What I've learned in 6 months of knife collecting

[the kid]

And why do you feel you cannot express your opinion here, if I might ask? Just curious. I have found that everyone is completely free to express their opinions here.

Just look at some comments where the op gets ridiculed, although I expected a lot worse.
To me these forums don't exactly have an atmosphere in which I feel free to express my opinions.

Everybody is really helpful until a certain (unknown to me) point/border/line is crossed then all hell breaks loose.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It is apparent many do agree with the OP:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/872325-I-m-Done-with-this-BS!!!!!

While I am in agreement with certain thoughts in the above-linked thread, I respectfully disagree with the OP. I think you'll find that the thread you linked to is more about cutting through the haze of opinions others seek to impose upon you and actually looking objectively at yourself, your knives, and how YOU want to proceed with your hobby.

To the OP: Drink not lightly from the well of knowledge. Your policy of purchasing used knives provides you the opportunity to try and experience many different blades at an affordable price. Continue to read up on your facts, and get your hands on as many different types of knives as possible--even if you then turn around and sell them. It's about getting the chance to combine theory and application that's important here. I think you'll come to revise your opinions, or at the very least find more supporting evidence for them to defend your point of view. Either way, you win.

 

[Gator97]

Just look at some comments where the op gets ridiculed, although I expected a lot worse.
To me these forums don't exactly have an atmosphere in which I feel free to express my opinions

Going to collectors forum and lecturing how collecting that item is BS, silly, impractical, or misguided, perhaps is not the best way of making friends on that forum
Add there lack of knowledge of the subject and you'll get the picture.

 

[marcinek]

Just look at some comments where the op gets ridiculed, although I expected a lot worse.
To me these forums don't exactly have an atmosphere in which I feel free to express my opinions.

Everybody is really helpful until a certain (unknown to me) point/border/line is crossed then all hell breaks loose.

You are here, and you expressed your opinions, just like the OP did. Nobody got banned or anything. I don't see any freedom to express one's opinion being stomped upon.

People express opinions. Sometimes other people feel those opinions are wrong or silly, and they express their opinion. That's what a forum is.

It's what make a forum different from a blog or vlog. Some might have the opinion...not me mind you...that if one cannot take the heat, one needs to get out of the kitchen.

But I digress.... . Digress from what, I'm not entirely sure.

 

[Gerard Breuker]

I often say most of these arguments to myself too.
Usually just before I buy another knife that I hope to be sharp and pointy among other things.
My need list is completely empty. My want list is still growing though.

 

[be_free]

I'm brand new to this (don't even own a quality knife yet and registered yesterday), and I disagree. What started as a wish to buy a quality EDC knife, and a fixed blade practical bug-out/camping knife, brought me here because I appreciate quality. I checked out a few $50-$100 knives in the store and got my hands on a couple of $200 Benchmade knives and wondered what the heck, that's expensive, until I picked them up and literally said, whoo (I pulled a Keanue Reeves . Now this is something completely different. These knives were in a different league all together, how they fit in my hand, their balance, the sound when I flicked out the blade, the sharpness. It made me want to find out what else is out there. And here I am.

This morning, in fact, I realized what the appeal is (at least to me). In this day an age when "everything is made in China" (more as a figure of speech than a stated fact), and in the IKEA-fication of society (with mostly flimsy furniture with limited shelf life compared to traditional hand crafted furniture), true time-less craftsmanship is becoming a rare commodity. Affordable quality made commodities even less so. Material objects in general are meant to be sold, not to be used and made to last in this day and age. And right here somewhere is where these beautiful, and powerful, and useful objects come in. Most of them are very well made, and even though some are expensive, they are at least financially accessible for a lot of us.

I'm sure there's a lot of knife-porn out there, manufacturers with excessive claims, silly design and non-practical details, knives that are just spreading their blades for no reason (ok, I'm sorry , but you'll find that in any industry. Don't even let me begin to rant about the IT electronics field, my area of expertise. What I see before me are mostly useful cool looking knives that are practical (which is a big one to me, I don't really care for artful objects just to look at), AND that has a generational long shelf life.

I'm starting to look at this budding interest as a potential investment. These low-tech mechanical artsy object will always have a use. I mean, isn't the knife one of the first tools man invented (?) -- I have no idea, I'm not an anthropologist. Let me just say this. Y'all knife nerds out there, I love your obsessive compulsive streak and your enthusiasm. Do your thing and have fun (as if you needed me to tell you , I'm right behind 'ya!

 

[Deviltooth]

I think a key point that has been missed by the OP but commented on by a few others before me is: Knife collecting is fun. As I get deeper into the hobby I find myself looking at more expensive/custom blades. I have always appreciated quality and attention to detail (rare enough in our world of mass manufacturing). Knives are a lot like audio equipment in that many of the people involved in making them are enthusiasts themselves.

I can see how some knife collectors can embrace this philosophy of quality and appreciate the thought and artistry that go into the manufacture of certain knives.

As for reviews being mostly positive: Unless they are paid reviewers, people tend to write about the things that give them pleasure. Since most reviews are written by hobbyists it is likely they will focus on the knives they enjoy owning.

I intend to focus my reviews on knives that don't get the same press others have. The reviews I read help me in my purchasing decisions so if I find something I like I might write a review to be equally helpful.

 

[ono724]

My rookie thoughts after 6 months of knife collecting [in no particular order]

[1] Most knife reviews appear to be overwhelmingly positive only because most people
justify hard earned purchases than debase them.
[2] Knife companies,being no different than car companies, are first and for most profit driven and will
sell you ice cicles wrapped in micarta only because the general public will Always look for
the next best thing.
[3] speaking of the next best thing, the whole 'super steel' school of thought [while I'm sure is based on scientific fact...I don't
know because I'm not a scientist] appears to me as nothing more than a sales pitch turned into hyperbole
by the general public. Steel -in it's infinite varieties- is not some rare thing.....is it? I mean,someone makes it rare by choice
rather than by supposed scarcity/availability. Diamonds for instance are usually expensive while being in fact very,very common and
thus paradoxically exclusive.
[4] Almost all of the knives discussed here on B.F are just sharp pieces of pointy metal. No matter how you dress it up, it comes down
to that simple fact. We -the public- gestate the demand and the companies supply the drug. I'll go out on a limb after having
only dived into the knife pool 6 months ago by saying any fixed blade over 130 bucks is an absolute waste of money as a tool.
I wouldnt stoop so low as to begrudge anyone who collects art objects but I guess it comes down to
use it or shelf it?
[5] I really don't see any reason to ever buy a new knife when you can almost always get a used one in pristine condition
for a Whole Lot Less.
[6] These are my opinions. I expect to be both congratulated and ridiculed! That's ok! Yes I can afford to spend 500 dollars on a knife.
No I have not and never will...even though I LOVE the Lionsteel titanium folders. Yummy.
[7] Have a great day and be safe with your knives

Here's what I dislike about this forum: someone writes their opinion, beliefs, thoughts, philosophies.. whatever....

and what is 90% of the replies? Insults, sarcasm, name calling...

I would think adults would be able to do disagree with at least a semblance of maturity and class..

I don't believe the OP stated that what he said were FACTS, CARVED IN STONE. Just his opinions, thoughts, beliefs...etc

Someone posted something about less posting and more reading, that should apply to everyone...

BTW, these are just the opinions of me, they do not reflect those of anyone else, or this forum..

 

[James0723]

There seems to be a lot of posts like this lately, where people who were knife collectors turn their back on the hobby. Maybe the economy has something to do with this also, knife collecting is expensive, after all.

 

[jackknife]

I can go along with most of what the OP says.

Once you get enough of knives, and take a step back and look at it from a non knife persons view, it does get a bit ridiculous. The point where the fetish factor begins to override common sense, and obsession takes over.

I used to collect customs. I had a nice collection of big names from the American Bladesmith Society, as well as some Randall's. When I finaly wised up, the only good thing was I sold them all off for enough money that the 'ol lady and me took a month long road/camping trip around the country. Made it to Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, Canyon lands and Arches, and other places. The wife and I had a ball. Thank God the obsessed Randall collectors gave me my money back.

I got my first wise up moment when a big name master smith forged blade couldn't out cut a Buck stockman. And a Randall 14 couldn't cut as well as my 1967 issued Camillus MK 2. I sold off all of them and never missed them.

People get so obsessed that they can't see the forest from the trees. Some of the new modern knives are designed to be cheap and fast to make on CNC equiptment. I was a machinist for almost 30 years, and the new knives I see being sold now are a sham. It's all an over hyped artificial market to convince the would be Walter Mity's and arm chair comando's that they need the all new and improved mall ninja death dealer miracle knife. Never mind real life, it's all about image.

Now I'm happy with a 10 dollar Opinel and a 15 dollar Ontario Machete if I have a lot of cutting to do. I got tired of all the hype, and took three big steps back.

 

[Gator97]

When I finaly wised up, the only good thing was I sold them all off...
Thank God the obsessed Randall collectors gave me my money back.

As far as I understand your post, for you, knife collectors simply are not "wise" enough. From that point of view, no collector of anything is. Still, telling that to group of collectors leaves very little room for complaints about sarcastic comments

BTW, as you say, "some" of the modern knives, which means not all of the modern knives are designed to be cheap, and on top of that, price reduction because of more efficient use of technology is nothing wrong, part of the progress. It was the same process that brought hard drive price from 5K for 20mb drive to 5mb per 1$. Would you insist on paying 5K for 20mb drive today, and call new ones cheap shams? I don't think so. Why knives are any different?

 

[stabman]

Budget snobs versus expense snobs.
Simple as that.

 

[Myal]

I feel that collecting is a kinda personal thing ... but its easy to pick up on other folks reasons for collecting and follow along without realising .
I like low $ high performance , no preference for origins , just something about the ingenuity behind the process that turns out seriously good performance for low $ that intrigues me and so I buy . hey anyone can save up and buy a high dollar job , but not everyone sees the value or thinking in the humble low $ gear . that is my reason I collect .
It is good to sit back and take a look at what you have and why . When the stuff you are looking at is all looking like overhyped lumps of steel , its time to reconsider what you are doing .. when it stops being fun , its time to stop and rethink . Are you collecting what you like , or did you get sidetracked collecting stuff because it gives cred to have it ?

Most the time you mess with your knives youll probably be alone , the likelihood of you meeting anyone you know on the forums in the flesh is usually remote , and the probability of meeting anyone who appreciates your collection for what it is ... ie another knife junkie .. is also kinda remote .

Make sure youre being true to you with what you are doing .

 

[singularity35]

I'm more a performance snob. I like knives that perform well(slicers that slice well and tough ones that "tough" well), especially the low $$$ ones.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Budget snobs versus expense snobs.
Simple as that.

Buy what you like and like what you buy! There are definitely snobs on both sides of the fence, but some of us just happen to prefer a particular class of knife over others. One of the things that I like about knives is how many options there are for everyone to choose from. No matter what walk of life you're from there IS a knife for you out there somewhere--you just have to find it. I'll never buy a pair of Swarovski binoculars, for instance, because I have no use for them personally. But if I was a professional guide...I'd probably NEED them. Then there are those who have the money to buy whatever they please. Who am I to judge? It's not my money, and if it makes them happy so be it.

We all make the decisions that we, at the time, feel is the BEST decision. What makes the chosen decision the best in that person's mind is based on their experience and influences, and those will always be different between different people. :thumbup:

I feel that collecting is a kinda personal thing ... but its easy to pick up on other folks reasons for collecting and follow along without realising .
I like low $ high performance , no preference for origins , just something about the ingenuity behind the process that turns out seriously good performance for low $ that intrigues me and so I buy . hey anyone can save up and buy a high dollar job , but not everyone sees the value or thinking in the humble low $ gear . that is my reason I collect .
It is good to sit back and take a look at what you have and why . When the stuff you are looking at is all looking like overhyped lumps of steel , its time to reconsider what you are doing .. when it stops being fun , its time to stop and rethink . Are you collecting what you like , or did you get sidetracked collecting stuff because it gives cred to have it ?

Most the time you mess with your knives youll probably be alone , the likelihood of you meeting anyone you know on the forums in the flesh is usually remote , and the probability of meeting anyone who appreciates your collection for what it is ... ie another knife junkie .. is also kinda remote .

Make sure youre being true to you with what you are doing .

Exactly my thoughts on every point. You said it better than I could. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[monger4142]

Hi ferrous,

I think you have some strong opinions and for the most part I believe they make a lot of sense.

If you want a fixed blade that will do real work and be everything you need, $130 is a great place to be.

For a lot of people though, it comes down to joy of owning something that's just extremely well made. I do believe that there is a lot of hype, from steel to steel. one man does not need many well made knives throughout his life, so they have to market their industry somehow.

Then again why do we buy anything? all watches tell time, all knives cut, potatoes and beans fill you up... etc.

 

[thesouthernguitarist]

I can go along with most of what the OP says.

Once you get enough of knives, and take a step back and look at it from a non knife persons view, it does get a bit ridiculous. The point where the fetish factor begins to override common sense, and obsession takes over.

I used to collect customs. I had a nice collection of big names from the American Bladesmith Society, as well as some Randall's. When I finaly wised up, the only good thing was I sold them all off for enough money that the 'ol lady and me took a month long road/camping trip around the country. Made it to Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, Canyon lands and Arches, and other places. The wife and I had a ball. Thank God the obsessed Randall collectors gave me my money back.

I got my first wise up moment when a big name master smith forged blade couldn't out cut a Buck stockman. And a Randall 14 couldn't cut as well as my 1967 issued Camillus MK 2. I sold off all of them and never missed them.

People get so obsessed that they can't see the forest from the trees. Some of the new modern knives are designed to be cheap and fast to make on CNC equiptment. I was a machinist for almost 30 years, and the new knives I see being sold now are a sham. It's all an over hyped artificial market to convince the would be Walter Mity's and arm chair comando's that they need the all new and improved mall ninja death dealer miracle knife. Never mind real life, it's all about image.

Now I'm happy with a 10 dollar Opinel and a 15 dollar Ontario Machete if I have a lot of cutting to do. I got tired of all the hype, and took three big steps back.

:thumbup: Well said. I have also quite collecting knives for the most part and just use what I have. I occasionaly indulge and purchase something I don't need, but who doesn't? I'm done with this madness, and it feels good

 

[A.P.F.]

I can go along with most of what the OP says.

Once you get enough of knives, and take a step back and look at it from a non knife persons view, it does get a bit ridiculous. The point where the fetish factor begins to override common sense, and obsession takes over.

I used to collect customs. I had a nice collection of big names from the American Bladesmith Society, as well as some Randall's. When I finaly wised up, the only good thing was I sold them all off for enough money that the 'ol lady and me took a month long road/camping trip around the country. Made it to Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, Canyon lands and Arches, and other places. The wife and I had a ball. Thank God the obsessed Randall collectors gave me my money back.

I got my first wise up moment when a big name master smith forged blade couldn't out cut a Buck stockman. And a Randall 14 couldn't cut as well as my 1967 issued Camillus MK 2. I sold off all of them and never missed them.

People get so obsessed that they can't see the forest from the trees. Some of the new modern knives are designed to be cheap and fast to make on CNC equiptment. I was a machinist for almost 30 years, and the new knives I see being sold now are a sham. It's all an over hyped artificial market to convince the would be Walter Mity's and arm chair comando's that they need the all new and improved mall ninja death dealer miracle knife. Never mind real life, it's all about image.

Now I'm happy with a 10 dollar Opinel and a 15 dollar Ontario Machete if I have a lot of cutting to do. I got tired of all the hype, and took three big steps back.

Well Jack, like you, I have come full circle as well. I am quite content with lower priced 'value' knives and I get just as much satisfaction in discovering and appreciating them. My 12C27mod 'Garden' Opinel takes the best edge that I have ever seen. My No.12 Carbon is great in the kitchen and my mirror polished, Bubinga No.08 LUXE is a great Sunday dress knife.

I have the greatest respect for both knife collectors and 'users' and we all fall somewhere on the spectrum of novice to expert. I have resigned myself to the fact that my knife hobby will cost me money and I don't begrudge that reality. It matters not whether we collect/use Randalls or SAKs. The important things are that we enjoy the experience and help others along the way. IMHO

 

[Alvaro Candanedo]

While I may disagree with some of the opinions of the OP, I think that he (¿she? -mean no offense, I just don't know) it's still a beginner in the hobby. In time he (I think is a "he") migth re-define what kind of blades he want's to collect. With time it will come learning. I can offer my own example: before being a member in this forum, I thougth that stainless steel was THE best steel for any kind of sword, knife, etc. Now I know better and no longer buy just about any stainlees steel knife or sword-like object put for sale. I decided that I want to collect replicas of historical swords. For the moment, the most expensive blade I have is a Swamp Rat Wakizashi. I don't think I'll ever buy an authentic katana made by some master forger from Japan (just don't have that kind of money, and the wife would probably take exception). But I do have a gladius, a falcata, a katana and am about to receive an Italian Falchion (Windlass Steelcraft).
So, to sum up: give the OP some time, he will change his mind about some of the things he thinks now.