Poll: What are we currently collecting

What kind of edged tools interest you? (top 3 choices)

  • Classic folding pocket knives by Remington,Case and many others

    Votes: 25 29.4%

  • large knives like the one(?) used by James Bowie

    Votes: 9 10.6%

  • Rambo knives, because we all need sawback blades and a secure place for matches, fishing line,…etc

    Votes: 4 4.7%

  • Give me a Tanto, the Turtles are waiting on me

    Votes: 10 11.8%

  • Forget about the past. I am looking for the latest in tactical folders.

    Votes: 18 21.2%

  • Stop with the fantasy. I want knives, swords and bayonets of historical significance

    Votes: 5 5.9%

  • Full tang only. If you need to carry a knife it should be near indestructible tool.

    Votes: 11 12.9%

  • In the real world a knife should be a tool that can double for self defense

    Votes: 25 29.4%

  • I am not a collector.

    Votes: 29 34.1%

  • Automatic and gravity folding knives.

    Votes: 2 2.4%
  • Total voters
    85
not2sharp

not2sharp

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Every so often it is fun to see how our hobby is evolving. There was a time when everyone wanted a Bowie knife. The Iron Mistress film had been released which added fuel to the fires kindled by Wellman’s original novel and Raymon Thorp’s history of the Bowie knife. Then First Blood came along and everything suddenly started to sprout hollow handles and all kinds of gadgetry. Eventually, the industry evolved, knife publications thrived and with the new information there was a resurgence of interest in traditional pocket knives; and in the evolving high tech world of tactical folders. As the 1980s gave way to the 90s Japan was reaching new heights in its global economic power and the things they made were now appreciated for their elegance and quality. Suddenly, everyone needed a katana or at least a tanto knife. There were even Mutant Ninja Turtles. Then we were all back to survival, only this time the key feature was robustness. We needed tough knives that could baton or even tougher knives that could process wood like an axe. More recently the quest for steel has become ever more focus on blade chemistry and the extreme refinements available through enhanced computing and CNC machining. In addition there have always been those who’s interest has been sparked by historical considerations and the ever growing wealth of information on antique, military or ethnographic types.

So let us know where you currently fall. Select your top 3 areas of interests.

N2s
 
knarfeng said:
I'm not a "collector", per se. I am an "accumulator". I have, and am currently, accumulating a little bit of everything. Because they all interest me.
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I'm not a collector either, but I sure have a bunch of knives. The last several years though, I've just been picking up a nice Barlow or stockman once in a while; or maybe a Buck folder, but that's about it.
 
I'm not a collector by any means. I'm not sure how to describe my collections other than maybe just a hobby. I used to go for the modern., one handed flip open knives, and ended up with about a half dozen Benchmade folders, but after a couple of yers, I began to find the soulless and kind of boring with their modern looks and synthetic materials. Great knives, but not very interesting. Somewhat recently, I've moved into traditional folders. Just good old manual 2 handed, pull the blade open pocket knives. I love the connection to history, the craftsmanship, and the traditional materials like antler, bone and wood. There's something beautiful about an old school pocket knife.
 
I'm a collector. The easiest way to describe my primary collection is Fighting Knives. Mostly fixed blade but a number of folders as well. I also collect traditional American pattern pocket knives.

As a South African and long time collector of South African custom knives I have a special interest in those.

Not all my knives fit this genre though. I often just buy stuff I just like. ;)
 
Regarding collection vs the accumulation of knives, I suspect that most of us start off at the same point, buy buying a knife that we like. Over time we buy a few more and eventually we discover that we have accumulated a collection(s). There are very few who just climb out of bed at age 16 and suddenly decide to pursue x brand of knives for the rest of their lives. I have been surprised by some of the stuff I have ended up collecting; one day you just pull out a box and realize that you have a variety of knives in the same style, brand, material, period, theme, etc. I hear the denials, but many of you may be on the road to a collection whether you know it or not.

N2s
 
I like knives. I buy the ones that intrigue me in some way. Been doing it for years. I own pieces that fit into all of the polling categories, but the vast majority of my hoard can be most accurately described as "modern production folding knives." I've never considered myself a "collector," but as the decades roll on, my accumulation of knives has grown to proportions which render this sentiment utterly disingenuous..
 
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