I grew up on a farm, so knives have always been general use tools. My father had an old SAK that I got when he died. I kept that knife for many, many years before unfortunately losing it.
I have a deep fascination with knights, swords, fantasy, etc. I spent ten years selling knives and swords at Ren-Faires, science fiction conventions, and historical reenactment events. That is where I first started collecting custom knives. I even learned a little blacksmithing.
The kicker came one winter when I took a job at Chesapeake Knife and Tool over Christmas. I loved every minute! I learned so much about knives. I really got hooked!
A couple of years later, I decided to open a knife store at the local mall. I found BFC just around that time, so knives have turned into even more of an obsession.
Two years later, I'm looking at opening a 3rd store in a month and trying to figure out how to finance yet one more this year. (Unfortunately, I just had to shut down the second store so I may have to wait.)
BTW my avatar is the main store.
Pam
. Uhm he's bought me one more since then and a couple of my guy friends have brought me back some cheaper pieces. Used an old crappy fixed blade when I worked in an arboretum.