The knife bug. HOW DO YOU STOP IT? It's really killing me.

[not2sharp]

Here is a good article and discussion on collecting:

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1449381/site_id/1

I would argue that all progress is due to collectors. It is that who most closely mirror the scientific method, who routinely try to assemble and organize objects into some form of order no matter how trivial, and who are most likely to eventually find something new which has not been considered before.

In contrast personality types which prefer to live vicariously, such as the sports fan who associates with and takes pride from his teams accomplishment, or those whom see themselves through the eyes of others and whom spend their lives seeking popularity can be equally self-involved, even if their baggage is less apparent and less susceptible to inventory.

n2s

 

[Doogoon]

I wish I could go camping Joshua, but my job has me on too many hours

Actually though, I'm going camping in August. I'm going to bring all my toys! However I feel like I have all these gaps in my collection that I need to fill. At least with the Esee 6 I'd be filling a sizable gap in the knife types I have.

I think I just figured out my need to collect. I'm not stressed about the knife! I'm waiting for a military phonecall to go get my gear (which might not happen because the uniform factory hates me) and I'm getting my graduation report card today!

The knife would definitely make the stress easier though :3

 

[mley1]

The solution is to trade knives. You will meet many interesting people and get to play with many knives along the way.

n2s

This is my suggestion also. And it is the stage I am in. I ran out of cash to buy knives. So I learned to trade here on the forums. And it has been really fun. Whenever I get the urge to try a different knife I just find one in my collection I am willing to trade off and offer it up on the trading forum. It has eased the financial burden of buying new knives. And it is fun.

 

[ChrisB507]

I'd suggest picking up a cheap knife kit or two and spending some time putting something together...you get a new knife, and a bit of education, and something to appreciate. It might keep you from chasing the latest gotta-have-it expensive knives...

 

[Czechmate]

One guy I know is flat broke from all his pawn shop purchases. He has even borrowed money from others to satisfy his craving for new cutlery, visits multiple web pages that relate to knife collecting or survival/bushcraft and attempts to buy knives off of his fellow workers. You know you are infected when you cruise eBay in the early hours of the day before work looking for good buys on cleavers and butcher knives that are rusty or have broken handles. If you have mutiple drawers filled with kitchen knives and other rooms in the house when you've 'hidden/stored' knives...you have a major problem that is brewing. If you dream of concocted survival scenarios or play Cold Steel Proof videos for fun while bookmarking that masked knife bashing fellow on youtube or find yourself going through the kitchen drawers of your grandmother's house in search of an old, beat up Ontario...my friend, you've got an issue and a half.

There is a book called 'Clutters Last Stand'. I'd suggest you snag a copy and read it over a cup of java or two. In the background, play the song 'Desperado' paying special attention to the lyrics as the Eagles croon lines like 'why don't you come to your senses'. Ask yourself why you got into knife collecting in the first place. Ponder why you think you need another knife.

The good news is you won't need the services of a doctor just yet. Remain curiously absent from these forums for starters, and if you just MUST get back into the maelstrom, I offer my posts on addiction for your eyes. This hobby can be daunting at times, even bizarre.

It's like you know me or something; your entire post sums up where I'm at mentally with this hobby...

Now I need to get counselling or therapy or something... LOL!

 

[Maprik]

Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can change. Getting your credit card bill can be like a slap in the face that wakes you up and forces you to face the reality of being on a budget. I just had to sell off one of my favorite knives and will probably have to sell one more because I upgraded my EDCs this month.

 

[Maprik]

Doogoon,

I may not be the best person to give you advice but I am trying to keep my "collection" down to just 3 knives. A small EDC folder for public use (doesn't scare anyone), a large EDC folder for general use/bigger jobs/camping etc. and a large bowie type fixed blade for when I am outdoors hiking and camping (I'm not a hunter). I don't have the income for a large collection of knives so I don't let myself go past this 3 knife limit. That said, you can spend alot of money on just one knife and I have been slowly buying and selling my way UP so that I now have an Mnandi and a Large Sebenza for EDC. Just sold my wonderful Benchmade Mini-Rukus to pay off part of the Large Sebe and will probably have to sell my Strider PT because the Mnandi has replaced it for EDC and I must stick to my rule of keeping only 3 knives.... No filling in the gaps!

 

[teflondog]

Find a cheaper hobby until your financial situation improves. I got into knives because I was going broke with guns. Instead of buying a new gun every month ($2,000 Ed Brown), I now buy a new knife every month ($100 Benchmade). I was able to pay off my debts and actually have money in savings now.

 

[James Y]

I used to feel anxiety about getting every new knife I thought I'd like to own. So I know that feeling.

Some years ago, I reached a point where I started simply enjoying what I have. I will still buy a knife here or there, but very rarely. And even then, I'm extremely careful about it. There are some suggestions I can give based on my experience...

1. Take time away from reading about knives. Meaning, investigate other interests. If/when you find one, you may still love knives, but find your obsession with them will decrease, because you have another outlet for your time and energy. What you are really seeking from these knife purchases is happiness, but when it morphs into an obsession, the need for that next big thing is never sated and thus becomes a stressor.

2. When you feel you really "need" a particular new knife, wait on it. If you can hold off on purchasing it, you'll often find that many knives you would have gotten no longer interest you.

3. If you just have to have it, create a knife fund, where you set aside small amounts of cash and accumulate enough over time to buy it. This will also make you much more careful/picky regarding your knife purchases.

4. Always put important priorities (bills, education, etc.) before any knife purchases. You must be strict on this.
Jim

 

[nuckingfuts]

Thats a very wise post James!

Im the same way man. I may not be having the same withdrawal symptoms your having lmao but like James said enjoy what you already have. I very often find myself dwelling on what I dont have and then if I step back and look only then do I realize what I already really have.

I remember right when I joined the forum their was this guy that posted who was still really new to knives, only been into the hobby for a few months. Even though he was still very new into the hobby he must have been loaded because within 2 months time he had pretty much every Spyderco, Benchmade, ZT, and CRK knife LITERALLY! Im not kidding he had ~30 blades already.

And at that time I was still new (still am) and I thought "damn, that would be so nice to have all those!" But then I thought about it and realized you would not enjoy them as much if you could just buy any blade you wanted at anytime.

What I'm trying to say is just be patient and save up, put $10-$20 aside a week, and then when you have enough be careful and buy what you really want. I guarantee you will feel very satisfied and will appreciate it more!

Like mentioned before, look into making your own file knife. I havent finished mine yet, but it is a blast to design anything you want and craft it. Doesnt take many special tools either.

Hope ya the best brother!

 

[stabman]

Choose blacksmithing as a trade, and learn to make your own knives.

Best suggestion of the thread.:thumbup:

 

[goodeyesniper]

get into watches.

forewarning, they are usually more expensive than knives

 

[jsp]

I used to feel anxiety about getting every new knife I thought I'd like to own. So I know that feeling.

Some years ago, I reached a point where I started simply enjoying what I have. I will still buy a knife here or there, but very rarely. And even then, I'm extremely careful about it. There are some suggestions I can give based on my experience...

1. Take time away from reading about knives. Meaning, investigate other interests. If/when you find one, you may still love knives, but find your obsession with them will decrease, because you have another outlet for your time and energy. What you are really seeking from these knife purchases is happiness, but when it morphs into an obsession, the need for that next big thing is never sated and thus becomes a stressor.

2. When you feel you really "need" a particular new knife, wait on it. If you can hold off on purchasing it, you'll often find that many knives you would have gotten no longer interest you.

3. If you just have to have it, create a knife fund, where you set aside small amounts of cash and accumulate enough over time to buy it. This will also make you much more careful/picky regarding your knife purchases.

4. Always put important priorities (bills, education, etc.) before any knife purchases. You must be strict on this.
Jim

This is really good advice and I live by the same rules. Well, sometimes at least....but bills are a priority first most definitely.

 

[Lycosa]

Here's what I did and it's working so far; six months. I chose favorite fixed blade, a Busse, and a favorite folder, a Willumsen Tuco and my working knife is a Sodbuster. I told myself that these are all the knives I REALLY need.
Good luck man!
Rolf

 

[Runsalone]

DOnt worry your just fine. If it makes you feel better Ive spent Oh.............lets see,......troodon..........Combat troodon..........2 enduras.........YIKES! In about 3 weeks. It comes and goes for me, but when its time, I go a little ape s**T for a bit then its on to another hobbie for a while. Also just thank god youre not into photography! You know what a Nikon 70-200 2.8 costs!

Its when you have multiples of the SAME knife and you post pictures of em on the internet .....thats when you REALLY know your screwed up in the head. Matter of fact, that when you know your completely Knuts.









































































































Endura sickness by Runsalone, on Flickr

 

[Morkte]

Try Collecting something cheaper like zippo's or playing cards. It helps me.

 

[getridone]

Choose blacksmithing as a trade, and learn to make your own knives.

Best suggestion of the thread.:thumbup:

This is totally where I'm at....I don't make enough money to support the habit, I farm and have have 6 mouths to feed back at the house, and I don't have a credit card and refuse to get one.

I've saved up spaced out my purchases, I recently bought myself a little opinel, just to have that feeling of something new coming in the mail.

I've already looked up the regional blacksmithing organization and they have hammer ins and meet ups and it looks really cool.

 

[c10darren]

Lots of good advice here. Learn to make your own, slow down and think more, and use and appreciate what you have...

On that note. What do you have? I guess mostly the 3 or 4 knives that you like or use the most.

 

[Doogoon]

Lots of good advice here. Learn to make your own, slow down and think more, and use and appreciate what you have...

On that note. What do you have? I guess mostly the 3 or 4 knives that you like or use the most.

BK9 and BK2, Esee Izula and Esee 4, BM Adamas, Spyderco Ambitious and Para-military 2, and Buck 119.

 

[Runsalone]

BK9 and BK2, Esee Izula and Esee 4, BM Adamas, Spyderco Ambitious and Para-military 2, and Buck 119.

Thats a damm fine lineup says me. Good taste in steel.