The question....why do you collect knives?

Wolfjohn

Wolfjohn

Joined
May 16, 2002
Messages
475
It seems that there are many different reasons why folks here collect knives. Some do it as an investment with the hope of marketing them in the future for a cash profit, while others merely do it as a past time. I've heard where some do it to stay connected to things in their past, especially their childhood. Some collections are generated as a lineage thing to be passed down through the ages to family. I think it would be interesting to hear why some of you have this passion as I do in collecting knives. I'm not sure where mine developed from but, it's taken me to some interesting levels such as knifemaking and most importantly, given me the opportunity to meet some very neat people. I'm sure that with many on here, collecting knives is only one of many collections they have going....seems like firearms collecting goes hand in hand with this type of collecting a lot as well (too cool in my opinion!). For once, I'd like to see someone who has taken knife collecting to the top level...one who has reached the name of KNIFE HOARDER. Imagine a TV documentry on that...stumbling thru someone's house where there's nothing but trails between mountains of......knives. Ok, enough of that (I'm drooling)....so, whatcha say? Tell us about your collection and your reason for doing it. This is a great forum and worth sharing what you have to say about your sharp edge empire! ~thanks~:D:thumbup:
 
I buy them mostly to use, but I do have some that I just collect.

It is kind of an addiction I guess.
 
I started, having been born with the DNA that draws a man to guns and sharp objects. I started with cap guns and rubber knives, graduated to BB guns and slip joints and home-made spears. Finally started packing guns & good knives full time in the USMC.

Every time I see a cool gun or knife this addiction kicks in and I obsess until I must have it. With more gray hairs showing on the head the lust for guns and knives has begun to loosen it's grip.

These days, I am going to begin thinning the knives. I already have my guns to the essentials but the knives are more difficult. I sell one and kick myself around for awhile about it but it's getting better.

My goal is to have about 8 to 10 of each. TOPS. We'll see about that!! :D
 
As a hobby because I like them. And of course several users as well.

One always hopes a few of them may someday appreciate in value, but I'm realistic and understand that is unlikely to happen to most, if any of them. In my lifetime anyway.

Kevin
 
used to collect guns and eventually that became way to costly and i dont get to use them everyday like I did knives so I eventually became a full knife collector and I can use them everyday and they dont break the bank nearly as bad as guns do :D
 
To me their is just something about a well made knife. I use them as often as I can, but I've long since passed the point of buying just for use.

I'm definetly going to be a knife hoarder. I refuse to sell any knife, even though I have a few I just about hate. Ill order a knife, usually a very nice one, and three or more cheaper ones along with it, just to have.
 
cziv said:
I started, having been born with the DNA that draws a man to guns and sharp objects. I started with cap guns and rubber knives, graduated to BB guns and slip joints and home-made spears. Finally started packing guns & good knives...
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup:

Can't explain why, but I've been fascinated with any and all weapons since I was old enough to have memories, blades especially. There's just something about the simple perfection of a good knife.

I'm interested in many aspects of the knife, I appreciate the usefullness and versatility of an EDC knife, and I'm also into knife throwing, Balisongs, swords, tomahawks, self defense, knife maintenance and knife making,...just about anything that is pointy or sharp! ...there are knives that I like only for their craftsmanship or beauty, others for their rugged functionality, and I love the outdoors and all the oportunities for blade use being in the wilderness offers. :)
 
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I collect knives because I enjoy it. I was really into firearms (handguns) for many years, as I got older I realized that I only used 4 to 5 of the guns I had. I ended up selling off several and started looking for something else I enjoy. Knives were the next logical step.

It helps that I liked knives when I was a teenager and bought several then (and I still have them).
 
They are cheaper and safer than a cocaine habit!! Just kidding, I cant explain what draws me to knives, just have always had some inate want for them. I really just started aquiring a few years ago, but have always been interested. I remember going to the friday night flea market as a kid and looking at the tables full of those crazy ninja knives and chinese stars, I thought it was so cool. Of course my folks never bought me any. In college, I really wanted a swiss army knife cause I was drawn to it for some reason while looking around an outdoor shop. It has just snowballed at this point. I now try to just get the ones I really want cause it is easy to buy knives that I really dont have a place for in my small collection.
 
I've always been a fan of quality knives but did not start collecting until about 2 years ago. I don't really consider it collecting, I'm just always wanting to try something new. In the beggining it was a cheaper alternative to my firearms, off road, and motorsports hobbies. Now it's adding up.
 
I normally say I don't collect, I just buy what I use. Of course that is a drawer full of knives later....
 
Hi Wolfjohn -

My answer is simple - I like knives.

Happy Easter.

best regards -

mqqn
 
i've always looked at knives as tools, and i do like to have multiple versions of quality tools at all sizes.
 
I think my pursuit of the perfect "folder" has forced me into the "collector" category.

I end up buying knives thinking that the next model will be "the one".

I end up with a desktop full of really good knives that do not hold my attention for very long.

I have never developed an appetite for collecting any certain style, makers or steels. I buy what I think will scratch the itch.
 
My grandfather passed on his obsession of knives to me. He taught me that my word was my bond and to always have a pocket knife on you.Through my hunting obsession and my time in the Marine Corps I learned to love high end production and custom knives.My wife thinks I am a hoarder of guns and knives with to gun safes full.

Mike
 
When and where I grew up, a man carried a pocket knife. It was expected.
Beyond that, like several others, I have always been fascinated by knives and swords.

I guess I don't so much collect, as I amass. I buy what interests me, rather than buy a specific model to fill a collection void. I get interested in different alloys and different designs. All of mine are users.

I'm still looking for that ultimate knife that does everything I want it to do, a Lewis Carroll "vorpal blade" if you will. It doesn't really exist, but that doesn't keep me from looking for it.
 
I don't plan on having a collection as some others here have. I know exactly which knives I intend to purchase and I have them for different purposes.

The knives I want to own:
DDR HTM GH2 - I have this one...it's for when I'm around downtown to ride shotgun next to my firearm. A lot of nasty stuff goes on around campus where I used to frequent and will frequent again soon for graduate school.
Burger knives LEXK - Future purchase intended for dress-y occasions because it is more elegant.
Swamp Rat Swamp Warden - I have this one. Small fixed blade for when a folder won't do.
Spyderco Street Beat - Future purchase; same intended purpose as my DDR HTM GH2. Also a good substitute for the Burger LEXK for carry since the Street Beat looks very, very elegant in my eyes.
EDIT: Microtech Halo V - I may pick one of these up depending on if legislation changes for my state (which there is a strong indicator that it will). I have no reason for this purchase, other than it's cool to have and carry...and since I would be able to carry it legally, why not?

That's it...not a vast collection by any means compared to some other folks here. It's a total of 4 knives, two of which I already own. I may purchase the Street Beat in the not so distant future, so that will be 3 of the 4 that I want.

Before that, I used to own a ZT 0350 and a RAT (ESEE) Izula which I sold locally to fund the DDR HTM GH2.

EDIT: It's worth noting that I'm not that big of a stickler for knife steel. If you noticed, each knife listed above has a different steel. S30V for the HTM GH2, n690co for the LEXK, sr101 for the Swamp Warden, VG-10 for the Street Beat, and 154cm for the Halo V. I even like 1095 that the Izula had. As long as the steel is high quality, I'm not that picky. They are all purely functional pieces.
 
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I think the main reason i collect knives is for my love of steel. I don't know what it is, i just have always had an appreciation for steel. I use many of my knives, but have some collectors as well. I don't sell or trade them, just buy, use, and sometimes break. I seem to be on and off as well. I'll go thru periods of many purchases and may go years before i buy another, but it seems lately i have been mostly buying. Finding this forum has sky rocketed my need to collect and hopefully someday learn to make them for myself.
 
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