Problem

D

dutchknifeguy

Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
8
Hey guys!

First of all, I'm brand new to this forum, so please forgive me if I make some mistakes.

The reason for this post is that I have a problem which I would like to share with you and I'm hoping that you guys might have a solution for me... I'm a 17 year old knife nut from The Netherlands and I'v been into knives for quite some time now. I've got a small collection of sak's and folding knives (Victorinox Atlas, my late grandpa's Victorinox Excelcior from the 1950's, Victorinox Swisschamp, Opinel No 8 Outdoor, Eden Quality Knife model 106 and a True Utility Cliptool.) and I would like to expand my collection with some (tactical) folding knives (for EDC) and some fixed blades. This is where things start to get problematic. My parents aren't exactly pro-knives. I'm in the Scouts (because that is unfortunately the only way you can really go outdoors and camp in a more primitive way in The Netherlands) and that has enabled me to build up this small collection. But now my parents say that I've got more than enough knives and that I do not need to own more knives. Also, they say that it is not normal for any person, let alone a 17 year old, to carry a folding knife with them (maybe a small sak, but that's it). This really bugs me because I like knives and I use them all the time (I am careful in public because I don't want to freak people out, which in The Netherlands will happen very quickly). I've had a lot of discussions with my parents (especially my dad), but they do not give in. They seem to look at knives as weapons while I see them as tools which, in an emergency, could indeed be used to defend yourself. However, this is not why I collect and carry knives. I collect and carry them because they interest me, they are usefull to me and because buying, owning and using them makes me happy. I like to compare them to quality watches. My parents' view on knives and them not letting me buy more knives is really starting to irritate me. Apart from the knife topic, they are really tolerant (I've started skydiving when I was 16 and they are totally fine with that), so I do not really see why they are being so intolerant now.

Anyways guys, I'm sorry for the long post. I just wanted to share my problem with you guys and really hope that you have a solution for me.

Dutchknifeguy

By the way, knives that I was looking into are the spyderco tenacious, the kershaw cryo and the light my fire/mora fireknife.
 
dutchknifeguy said:
Hey guys!

First of all, I'm brand new to this forum, so please forgive me if I make some mistakes.

... I just wanted to share my problem with you guys and really hope that you have a solution for me.

Dutchknifeguy

By the way, knives that I was looking into are the spyderco tenacious, the kershaw cryo and the light my fire/mora fireknife.
Click to expand...

The solution is to save your money, respect your parents and age a little. You will soon be old enough to set out on your own and make your own choices; and don't be surprised if your priorities change within a couple of years.

n2s
 
Thank you for your reply not2sharp!



I have tought about that as well... I will be going to college next year, so I will have more freedom to do and buy what I want. But I don't really want to wait that long. Also, I've got a reasonable amount of money to spend at the moment and it is well known that college students are pretty poor.



Dutchknifeguy
 
It is much easier to spend what you have now than to save for the future/unknown.

With your parents stance on the subject I would wait until you're on your own to expand your collection. You will have you own bills to pay and new knives may take a step back in importance.

Don't let his name fool you. n2s can be quite astute.
 
It is not a good idea to get on the wrong side of your parents over something like a knife that you may not even use or enjoy in a few years. It will be better for you in the long run if you honor your parents request.
 
dutchknifeguy said:
Thank you for your reply not2sharp!



I have tought about that as well... I will be going to college next year, so I will have more freedom to do and buy what I want. But I don't really want to wait that long. Also, I've got a reasonable amount of money to spend at the moment and it is well known that college students are pretty poor.



Dutchknifeguy
Click to expand...

Patience is one of the best virtues you can develop early on in life. It opens the doors for a whole lot of learning in many areas. I agree with N2S, he was accurate in his reply to you. Best of luck with your studies. All of the knives you listed are solid budget friendly choices.
 
Is it the size of the knife they dont like or the quantity? I agree with the other two comments about waiting a year. Or if you had a particular knife you wanted you could ask in a respectful way to trade for or sell some others off to get a new one, that way youre not adding to your collection. Just a thought. Just remember you only have one more year at home till youre on your own, be respectful and dont cuase strife over the topic.
 
At 17 it's not long until you can do what you please. Maybe you should show your dad that there are 10's of thousands of normal people who appreciate finer knives. Show him some of the more expensive ones on EBay, etc. These aren't collectibles for chumps---it's not like you are into the VooDoo Vampire B.S. blades out there (or if you are don't tell them). Maybe even point out how ridiculous his stamp collection is.

Meantime buy the knife you like and enjoy it. If they absolutely won't let you buy it start bringing home gun magazines.
 
Thank you for your replies! I think I'm going to wait a bit and try to have some more conversations/discussions with my parents about the subject.
 
:thumbup: That is a great way to proceed. That will also give you some more time to look around and see what other knives are out there.
 
Just make sure that they are conversations and discussions. Not fights. Maybe after your problem has been resolved, we could trade some knives. I am sure that you have blades available over there that we can't get.
 
I think you have a little leeway since you're not into anything mall ninja or tacticool. Just keep them aware that knives are a legitimate interest for you and not just a "boy's fantasy".

I was in a similar situation when I was 14, but at that stage my interest in knives really was just a "kid fantasy". My parents made it clear they didn't want me to build a collection at that age and so I dropped it, played video games, and now at 24 I have all the freedom and maturity to give knives an honest shot.

If I still had the knives I owned as a kid I would toss em out right now. They were all really bad choices and my tastes changed since then.
 
dutchknifeguy said:
Thank you for your replies! I think I'm going to wait a bit and try to have some more conversations/discussions with my parents about the subject.
Click to expand...

That's a good way to go but you really have to watch yourself with these kinds of conversations because they can get pretty heated fast. If you're not careful, it will soon be less about facts and more about your parents putting down the hammer.
 
You have a very nice little collection for your age. I advise patience, and grow the collection slowly and wisely!

Got my first knives from uncles at about age 9 or 10. Didn't get any more until I was grown and out of the house. Wore them both out before 22.

Good luck!
 
Enjoy knife collecting. Start slow and easy and enjoy your hobby but keep it low profile and low key. There is nothing wrong carrying a knife in your pocket. Use it discretely, responsibly, don't flash it around, and there is nothing wrong with knowing that it is riding with you, out of view in your pocket. As time goes by continue to grow your collection.
 
You could try to enlighten your parents as to the benefits of carrying a knife by showing them some instances where some regular Joe saved/rescued a person from a dire situation with a knife. You can find examples of this around this site or others. Maybe it might impress upon them it is better to have n not need than need not have. All my loved ones now carry a knife/multitool in their vehicles. Good luck to you
 
(I've started skydiving when I was 16 and they are totally fine with that)

I understand about their reluctance concerning knives. You could get hurt... Just promise them that the knives will stay ON THE GROUND.
The LOGIC never kicks in until you get your own apartment... Been There.
 
I'm very impressed, you have a good head on your shoulders for a 17 year old. When I was your age, I'd been suspended from school twice, arrested once.
I think if you sit down with your parents and explain to them that this is a hobby as well as something useful to have, like a set of tools they might understand better. I wish you the best of luck.
 
I was in a similar situation when I was your age but with firearms.

I found it was easier to acquire the weapons without their consent or knowledge and then move out of their house as soon as possible and live your life the way you want.

It took a number of years but I was able to whittle down their reluctance towards the "need" or even usefulness of owning weapons. Now they see that they're "necessary" for a variety of reasons. Of course, I've been in the military and police for over a decade so I've used every single terrorist event or violent crime as an in-your-face-see-I-told-you-so example as to why individuals cannot, and should not, outsource their self-defense to a disinterested third party. (police or military)

As long as you live in their home you are their "child" and will never be their equal in terms of dialogue or decision. Be secretive and deceptive. Or give up your hoplophile nature. Or leave.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top