Thinning out my collection and it feels good!

T.J. H

T.J. H

Joined
May 2, 2021
Messages
392
I've been slowly selling off my collection. I went from about 60 knives down to about a dozen. I used to feel guilty about not using them all. Honestly, it's quite a relief to be rid of that many knives. Now I can carry a knife for a lengthy period of time and "get to know" each piece. Having a smaller collection has made this hobby more enjoyable. Sometimes less is truly more.
 
Right on! I'm glad this approach is bringing you joy. :)

I started thinning in 2021 and am down from 40+ to 4 modern folders in my rotation. It's fun to get to know them all. The relentless winnowing taught me a lot about what I like, too.
 
I went from 100+ to 1 at one point. Then up to three and back to 1. At 3 now on my way to a “ collection” finishing 5.

I don’t count the 6 on my dresser that are gifts from my children as they are much more than mere knives.
 
I'm on the same path. I managed to collect to many traditional knives included GECs that i have not ever used. I also have too many others that have to go simply to make room in my office. It does feel good to downsize especially since I'm looking to retire in four years.
 
Really an interesting topic. I too am in the process of downsizing my collection. Started out with 150, now down to 100. My goal is to get down to 25 by Christmas. It actually makes me happy to know that someone else will have the opportunity to enjoy knives that I’ve not handled in months….and some cases, even years. It’s kinda liberating.
 
elde66 said:
Really an interesting topic. I too am in the process of downsizing my collection. Started out with 150, now down to 100. My goal is to get down to 25 by Christmas. It actually makes me happy to know that someone else will have the opportunity to enjoy knives that I’ve not handled in months….and some cases, even years. It’s kinda liberating.
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It is liberating, in a weird way. Strange hobby!
 
I do find it REALLY hard to part with my Chris Reeves. So far I've only sold one and I'm tempted to pull the other one off the exchange everyday. If someone doesn't buy it soon, I don't think I'm strong enough to leave it up for any length of time.
 
I'd be interested in knowing how old you all are. I found as I aged, I needed less and less, and after a certain point, it started to seem to me, pointless. Almost kind of silly. It first hit me about my mid 40's. By 50, I had done a hug downsizing of all my stuff. Guns, knives, tools, fishing gear... I sold off and gave away most of it. The kids, grandkids, friends, all got to pick out what they wanted from what was laid out on the table. It felt soooo liberating.

By my 60's, having excess stuff felt limiting, stifling. I finally got to where my whole knife accumulation could be held in one hand. It fluctuated between 6 to 8 knives, and has stayed there. When I got rid of stuff, it made me feel free!
 
jackknife said:
I'd be interested in knowing how old you all are. I found as I aged, I needed less and less, and after a certain point, it started to seem to me, pointless. Almost kind of silly. It first hit me about my mid 40's. By 50, I had done a hug downsizing of all my stuff. Guns, knives, tools, fishing gear... I sold off and gave away most of it. The kids, grandkids, friends, all got to pick out what they wanted from what was laid out on the table. It felt soooo liberating.

By my 60's, having excess stuff felt limiting, stifling. I finally got to where my whole knife accumulation could be held in one hand. It fluctuated between 6 to 8 knives, and has stayed there. When I got rid of stuff, it made me feel free!
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I'm 45.
 
I’m 65, have done much of the same and found it very liberating as well. All kinds of clutter. Good clutter but clutter nonetheless. All kinds of sporting gear, knives, tools and even sold my old snare drum this week. Got it when I went into junior high band in the 7th grade. Sold guitar and amp, microphone and all kinds of stuff. Holding on to my original Hot Wheels cars but really can’t say why. I now have my shop back!
 
dialton said:
I’m 65, have done much of the same and found it very liberating as well. All kinds of clutter. Good clutter but clutter nonetheless. All kinds of sporting gear, knives, tools and even sold my old snare drum this week. Got it when I went into junior high band in the 7th grade. Sold guitar and amp, microphone and all kinds of stuff. Holding on to my original Hot Wheels cars but really can’t say why. I now have my shop back!
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Two things I'm not selling yet; my guitars and guns.
 
Started collecting at age 65 with 2 knives. Then something happened. Now 67, I have about 40 folders and 10 fixed blade knives. I've been buying fixed blade blanks and adding my own scales just for fun. I'm going to start giving those away. Probably starting giving away some folders too, but keeping my canoes. And only buy canoes in the future.
 
I'll go against the grain of this thread and claim I will never get rid of my knives. And no, I'm not a young guy, far, far rom it.

But there's a distinction to be made between hoarding, and collecting. Hoarding is disorganized chaos, while a collection is organized, generally themed, or at least individual items can be grouped by theme.

I also make a distinction between users knives, and knives that I own because they're part of my collection. I think a difference between collecting knives and, say, coins or stamp, is that knives are a very useful and functional tool, even today, so it's dificult to draw a line has to what is part of the collection, and what is just a tool to be used in every day task.

I recently, well a bit over a year ago, went through the exercise of simplifying my life by getting rid of a lifetime of junk accumulation. No kidding, was a straight body truck FULL of all kind of crap, stuff that I'd keep telling myself "I might need it one day", that headed for the dump, and it was incredibly liberating.

But the knives stayed.
 
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