Why Do People Think it is Stupid to Collect Knives?

T

taylrbrwr

Joined
Apr 24, 2012
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I am still in high school. My friends have found out all the hundreds of dollars I have put into knives. Just ordering a Benchmade and a CRKT. They call me crazy. Saying "Why would you buy so many knives when one is just enough?" Then they start naming all the stuff they could have bought if they had the money I spent on just knives. I have only about 10 or 15. Planning on buying many, many more. But what is a very good reason that I could say why I like knives so much? Instead of just looking like some freak who has a bunch of them.. Thanks.
 
Well, I guess you could say once you've spent the money on a knife, the cash you just spent stops getting devalued by the fed :p
 
Eh, we're all freaks with bunches of knives :p Collecting knives is no worse than collecting stamps, art, cars, etc. It can be expensive, and it is certainly true that many of us own more than we need for cutting things. But, you don't have to buy knives solely to use them. The best reason is that it is your money and you are spending it on something you enjoy. As long as you are being responsible in your expenses, you can have a good time.
 
Maybe it's your friends, not you with the problem.

Either just stop bringing-up knives in their presence, or find new friends. Seriously.
 
Plus I'd like to add, that it is my entertainment money. Some people save up and go to the beach for a week, some eat out a lot, some go to the movies.

I'd rather spend it on a knife that I can continue to enjoy for years to come, while my neighbor's cruise isn't something that he can really keep.

I'd take permanent "fun" that also can be quite useful and help me in my daily life rather than temporary fun that I can just reminisce about in the future
 
Just say that you like them, and leave it at that. Don't debate them. You are under no requirement to explain yourself. This calls for quiet confidence. :thumbup:
 
If I said I had spent hundreds of dollars on shoe horns and had a pretty impressive collection going, would you think it was stupid? Maybe. Would I care? Nope. I would find people with like-minded interests like a shoe horn collector forum and hang with people that don't think my hobby or passion is stupid or freakish. Like CWL said, some new friends may be on the horizon.

Oh the shoe horns I could have purchased if it weren't for this knife collecting thing *sigh*. Do what makes you happy. :thumbup:
 
It depends on how you live... for me, I ask them how many pairs of shoes they have. I have around 3, hiking, running, and sandals. Normally, they come up with around 10, 15, and it puts things in perspective. Or video games. Those are $60 a pop, which would be around an Endura.
 
Minibear464 said:
It depends on how you live... for me, I ask them how many pairs of shoes they have. I have around 3, hiking, running, and sandals. Normally, they come up with around 10, 15, and it puts things in perspective. Or video games. Those are $60 a pop, which would be around an Endura.
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Yep. Also, for some reason knives have a taboo associated with them. Don't know why. People go to a Benihana because of the meat cleavers being thrown about but a bunch of knives sitting in a drawer freaks them out. :confused:

Though I must admit I don't get it either. Collecting things in general, not just knives. I'm a minimalist by nature.
 
I think that collecting knives is an excellent hobby, especially if you are amassing a database of knowledge. However, I would caution any young person to consider relationships with family and friends paramount to fulfillment/happiness/contentment. As long as your hobby does not interfere with your relationships and your health then by all means enjoy. You are going to have to understand that you are in a very small minority in your immediate surroundings, and you will probably have to seek support for your hobby in places like this forum. When your introverted side begins to take over your life then you have a problem. To develop a circle of friends and to take care of your health must always be first. I am speaking from more than sixty years of experience in more spheres than most people on this forum could even imagine.
 
I learned many years ago that if an item exists , someone collects it ! Many make no sense to me but who am I to judge the collecter !
Knives have other connotations .But for an example of paranoia and illogical reasoning , read the recent thread on the forum about a folding knife confiscated at the Culinary Institute of America !! Not all the insane are locked up !
 
Knife or gun collecting (especially guns) is a good way to preserve the money that is just being taxed anyway. Go spend it responsibly (please remember to feed the wife and kids and pay the rent first!).

If you already enjoy knives, at least your spending money on something you love!
 
Knives are good to collect because they're reliable and useful. I don't like buying a lot of electronic devices that will stop working a few years later (or be obsolete). Knives will last a lifetime or more if properly cared for, and they don't lose their value too much. I like to collect things like that that will last and that I can use, and knives are one of the cheaper things. Compared to my other hobbies like fountain pens or watches, the price you have to pay for a good, reliable knife isn't all that much. Unlike fountain pens, they have a pretty big market, so the variety and pricing is more favorable to consumers. Unlike flashlights, quality pieces with good warranties prevail over Chinese "mushroom brands," and the Chinese knives that do exist are significantly cheaper.

And most people may think that knives shouldn't cost as much as we pay for them, and that they aren't that special, but they tend to sing a different tune when they find out how well most knife collectors can sharpen their friends' and families' kitchen knives.
 
I think it's awesome that you collect knives. Personally Im not much of a collector but I wish I could most of my extra cash is currently going to supplies and equipment. You can always sale a good knife. Try finding as many people willing to spend 100 dollars on a stamp or coin. I can't defend myself with either or make shelter or feed myself, but a good knife goes a long way
 
You Like Them, End Of Story.
I'm Asked On A Daily Basis Why I Like Them, Why I Have Them, Why I Don't Sell Them And Buy Something Else.

The Simple Answer: "I Like Them And I Don't Want To Sell Them, I Have Them Because I Enjoy Them."
It's Your Hobby And It's Your Money, No One Should Judge What You Like And What You Choose To Spend Your Own Money On.
I Have Thousands Of Dollars Wrapped Up And Worth In Just The Things I've Collected Over The Years. And I'm Only 20, So I Can Only Imagine What Some Other People Have Wrapped Up And Worth In Their Collections And Hobbies.

If It's Something You Like And Enjoy And It's Not Effecting You Or Your Friends/Family In A Negative Way Then You Owe No Explanations. You Like What You Like And As Long As You're Happy Then That's What Matters.

Continue To Do What You Love To Do, And Be Happy With Your Collection And Hobbies.
Just State "Well I Like Them, And They Are Really Interesting."

Honestly, You Could Probably Help People Understand More If You Describe And Teach Them More About Blade Steels, Materials, Companies, Grinds, Blades, And Just A Lot Of Stuff. Then They Would Realize It's More Than Just "Something That Cuts Stuff". But You Owe No Explanation. Just Be Happy And Keep Doing What You Enjoy!
 
taylrbrwr said:
I am still in high school. My friends have found out all the hundreds of dollars I have put into knives. Just ordering a Benchmade and a CRKT. They call me crazy. Saying "Why would you buy so many knives when one is just enough?" Then they start naming all the stuff they could have bought if they had the money I spent on just knives. I have only about 10 or 15. Planning on buying many, many more. But what is a very good reason that I could say why I like knives so much? Instead of just looking like some freak who has a bunch of them.. Thanks.
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You may as well get used to it, we are crazy by societies view point. In overall numbers, we are the mutant few, the knife knuts. We probably account for no more than a fraction of 1 percent of the population at large. Think of it, who else do you know that is nuts about knives? Not too many I'd bet. So that makes us the very very small minority, the afflicted. It won't get any better as you get older either. Out in the workforce you very may find anti knife prejudice in offices with 'no knife' policies. It ain't fair, but there it is.

The fact is, if you collected stamps, match books, toy soldiers, or damm new anything else, it wouldn't be as weird in 'their' eyes. Okay, weird, but harmless. But...let them know you collect knives, and next thing you know they think you're a potential Jack the ripper. Let them know you like and collect knives and you get that blank look of "WTH"

In the end, it's your money, do what you like. If your friends don't understand, that's okay. But if they give you hard time, maybe you need to find a knife collector club in your area and make new friends who do understand. But we are the mutant few, so just enjoy it. :D

Carl.
 
I get the same comments. I reply by telling them: "there are voices in my head telling me to buy cutlery, deal with it." Which is true.
 
"Collectors" of any type are above and beyond explanation, rationalizing or worry about other peoples opinions...other than those in their "collective" hehehe.
I collect because I like what I'm collecting...that's it...period...nothing else need be said and if others don't like it...screw 'em...I don't care.

If you like to collect something just do it and don't worry about other people's opinions...
 
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