I don't collect knives; I accumulate them. The knives accumulate because I'm always on the lookout for something better. I like to have plenty of options for any situation. For example, if I feel like I need a large serrated blade on a given day, I'll replace the plain Goddard Lightweight for a serrated Endura. This means that I'll also trade the small knife I also carry--a serrated Delica--for a plain one to compensate. That makes four altogether: large and small, serrated and plain. If I'm going to be carrying in waistband (the kilt doesn't have pockets!), I'll opt for the Stryker. If I anticipate carrying the knife in my shirtpocket at some point during the day (as when sitting in the car or in a movie), I'll opt for something narrow and thin, preferably with a pivot-end clip, such as a Benchmade Leopard Cub or Mini Spike. Ah, but I've learned to appreciate the Spyder hole over right-hand-only thumb studs, so the Calypso Jr. has replaced the Leopard Cub and Mini Spike, although the narrower blades of the latter made them better paring knives, which is why I bought the Al Mar Falcon Ultralight, which, unfortunately, has neither Spyder hole nor pivot-end clip; but the clip IS right-left reversible! If I'm going to be cutting larger fruits, like watermelons or pineapples, I might opt for the Vaquero Grande. And of course I'll be irritated by the fact that the VG won't cut straigt due to the serrations, and I'll start shopping for something similarly large but with a plain edge. If I want an extra tough blade that still offers great cutting performance, I'll opt for the M2 AFCK, unless corrosion resistance is a factor, as when swimming, in which case I'm back to the serrated Endura. If I want an even tougher blade and don't mind sacrificing a bit of cutting performance, I'll probably have to buy something I don't already have, and here we go again. Of course no home should be without at least one kukri and a whole bunch of Frosts of Sweden knives for kitchen and toolbox, in both stainless and carbon varieties, as well as the usual assortment of steak and chef knives, and a multi-tool for every purse, briefcase, glove compartment and office, in addition to the one on my belt. If I'm going to be traveling by air, at least one of the multi-tools must have no serrated blade.
So you see, it's not that I'm stupid or crazy; I just have very specialized needs. Okay, maybe I am stupid and crazy, but not when it comes to knives. So far, I have never bought a knife I didn't plan to carry and use, or at least keep in a convenient place for an emergency.
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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy knives, and knives make me happy.
[This message has been edited by David Rock (edited 30 June 1999).]
