New spending practices, common sense

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
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After putting up most of the knives I got back over the holidays in the Exchange, I've decided that I just cannot afford impulse buys anymore. Talking to a friend of mine this week, he told me that he has too many guns and knives. Now, stop yelling and read further. The guy says that he has too many to use. Pipe down back there!

After careful consideration, I've decided that I can afford $50 per month for knives. Twelve knives a year, and I should be able to get all of the production knives on my want list within the next several years. I am looking at some high end production knives and customs, I've decided that if the knife I want is more expensive than the $50 I have set aside, I will have to save up for that particular knife. I think this is common sense, and a good plan for me to adhere to. I am already saving up for a Sebenza, a custom from one of the members on here and a Strider SMF or SNG.

I think that this simple rule will make me stay away from impulse buys, and make me read more about my purchases, and hopefully handle all of my purchases in the store.
 
WOW..you and I are in a similiar boat. I have put myself on a "one knife a month" program, with 40-50 as a starting point and then if I have any left-over from my monthly budget at the end of the month I add that in and see what I can get.

I find it helps me focus more on specific patterns and keeps me from random unrelated knives as much.
 
when I looked at a cigar box full of pocket knives and realized I only carried a couple of them. I've traded away most of the ones that just sit. Now I'm thinking long and hard about what the next one will be. I don't have the money or space to be a serious collector so I'll stick with what I will actually use.

Frank
 
I'm also in a similar situation. Over the past 3yrs I've acquired probably around 180-200 knives that were literally ALL impulse buys. I'd carry some for a month or two, then they just live in a drawer or knife-roll, serving no real use aside from me playing with them while watching a movie at home or something. When it comes to knives, I generally prefer things designed with a more defensive-purpose in mind. In going through my collection I found I have various hunters, slip-joints, etc, which I have no real need for, but apparently at one time I thought they were needed. In general I've finally narrowed my actual collection down to my handmade Emersons, BM Balisongs, and some older BM folders that are nostalgic to me. In my EDC collection I've narrowed the folders down to an SMF, Sebenza, 2 806D2's and a BM 630 Black Skirmish. Fixed blades are down to a Polkowski Kasper Bulldog, JSP Jashido and Doshido. I figured out my "knife budget" and if I add 4 balisongs per year and 2 misc customs, I'll be sitting just right to put some money towards my other hobbies since there are a few firearms and cars I'd like to pickup in the coming years. Hopefully I can keep myself on track (but I say that every year!) ;)
 
Exactly. I'm looking at buying a 02 Silverado Z71 4 door cab next year. A house several years down the road. I've limited myself to one rifle, one pistol and one shotgun per year.
 
Silent,

We're looking at darn near the same vehicle. My wife is dead set on a 2002 Silverado extended cab, and on having it by this time next year. Right now she drives a 1999 V6 Firebird, and we also have an 03 Mercury Marauder and a 99 TransAm. Needless to say, we live in Pennsylvania and winter driving the past few years has plain sucked. She's hell bent on the truck (so am I really) but since something's gotta give, I guess it's got to be my cutlery in the end!
 
I knew I had a problem when I had to make a decision to either get a real nice custom Loveless style blued damascus stag handled hunter, or pay to get my truck fixed. It was either bang around in my old Toyota 2wd clunker p/u, with a custom knife, or my somewhat newer Chevrolet Blazer S10. I made my choice real fast. I do miss that knife though :(.

So, I'm saving up for that 2002 (I absolutely hate the 2003 and newer models front ends :barf: :barf: :barf: ) Silverado Z71 1500 4WD crew cab, bucket seats, throw a tool box on it. Then I have to think about the knives and multitools I'm going to leave in there :).
 
Step 1: "We admitted we were powerless over knives..." :o
I am heartened to know that recovery over knife impulse buying does not require complete abstinence. ;)
Hey how 'bout that BM706-02? -- Cain't wait to get me one of them! :D
 
Unfortuately being in this forum presents a serious challenge to the temptation to buy the latest and greatest as well as the proven older blades.

I used to have the same problem when I subscribed to Guns and Ammo - I had to finally let my subscription lapse. :mad: (dang I miss that mag)

Really, the only way to avoid this temptation is to go cold turkey from this forum for a few weeks or practice the mantra: "I will not buy this knife, I will not buy this knife, I will not..." :D
The challenge is mighty - but the weak will not submit (I admit I'm somewhat weak in this area). Perhaps others have suggestions that will help keep a lot of us out of financial misery from this addiction.
 
The wife just got an '03 Civic to replace her '65 Valiant. I'm putting around in a '65 VW Baja Bug, which is a state of perpetual modification. I've done the front end (adjustable beam, bearings, brakes, shocks, stearing box, tie rods), motor, tranny mounts, starter, generator, carb, exhaust, oil cooler, shifter/bushing. She still looks like Hell, though. On my list of things to do...floor pans, roll cage, seats, carpet, bondo, paint, skid plate, electircal, tape player (I don't think a CD player would stand up to the bouncing), window seals and bigger tires (right now she's got 205s up front and 235s out back, I'd like to put 30s out back and move the 235s up front). Between payments on the Civic and the Frankenbug (as my niece calls it) I have to make my knife money count. There are times I still miss my little S-10. It was an accident magnet but it didn't leak and I didn't have to adjust the valves every 3000 miles. Oh well. Live and learn.

Frank
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
The wife just got an '03 Civic to replace her '65 Valiant. I'm putting around in a '65 VW Baja Bug, which is a state of perpetual modification. I've done the front end (adjustable beam, bearings, brakes, shocks, stearing box, tie rods), motor, tranny mounts, starter, generator, carb, exhaust, oil cooler, shifter/bushing. She still looks like Hell, though. On my list of things to do...floor pans, roll cage, seats, carpet, bondo, paint, skid plate, electircal, tape player (I don't think a CD player would stand up to the bouncing), window seals and bigger tires (right now she's got 205s up front and 235s out back, I'd like to put 30s out back and move the 235s up front). Between payments on the Civic and the Frankenbug (as my niece calls it) I have to make my knife money count. There are times I still miss my little S-10. It was an accident magnet but it didn't leak and I didn't have to adjust the valves every 3000 miles. Oh well. Live and learn.

Frank
Click to expand...
Many ages ago before I got married I was into cars but mainly I worked on them not because I had to but because I wanted to.
Had a Cordoba (with corinthian leather) that I modified by reworking the heads, installing a high lift cam, modifying the ignition system, etc. etc.

Helped another buddy with an engine swap and rebuild.

Today I do minimal work, alternators, batteries, plugs, and occasional oil changes - thank God for Jiffy Lube. I just don't have the time or money anymore but I do appreciated a well-done modifed vehicle.

Did this thread just get hijacked? :(
 
On the subject I hope ! :eek:
One might say hijacked, but any discussion on common sense knife-buying here is doomed to digress I think. BTW, that Benchmade 100SH20, looks like a 2 month project there. Good luck in your newly constructed discipline, Silenthunter. :D
 
Well said MarkMM. Seems like most threads always get hijacked - I was just being facetious.;)
 
digdeep said:
Well said MarkMM. Seems like most threads always get hijacked - I was just being facetious.;)
Click to expand...
And I took it as facetious :D . Actually it's funny as heck that we all get into sharing the things we get compulsive over: knives, cars, guns, etc. I'm not going to say one word about sex though--I'll never go there :o ! But I am requesting a progress report on SilentHunter as he proceeds in acquiring his Sebbie, Strider, and Benchmade. Looks like we're in for a long haul here. :p
 
I have a similar limitation on my knife spending, although in my case it's closer to $300 / year (CDN) right now. I'm happy with my collection, and the knives that pique my interest right now are usually customs or semi-customs that would gobble up most of my allocated budget.

I've found that another successful means of limiting your knife spending is to invest in a few nice display cabinets for your collection. My display-worthy knives (which all see some use, btw) fit in two wall cabinets, with room for 2 or 3 additional pieces. If I want to expand beyond that, I'll need more cabinets, and since I don't have the extra space for them right now, it keeps me in check.

Cheers,

Mike
 
2 pieces of advice: use the passaround forum-There are a few knives that I thoought I was in love with, and decided I don't really need, and
If you're going to buy a house, you may want to look at that as the bigger long-term goal. In my profession, I counsel folks all the time that want to purchase a house, but don't have 1/10 of the money they need to do so. They're only getting more expensive.
 
I've also taken a long, hard look at my spending practices. I had too many things bought on impulse that I never used. I put a lot more thought into my purchases now. Will I use it? If so, how much? Can I justify the cost? Does it serve the purpose better than something similar? Is the quality there? I'm not spending near as much as I used to, and I'm getting much more enjoyment out of what I do buy.

Paul
 
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