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

I like that knives don't devalue like electronics. I know knives probably aren't going to increase in value that much, but if the remain in good condition they should at least retain what value they have.

I use knives primarily as self-defense. I feel very safe when I have a knife, safer than a gun actually. I don't like guns, they're too noisy and smokey.

I also like to use my bali-songs. Bali-songs are like a really fun video game that never gets old, and unlike a video game it's not going to devalue.
 
Longtrang said:
I normally say I don't collect, I just buy what I use. Of course that is a drawer full of knives later....
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haha that's exactly how i am...only its getting to a point where i can't even convince myself "that its not a collection" anymore;)
 
They're attractive, expensive, useful at times, and slightly dangerous, and I'm drawn to things with those criteria. They're easier to maintain than women (especially in multiples) and have fewer liablity issues than firearms. And, since my lifestyle requires mobility, they transport fairly well.
 
It seems like through thousands of years of humans using knives that the desire to carry and use them is somehow built into my DNA. Similar to the unspoken desire to breed :eek: Well maybe spoken if hanging out with friends and having a few beers! :D

I don't carry them for self defense as I have guns that are much safer and more efficient in that role. I also don't care much about fixed blades. I like folders that have well engineered locking mechanisms (no liner locks!) And that use the latest and greatest 'super steels.' I have no desire for a mediocre (AUS8) steel when there are such better ones available. I have found my perfect knife, a M4 Benchmade Rift, but I still buy knives that meet my criteria. I can't handle them locally so I buy them and sometimes I will get a really great knife and add it to my rotation that is in addition to my Rift. But many times a knife just isn't quite great enough so it ends up sitting in it's box. In this way I have grown a collection of knives. One day I might sell them off or trade for a knife I want more but until then I don't mind hanging on to them and occasionally admiring them.
 
James0723 said:
I also like to use my bali-songs. Bali-songs are like a really fun video game that never gets old, and unlike a video game it's not going to devalue.
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If anything it'll increase.
However, some video games, take FFVII, will increase tremendously.
I believe the black label did, the last sold for over $500 if I remember correctly.
 
It all started when I got my first knife. It was common for most men and boys to carry them in the 70's. I just thought it was cool. Whittling sticks, making spears what ever I could do with it. And I could do a lot because I carried a knife.
Over the years its been about..I don't have a knife or blade that can do that. I collect Vic's because well there all different and cool..gagety. My fixed blade collection is growing because I'm just trying to find the perfect all around outdoor knife.
Basically, its not so much about the steel, brand, custom knife maker, its about what catches my eye, what I find cool and interesting. What might fill a niche in my collection. Steel wise, aus 6, aus 8, 12c27, 154cm its all apples to me.
My early collection has some China knives. Now I try and buy strictly U.S brands because I don't want to see us, lose another camillus because, lets say Frost is flooding the market. I should rephrase this, I buy U.S mostly, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, I try and stay away from China and Taiwan.
 
Having been lucky enough to find flint and chert blades men fashioned and used used over 5,000 years ago it makes perfect sense to me that the fascination with baldes is in our DNA. Some of those blades are still extremely sharp and for myself, just as fascinating to collect as the gorgeous machine made precision folders of today.
 
Because I like certain knife designs and the overall value (handle, steel, F&F, ease of maintenance, handling and cutting performance) they present is worth the price tag.

Started with the smallest SAK when I was a teenager and moved onto locking folders in recent years.
Linerlocks are good when made properly and used and maintained properly.:cool:

I buy knives for use which also offer high functionality and practicality with reasonably good looks.
 
I'm pretty much with most people here. It was a hobby that's turned into an obsession. I was just getting into gun collecting but when I moved to NYC I shifted to knives. I decided to just get one decent one or what I thought was decent at the time. Then I found this site and started learning more and more and realized I didn't know anything. I started learning about different steels, grinds, scales, locks, etc. Then they just started flowing in. I would research until I found ones that I really liked and soon enough I make the order. I just like knives. I think they're cool, useful, and beautiful even though I don't have too many real uses for them. I just like what I like. I also find appreciation for great and unique designs as well as quality materials.

I do search for the perfect knife, so to speak, for each category and then more great ones in that category. For instance, I wanted a great hard use edc that looked great so I got a Paramilitary in digicamo. I wanted a bad ass looking balisong with high quality materials and build so I got a Benchmade 42. I wanted a do it all, beautiful, medium to large folder, so I got a unique graphic Sebenza and Gold Class Griptilian. I wanted a lightweight, large, good looking, tacticool self defense folder so I got a black blade, digicamo Military. Hard use fixed-Scrapyard Regulator...Tacticool, self defense unique fixed-Spyderco Warrior. Etc. etc.

That's just how my obsession works.
 
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There was a time, boy, when I searched for steel. When steel meant more to me than gold or jewels.
 
Its funny, up until 1992, all the knives I had were given to me by relatives or friends. In 92 I saw an ad for the Spyderco Police in Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement magazine, and had to have one. I found a titanium handled model at a swap meet in Midwest City while visiting the inlaws, and bought it for a cool $100.00. Up until then I would never have paid that much for a knife.

That started a ball rolling that I have been unable to stop ever since. Most of mine are users, with the exception of the 50 or so automatics I have in display cases.

Simply I just like knives and buy them when the price is right, and they look good enough to catch my eye. Sometimes I will see a knife and go naaaa, then later I just got to have it.:)

So I do not have some archaic reason for collecting them, I just do.:cool:
 
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I think it is primal. Think of the evolution of man and his tools. First tool was a rock used to smash things. Then came sharp things used to kill food and to cut things. Then for the longest time nearly everything that was built by man was started with a sharp object. Very primal. Anything is possible with a knife.
 
I wasn't born with any means to cut things (except to chew food ) , so knives are my favorite tool , bar none. Without them , I feel like I'm missing something on me. Best way I can explain it.:)
 
WHY??? Not to be blunt, but if anyone has to ask why, then they just don't get it.

'course, that's just one guy's opinion.:p
 
It's just natural. I don't know exactly why but they're awesome. I have a deep respect and fascination with historical man's 2nd most valuable tool.
 
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