whats your usuall knife buying habits?

R

rev_jch

Joined
Jul 29, 2002
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I usually will buy three of one knife, put one in my collection, use one, and put one away, this will usaully depend on price (whether its a collectable, good price, ect.)

with this said, what is your usual knife buying habits?
 
I don't have a lot of money to spend on knives, so I like to research before I buy. Lately, all of my knife money has been going to Himalayan Imports.
--Josh
 
I used to buy two of every knife. One to carry and one to put in display case. However my want list kept growing so I stopped doing that. Now, everytime I see a knife I like or want I add it to a list. I try to buy at least one knife off that list every week. However every once and a while I get side tracked. Weither its a digital camera or custom that pops up in the exchange, it still seems like my want list is growing to fast:)
 
I'm usually just sitting around and I'll have an incredible urge to buy a knife. It always changes, sometimes it's a fighter, a tactical, a folder or anything. It doesn't matter. Then I spend awhile checking out knives and that's one of the best parts. I'll set a budget, then I'll look at all the choices within my budget.

Or, I'll see a knife I like and I just buy it. :D
 
I buy low-end customs and production knives. Since I have an anti-pack rat mentality, I really try not to buy a knife unless I'm pretty convinced that it's something that I will use. I don't consider myself a collector and I don't display my knives.

That said, if I really like a knife, and it isn't too expensive, I will get multiple copies (4 BM drop-point Griptilians, 2 BM Osborne 941s (in addition to my 940), 2 Kershaw Double-Crosses, 2 Camillus CQB-2s, etc), and put the extras in storage. If I end up with a dud, it usually bothers me so much that I try to find someone to give it to as soon as I can [before my fellow forumites volunteer to take my discards, I will note that I have plenty of takers among my family, friends and co-workers :)].

After buying knives at a rate of about 2 or 3 per month for about 18 months, my production knife-buying rate has dropped off pretty steeply, and I haven't bought a custom in several months. Today I got a Spyderco Gunting (my first Spyderco), and will probably get the Spyderco Ronin when it's finally available. I may pick up another BM 940 or 941. Other than that, I can't think of any thing else I really want, although I know that there will be several new must-haves every year.

miguel
 
I have been back into the custom folder kinda knives for the past 6 months so three of the same kind is a little hard to do not to mention EXPENSIVE!! I do have a couple of custom folders duplicated. I have a JW Smith LDC-5 X 2, and a Mike Obenauf large model 2 framelocker X 2. Although the model 2 framelockers are different as one is standard and one is a special order I made, and the LDC-5's are a bit different also. For the most part though I am staying with the same three makers, although on ocassion I will try a new one, for my folders because they make them exactly like I would make them if I could!

With customs though you sorta have to place your orders and space them out enough to raise the needed funds to pay for them. If you don't you will have what is about to happen to me, 3 folders at the same time, and end up selling some of what you have to pay for those coming in! Of course this gives me the oppurtunity to weed out some of those I never carry anymore and make the room for the new ones coming in which I might carry more.

That's the way I do it!:D
 
Lately, all I have been doing is scanning ebay for sub 50% retail deals on Spydercos and Benchmades..that's all there is to it!;)
 
My mother used to say "when you find a good buy, get two". Normaly I´ll buy one knife and if I like it I might go get another one. Exceptions are when there´s a good sale or to give as presents.

I have half a dozen Uncle Henry stockmans from a sale at Sears, they were very cheap and are usually hard to find in Mexico, I just had to get them even though I already had two old ones in good shape.
 
Originally posted by Sticky
Lately, all I have been doing is scanning ebay for sub 50% retail deals on Spydercos and Benchmades..that's all there is to it!;)
Click to expand...

That is how I've been building my production collection lately, but now I'm getting into higher end/more expensive stuff...my next purchase is going to be a Criswell katana! :D
 
Like a few others, I keep a close eye on eBay for the older knives I'd like to add to my collection. The few Customs, and One-of-A-Kinds I have were bought direct either from someone I knew, someone in the BCCI, or a dealer friend. Current production knives I usually buy through the BCCI dealers as they seem to be to able to give us members the best pricing around. I really don't look at many knives other than Bucks unless something REALLY catches my eye.....
 
has gone to Himalayan Imports. Other than three Khukuris I've gotten an Opinel, an Old Timer, a Micra and I just ordered a Spyderco Rescue from the Exchange Forum. Vet bills and car parts have killed most of my extra cash.

Frank
 
I make a resolution with each knife I buy. I try to be conscious of money, and note that I have always regretted not getting good quality equipment. I then make the resolution that I will purchase a high quality, but not fancy, product so that I will be satisfied with it and not have to replace it with another.

Then I see another knife that is unique in some way. My task is then to find or invent a use for which one of my existing knives is not as well suited as the new knife. I will then resolve to buy a quality knife for that new purpose, so that I don't waste money buy buying a knife that will be replaced.

You can mathematically prove that this sequence of subdividing tasks and superior fiscal responsibility can go on forever. I can rest at ease because I never have to stop buying knives, and I will always be wisely spending my money by not buying junk. Sometimes the pace of acquisition slows, but it never completely stops. It is my destiny, the zen of buying knives.

My wife just shakes her head.

Scott
 
Not all new knives look good to me, usually it's just a few that do. Sometimes I think they're really great, but hopefully realize that they do not all turn out as good as they sound.

Then after I see some feedback confirming they're good, I keep and eye out for a good price. Then I get one.

Soemtimes I buy kjnives that are inexpensive just because I'm curious.
 
I blame the internet to some extent for my buying binges, because it's like bringing the store into the house.

I go 'round and then something catches my eye. If it's a particular style, then it's like, what else is out there in that style?

Then, I sometimes go the the extent of downloading the photos, opening them up in photoshop, resize them to full size, rotate them to orient a series of photos in the same direction, print them out and compare several together this way.

You'd be surprised at how different a particular model looks when it's full scale and in comparison with something else.

Then, I open an Excel worksheet and enter all the specs in a grid format, along with prices, and then sort the information by various criteria, with the idea of finalizing the decision of which one to get.

(Trouble is, by thte time I'm done, the one I wanted was bought by someone else!!) LOL!!
 
I've found that the internet, a credit card, and a six pack of beer will bring brown trucks carrying custom knives right to my door.
 
I like to draw up a plan for a knife, work with a knifemaker to refine it then turn it into a finished product. This is good for about 3-4 knives a year. The rest of my purchases are usually based on seeing a knife that is unique or different from any I own & hoping I can afford it! Then added to the mix are special deals like Delta Z offered in the beginning of January! A new collecting interest has been 'miniature knives' which pop up every so often. Over all, my collecting habits still depend on a budget - I refuse to take out a loan so I can afford a knife!:D
 
Originally posted by Wirebender
I've found that the internet, a credit card, and a six pack of beer will bring brown trucks carrying custom knives right to my door.
Click to expand...


Amen.
 
I usually buy knives about twice a year, once around January and again around July. I buy 2 - 3 knives each time.

I lean towards multitools and SAKs, since they are so versatile. I generally have a specific use in mind for what I buy, although my planned use may be a little far-fetched if I want the knife enough. Usually, it just goes into the carry rotation.

I like to put together combinations of knives that complement each other well when carried together.

I definitely have a preference for certain brands, since I know what to expect and have had good experiences with them in the past. My favorites are Leatherman, Victorinox, and Spyderco.

I only own one knife that cost more than $100, and the average cost of my collection is low.
 
Basically I try to stay on top of most of the current production, stuff out there, so if the opportunity arises to purchase a knife I like I stick my hand in my pocket and see what I can afford, most times lately I look at something cheaper.

Now Custom Knives, that's a different story, that involves a lot of research,(that's half the fun), during this phase I can save money for the buy, find my best deal,(also part of the fun).

My next step, after being here for a while, and seeing how easy it is to work with the makers, and how available they make themselves, is to have one made to order.:D
 
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