My First Koenig, and Thoughts on the Collection Journey

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BK14

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Sep 13, 2016
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In 2017, I got my first CRK. In the years since, I have accumulated a little collection of CRK and Hinderer knives, in addition to many others at various price ranges below those two brands. Until last week however, I had never ventured further price wise. Recently, I sold 6 other mid and lower range knives to afford something special. I wanted a knife that would still be a good user more so than a collection piece, so I jumped at the chance when I found a good deal on a Koenig Mini Arius. Carrying it for the last week or so has definitely been eye opening. It is incredible in basically every way. That being said, it has not made me lose all interest in other knives (unfortunately). It has also not made me want a bunch more knives from Koenig and similar makers. After seeing basically how good the "best" is, I find myself already gravitating back to the lower end when considering other purchases. The difference in functional quality between a $150 Spyderco and a $650 Koenig seems very small to me at this point. I am very happy with the Mini Arius, and will continue to carry it for a long time. I do think the purchase has made me even more impressed by the knives I have had for years however. For those who have high end knives, is that all you carry, or do you still appreciate the lower end? Thank you for reading along to my rambling, and I look forward to hearing other thoughts!
 
There are about 460 knives currently in my collection varying widely in cost from less than $100 up to $1k.

Knives that cost below $300 comprise the majority of my collection which are usually the ones I carry.

I sometimes but rarely carry a knife that cost over $500 and never carry any knife that cost me anywhere near $1k which currently is my limit for buying any knife & knives of that cost are few & far between in my collection.

Note that the current value & rarity of certain knives in my collection may far exceed the original cost & that I also never carry any knife that I consider rare or special regardless of the cost.

Also while I carry many knives, I never use them for more than opening an envelope or cutting a loose thread in order to preserve their condition & value

I have many other knives apart from my collection that I use instead.

Also I own many automatics & balisongs that I cannot legally carry in my state regardless of their cost or current value.

BTW, I do not own a Koenig or a CRK because knives of those brands never appealed to me for 1 reason or another.🤷
 
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I have knives varying in price from under $10 up to a CRK Sebenza (my most expensive)
I carry and use them all, but I enjoy having a more affordable and easily replaced option to carry so I can use it and (lightly) abuse it without worry. I find if there is too much emotional attachment to something, I will baby it and shy away from using it for fear of it getting damaged or lost.
The whole "can't have your cake and eat it too" thing makes me prefer less expensive options.
 
I have several classic ZTs, CRKs, Hinderers, Spartans, Spydercos etc that I enjoy and occasionally carry, but what's most commonly in my pocket is one of my LGs. They are fantastic knives from a great maker. I have a PJ Talos in my pocket as I type this 😁 and yes, I agree Koenig makes a real nice knife, I'll not be parting with my Arius but mostly because it was born on my daughter's birthday ☺️
 
I still very much appreciate my Spyderco and similar around the $150-$300 range. I do think there is a significant difference between a Spyderco and a Koenig, Shiro, Grimsmo, Sham in terms of quality of finishing, attention to small details, extremely tight tolerances and action that is clearly in another universe. Yes, in the end, they both still cut, which is why I still appreciate my Spydercos as much as I appreciate my higher end knives and carry both.
 
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Buy what you can, use what you buy.

BK14, it isn't about brand or price. You've simply accepted your current space-time in your knife addiction-er, hobby.

I've been shopping. Koenig has caught my eye. Yet, it would be redundant. I need to buy something different. I'm trying buy something made in each state.

However, think of this: keep your Koenig. It will last and can be passed down for generations.

Or at least until someone tries to use it to open a can of paint.
 
I have 14 CRK folders (more than any other brand in my collection.) I have 2 full size Arius and a mini. I have 2 Arno Bernard iMambas. Most of my Spydercos and Benchmades have been sold off. I have yet to own a Spyderco or Benchmade without side to side play unless tightening the pivot so tightly it couldn't properly open. I loathe side to side play. So off most of them went.

I carry special knives. I have a large Sebenza 31 Night Sky that is very special to me and rides in a leather slip every day. Same with a small 21 CGG Rhino Sebenza. And one of the iMambas. Those 3 in leather slips, and either a CRK, Koenig, or Arno Bernard in the clip spot as primary. I love them and want them with me. I use them on packages and food, but I work a white collar job. Honestly, my high end get carried and used, while my lower end knives sit in the safe. Maybe I'm just weird.
 
CRK spoiled me with respect to lower or similar priced knives. Once I got my hands on a small Sebenza, I had no desire to try anything else for a decade, when I bought a second (insingo) and about 5 years later a Mnandi. Those knives just worked well enough for me to stop searching.

Last year I bought a Grimsmo Rask for a special event. IMHO the detail and finish is a completely different level. Everything just feels and looks better and it was smoother than silk on day one. I love it, but between the cost, difficulty in obtaining, and that the blade is over 3” (a potential problem in my state and definitely a no go in company offices), I haven’t carried it much. I might end up selling it.

So, the small Sebenzas remain my EDCs. I have four (one retired, one waiting for an upcoming event, 2 in current rotation).

I’m 60 and think I’m done buying or will at least keep to CRK smalls (sebbie or mnandi).
 
Ozmose said:
I always felt the $400-$600 range is where you get the most out of a knife for the money. It feels like everything above that is mostly window dressing.
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Knife addicts indulging?

Can't argue with that.

Though price range may differ from addict to addict, er enthusiast to enthusiast.
 
I have close to 200 knives (fixed and folders) - most are under $200, all under $400. I have collected for some 50 years (I'm 80). What I am starting to thing about is what to do with them? I have no children (I suspect they wouldn't appreciate them even if left them to a youngster) and my wife would not know what to do with them when I pass. Yes, I enjoy them now (when they are not in a box) - but wonder "what's the purpose?" I am pragmatic and just doing the "brain" thing right now. Any suggestions/thoughts?
 
I just recently picked up my first CRK, and yes the knife is impressive, but it also has not made me lose interest my others. This collection thing is funny, I have always had a few knives but tried to keep it to less than 6. Then my Randall got stolen and I losy my SOG Spec Elite, in the same timeframe. Then the search for replacements began. It has not really stopped. Now i'm eyeing those damn Rocksteads and wondering what I can sell to fund one.
 
For those that really cannot tell much difference between a Spyderco and an Arius ... I am open to trades. 😜

My Arius knives have some of the best fit and finish, and smoothest action in my collection. The Arius design is also one of my favorite as you may be able to tell from all my dupes. 🤩
 

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Piddling said:
I have close to 200 knives (fixed and folders) - most are under $200, all under $400. I have collected for some 50 years (I'm 80). What I am starting to thing about is what to do with them? I have no children (I suspect they wouldn't appreciate them even if left them to a youngster) and my wife would not know what to do with them when I pass. Yes, I enjoy them now (when they are not in a box) - but wonder "what's the purpose?" I am pragmatic and just doing the "brain" thing right now. Any suggestions/thoughts?
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Start selling, gifting them?

At least let your wife know not to trash them.
 
DennisM said:
For those that really cannot tell much difference between a Spyderco and an Arius ... I am open to trades. 😜

My Arius knives have some of the best fit and finish, and smoothest action in my collection. The Arius design is also one of my favorite as you may be able to tell from all my dupes. 🤩
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Dennis, what kind of stepped knife holders are those?

Thanks, I currently have mine sitting on recycled wine cork holders lol, been looking for something like that.
 
Temu for about $7ea. Cheap but functional.
 

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My folding knife collection ranges from a $45 Civivi to a $2000 Rockstead, with at least 40% costing over $400. I own CRK, IMamba, Boos, Herman, Shiro, Grimsmo, Hog House, Hinderer, Koenig, Microtech, Olamic, Benchmade, ZT, Tacticle, Quiet Carry, Vosteed, ProTech, Piratech, North Arm,Kunwu, Liong Mah, Al Mar, Demko, CJRB, Kershaw, Spyderco and a handful of others. In all honesty I have reached the point where I do not want anymore of those $ 400 plus knives and will probably sell a couple and only want to add a couple more Spydeco upcoming sprints to the collection. I have said it to many times but I think I am done adding many others. All get some pocket time other than the Rockstead and a custom shop Shiro. Right now what get used the most are one of many Spydercos, ProTechs or Vostead, I am also now adding an Exceed Design TiRant Razor # to my edc along with one of those knives.
 
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