The ULTIMATE KnifeKnut Dilemma - how to deal with the mate!

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blade88

Joined
Jun 12, 2002
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Hello all, you all know that being a KnifeKnut can get expensive. Great knives come at a cost.

SO HERE IS THE DILEMMA:

How do you deal with the Wife/Girlfriend/Significant other, when spending so much money on something that they probably don't quite understand. After all, it is'nt a purse, clothing, shoes, or jewelry.

Of course, I ask this with all due respect. I don't mean to categorize your mates and I know that everyone is different.

In my case, I am searching for my first good knife, which will probably be an Emerson Commander, and it is pretty expensive..around $170. My fiance is generally quite understanding. I mainly just convinced her of the significance of a quality Self-Defense knife and she seems to not mind too much.

However, I know that I will consistently want to buy more knives and this is where it gets tricky. I figure that, since she has an eye for expensive things herself, which I don't understand, whenever I buy her something that she wants, I'll take the opportunity to buy myself something that I want. I think it might work out okay.

Oh, and lately, I've been so crazed with knives (because of you guys), I find myself talking about them with her, in an excited way, until she looks at me in a weird way and asks me what my sudden "obsession" is with knives!

So spill the beans guys, what is your experience with this issue? Do you have any special techniques that you can share with us? Have you gotten into any trouble with the Mrs?

This should be fun...
Thanks!! :D
 
I'm single with no girlfriends... no friends who are girls... no friends who hug trees, no friends who wear birkenstocks, no friends who give money to greenpeace, no friends who support Handgun Control, no friends who think smoking is gross.... I can go on and on...

What I do have are friends obsessed with guns, knives and watches who continually support me and my predeliction to forego food and other necessities so that I can buy more watches, guns and knives....

I also have a neutered dog who gets laid more than I do...
 
First, my wife sees me using my knives. She knows that while I like fine knives, they are also tools to me. I use them while doing yardwork, while camping/hunting, and around the house.

Second, she collects teddy bears and bear related stuff (recently got into Boyds Bearly Built Villages, similar to Dickens Villages). I don't complain about her hobbies.

Finally, without trying to sound like a elitist pig, I make enough money to support both of us comfortably without her having to work. She does work, but mainly to get out of the house during the day. We don't live a lavish lifestyle and our hobbies are our only unnecessary expenditure.

Actually, she encourages me to buy a knife when she knows I want it (I'm considering a Tomey Day Hiker at the moment). I grew up not having money for something as expensive and frivolous as a custom knife, so I'm having a hard time convincing myself to buy it. :grumpy:

Chris
 
I prioritize. Buying new knives comes <i>way</i> down the list under paying rent, paying off credit card debt, making the car payments, setting dough aside for her tuition, etc. It's kind of simple, if not easy but you have to live within your means. To me, that's just part of being a husband and (someday) father.
 
Originally posted by mnblade
I prioritize. Buying new knives comes <i>way</i> down the list under paying rent, paying off credit card debt, making the car payments, setting dough aside for her tuition, etc. It's kind of simple, if not easy but you have to live within your means.
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That is exactly how it is with us too. My girlfriend is not into knife collecting even though she knows quite a lot about knives and understands their practical and aesthetic value. Due to both money and space limitations I can't buy knives very often. So I buy the best knives I can. And that's OK for her, too. She understands quality and supports my hobbies as I support hers. It is all a matter of mutual love, understanding and acceptance.
 
Try this: Every time you buy a knife for yourself buy her something as well!
Before you know it she will be asking you when you plan on buying another knife:D
 
I find it pretty easy actually. If you have A GOOD RELATIONSHIP to start with, you should not have many problems. If things are rocky, this ain't gonna help!

Don't spend the rent money.
Don't talk about them to her. (She does not care)
Don't follow her around showing her how the "wave" works.

Don't worry. It will get better. The important thing is don't get mad at her. Remember she is the normal one. We are the insane ones inflicted with "knife knuttiness".

BTW, I saw a commander on the exchange for $100! That $70 you save could buy her something nice.........(not a knife!)
 
We used to have a deal; I'd buy a gun, a knife or a toy for my Mustang, and she got a piece of Black Hills Gold jewelrey--the stuff from Landstrom's (ouch.)

However, sometimes I wanted something, and there was nothing she liked. Sometimes we'd stop at their factory in South Dakota and I'd let her go wild, it was a vacation after all. There was never an equal split.

Now we just discuss it and budget our finances. We actually spend less, or at least take it easy on the ebb and flow of paychecks.
 
Well, back when I was single I spent loads of money on my hobbies and past times. You know, motorcycles, drinking, snowmobiles, drinking, etc. Got married and settled down with kids and pretty much gave up my old hobbies and started with knives. Every household is different as far as budgetary concerns go. What I basically do every paycheck is to keep out a predetermined "allowance" for myself. This covers my basic day to day needs (gas, lunches, etc.) plus a little extra to use as I like. This is what I use for my knife purchases. As such, no problem with the new knives except the occasional "another new knife?". At this point she knows that in order to buy that knife, I generally sacrificed buying or doing something else I wanted. Works for me but I still wish I was RICH! :rolleyes:
 
Guys, thanks for the replies. It is very nice to hear how each of you have your own ways of working things out. I'm still in college, almost out, and will be in similar situations soon. I guess what I'm getting out of this most is that good communication is the key.

Originally posted by The Magician
I find it pretty easy actually. If you have A GOOD RELATIONSHIP to start with, you should not have many problems. If things are rocky, this ain't gonna help!

Don't spend the rent money.
Don't talk about them to her. (She does not care)
Don't follow her around showing her how the "wave" works.

Don't worry. It will get better. The important thing is don't get mad at her. Remember she is the normal one. We are the insane ones inflicted with "knife knuttiness".

BTW, I saw a commander on the exchange for $100! That $70 you save could buy her something nice.........(not a knife!)
Click to expand...

Magician,

I couln't agree with you more. I think you hit the target. A Good Relationship is definitely key, which we have. And I definitely get your point about not talking about them to her. I have experienced this the hard way recently.:footinmou

Don't follow her around showing her how the "wave" works.
HAHAHA that was bullseye. I know I can't help myself from doing that, at least in the beginning after I get my Commander.

Oh, and I'm gonna have to check out that deal if it isn't gone already.

Thanks!!
 
Ditto on what Jamie said. I reserve a certain amount of money from each paycheck for my own personal toys and expenses, and so does the wife. I can save it up for a knife, or blow it on bagels in the morning. It's my choice. Boy do I miss bagels and cream cheese.
 
actually for me the real contention is with my mom (since I have no "significant other" at the moment), she collects Wizard of Oz dolls, I collect knives, so there's this mutual understanding of "Just because I think it's a waste of money doesn't mean it aint worth it" :)
 
Sit her down, tell her who's boss. Tell her who rules the roost. Tell her where the bear ****'s in the woods.....Then go buy her something that costs a butt-load of money.:)
Seriously, we've reached a mutual understanding. She's into teddy bears and jewelry. I'm into knives, watches, flashlights, and other cool things. Yes, I know that my things make much more sense and are much more useful. I'm sure if the two of you talk it out, you can reach a happy medium.

Paul
 
All of these suggestions are great for late blooming knife knuts. But for those who are already addicted and are yet to be married...GET A PRE-NUP! When she gets fed-up and starts talking to a lawyer she'll take the knives just to irritate you...get them protected in a pre-nup agreement.

Once burned...
 
Lots of people like to collect things. If you don't have the income of a sports/rock/movie star, and you're not a captain of industry, you might still earn enough for a decent collection <i><b>eventually</b></i>. Control yourself! First pay the bills, then make sure she has what she needs from you to keep her happy, and there should be something left over for a couple of nice knives each year!

I've been into knives for about 7 years now, and I don't have as many as some people around here buy in one year! True many of these same folks also sell knives and rotate their collections, but I don't tend to do that. I actually use my knives so I don't by the high end art stuff, and what I have has reduced sale value because its not NIB. When I just have to clear out my drawers, I find good homes for the ones I know I'll never use again and give them as presents.
 
I made two purchases, actually three that have helped.

I carry knives. She carries a cell phone. Both contribute to our daily needs.

She likes the swiss army knife a great deal.

She really wants a lime green jester. I thought I bought it for me, but it is a small price to pay for acceptance for this hobby.
 
I'm lucky in that my girlfriend used to work for a knife store. Although she doesn't carry a knife herself she does appreciate the different designs and workmanship that goes into a well crafted knife.

She has no problem with me buying or collecting knives as long as I don't blow my tuition money or payments on my car money or rent money on them.
 
My hobbie/obsession does not cut into other household finances, I pay for my knives out of my on the side money, and because we have a good relationship, she don't mind. Also the fact that I gave up gambling, drinking, and chasing after other women helps.
Worst case scenario, tell her when your dead she can sell them all and buy whatever she wants with the money, just make sure she knows what they're worth so she doesn't sell your sebenza for $20.:eek:
 
I love my wife very much & I don't want to hurt her feelings or make her angry. . .

I do what any good loving husband should do - I hide them from her!!!
 
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