Now What?

Take whatever you want out of it....it's a completely different hobby when you can't buy anymore. I haven't bought a new knife in a few months because life happens and I don't know when I will be able to again. It's given me a greater appreciation for what I have, but I also see quite a few that I would have gotten if I was able. The new 44 in cocobolo from GEC for example. Don't miss out on something that'll make you happy because you're re-evaluating the hobby. One day you might not get the chance....
 
Go back and rediscover the reasons why you like some of the patterns you chose. Also, try to discover new aspects of your knives, it was mentioned earlier, try sharpening, bushcraft skills with different ones, and go ahead a sell or give some away those that may not meet your needs. One way I have not implemented yet, get rid of two for every new one you acquire.
 
BilboBaggins said:
Perhaps SpySmasher SpySmasher has found it, but I have yet to glimpse it.
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I haven't. Just picked up a couple of more oldie-but-goodies and the list still goes on and on.

Shorttime said:
I started making them. If you want, you can dump tens of thousands of dollars into DIY belt grinder projects, forges, fixtures, jigging, clamps, and consumables like sanding belts, tape, and epoxy. Better yet, it's a never-ending cycle of not being totally happy with the finished product, and telling yourself that you'll do better on the next one.
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Tremendous!
 
Start carving wood and see where that takes you. Fair warning though, once you start you will find all sorts of new holes in your collection. Got a crooked knife? Draw knives and spokeshaves? Skews? Fully stocked with Flexcuts? Once you go down the knothole, say goodbye to your free time. Stock up on bandaids first though.
 
l1ranger said:
it is now time for the battle royale.
my knives meet needs, other than a few gifts that I still hold onto.

but I find some enjoyment in trying to find better knives to meet those needs. so if something comes along that kicks my interest and I can fit it in the budget, I'll grab it, compare it to what I currently have in real life conditions, and then decide which one to keep and which one to pass along.

my knife budget is pretty thin these days with two kids away at school, so most of my users at up to about $100, which leaves a lot of room for future comparisons when the budget allows.

I truly enjoy sharpening my knives and an occasional for others. between touching up my EDC, and other users (seasonally), and keeping the kitchen knives sharp (there are quite a few of these) i like to play with the angles and grits on the kitchen knives and see what works best for each.

I'm also dabbling in knife making, albeit slowly

if none of that sounds interesting - get a motorcycle
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I have not really explored kitchen knives very much. That might be a good area to consider.

As for the motorcycle...I have a BMW and I have not been on it for a few years. With my heart attack three years ago and my recent back injury, I don't expect to ride much, if ever, again. Besides, the state has let the roads go to hell and the Cagers are all driving like idiots. I don't remember drivers acting this crazy twenty years ago.
 
I used to buy knives because I wanted what they were and didn't know that what I was buying was second or third rate stuff. I soon tired of them and now I got a bunch of trash knives. Now, because of this board I am more knowledgeable and selective.
 
mushka said:
I used to buy knives because I wanted what they were and didn't know that what I was buying was second or third rate stuff. I soon tired of them and now I got a bunch of trash knives. Now, because of this board I am more knowledgeable and selective.
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You're in good company. I would guess most of us have gone through this. I did.
 
46yrs of carrying knives.

I’ve gone from strictly carrying knives as a tool to collecting limited editions, to modernizing, then specializing and then downsizing. Lately I’ve been trying to get a little better at sharpening and reading more about different steels. The knifecycle never ends.

You’re a knife knut like the rest of us Sabre, It’s why your here.
 
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sabre cat said:
So, you kept the D2? That's encouraging.
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I did keep the d2. The 390 was bought mostly from the great reviews, the steel, the blade shape. I even had custom micarta scales for it. But for all it cost and what it did, it really wasn't that much different than the old 551. Of course it helped that the Ritter grip went up tremendously in value, which made moving it on an easier choice knowing I broke even.

Sharpeneing the d2 is actually what got me into sharpening more. I couldn't get a decent edge on it for anything, so I realized I was doing something wrong. Then the sharpening research led me down another rabbit hole. The good news is my wife is incredibly happy as my sharpening improvements apply to her kitchen knives quite well.

I didnt think about getting into kydex or sheaths. Good idea. I have some scrap leather and all the tools to make sheaths. Maybe that'll be my next "now what."
 
Whitedog said:
If you knife needs are fulfilled you will have money and time for something else. Too many knives is just clutter. More time to tweek your favorite knife, make em cut better etc.
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exactly!! get into sharpening and sharpening systems and putting incredible edges on your knives. Its a skill set and in my opinion an art form that takes time to develop and acquire
 
sabre cat said:
I have not really explored kitchen knives very much. That might be a good area to consider.

As for the motorcycle...I have a BMW and I have not been on it for a few years. With my heart attack three years ago and my recent back injury, I don't expect to ride much, if ever, again. Besides, the state has let the roads go to hell and the Cagers are all driving like idiots. I don't remember drivers acting this crazy twenty years ago.
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Ive replaced my kitchen knives with hand made from Big Chris. It’s a world of difference in the kitchen. I use to not have a desire to carry a fixed blade until I decided to give it a try. Now, a fixed blade is part of my rotation. My side job allows me to carry a fixed blade. There’s some days I never reach into my pocket to take a knife out.
 
Let's face it, our predecessors did far more with far fewer knives. "Need" is as nebulous or as well defined as we want it to be.
The justification only needs to satisfy you and be rational in comparison to your free resources.

It has puzzled me that there is such a wide gulf between EDC knife owners and kitchen knife users/collectors. If you cook, a chef's knife will be one of the most used knives you own.
Since you own Benchmades, there are a lot of 'smith made J-knives that are in your price range. If you freehand sharpen, you can get the most performance out of them.
 
Have you been at BLADE?
There you have it all under one roof.
Try not to buy a knife.
hope this helps
 
red mag said:
Have you been at BLADE?
There you have it all under one roof.
Try not to buy a knife.
hope this helps
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Nope, can't say I have. Maybe some day. I would have to come up with an equal activity for my wife, though.
 
Ourorboros said:
It has puzzled me that there is such a wide gulf between EDC knife owners and kitchen knife users/collectors. If you cook, a chef's knife will be one of the most used knives you own.
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When I got to where I couldn't justify another pocket knife, I switched over to kitchen knives a couple of years ago. I have that area covered now too. I absolutely do use those every single day (not every knife every day), sometimes multiple times a day as I have gotten into cooking and healthier eating. I barely use a pocket knife for anything.
 
jc57 said:
When I got to where I couldn't justify another pocket knife, I switched over to kitchen knives a couple of years ago. I have that area covered now too. I absolutely do use those every single day (not every knife every day), sometimes multiple times a day as I have gotten into cooking and healthier eating. I barely use a pocket knife for anything.
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And I won't hesitate to use my folder as a pairing knife. :D
 
I’m where the OP is as well. I’ve pretty much got the folders covered, at least the ones that interest me, with about 10. Any other folders that interest me are pretty similar to what I already own. I have about 10 fixed blades, which include 4 customs. I rarely carry or use the fixed blades. I do have some interest in value knives, $40-$80 or so. I keep looking for these types of knives, e.g., Smoke Jumper, Bestech, Rat 1’s, etc.

I do like the idea of concentrating on sharpening skills, and I’ll prolly do that.
 
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