Too Many Knives???

There are guys with 500, 1000, and more knives, he's probably talking about them. I don't know how to put 500 knives to good use outside of collecting and insuring them.

My highest count was 60, and I dropped to 7. But I'm climbing back up again.
 
not2sharp said:
What did you do when you first realized that you had accumulated more knives then you could possibly use in a lifetime, or even a dozen lifetimes, and how did that change the direction of your interests in knives? To be fair, there are plenty of outdoor's men out there who have manage to spend a lifetime hunting, fishing, hiking and camping with just a single simple knife.

n2s
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What did I do?

Sold off, gave away, and got rid of most of my knife collection. Sold off all the custom stuff, which paid for a month long road trip for the better half and me to Yellowstone, Bryce, Canyon lands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon National parks. Had a ball. The production stuff I gave away to the kids, grandkids, some friends, and local scout troop. Kept only what I actually used day to day. Went back to using the stuff I grew up with, both knives and guns. The guns also saw a huge down size and sell off.

Now I just have a few pocket knives around, and I like it that way. The fewer knives I have, the more they get used and become like old friends. Same thing with my guns.

Carl.
 
I have way too many knives, multitools, guns and other toys, and have really been considering unloading a bunch. What I might do is segregate for several months the ones that I might sell, and just see if I miss them. I mean, does anyone really need dozens of Spydercos, or 11 Glocks? And thats just the tip of the iceberg.
 
I do not see actually any problem with having many knives. It is called collecting.
I have heard that collecting might be one of the symptoms of schizophrenia. But that does not worry me much, rather amuses.
 
hardheart said:
There are guys with 500, 1000, and more knives, he's probably talking about them. I don't know how to put 500 knives to good use outside of collecting and insuring them.

My highest count was 60, and I dropped to 7. But I'm climbing back up again.
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I am not trying to be judgemental. For some, thousands of knives may be just fine, for others 20 knives may be the limit. I am more interested in how our collecting habit changes over time. I have been at this for a long time, and the epiphany first hit me I realized that I had many knives that I would never be able to use. So I did sell and trade most of them off. But, I also segregated a small number of user knives that I enjoyed using and decided that since the rest of the collection would likely see little use that collecting antique and ethnographic knives would make for a much more interesting display; one that would better tie in with my lifelong interests in history/economics/& technology. At some point knife collecting transcends utility and need and turns towards a different direction. Perhaps some of you will come to collect high end "art" knives, where knives become a form of sculpture, or it may become about assembling a physical record of a particular brand's range of product. Either way you are evolving away from the things that interests most knife users, price, utility, durability and other practical characteristics become less of a driving force behind your collecting choices.

n2s
 
Never too many. Of course, I try to use all of the ones I have, and keep own no safe queens. If I own it, I will use it. Because of this I try to limit the amount I buy, but I am not going to say that I have a limit, as I doubt I would ever stop.
 
Personally, I came to this realization recently, when I had 3 knives that I wanted, but couldn't decide which... so I bought all 3. I had to trade off 2 to get them, and then once I had them, I realized that I didn't like them as much as I thought.

So... now I'll probably have a bunch of cheap users, two or three nicer users, and maybe a couple that I just like to take out of the drawer and play with every now and again.

I don't know how many is too many, but from now on out, I only want to keep knives that I enjoy holding and using (even if it is only light use)! I'm not in it for the investment, just the enjoyment.
 
Not a thing wrong with having alot of knives. Or collecting them for that matter. Now collecting stamps, watches, flashlights, cigars, comic books, ball cards, or anything else is just downright silly,lol.

That being said, the older I get I feel I have WAY to many knives! I sold off about 100 a year or two ago, and have to get back on it. I really want to get down to about 15 user folders, and about 7 fixed blades. Thats gonna take a while, as I can't seem to get started back up again.
 
I got about 6 G worth and I'm pretty much at the end of spending anymore on knives. If something comes along that's not too expensive , meets my criteria , and I like it ... maybe.
I have lots of spares and some I've never used simply because I have too many. That goes for guns, knives, flashlights, other gear, etc.
Maybe I'll sell a couple when the chance comes up but I'm not desperate to do that. I like all the ones I have and sold the ones I didn't like years ago.
For some of us , there comes a time when we realize we don't really "need" anymore. I said that to myself a long time ago and still managed to purchase a boatload. Now when I look at my collection I feel kind of absurd thinking of getting another knife. I just have too many.
 
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DaveinNY said:
Once my accumulation got up around 500 knives i decided to open a little brick and mortar shop, well in my case wood and mails, but you get the point. I converted an old barn into a knife shop, put up a few signs and am just having fun swapping tails, trading and selling to the local sportsman. I plan on adding a few things like reloading supplies, decoys, traps and such to my inventory. Should be a fun venture, and hopefully supplement my retirement income.
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That's what I need to do. :)

jackknife said:
What did I do?

Sold off, gave away, and got rid of most of my knife collection. Sold off all the custom stuff, which paid for a month long road trip for the better half and me to Yellowstone, Bryce, Canyon lands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon National parks. Had a ball. The production stuff I gave away to the kids, grandkids, some friends, and local scout troop. Kept only what I actually used day to day. Went back to using the stuff I grew up with, both knives and guns. The guns also saw a huge down size and sell off.

Now I just have a few pocket knives around, and I like it that way. The fewer knives I have, the more they get used and become like old friends. Same thing with my guns.

Carl.
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Carl, I admire your strength, I tried to sell off my collection and out of 300+ knives, in the last 3 years, I sold 4 and gave away about 20 or so, I just can't seem to let 'em go.

Poez said:
I do not see actually any problem with having many knives. It is called collecting.
I have heard that collecting might be one of the symptoms of schizophrenia. But that does not worry me much, rather amuses.
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Than I must be sufferin' from multiple personality disorder. :)

not2sharp said:
I am not trying to be judgemental. For some, thousands of knives may be just fine, for others 20 knives may be the limit. I am more interested in how our collecting habit changes over time. I have been at this for a long time, and the epiphany first hit me I realized that I had many knives that I would never be able to use. So I did sell and trade most of them off. But, I also segregated a small number of user knives that I enjoyed using and decided that since the rest of the collection would likely see little use that collecting antique and ethnographic knives would make for a much more interesting display; one that would better tie in with my lifelong interests in history/economics/& technology. At some point knife collecting transcends utility and need and turns towards a different direction. Perhaps some of you will come to collect high end "art" knives, where knives become a form of sculpture, or it may become about assembling a physical record of a particular brand's range of product. Either way you are evolving away from the things that interests most knife users, price, utility, durability and other practical characteristics become less of a driving force behind your collecting choices.

n2s
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Another admirable philosophy.

Ken44 said:
Not a thing wrong with having alot of knives. Or collecting them for that matter. Now collecting stamps, watches, flashlights, cigars, comic books, ball cards, or anything else is just downright silly,lol....
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The I must be stark ravin' mad, mad I tell ya.

Oh yea, in answer to the OP's question, n2s, I don't know 'cause I don't think I'm there yet, see my definition of use is far broader than just what I carry as an EDC or use on daily basis for chores. My definition includes the soothin' feelin' and calm that comes over me when I handle, clean and sharpen them, the enjoyment I get when I use them to educate someone on the history of a particular manufacturer or the evolution of a specific pattern or manufacturin' procedure.

Before I'm gone, (which I hope is a long time from now) I'd like to see most of my collection to go to people who will enjoy them as much as I do.
 
hiwa said:
There's a point where you just become a hoarder. JM2C
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I don't like the use of that term. First because it implies a negative connotation to what is traditionally considered a positive activity; would the rennassaince have happened if some collectors had not horded a few tomes, from the multitute that were intentionally destroyed by the powers-that-be a thousand years before? It was the rediscovery of this information that led to the rebirth of science, a political shakeup and the end of the dark ages. By definition science observes, gathers information, organizes it and utilizes it to test a hypothesis. Libraries, universities, and museums all owe their origins to collectors. It is collectors who find and define order in the accumulated multitude.

I also find the term horder to imply selfishness. I am sure this is the new politically correct speech of the leftist/socialist. Should be all be sharing our stuff rather then accumulating wealth in whatever form? Why does the media go so far out of its way as to portray collectors as somehow defective, outcasts, and insane? Whatever your interests, I would suggest avoiding the use of that term as it does not appropriately describe our activity.

n2s
 
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I tend to give a lot of knives away to friends and family members. 1) it makes sure that they have a good quality, sharp knife. 2) Gives me an excuse to buy more!
 
I never really thought about until recently. The only thing that did make me think about it is the fact that I'm getting more and more into firearms as well and I've got enough production knives that I could sell some and start buying myself some nice guns while holding onto the customs that I really adore. :D

What happens when I have too many knives and too many guns? :confused:
 
Man, I need to become buddies with some people with 300+ knives in their collection! Y'all are giving away knives like crazy :)
 
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