What kind of collector are you?

I am a user and claim no urge to "collect" knives. But I have quite a few that have never even cut a piece of paper. Hence, I'm a accumulator. What catches my eye gets bought. Bought another fixed blade today and the last thing I need is another 4" fixed blade.
 
I am a collector and a user of all my knives as of this moment and will generally use all of them unless I get a certain custom that is just beyond beautiful that I do not want to use. I collect all sorts from Spydercos and I have recently been getting into the custom knives. I collect sentimental value knives, budget kershaws, spydercos, benchmades, microtechs, midtechs, and customs. I use them all and enjoy them all. I definitely go for quality of quantity. (I noticed this recently when I am moving out of the medium priced productions such as Benchmade and are looking at more expensive productions and customs. I like the saying of "If you think that is high quality than you should try this and see how it compares" Price does not always determine quality, but when some people say they would never spend a certain amount on a knife then they either do not have the addiction (most common symptom) or have not tried a knife of superior quality. Sorry for long post, but it can be fun to elaborate.
 
I collect whatever is visually appealing and good for hard use or general EDC. Visually appealing always comes first though.
 
I am a "collecting accumulator" or "accumulating collector" with a bit of OCD thrown in. I start with something I like and then, over some period of time "accumulate" the rest of the collection.

Example 1 - I like Bowie knives, but not all Bowie knives. I started with a single, beat up Western Bowie (Western Bowie Boulder Colo in 3 lines). Then I found a "B" (1978) in a pawn shop, found out about the other variations and then started "collecting" every different style of "Western brand Bowie" I could locate. I think I am only missing 4 variations, maybe 5.

Example 2 - I think that since 1975 I have finally accumulated 1 of every variation of US made 1219C2/USN/USMC Mk2 made from 1942 on.

Example 3 - Still missing some, but I have 1 of every type of US bayonet from the 1905 Springfield up through the M9. Don't have an example of every manufacturer in each Model yet, but getting closer. I get a little obsessed with "holes" in a string of knives and look for those.

But I don't pass up any good deals either. Or odd-ball Kabars... I found a pristine, finger-print on only 1 knife set of 12 Kabar Carbon Chrome steak knives at an estate sale. The set was in a box that looked like a backgammon set up on a shelf and I only open the box on a whim. It was marked $50 and I haggled down to $40 by pointing out the ink stain on the red leather case. And I just recently bought a Kabar Castrating Knife off fleabay. Why??? Because I had never seen one before, didn't have one and, when cleaned up a little will make an absolutely breath-taking conversation starter. :D
 
I like to collect well-made knives to use. One of my stipulations for keeping a knife is that I actually have to use it--no safe queens.

There are two exceptions: my BM 943 has too much sentimental value to use, my Spyderco Dragonfly that my brothers' got engraved for me.
 
While I do respect and appreciate nice collections I firmly believe they are tools that should be used and used often.
 
I like 99% of all knifes I see, and I have a assortment of them from $1.00 swapmeet knifes to microtechs and piranhas,
But the majority of what I have is Buck110/112 s at the moment I,m really into collecting Yellowhorse bucks.
And I will carry any knife I own just a little more worried about losing one if it,s a custom.
 
I collect anything that appeals to my sense of aesthetics(I only need a couple of actual "user" knives, so beyond that, I collect for the pleasure of owning, displaying, and admiring the blades). I own traditionals and modern folders, liner locks and frame locks, assisted and unassisted, big and small. I do tend to favor "big" knives(7+ inch blades) and machetes though, overall. If Condor puts out a new machete, and Kershaw puts out a new folder, I'm likely to be interested in both. But if I can only get one of them, it's likely to be the machete, generally speaking. Even among folders, a new big Cold Steel folder with a 5-6 inch blade is more likely to immediately catch my eye than a new 3 inch Spyderco, even though the Spydie is most likely made with higher end materials and is more useful as an EDC. I also favor karambits, and when it comes to those, I'll even sometimes buy cheap junkier knives like Mtechs or S&W(I am quite excited by the upcoming Spyderco karambit).
 
I am a VERY picky collector and I will only collect 3 different types of knives. OTF automatics, Balisongs and Bearing flippers. I only have a fixed blade because I got a sog seal pup for stupid low price.
 
the only knife I would put behind a glass frame or hang on a wall would be something from the civil or revolutionary war. everything else that's bought is used.
 
I never meant to really start collecting knives as I just bought one to use then bought another so I would have a knife in case I lost this one and then saw another I just plain had to have and next thing you know I had more knives than what any man should own and not use.! And it just keeps getting worse and worse and I guess I will quit one day { you know the day the "man" says ~~ now here lays a man. } and then the fun begins as I can sit up there and watch my Sons argue over who gets what and that one cost more than the one I picked and so on and so on.!! hehe Gonna be one bad fight that day -- just wish I was here to see it in person.!!!*** lol
If I was a smart man I would sell all my knives and buy another Bike and just take off and ride into the wind until the money was gone and then donate my Bike and a Buck Knife and a $100 to a lucky person and tell them to enjoy the ride as it is a short one.*
Oh well ~~ I can dream.!
 
I started out collecting Bowie knives, and a couple of Case EDC knives. Then I bought a couple of assist open knives, I now carry one every where I go along with my .45. I have been collecting guns for many years. In the past year I sold a lot of the ones I never use. I kept the ones I do. About that time I became more interested in tactical knives. I have bought a few, and am interested in a few more. I found a knife that is light and works great, it is an SOG. I carry it now. I still have a few more I want.
 
Great thread idea. :thumbup:

Anyway, I would say my collection is becoming "user/hard use". I have been in the habit of selling off blades that dont't feel or perform well for me.

My user collection so far....


It would be bigger but I am a poor college student with is eyes on Busses. :D
 
I just scored a Sebbie 25 and a 21 is on it's way so I'll see which one I like more and sell the other
 
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