The reality of your knife

Do what makes you happy. I use knives. I collect knives. I used to collect stamps, coins, butterflies, lightning bugs, etc as a kid.

I can afford to indulge the passion because I was conscientious enough to save and put money away during my working years to provide for a comfortable retirement for my wife and myself. What I have invested in knives is not going to make a difference as to whether I eat, drink or repair the roof.

If you haven't checked those boxes for yourself and your family, I would question the wisdom of indulging beyond a reasonable and comfortable level.

Otherwise, folks have collected paintings, tools, watches, firearms, knives, stamps, coins, cameras, radios, can openers and other "stuff" they didn't necessarily "need" but enjoyed having over the course of millennia. It's part of who and what we are.

I don't look at what others do or have with envy. I try to appreciate their choices and learn from them.
 
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I've never spent over 170 bucks on a knife.*
Today I'm carrying a plain Opinel #6, A Victorinox Waiter and a Victorinox Classic.
The total sum spent on these knives is probably $60.
I carry them because they do just what I need them to do.

*that I can remember.
 
From a utilitarian standpoint I’ve had numerous < $150 knives fail, mostly lock mechanisms. I spent about $200 on a Spyderco K2 about 6 years ago and haven’t needed an upgrade since.

I also have more expensive knives nothing, $700+ yet, because I want them not because they preform better.
 
Kettleman said:
That you Dr Phil?

WOW ...First you imply we are crazy and the sane are astonished and curious so they get to admonish us since we publicly ( on a freaking knife forum) talk about knives we love to own. Then you compare us to horders and tell us we have OCD....and you finish with if we don't agree with you and call you out on this giant bowl of horse....you just spread that's its proof of the horse....?! Really?
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Wait, you mean you don't lay your knives out and jump into them Scrooge McDuck style!? I can't be the only one can I .....?

The crux is this thread any the many others that have been similarly created appears to be "want" vs "need." They do get tiresome - or at least to me.

Will a fast-food burger "fill you up?" Of course, but so will a fine porterhouse perfectly paired with just the right red wine at your wife's favorite steak house. Will a Casio keep time? Sure and perhaps even more accurately than a Submariner. I can purchase an off the shelf suit for a night on the town or visit a tailor and have one made just for me.

For some, it's about the enjoying the finer things in life and not just straight utility. We might not "need" many things that we enjoy in life, but we "want" them; they enrich our experiences and form lasting memories and bring joy to our lives.

*CUE SHABAZZ VOICE*

"And that's a beautiful thing!"
 
I use cheap knives often, including utility blades and they all cut just fine, but my more expesive knives are of better build quality and matterials and as a knife enthusist I appreciate that. Do I need the more expensive knife to get by-no, but it makes life more enjoyable for me, and overall it is not that expensive to indulge myself.
 
Grumpy Old Man said:
I try to avoid the kitchen until the end.
I went to see what was found in the kitchen drawer and there were only these two, which I don't often use because the knife in my pocket is much closer.
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What, are you really content to just not be involved with feeding yourself or am I misinterpreting something?

That's whacky bro.
 
Kettleman said:
OMG that is so quote worthy! So I shall quote you sir! I really laughed at that.
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Thanks lol.


As far as needs vs wants, I don't care. If I have the funds and it won't interfere with paying the bills, I buy what I want. Instead of buying 8 $100-$200 knives a year, I'm buying 3 or 4 high end/custom knives. So really, the difference in cost is not much. I have other hobbies too, guns/shooting, RC car(s), and now I'm getting into politics (lord save me!).

I have a job, I have savings, so I'm ok with buying these things. Some people like to go on vacations to Hawaii or Mexico. $5000 right there. No thanks, I hate airplanes, and the 2.5 hours to fly to Houston to see my grandmother and family is barely tolerable. 6'4" with a 38" inseam I have to fly first/business class, so there's $800 just for the flight, plus $150+ for uber to and from the airports. I drive or take the train as much as possible. Hell I'm planning to drive to Colorado in November. I can stop when I want, walk around, have some whiskey, then get back on the road. 🤪

My honeymoon to Cozumel was like $6500 in 2015. Never again, biggest waste of money. Then again my (now ex) wife was part of the problem.

Fortunately, I'm not in a situation where I live paycheck to paycheck, which was something instilled in me at a young age. I can afford to buy what might be considered frivolous things.

Conversely, my uncle, since he was married 30 years ago, has always lived just at their means, so they're not prepared for things to go wrong. A $800 car bill will freak them out.
 
My most used and carried knife (Western 854 pruner/hawkbill/utility) cost less than $15 I'm sure, you didn't make much as a kid working in the hay fields. Of course that was in 70,71,or maybe as late as 72, though I don't truly remember. Must be getting old;). I got nicer and much more expensive knives, but if I had to grab one and go, my old faithful Western would be it.
 
TC said:
Yeah, shelter and clothing are waaay overrated. Let's all run around nekkid in the woods and fields! Facilitates #3 as well.
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Sounds good to me. See you there!
 
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