Sensory Overload - Are there just too many knives out there?

S

SlideRacker

Joined
Feb 23, 2020
Messages
108
Is the knife market saturated with too many makers, too many models, too many styles? Do you ever feel overwhelmed to make a choice among all the options? And then there are the lotteries, gotta get in on those, right? And the auctions, might as well place a bid. Then the hot new releases that sell out fast. Then the SPRINT runs, and on and on . . .

As I'm learning this game, I feel the toughest thing to do is to just put your foot down and say "No". When I see something new on my Instagram feed and my first reaction is "Wow, I gotta have that knife!", I just roll with it, let my emotions run wild, take a deep breath and allow time for my brain to take over, I find saying "No" is a lot easier. Then my brain starts the vetting process, "Does it fit my collection, am I just reacting and not thinking it through, etc. I now have my interest list down to a few makes/models. Even within those makes/models I focus on unique knives that compliment and not duplicate what I already have.

Just wanted to get some feedback as to how other forum members handle the sensory overload that comes with knife collecting.
 
Last edited:
It sure can be said there is a knife for just about everyone.. just a matter of finding it!
Since my tastes are rather limited it saves on looking around .
 
One trick I learned many years ago is that if a knife catches my fancy and I find myself wanting it, I hold off at least a month, and often a few months. But usually within a month, I realize I don’t really want the knife. That’s saved me a LOT in money and unwanted knives.

It also helps that, for many years now, the knives I’ve settled on are from only three preferred knife brands...Victorinox, Spyderco and CRK. And I honestly don’t buy knives often, and for two of those brands, I already have everything I need or plan to buy. I can go years without pulling the trigger on a new knife, and IMO, it makes me appreciate and enjoy the ones I do buy a lot more. But it took some trial and error before I arrived at that point and realized what I really like.

Jim
 
This is heresy and I demand that you recant lest we burn you!

More seriously, we're very lucky that our hobby has such an amazing diversity of options, but it does mean that we have to exercise a fair amount of restraint.

Personally, I allow myself a few impulse buys, but I largely make a list of models that I'm interested in and hold off for a month or two before buying them. Often, I find that the longer I wait the less I want that, particular knife and so I tuck it away and maybe I'll snag one eventually if it goes on sale, but I'll likely just skip it if I can beat the initial lust.
 
There is no such thing as too much diversity ! Geez, be thankful for it. Back in my days, we had to make ourself a knife with an old nail or a piece of automotive bodywork. And we loved it ! Now, if your problem is the ability to choose among this Christmas feast of knives... yes, this requires some learning and/or restraining.
 
Last edited:
Three years of buying sated my appetite. I have two more on order coming in, then that’s it. I went overboard.
 
not2sharp said:
I solved the problem by not having an Instagram account. Sometimes it pays to keep things simple.
Click to expand...

It is as easy as this. No media apps on the phone, the only 12 FB friends I have are old Navy squadron guys. Like me, they rarely post anything.

If I want a knife, I can narrow the selections down to a really small window by shopping purposefully.
 
I use a similar method as James Y. If I see something here in the EDC thread or the Knife Exchange as an example, I put it on a list. Over weeks and months I learn more about them and sometimes I decide I don't want them and remove them from the list. Sometimes I find a good deal or they're inexpensive so I just buy them. Sometimes it's a rare or nostalgic knife so I just buy them. That's my way of dealing with it because I don't need or want and can't afford all the knives.

There are knives that have been on the list for years. I've never been one to buy the newest knife so most are older, hard to find knives.
 
My tastes haven’t changed since I was 6 years old. So I bought the ones I needed to put together a couple of sets, now I’m done and happy. Same thing with guns. Now I just want to collect money in my bank account.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CSG
Before I saw the computer, I never would have imagined there would be so many knife makers on one planet. The number seems overwhelming, yet must be fueled by demand. We knuts cannot possibly account for it, but there they are, millions of economy, mid-price and super expensive knives of every shape and size. Where are they? Most aren't disposable. Is the world filling up with knives?

What was the question?
 
There are many, many knives, but after years of thinking way more than I should about the subject, I found that there are a relatively small number that I want, and a long list of them (currently 112) are too large, too expensive, too much one thing or not enough of another, for me to actually press the buy button.

It helps that I'm not a fan of Spydercos, or limited editions, I'm much more interested in blade geometry than steel flavor, I don't want a Sebenza, and my hard ceiling is $150. But all of those... fences, are the result of comparing my needs against my wants. If I could get reimbursed for the mental effort that went into clearly defining limits for myself for cash, I could probably afford all the knives I haven't bought.....
 
After being interested in knives for 60 some plus years I'm glad to see all the options. One of these days I'll surely find the perfect one. Until then I'll just keep lookin'. And buyin'. :)
 
There are a ton of knives, but most are just tiny aesthetic variations on a similar theme. Depending on what sort of diversity you’re after, aesthetic or functional, there’s either lots or very little.
 
Nice to look at but do really need it?
Collecting knives is kinda dumb cause for the most part none of it is going up in value.
Akin to collecting used Toyota Corollas...
Once you figure that out the rest is easy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top