- Joined
- Nov 23, 2014
- Messages
- 77
Im just over six months into knife collecting, so I figured it would be a good time to do a state of the collection. As I said in my introductory post, my first stab at collecting was watches over at WatchUSeek, where people would frequently post their collection talking about how happy they are with it, their goals attained, and where they see their collection moving in the future. Id like to do the same here.
Just like watches, knives can be organized into categories. Divers, chronos, manual wind and automatics become EDC, fixed, folders, hard use, flippers, etc. My goal was really not to focus on any one category, but to have a well rounded collection. I dont have unlimited funds to spend (do any of us?) so Ive had to focus mainly on stuff below $100. So, here is my collection so far.
I suppose technically my first purchase was a Gerber Paratrooper 2. I happened to be browsing the local Canadian Tire and they had it on a steep markdown. It was then that I decided to carry a blade on a regular basis. Shortly after owning it, I picked up a Sharpmaker and I was very, very dissatisfied with how blunt it was even after careful sharpening. There were other big ergo problems with it, for example, due to the large holes in the skeletonized handle, I once sliced the tip of my pinky on it when I reached into my pocket. And I have big hands! I began to research other knives, and it was then that I stumbled onto BladeForums, and the madness began.
My first two EDC purchases happened near simultaneously. I picked up a Kershaw Leek and a Spyderco Dragonfly2. While Im happy with both those purchases, I learned several important lessons that would impact future purchases. Firstly, I learned the importance of blade shape. Because of the low slant of the Leek, most cutting tasks are performed on a very delicate tip. I prefer to cut with the belly of the blade, and that influenced what shapes of blades I would purchase. In addition, I learned the importance of the shape and style of pocket clips. I am an urban knife carrier, and Spydercos wire clip places it much deeper in the pocket in comparison to the clip of the Leek. Finally, I learned that liners do make a difference when faced with difficult cutting tasks, so it is important to know your knife before attempting cuts. I was making something out of a cardboard box for my toddler, and I was doing the cuts with the DF2. I could feel the knife flex in my hand when doing the cuts through the heavy cardboard.
Taking the lessons from the previous two knives, I wanted a slightly heavier duty EDC, yet one that was cheaper than the Dragonfly2. Because of my positive impressions of Spyderco, I looked through their line and picked up a Cat. Interestingly, I always figured it would play second fiddle to the DF2 and only come out from time to time, I have actually gravitated towards it, and it has become my most carried knife so far. I love the blade shape and ergos and would highly recommend it.
Next up, I wanted a strong fixed blade. I really wanted to start camping more, and I figured a solid fixed blade would fit in well there, as well as being a cornerstone of a bug out bag, if I decided to make one. Enter the BK-10. Great, great blade, though I must say I havent used it at all yet. I badly fell on the ice back in March and broke my leg, and its only now that Im getting back to weight bearing. Itll be a while before I go on any hikes. Still, it is a beautiful and solid knife, and one that will last a lifetime.
My mom recently picked me up a Spyderco Grasshopper, and it is a nice little folder that I can put in my pocket on occasions where a bigger knife would scare the sheep. Its a great little knife that sharpens up very well. If youre looking for a cute little knife to bump your order up for free shipping, you cant ask for anything nicer.
Going back to watches, a kind of milestone is the first watch that you spend more than $1000 on. I havent yet crossed that in the watch world, but I feel that $100 should be a similar barrier in the knife world. Theres an incredible amount of beautiful, functional, and strong knives that you can get below $100. When you cross that $100 mark, you are getting into things that are beginning to be truly special in some way. The workmanship usually takes a step up, and you are able to get into some more exotic steels. Well, this week I crossed that milestone.
Enter the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. There is no company that I have gravitated to (so far) quite as much as Spyderco. I love the three that I have, and I really wanted to get one of their more special knives. In particular, I wanted something that would fulfill the heavy EDC role. It seems that every Spyderco fan picks one up at some point in their collection, and I thought it would be a good one to have for the summer. Looking forward to getting it in my hands.
So, overall Im very happy with my collection. I think that Ive filled a lot of roles, and there really arent any junk knives. So, where is it going to in the future?
In my mind, the next stage is to branch out a bit from Spyderco. This isnt due to any sort of dissatisfaction with the company, I just want to learn what else is out there, and keep whats in my pocket more varied. For instance, for EDC I have Dragonfly2 → Cat → Paramilitary2. All are great knives, but they are a variation on a theme. They all share similar blade shapes and styles. I want some more variation in there.
What currently caught my eye were two offerings from Ontario Knife Company. I would like to get both a Rat 2 (black blade) and a Utilitac II. The Rat 2 would give me variation when I would normally carry the Cat, and the Utilitac would give me an option to use it rather than the PM2. Far, far less expensive, so I would be less apt to baby it (though Im a firm believer that any knife in my collection should be used as intended. Nothing is going to be purchased to simply sit in a safe unused). Because Im Canadian and ordering from the States, usually there is a flat shipping fee to Canada so I would probably order both at the same time and share the shipping fees. Two great knives for just over $50. Seems like a good deal to me.
Well, I've you've gotten down this far, thanks for reading. What are your thoughts on my collection? Any suggestions on where to go from here?
Thanks!
Just like watches, knives can be organized into categories. Divers, chronos, manual wind and automatics become EDC, fixed, folders, hard use, flippers, etc. My goal was really not to focus on any one category, but to have a well rounded collection. I dont have unlimited funds to spend (do any of us?) so Ive had to focus mainly on stuff below $100. So, here is my collection so far.
I suppose technically my first purchase was a Gerber Paratrooper 2. I happened to be browsing the local Canadian Tire and they had it on a steep markdown. It was then that I decided to carry a blade on a regular basis. Shortly after owning it, I picked up a Sharpmaker and I was very, very dissatisfied with how blunt it was even after careful sharpening. There were other big ergo problems with it, for example, due to the large holes in the skeletonized handle, I once sliced the tip of my pinky on it when I reached into my pocket. And I have big hands! I began to research other knives, and it was then that I stumbled onto BladeForums, and the madness began.
My first two EDC purchases happened near simultaneously. I picked up a Kershaw Leek and a Spyderco Dragonfly2. While Im happy with both those purchases, I learned several important lessons that would impact future purchases. Firstly, I learned the importance of blade shape. Because of the low slant of the Leek, most cutting tasks are performed on a very delicate tip. I prefer to cut with the belly of the blade, and that influenced what shapes of blades I would purchase. In addition, I learned the importance of the shape and style of pocket clips. I am an urban knife carrier, and Spydercos wire clip places it much deeper in the pocket in comparison to the clip of the Leek. Finally, I learned that liners do make a difference when faced with difficult cutting tasks, so it is important to know your knife before attempting cuts. I was making something out of a cardboard box for my toddler, and I was doing the cuts with the DF2. I could feel the knife flex in my hand when doing the cuts through the heavy cardboard.
Taking the lessons from the previous two knives, I wanted a slightly heavier duty EDC, yet one that was cheaper than the Dragonfly2. Because of my positive impressions of Spyderco, I looked through their line and picked up a Cat. Interestingly, I always figured it would play second fiddle to the DF2 and only come out from time to time, I have actually gravitated towards it, and it has become my most carried knife so far. I love the blade shape and ergos and would highly recommend it.
Next up, I wanted a strong fixed blade. I really wanted to start camping more, and I figured a solid fixed blade would fit in well there, as well as being a cornerstone of a bug out bag, if I decided to make one. Enter the BK-10. Great, great blade, though I must say I havent used it at all yet. I badly fell on the ice back in March and broke my leg, and its only now that Im getting back to weight bearing. Itll be a while before I go on any hikes. Still, it is a beautiful and solid knife, and one that will last a lifetime.
My mom recently picked me up a Spyderco Grasshopper, and it is a nice little folder that I can put in my pocket on occasions where a bigger knife would scare the sheep. Its a great little knife that sharpens up very well. If youre looking for a cute little knife to bump your order up for free shipping, you cant ask for anything nicer.
Going back to watches, a kind of milestone is the first watch that you spend more than $1000 on. I havent yet crossed that in the watch world, but I feel that $100 should be a similar barrier in the knife world. Theres an incredible amount of beautiful, functional, and strong knives that you can get below $100. When you cross that $100 mark, you are getting into things that are beginning to be truly special in some way. The workmanship usually takes a step up, and you are able to get into some more exotic steels. Well, this week I crossed that milestone.
Enter the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. There is no company that I have gravitated to (so far) quite as much as Spyderco. I love the three that I have, and I really wanted to get one of their more special knives. In particular, I wanted something that would fulfill the heavy EDC role. It seems that every Spyderco fan picks one up at some point in their collection, and I thought it would be a good one to have for the summer. Looking forward to getting it in my hands.
So, overall Im very happy with my collection. I think that Ive filled a lot of roles, and there really arent any junk knives. So, where is it going to in the future?
In my mind, the next stage is to branch out a bit from Spyderco. This isnt due to any sort of dissatisfaction with the company, I just want to learn what else is out there, and keep whats in my pocket more varied. For instance, for EDC I have Dragonfly2 → Cat → Paramilitary2. All are great knives, but they are a variation on a theme. They all share similar blade shapes and styles. I want some more variation in there.
What currently caught my eye were two offerings from Ontario Knife Company. I would like to get both a Rat 2 (black blade) and a Utilitac II. The Rat 2 would give me variation when I would normally carry the Cat, and the Utilitac would give me an option to use it rather than the PM2. Far, far less expensive, so I would be less apt to baby it (though Im a firm believer that any knife in my collection should be used as intended. Nothing is going to be purchased to simply sit in a safe unused). Because Im Canadian and ordering from the States, usually there is a flat shipping fee to Canada so I would probably order both at the same time and share the shipping fees. Two great knives for just over $50. Seems like a good deal to me.
Well, I've you've gotten down this far, thanks for reading. What are your thoughts on my collection? Any suggestions on where to go from here?
Thanks!
