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

[SW-EDC]

I have my brands..Pro-Tech being one of my favs.
That's not to say I wouldn't mind treading the water with other makes. But yeah, lots of choices and competition out there.

 

[allenC]

It takes time and trial and error to learn what you like.
And your likes and dislikes will change over time.

I have 3 fixed blades (not counting my machete and kitchen knives), and I don't need another one...I'm never even tempted and I almost never use the ones I have.
Carrying a large locking knife can be legally worrisome, so most my locking folders have blades less than 4"...that eliminates a lot of locking folders.
I've really been enjoying the usefulness of pliars based multi-tools, but I only have three (Wave, Super Tool 300, and a Gerber from my Army days)...I don't think I'll buy another one any time soon.
I've got to admit that I'm getting very jaded of all the titanium frame-locks.
I don't care much for liner-locks because I've had too many bad ones over the years.
Automatics are a no go for carry here...so no temptation there.
As much as I appreciate their history and beauty, I'm no longer pulled toward traditional slip-joints...I blame Victorinox for this.
Which leads me to Swiss Army Knives...
I have way too many and right now they are my kryptonite!
I think I have 14 of them...I think.?.

Just take your time and learn what you really like, and what you really need, and what just makes you happy.

 

[marchone]

Three years of buying sated my appetite. I have two more on order coming in, then that’s it. I went overboard.

That said, we are in a Golden Age of Knives. Keep at ‘em boys and girls. It’s never been better than now. At least before the coronavirus pause.

 

[Houlahound]

I"the knife market saturated with too many makers, too many models, too many styles? "

What, how, why, WTF??? didn't read any further.

The op has been reported to all the relevant authorities for hate speech.

 

[SlideRacker]

The op has been reported to all the relevant authorities for his pernicious attempt to undermine the very fabric of all of humanity in the universe.

I hope his demise is made public so as to act as a warning.

Dam, dude. Chill.

 

[Houlahound]

Dam, dude. Chill.

Just funning.

 

[SlideRacker]

Just funning.

No worries. All good.

 

[CSG]

Yes, there are so many knife choices that if you are a collector as opposed to people like me who buy knives as working tools, it can become overwhelming. Analysis paralysis. My stuff has been limited to Bucks, Benchmades, SAKs, and a few odds and ends. I collect money far more than I collect knives...

While I have a lot of knives, many of them are duplicates, triplicates, or more of knives that I carry and use. So I have 4-5 Ambassadors and about the same for the Classic SD. Sometimes, Amazon whould have such an incredibly low price on things (most of my Alox knives were bought for silly low prices) I follow the two is one and one is none philosophy.

 

[Houlahound]

Set a monthly budget on how much you will spend on buying knives and set a browsing limit on how much screen time looking at knives.

Sounds pathetic but I find it helps.

 

[SlideRacker]

I have my brands..Pro-Tech being one of my favs.
That's not to say I wouldn't mind treading the water with other makes. But yeah, lots of choices and competition out there.

ProTechs kick ass for sure. Best OTS autos, bar none. Their Instagram feed is killing me. Lol

 

[afishhunter]

Are there too many makers and knife models "out there"?
Nope.

I know what I like, and what my budget is.
I have no problem ignoring styles I don't care for, and the brands that I cannot afford.

For example, I like multi-blade traditionals. My budget is Rough Rider and Imperial ... maybe Marbles, Schrade, and Old Timer, but not very often. (might be able to add Old Hickory and Dexter Russell for fixed blades)

I can ignore every single blade "modern" knife, single blade traditional knives, and brands like CRK, ZT, Cold Steel, Case, Spiderco, GEC, US made Buck (other than the 110), Boker, etc.

Truth is, I have enough Buck 110's, so I can pretty much ignore them, too. For that matter, I probably have more knives than I can use/use up in the time I have left, so I really don't need to get another one.
(that don't mean there aren't any knives out there that I want.)

 

[evilgreg]

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.

I should 100% operate like this, and have at times. Something happens after a while, though, where I see some knife and go randomly brain damaged and buy it. The upside to delayed gratification is that you weed out the momentary madness knives, the down side is missing out on the occasional knife it turns out you really wanted. With so many knives coming to market all the time I think it's smarter to err on the side of not buying, though, as anything you do miss can be replaced by some new thing you fall in love with later.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Sure, there's a ton of knives from commercial sources, as well as many on our buy/sell/forums.
However, I've been doing this for a bunch of yrs and a bunch of knives, and my tastes are refined to the point
where I KNOW what might be interesting...

 

[000Robert]

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.

Umm, buying knives is as buying knives does, sir...lol

 

[Accelerator]

I’ve been carrying a knife for almost 40 years, since I was a Boy Scout (50th birthday next month). I’ve gone through the basics to the mid-techs and customs, mostly in the last 10 years (mid-techs and customs, $$$ matters). I will tell you this, the variety/choices have doubled in the last 3-5 years, much of which is based on the move of foreign companies entering the market. There are more options now than ever before, by a huge margin. Is this good for me, not really. I’m picky when it comes to what I’ve decided what I like. For me, the acceptable options are still the same.

 

[Billy The Blade]

Three years of buying sated my appetite. I have two more on order coming in, then that’s it. I went overboard.

...Overboard into a 'sea of knives', Mmmmm...
Sounds kinda nice
B.T.B.

 

[Boxer .45]

OP you collect? I mean, if you collect then what you buy is pretty well defined, no?

I just buy what I like. I like several types and always like finding new makers that specialize in types I'm interested in. I also have my favorite makers and types.

I don't get overwhelmed.

I also don't like most of the crap that comes on the TV. I know what appeals to me and watch it if it suits me. If not I simply don't.

 

[JAB]

Too many knives?! Post reported for heresy

We’re actually living in kind of a golden age right now in that production/mid tech knives are reaching levels of quality and precision only dreamed about not all that long ago (not to mention the advancements in blade steels.) The only “problem” I have is that the list of models I want just keeps getting longer and longer (also, some do get culled as tastes change.)

 

[dirc]

I allow myself to get a few key knives here and there, and the odd special piece...
the amount I have is likely 10x less than most people here, but I think it's my frugal nature, instilled by late father (which I'm thankful for)

The funny part is, he was such an extreme that he'd be giving me heck for the modest amount I do have
He liked to haggle in department stores... them were different days

 

[matt009au]

I must admit I don't like the current flipper and bearing trend in the industry. My modern folder tastes seem to be squarely stuck in the late 80s and 90s . Narrows down the options at least .