Why (and how) do you collect knives

I don’t collect knives. I buy and sell so I can try more. I have a small number of knives that I grew up with or were gifts that I won’t get rid off, other than that most keepers are only keepers until I want something new lol. I feel uncomfortable having more than 2/3 at a time.
 
Let me start by saying that I think the act of accumulation is genetic (i.e. people are driven to accumulate something). Not being wealth driven to the point where that's all we focus on we turn to other things to satisfy our urge and knives are a token. We use them for keeping score, to provide comfort, to bring joy, and just to have. We learn from them, study them, fondle them, etc. Cheaper than some things, easier to keep close than others, with less regulation than most weapons, capable of being useful (and for extraordinary lengths of time), some have historical or functional features that interest us. There's no shortage of knives unlike WWII combat aircraft for example, and everyone uses them. Until recently it was socially acceptable (and expected) in every society to have a knife of some sort in every persons possession 24/7.

A knife is one of man's oldest tools. Deep inside we have an affinity for the usefulness of a sharp blade. Even people who look askance at those who carry a knife cannot go thru a day without using one.

I was given a Barlow knife by my grandfather somewhere around age 6. I bought my first "hunting" knife (a Case fixed blade) around age 10. They were tools I learned and used. I bought my first custom knife back in 1987 from an unknown guy named Chris Reeve. I still have two of those three. I've used knives all my life, hunted, fished, worked on cars, made tools (including knives) and collected other stuff. But as I get older knives, their stories, manufacture, variety, and uses fascinate me.

I don't have any specific purpose to my collection. I have had; I went years trying to collect one of every pattern of Loveless designed knives. But now I just pick up knives like pocket lint, and then I study them. (A good example can be seen in this Traditional forum thread: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/a-blind-squirrel.1658601/ ). I have knives laying everywhere in the house and shop. But they're more fun than crossword puzzles, they keep my hands and mind focused, and playing with them is better than work.

Don't worry to much about why; collectors, and collections, evolve. Welcome.
 
I got into them by way of my maternal grandfather, who taught me that carrying problem solving tools was part of growing up. Started carrying a pocket knife on my 10th birthday, and I turned 42 this month.

Over time, through use, I began to appreciate knives in a different way, and I sought out information and people to talk to about this passion.

I collect by simply adding designs that I like, though 7/19 of my knives (counting two arriving over the next 2-3 weeks) are Ray Laconico designs, so I do tend to track what he has available.

Since getting into YouTube reviews, I’ve been very fortunate to have opportunities to handle a huge variety of knives, and I’ve used the time since starting my channel to add specific pieces that I wanted to “complete” my collection. Once I got my Massdrop x Laconico Keens (2), I realized it would take a lot to bump those from my pockets, so I figured it would be a good time to check off some ‘special’ boxes, the last of which is a custom Laconico EZC which will be built this week or next.

After this, I might look into an Ice Lite or other Brian Efros folder. Or, I may just enjoy what I have and the review samples.
 
grew up with a knife in my pocket.. always had a knife in the Marine Corps. went to college, no knives allowed on campus, didn't carry a knife until I graduated.. now I have a knife in my pocket. the how is finding a deal so I'm not over charged. why pay $200 if you can spend the time finding it for $125
 
I have been into knives since I was a kid. You gotta have a cool Swiss Army with all the tools, a switchblade, a butterfly knife, etc. All squirrel'd away in a box hidden in a hole in the wall in my room.

From there it would slowly grow as another cool knife found me. Or I'd trade for one, sell one to buy another, lose one and have to replace it, etc.

Other hobbies would come and go, but this one is so easy to manage that there is no reason for it to stop.

I still have some of those very first ones in my safe today and I cant wait to show them to my son. And I cant wait to see if he gets into it. Something tells me he will.

If only I knew of custom knife makers back when I was a kid, I'd have had my name on a few lists as a teenager instead of holding back tears today as I see what market prices are for knives I could have saved $ easily enough to buy 20+ years ago.

But then I'd also have invested in Google or something...
 
I don't "collect " I buy knives I like and want to use.then rarely sell them but continue to find new ones I "need"
 
In a world of bad software, broken computers and fake news- A nice knife is universal and timeless.

You could give a nice knife to an Eskimo, a native of the Amazon rain forest or to someone in the Sahara desert and they'd appreciate it's quality and usefulness.

It works and it's self evident.
 
LG&M said:
I don't "collect " I buy knives I like and want to use.then rarely sell them but continue to find new ones I "need"
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I can see where you're coming from. As I said earlier in the thread I've decided I don't want to buy any knife I would be uncomfortable using due to the price/my need for that type of knife.
 
I was thinking of posting the exact same question when i joined a month ago. Haven't bought a knife in 8 years but already bought / traded 8 since joining.
Similar to my gun collection, I like to buy, test and sell or trade till i find things i want to hang on to.
With pistols i wanted to stick to only a few calibers so autos/revolvers of different styles and barrel lengths. Eventually decided stainless was my thing so almost everything blued left.
Now with knifes its about different locks,actions, blade steel, and blade/handle look and overall design.
After handling a bunch i think i prefer newer flipper / flicker style folding knifes and over 3" blade length so my collection will be focused around those.
Probably won't get any hard use on any of them but sometimes i like to buy and pretend it might happen.
 
HappyDaddy said:
1. I like knives
2. I buy them and never sell them.
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.....this....never saw myself as a collector as such, just someone who buys things he likes. If I have to start putting thought into it, like having a theme or purpose then it just becomes work, not my caper at all. So I buy the knives I like and am lucky enough to be able to afford to do so without having to rid myself of something else I bought I like.
 
I don't consider myself a collector... but I do accumulate some knives. I had gone a fair amount of time without a purchase; then the influx of steel began again (luckily, I've kept it somewhat controlled & and matched it in silver) . Frankly, (for me) it's a personality flaw - deficits in one area of my life feed the surplus in another - the less satisfied I am with my situation, the more I treat myself.
 
hhmoore said:
Frankly, (for me) it's a personality flaw - deficits in one area of my life feed the surplus in another - the less satisfied I am with my situation, the more I treat myself.
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Good insight. I guess I do a bit of that myself.
 
I find it interesting how many people on here don't consider themselves collectors. I guess I thought anyone who would sign up to an internet forum about knives would have to be a avid collector, but it's kind of interesting to see that's not that case :p
 
Most of us here are 'users' and 'enthusiasts' rather than simply collectors, folks who appreciate a useful, good quality, tool. Enough so that most of us have more than we really need, few have as many as we want, and all are looking out for the next one that sings to us....
 
Why...handy to have one to use as needed

How...steel is important as I like good edge retention, and I stick to brands that are known to be of good quality
 
There are folks who buy knives for collecting in the traditional sense of the word.
http://www.knifeworld.com/colkniv.html
But i figure i fall under the majority of knife owners who just happen to like knives and ocasionally come accross what strikes my fancy by chance... no knife direction in particular just struck by aesthetics i guess :-)
 
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