I don't budget at all. When I was an EMT I went through seven or eight flippers before I found the right one. Once I got the right one I was done. I bought the small version and the medium version and called it a day. That was about three years ago. I gave away all the non-keepers and kept the two best.
Now I'm on the prowl for throwing knives. I'll buy and cast away until I find the one I want, load up on it, and then I'll be done for years and years.
Why would I buy another folding flipper for daily carry when I have what I think is the best knife for me? I can't imagine. What's interesting is that on paper one knife is perfect, but in the field in actual usage, I find that something else outperforms in my hands for my tasks.
I can't narrow it down without buying and using. Over time the winner becomes apparent, and then it's over.
It's the same with flashlights. The flashlights I use on my bicycle have a serious flaw that most people would balk at. THey drain batteries dry within a week while the flashlight is off. Because I use them on a bicycle, and usually about twice a week, that doesn't bother me at all. I don't even load the battery carrier before I set up for a ride. The batteries go into the charger, and into a battery rack from there. When it's time for a ride I load up and hit the road. The flashlights are good for about three hours and that's it, but I can't ride hard for longer than three hours anyway. They work for my particular use, situation, and personal habits. I want the intense light. I like the $10 price point. I like the small form factor, they fit the bicycle mounts to my satisfaction, etc etc etc.
I bought five mp3 players before I found the perfect one for me. Turns out it was a very small, very cheap one, but it's just right for what I do. It took me about ten pairs of headphones over fifteen years to find just the right ones for me, but I haven't bought a new pair since I found the three pairs I use for the three uses I have.
Same with soap. I use Dr. Bronner's peppermint castille soap in the shower. On the bottle, it says to dilute 7 parts water to one part soap. I set up a foaming soap pump diluted that way in the shower, bought a gallon of that soap, and have gone through about ten ounces of that soap in a YEAR because the foamer is so efficient and the soap is so effective. Why would I buy Irish Spring just to utilize my budget?
Once you buy the tools you need to perform the work you need to do, the rest is just for fun. You could buy a knife, or go to the movies, or buy wine, or a watch (even though your cell phone tells the time) or any other recreational purchase. You could even invest your money in the stock of a particular knife maker if you thought their knives were really a good thing to buy.
Now I'm on the prowl for throwing knives. I'll buy and cast away until I find the one I want, load up on it, and then I'll be done for years and years.
Why would I buy another folding flipper for daily carry when I have what I think is the best knife for me? I can't imagine. What's interesting is that on paper one knife is perfect, but in the field in actual usage, I find that something else outperforms in my hands for my tasks.
I can't narrow it down without buying and using. Over time the winner becomes apparent, and then it's over.
It's the same with flashlights. The flashlights I use on my bicycle have a serious flaw that most people would balk at. THey drain batteries dry within a week while the flashlight is off. Because I use them on a bicycle, and usually about twice a week, that doesn't bother me at all. I don't even load the battery carrier before I set up for a ride. The batteries go into the charger, and into a battery rack from there. When it's time for a ride I load up and hit the road. The flashlights are good for about three hours and that's it, but I can't ride hard for longer than three hours anyway. They work for my particular use, situation, and personal habits. I want the intense light. I like the $10 price point. I like the small form factor, they fit the bicycle mounts to my satisfaction, etc etc etc.
I bought five mp3 players before I found the perfect one for me. Turns out it was a very small, very cheap one, but it's just right for what I do. It took me about ten pairs of headphones over fifteen years to find just the right ones for me, but I haven't bought a new pair since I found the three pairs I use for the three uses I have.
Same with soap. I use Dr. Bronner's peppermint castille soap in the shower. On the bottle, it says to dilute 7 parts water to one part soap. I set up a foaming soap pump diluted that way in the shower, bought a gallon of that soap, and have gone through about ten ounces of that soap in a YEAR because the foamer is so efficient and the soap is so effective. Why would I buy Irish Spring just to utilize my budget?
Once you buy the tools you need to perform the work you need to do, the rest is just for fun. You could buy a knife, or go to the movies, or buy wine, or a watch (even though your cell phone tells the time) or any other recreational purchase. You could even invest your money in the stock of a particular knife maker if you thought their knives were really a good thing to buy.
