collection so I didn't double up/multiple up.

Textured Ti scales is another similar item.

As for the knives themselves. SWAT w/ serrations is mentionable because I'm not thinking serrations will be a regular offering....ever.

Things like the DLC stuff can be created again. First / Early stuff may be collectible, but many find a lot of Hinderer things collectible.

I use way more than one XM. Matter of fact, I have used every one of them I own.
 
I have 3 production models and carry all of them. I bought my first Hinderer and sold it soon after because I worried so much about "scratching a $600 knife". Then I bought another and decided that a knife is not worth owning if it's not gonna go in my pocket. If I ever acquire a custom Hinderer my tune may change, but the production versions are users all the way. I figure even if they get some wear and tear they will still be worth close to what I paid for them. But, I do not plan on selling any of them, so the value right now isn't really a concern.

Hinderers are definitely not safe queens. They are meant to be used. The stonewashing is so good on them that scratches don't show much at all. Throw it in your pocket and use it for everything. You'll like it even more once you do.
 
I use my productions heavily. I use my customs very very lightly. Haha. If its not getting pocket time it has to go in my opinion. No safe queens here.
 
I have one user XM that I carry and use all the time. Heck, I even let a co-worker borrow it the other day, which I was hesitant at first, but figured if the worst happens, it will make a great story.
As for the "others", go with what you like. Or more realistically, start with what you are luck enough to score, and go from there. Keep as many as you can. Personally, my budget currently limits me to eleven, one user and ten "more-than-a-production" XMs. :cool:
 
Use them all. In my opinion these don't depreciate. I stay away from the customs because I figure I have the three food groups covered with spanto, slicer and warncliff.
 
i got one of the limited productions for my first hinderer and sold it not too long after because i wasnt going to use it like it was intended. I got another production model with the funds from the first and i use that knife on a daily basis. I want knives i will use and appreciate.
 
What you do with your knives is your business... That being said I use all of my knives, and enjoy using them :)

As you have found out... You can't just buy one! When you do, enjoy it. Then see what else grabs your attention, when one does, snag it up, or dress it up how you like! That's what is so great about XM's. You can customize them to your liking.
 
Probably not so much different than your watch collection, the really expensive stuff most generally sees little wrist time, then the others that are easy to come by are worn more frequently. However with Hinderers the real beauty is in the use.
 
My solution is to only keep a knife I'm willing to use. No safe queen! Therefore, I pared down things to three production slicer/flippers in G10... 3" 3.5" and 4" and a Fieldtac.

You can collect for other reasons, but I found it better to collect for use.

#1 Cover all the bases.
#2 Use all of them as much as you can.
#3 Grin a lot.

I'm still looking to cover a few more bases: Wharnie & Small Fixed Blade
 
Over the years I have noticed "commonalities" shared by my hobbies, questions along these lines are one of those.
When I had my Camaro's it was; "So, do you race them?"
Jeeps it was; "So, Do you wheel it or is it a poser?"
Guns and Knives....... you get the picture.
Are there correct answers to any of these questions? I don't think so, to each his own and don't let popular opinion sway you in any direction.
For those who simply have to "use" everything they own - Good for you as well as those who just want to sneak away and touch/look at their prized possessions before carefully placing them back in their safe - Good for you too.
For the record - I raced my Camaro(s), wheeled my Jeeps and shot or used most of my Knives/Guns but ALL were by chance or desire - Not design.
So, Enjoy whatever Life has to offer until the Enjoyment turns to Stress and then IMO - get rid of whatever is the source of the stress.
There may have been the day I would have looked at my Knives and said, "Dang these aren't getting used enough, gotta go".
Now I just like having the collection and using them as I feel appropriate......... or not :)
 
RubiconSS said:
Over the years I have noticed "commonalities" shared by my hobbies, questions along these lines are one of those.
When I had my Camaro's it was; "So, do you race them?"
Jeeps it was; "So, Do you wheel it or is it a poser?"
Guns and Knives....... you get the picture.
Are there correct answers to any of these questions? I don't think so, to each his own and don't let popular opinion sway you in any direction.
For those who simply have to "use" everything they own - Good for you as well as those who just want to sneak away and touch/look at their prized possessions before carefully placing them back in their safe - Good for you too.
For the record - I raced my Camaro(s), wheeled my Jeeps and shot or used most of my Knives/Guns but ALL were by chance or desire - Not design.
So, Enjoy whatever Life has to offer until the Enjoyment turns to Stress and then IMO - get rid of whatever is the source of the stress.
There may have been the day I would have looked at my Knives and said, "Dang these aren't getting used enough, gotta go".
Now I just like having the collection and using them as I feel appropriate......... or not :)
Click to expand...

Well said, I second the motion!
 
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