What non knife people think of our hobby

It ran a little dry and long in the middle there, but the premise is brilliant. I thought it was slightly more entertaining than informative, but I'd like to see more videos like this from other well known reviewers and their non-knife-nut partners, friends and family.
 
I’ll give it a watch later, but I can tell you when I’ll show my wife the entire collection:

Never.

She would start asking the cost of each one, mentally keeping a tally, resulting in me being starved of certain benefits for a while, having had the mother of all rows.

I don’t ask about shoes, bags, clothes, etc., other than to say, “Darling! It/they/you look/s fantastic, worth every penny!”

She doesn’t ask about knives. Uses ‘em though.

One thing to note is that being an Englishman who collects US knives is not cheap. There is a big mark up on the top US prices for Benchmade, Spyderco, Buck, ESEE, Ka-Bar, Becker, Kershaw, ZT and all the rest. If ordering from the States, you lose practically any benefit through shipping and customs duty. It always makes me smile when you guys talk about the great price on x, y or z brand. Not where I live!
 
Cool question.

I've spent some time building out my collection and have them displayed so all of the folders and fixed blades can be seen at one time. There are several of the knives I really use but most of them I just like to admire and handle.

Some of my guy friends who don't know anything about knives are fascinated and they stay with me when I start showing them different designs and features. Others basically say, "Wow, that's a lot of knives." and it's clear they have very little interest.

So, the basic answer is, "It's crazy that you have so many knives, I don't get it".

Like a lot of others, I started out with cheap Tac Force, Mtech, and other garbage products. Then I moved up to Gerber, SOG, CRKT and the Bokers of the world. From there to ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, Southern Grind... Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how I look at it) I then gained a fondness for Brous, Bradford, Spartan, Hinderer, and the other usual suspects in the higher end.

Interestingly enough, when looking over the folders section my non-knife friends almost always gravitate towards the Mtech and other goofy knives I have stashed away in the less visible part of the display. This is consistent whether it's a man, teenager, or younger boy. The only "good" brand that they want to grab are the two Cold Steel large folders.

A few Spyderco and Emerson knives get some draw but really nobody has given a Reeve, Tighe, or Olamic more than a second glance.

Fixed blades are another story. People generally like them but I definitely see the "bigger is better" mindset in play. Actually maybe it's really more of a "bad-ass" is better thing - large knives just naturally play into this.

To me (I'm probably full of it) it seems that action, war, and stupid zombie movies or television shows are creating a strong preference for "tactical" style knives among people who aren't real knife enthusiasts.

Frankly, I'm not sure that this is a good trend because knives = killing could be becoming a common association among many people.

Anyway sorry about the rambling post that probably didn't answer your question and veered way off topic anyway.

Thanks for posting this thread. I'm hoping that it generates a lot of fun and compelling banter.
 
Few time ago I went to a store with Lansky sharpening system just to replace some screw for some one headless. When I take the box off the seller thought to be a weapon, then he asked me what for was that and I explain, his answer was: just to sharp a knife? (With an expression of neglect). And I said YES! Any problem?
He said no.
Then I left the store.
I actually don’t care what they think, but there is no reason to find me a odd person.
I gladly explained about something he could have learned and he lost the opportunity.
Some people are perfeccionist I believe people like us. Talking by myself, I try to be the best at what I do. I know I’ll never be the best sharpener of the world it would be too much pretense, but I try to go beyond my limits and try to be better than some others.
In fact I believe that many people in my region do not take our hobby seriously.
Some people just don’t bother.
 
It’s the same reaction you’ll get from anyone who has no clue about that particular hobby.
My golf playing friends find it unimaginable that my pool cues cost over $3500 and I have knives worth over $400.
Yet they find it perfectly understandable to have 46 different drivers and 38 putters.......on top of the clothes, shoes, balls etc. to golf a few times a year.
And they are all terrible golfers.
Joe
 
Your wife is a good sport, mine wouldn't do this, not that I would give her the chance.
 
What non-knife people think of my knives:

Can't see where I need so many.
Can't see why I'd pay so much.
Can't see why I'd not just have one , or two cheaper ones.
Won't hardly look at any of them , if I attempt to show them.
So, I mostly keep them to myself, when dealing with non-knife people.
 
Mo2 Mo2 I like this idea. Some hopefully helpful criticism though:

1) Your wife, while lovely, is terrible. She doesn't know how to comment on or review stuff. Maybe have her watch some unboxing/review videos for stuff other than knives. Tech items, fashion, whatever. Just to build a commentary skillset. Having her watch knife reviews would spoil it I think.

2) Do single knife reviews. Maybe pair hers with your own review. I made it to the Spyderco Police before completely losing interest.

3) Most pocket knives suck at cutting carrots on a cutting board. Find some other means of testing the knife.

4) Don't educate her. Don't say that a flipper is a flipper, a back lock is a back lock, etc. Show her how they work, but have her own, invented jargon. It'll be more endearing.

It was a novel idea for the first video, but I think you may have accidentally stumbled upon a gold mine. Have her stay in the dark, but experience them all and record the reactions. I really like the idea of a standard knife review paired with a knife review done by someone who doesn't care at all about the product. I'd start the channel myself, but I know my wife well enough to know that she'll just try to stab me if I ask here to "test" a knife on camera.
 
fastone052 said:
If you really didn't care you wouldnt have responded. Meaning you cared enough to respond. You sure are a miserable person.
Click to expand...
I don't think this is really fair. He didn't say he didn't care about the video, this thread or the OP. He said he didn't care about what people think of what he likes. I don't care if a random person in NYC knows what century a particular war happened in, but I found Cash Cab entertaining. So I watched it.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I don't think this is really fair. He didn't say he didn't care about the video, this thread or the OP. He said he didn't care about what people think of what he likes. I don't care if a random person in NYC knows what century a particular war happened in, but I found Cash Cab entertaining. So I watched it.
Click to expand...

He's a known troll that decided to troll marcinek outside of the proper areas, pay him no heed.
 
Watched the whole thing, really enjoyed it thanks for sharing! Very interesting to know how our knife hobby is perceived.
 
jill jackson said:
What non-knife people think of my knives:

Can't see where I need so many.
Can't see why I'd pay so much.
Can't see why I'd not just have one , or two cheaper ones.
Won't hardly look at any of them , if I attempt to show them.
So, I mostly keep them to myself, when dealing with non-knife people.
Click to expand...
That about covers it for me.
 
Wow, I must just have really awesome wife and friends, that or you all need new friends...

As soon as I receive a new knife they want to see it and hear all about it, no they don't know the terms and have all the specific questions about minut details and stuff another knife-nut might but they're always interested in handle material and the overall design and intended use and steel type (my one best bud Ed is especially interested in the newest, best super steels, particularly the metallurgy aspect).

Again these are non-knife people, of course my knife friends are fun to show off to sometimes too lol.

Man my friends are sweet, I'm sorry for you guys...
 
Non-knife people aren't my friends, they are coworkers and associates necessary to make a living.
 
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