When to say goodbye

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
I have not been "collecting" knives nearly as long as some. Sometimes I'll watch the sales forums, and often see a knife go through a bunch of owners in a short period of time.

Every knife I've bought, I've bought for a reason. It filled a certain "slot" in my collection. Lately my focus has shifted from different locking mechs, to customs. But at what point do I say "I just don't need that one anymore."

Does anyone else struggle with this?

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
in the real world (not college :0)..most people have to sell something to get something new....it is certainly true in my case!!!! Think I need a new FnFal!!
 
I guess I better start selling things off for that TNT!
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~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
When people start collecting knives, they often do so without focus. Eventually, some specific style or maker or whatever catches their interest and they start to focus. Then, they find themselves with a drawer full of knives that just don't fit anymore. Sometimes, that drawer includes a balisong or two. It seemd like an interesting or unusual knife at the time. But, now that they've focused in on giant bowies, that poor balisong is just gathering dust in a shoe box somewhere. Ok, time to call in The Balisong Collector Himself and see if that new balisong can't be placed in a new home where it will be a cherished part of a meaningful collection.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
I sold my BM 910BT to raise money for a MT SOCOM. Sometimes I trade and trade and trade just to get something new, that $5 shipping is no big deal. Just want to try something new. Now I'm considering trading away some of my other old knives or selling it to get that Remington 870 shotgun I wanted.

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
I'm lucky enough to work in a job where I sell to companies in the outdoors market. If a company has something I'm interested in, like knives, I'll deduct the value of the wanted item from the cost of my product. Sometimes a client's knives fit into my collection. When they don't, I just hold on to them til my next knife show. Then I go in and sell or trade them to get other knives that I truly want.
 
I guess I'm just the opposite. I never get rid of my old knives. And I regret selling my guns to buy others. I wish I had them back. They are worth at least twice what I paid for them originally. Anyway, when is enough enough? If you are a collector, enough is never enough. I have a knife collection but I don't really consider myself a collector. When I buy a knife, I usually have a specific use for it in mind. I rarely buy a knife just because it looks good. If you buy a knife because you like the looks or the quality or the craftsmanship, then it's a veritable feast out there. I really couldn't afford or justify going that route (I wish I could though.).

For instance, I've been looking for a folder that fills my specific needs. I've bought a bunch of folders over the years, always trying something a little different, looking for something a little better than the last. Then I bought a small Sebenza and I find it fills my needs to the point that I've lost interest in buying more folders. I want a larger Sebenza and once I get that, it's hard for me to imagine needing another using folder. If I collected for collection's sake, I would probably start buying customs or fancy Sebenzas. But I just find it hard to buy a knife with the sole intention of leaving it in the drawer and taking it out to look at once in a great while. If you have the extra coin, that's great. Maybe someday I will. There are some really beautiful custom folders out there I would love to have. But for now, I only buy using knives and although custom knives can and are using knives, some of them are way out of my price range. Of course, I used to say that about Sebenzas and Busse's and this year I've purchased 4 Busse's and 1 Sebenza. Time to stop and take a breath.
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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Buying a sebenza pretty much stopped me buying more knives just because I could not justify buying anything of lesser quality for a year or so. Unfortunately there's a tendency to add sebenzas.

DaveH
 
If it can be replaced easily I'm not in love with it.[still in production,or maker still alive]It is trade bait.Rare pieces stay in the safe.
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have a"knife"day
 
I don't consider the knives I own as a 'collection' just as 'My Knives.' I don'y get a knife unless I love it, and I don't sell things I love. This year I have moved up to customs and handmade knives, all in stag. I've beem buying fixed blades, but I will be starting with folders soon. Because of the cost these purchases don't come too fast, which means I have to think about these purchases for a good long time. That's good, less impulses purchases means that I won't be as likely to want to trade them off as soon as I get bored of them.
 
I started off buying one or two knives that I could use for specific purposes. Then I branched off to buying different knives just to have, but never bought something that couldn't be used. Then I went into the investment stage and anything goes. As my collection has grown, I become more selective about what I buy and can actually leave a show without having bought anything! I don't like letting go of any knives I already own, though I am reaching the stage where I would consider trading something if it were for something else I really wanted. So, to summarize, When do you have enough knives? Never!
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I definitely know how you feel. My first good knife was a Spyderco Wegner Jr. partially serrated, which I bought about a year ago. At the time, I didn't know what I was in for! I sold the knife because I decided I prefer plain edge. Then I bought a Military and Starmate. I gave the Military to my best friend and he loves it. Then I got another Wegner Jr, plain edge this time. I traded it for a BM 330. My most recent acquisition is a Microtech LCC, and I feel I have nearly found the perfect knife. I like it aesthetically much better than the Sebenza, which I can't really afford. And the fit and finish are superb. The only thing I would change is better blade steel, but I have that in the Starmate. If I ever do truly find the perfect knife, all of this will probably lose some of its inherent fun. It's the journey that's important.

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Chris Turner
Arkansas

"It's only a flesh wound!!!" - the Black Knight

"Well, they wouldn't hang a man for an accident, not even in Arkansas." - Captain Woodrow F. Call
 
I don't sell any of my knives, even if they don't currently get any pocket time. I'm fortunate enough that the few dollars I would get selling them (since they're all users, their resale value isn't going to be that high) are not critical to the purchase of new knives. Also, I find myself picking up a knife that I haven't used in a while, and remembering why I bought it, and what I liked about it so much. For example, my Calypso Lightweight Jr. is in my pocket right now, after sitting unused for months.

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Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon
 
Mitch....it seems to go in Waves, that is the Purge of ones collection. I've had it happen to me before and as a matter of fact I'm starting into one this week.
There are some knives that just don't go, but then there are some that have and I sorely miss, mistakes happen and it's tough to judge which one will make you sorry you let it go.....for me I keep my Sebenzas and the William Henry Lancets as a Base and let things fluctuate around them...though I've entertained thoughts of letting my wood inlay go.....

You never really know for sure what you got till it's gone....(sounds like a verse from a song? Joni Mitchell?)

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

G2 LeatherWorks

[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 10-09-2000).]
 
Every knife I've bought, has been for a "reason." I definitely have more knives than I really need, but not as many as I "want." Some knives I just will not part with, for senitmental or other reasons. Some knives I have, and I don't have any particular "need" for them anymore, but I don't have any particular reason to sell them.

I'm pretty sure this whole knife thing is some kind of psychological disorder.
rolleyes.gif


~Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
Knife buying is a psychological disorder and I have to get help some day. Right now I am in the denial stage I will start up KBA (knife buying anonymous ) help!!!! I never get rid of my knives even though they have bitten me on occasion, not always the same knife mind you but there are some that get unruly at times. You just have to clean them up and punish them by putting themin the drawer.
 
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