My _____ addiction

Ah beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and once I start putting some nice work into that bad boy I’m sure I’ll be looking at it Completely differently!
 
Since I don't know what brand is your primary, I would suggest Spyderco or ZT to stay in the $100+ category and being well made. If you say you have 20 SAKs, I would laugh. But then again, I own 20 SAKs.;) But I really don't count them and I am certainly not a knife collector.

It's real easy to get "used to the Spyderco hole". They are functional too. My first was a Native. That is where I would start.

Variety is the spice of life. You need some spice.
 
The reason why you bought 20 of one particular brand is you learned what to expect. Because after that initial first one or two it got easier and easier to pull that trigger and make a purchase; because deep down there was no worry or anxiety of what you were buying.

To get over that hurdle of trying out another brand. I think this is where a local knife store is pivotal. Quite often I've gone to mine and found that there was knives I thought I'd like but didn't and others that I was pleasantly surprised about.
Also look at the used market. A few months ago I found a ZT 0350 at a pawn shop for almost nothing. Up to that point I had very little to no interest in ZT. But since then I've found that I actually love ZT and want to add more to my collection. Because of the price the risk of trying the knife was very low.
 
I have too many addictions besides knives, but as far as brand loyalty, it's more brand disloyalty. I will never own a Benchmade again.

I've been through so many knives searching for what I like and what works.

Most I've ever spent was $400 on Brian Tighe mini Tighe rod.

For Mass produced, Spyderco is what I have owned the most of. I currently own 4. The original GB folder, a customized Sprint Run Manix 2 with CTS-XHP. It had foliage green G10 scales, but now they're ironwood; a domino, and yojimbo 2.

I've had a few ZT's, all that's left is an 0095BLK.

Ergonomics and reliable QC are what is most important to me. The Sebenza 21 really appealed to me, however, once in hand it just didn't fit right. Excellent otherwise, and see why people love them.

I really enjoy customs now, knowing who you are working with and supporting small businesses.
 
Just to clarify, "double intender" is a quote from our Sunday school teacher who always looks around after saying it (I guess he knows he mispronounces it) but no one ever says anything; I was having a bit of fun but I'm the only one who knew it. :( On topic, the suggestion that you try a custom is a good one, kind of like starting your own knife company. :thumbsup: Like any start up, however, it can be expensive if that becomes your new addiction. ;)
 
Thanks guys, you bring up a lot of good points. I think for almost all of us, the endeavor never ends, as there are countless knives and styles out there, and I do look forward to checking them all out ;)
 
jill jackson said:
At least it's an addiction where you can at least get some of your money back, as your taste changes.
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YMMV but..
Collecting knives as an investment, expecting to get money back is like collecting Nascar plates.
Yeah, some do..but it's an exception not a rule and seems to take some of the joy out of it for me.
For me, it's a bottomless money pit.. but I'm happy to jump in it feet first and it's a helluva alot of fun.
:P
It should be about enjoying what you collect.
I get as much enjoyment out of a $10 Kershaw as I do a $200 ZT.
I just dig sharp pointy steel.
 
Bad Ninja said:
YMMV but..
Collecting knives as an investment, expecting to get money back is like collecting Nascar plates.
Yeah, some do..but it's an exception not a rule and seems to take some of the joy out of it for me.
For me, it's a bottomless money pit.. but I'm happy to jump in it feet first and it's a helluva alot of fun.
:p
It should be about enjoying what you collect.
I get as much enjoyment out of a $10 Kershaw as I do a $200 ZT.
I just dig sharp pointy steel.
Click to expand...

Those are great points. I have to admit I catch myself at times thinking about whether or not my “investment” can eventually be “returned” when buying a blade, but I usually let that slip right past me because that isn’t the point (haha!) of buying knives. I am still very new to the game, so for now I would say that although I am developing an eye for f&f, utility, steel etc, I am a very impulsve buyer and just buy what I think looks cool. I suppose there are many lessons to be learned along the journey though....
 
stevejams said:
Those are great points. I have to admit I catch myself at times thinking about whether or not my “investment” can eventually be “returned” when buying a blade, but I usually let that slip right past me because that isn’t the point (haha!) of buying knives. I am still very new to the game, so for now I would say that although I am developing an eye for f&f, utility, steel etc, I am a very impulsve buyer and just buy what I think looks cool. I suppose there are many lessons to be learned along the journey though....
Click to expand...
If you use your knives and thoroughly enjoy them, they lose a lot of value fairly quickly. IMO, using the knives I own is the best part of owning them. Scratches are stories, chips and handle dings as well. All those flaws happened in the act of something fun, or at work. I wouldn't get hung up on investment. Buy a great knife and work that bad boy. A well worn knife is just as beautiful to me.
 
21bangbang said:
If you use your knives and thoroughly enjoy them, they lose a lot of value fairly quickly. IMO, using the knives I own is the best part of owning them. Scratches are stories, chips and handle dings as well. All those flaws happened in the act of something fun, or at work. I wouldn't get hung up on investment. Buy a great knife and work that bad boy. A well worn knife is just as beautiful to me.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely right. There’s nothing like putting your knife to some real work. I like what you said that “scratches are stories”, and I would say that so are scars from being an idiot :rolleyes:
 
K.O.D. said:
I have too many addictions besides knives, but as far as brand loyalty, it's more brand disloyalty. I will never own a Benchmade again.

I've been through so many knives searching for what I like and what works.

Most I've ever spent was $400 on Brian Tighe mini Tighe rod.

For Mass produced, Spyderco is what I have owned the most of. I currently own 4. The original GB folder, a customized Sprint Run Manix 2 with CTS-XHP. It had foliage green G10 scales, but now they're ironwood; a domino, and yojimbo 2.

I've had a few ZT's, all that's left is an 0095BLK.

Ergonomics and reliable QC are what is most important to me. The Sebenza 21 really appealed to me, however, once in hand it just didn't fit right. Excellent otherwise, and see why people love them.

I really enjoy customs now, knowing who you are working with and supporting small businesses.
Click to expand...


"I will never own a Benchmade again." - Could you please explain why? As far as my (limited and still learning) knowledge goes Benchmades are like Lexuses of the knife world... Stable workhorses, made with fine craftsmanship, great steel blades (m390, S30v, etc) superior Made in USA quality product... Is there anything else I should know?
 
You like what you like.

I've owned numerous brands but have finally settled on three brands mostly. Spyderco, CRK and Hinderer.
I simply prefer their designs over other brands. I don't think I'm missing out by not expanding my collection. I like what I like now and am comfortable staying within my niche.
 
Every single Benchmade I've ever owned had sort of qc issue. Bad heat treat, missing pieces. I had one arrive at my with a malformed axis lock bar. Then went and jacked the prices way up.

Benchmade is no longer a good value. They charge more than competitors and give you lower quality materials. They more reasonable prices now, but QC has not changed that I know of.

CRK is the standard for quality and reliability.
 
Great insights and opinion. So far I have only owned one Benchmade - Barrage 581 and to tell you the truth I have been very satisfied with this model and M390 blade, I've carried it, abused it, abused it extremely and only sharpened once (very minor ding after cutting heavy back bones - pig, just wanted to test this one... did extremely well, one minor ding less than 1mm), so it's been my #1 EDC knife. I've been actively looking to buy another one or two new Benches and I'd never imagine if I'd ever see QC issue with Benchmade brand. If it arrived with any issues I think this would be my divorce with Benchmade. Quality is #1 and that's why we pay that amount..
However I did buy Spyderco Paramilitary 2 off ebay for $60 (if it's too good to be true, it probably is!!!) and the knife went dull and parts were not functioning well right away, locking mechanism sucked... Proved to be a fake Chinese clone. Good knives are being counterfeited like crazy by knife pedophiles (knife counterfeiters) who flood the market with cheap Chinese sh*t...
 
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