"Why do you collect knives..?"

Yeah, I used to be ignorant about tools.

Gawd, for the longest time I only had like a crescent wrench, pliers, and a couple of screwdrivers. I knew people used socket wrenches, but I kinda didn't get the point. And I knew there were four or five different kinds of pliers, but I figured I could get by with just the one kind. I remember how embarrassed I was when I figured out I needed more than five bits for my drill. Duh. And then there was wood carving. Man, you have any idea how many sizes and shapes of blades you need for that kind of work?

It was weird. Here I was, carrying the same old pocket knife for twenty years, and all around me people had multiples of everything they used a lot. My mom had a dozen different sizes of knitting needles, dozens of sizes of sewing needles and stuff, and the kitchen always had a bunch of different knives for veggies and fruit and steak and roast and carving turkeys and things like that, and twenty different kinds of pan. I mean, can you imagine? I was like the only guy I knew that kept trying to use the same tool for every kind of job.

Friend of mine helped me with that. "Dude," he says, "you're an engineer; didn't anyone ever teach you to use the right tool for the job?" He had a point, y'know.

Ever notice that a golfer doesn't show up with just a putter and a driver? Sure, you can play the whole course with a five iron, but why would you do that to yourself?

It's a tool, man, and like any other tool, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

What is it with people, anyway? They're all, like, properly equipped when it comes to wrenches, golf, dentistry, art -- have you ever been in an artist's studio? -- and kitchen work, and then they act like every type of cutting job in the world can be done with one kind of knife.

Makes me afraid to look in their tool box. Like I'd find three crescent wrenches, all the same size. And one screwdriver, you know?

Yeah, I used to be ignorant about tools.

Can I make one knife do most jobs? Sure. And I can play a foursome with a five iron, too.

I try not to be that guy any more.

What was the question again?

 
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I encountered similar intolerance on a recent business trip when I was discussing concealed carry weapons with a former NYPD cop who was also on the trip.

I asked about the Kahr K9, which I'm really interested in, and he said it was annoyingly heavy for off-duty carry and suggested the PM9.

This prompted a guy from Australia sitting next to us, also part of our group but not part of the conversation up to this point, to pipe up and say loudly, with a sarcastic laugh: "Well, why's one better than the other? They both murder people equally well! Huh huh huh!"

I ignored the comment but asked him how he liked having all of the semi-auto handguns owned by private citizens confiscated and destroyed by the Australian government a few years back. He wasn't interested in pursuing that line of discussion.
 
ArfinGreebly said:
Makes me afraid to look in their tool box. Like I'd find three crescent wrenches, all the same size. And one screwdriver, you know?
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You listed more tools then I own and I don't even have a tool box. I'm not ignorant of tools, just not in need of them. Just like non-knfe people probably only need one knife in their day to day lives. Everyone's needs are different.;)
 
When I tell someone I collect knives and they are shocked by it, I just tell them it's a hobby. It's like collecting stamps and coins except more useful and practical. I then direct them to the movie 127 hours which is a true story and point out that guy would still have his hand if he had brought with him a good knife instead of a cheap chinese knock off.

I've never had anyone say anything about killing anyone, but if they did I'd probably turn it around on them and accuse them of having a morbid mind.
 
I agree with everyone saying keep your private life private. I've always been very vague about my personal life at work, so now I get the comments about how I'm 'mysterious'. I don't see any reason to talk about my knife addiction to people who don't care or understand. Sure, I've done that before and the other person's eyes quickly glaze over. This is one of the reasons that bladeforums is what it is.

Most of the guys I work with carry some sort of pocket knife. A few of them know about my hobby. I've heard all the 'who're you gonna kill' comments, but now when one of those guys breaks their tip, they beg me to fix it.

What I think is really crazy is that most people use a knife every day in their kitchen, but when I carry a little 3 1/2" blade, it's suddenly a weapon. A lot of people are just ignorant so I just keep it discreet. If they ask about my interest in knives, I start talking about the different materials, custom vs production, sharpening techniques, etc... They realize I'm not a psycho and lose interest pretty quick.

I know people who've lost thousands because they like to gamble, like name brand clothes, whatever... Personally, I feel a lot more satisfaction in getting a good knife and I'm willing to bet that everyone else here feels the same. I'm grateful we have this community!
 
I make absolutely no excuses. I can and do legally carry anything I want. When people ask why I carry "such a big knife" I simply answer with "because I can" when asked why I have so many knives or spend so much on a knife, a simple "because I want to" or "because I like them" is all that's necessary, anything more than that is none of their business. Hell I have friends that spend $500 or more a month on beer and weed. What's their excuse? They want to, and that's all that matters. Luckily for me though, I live is a small town in Minnesota, lots of hunting/fishing/outdoorsman types around here and a pocket knife, even a fairly large one, isn't a reason to freak out. I actually can't remember the last tike I had to explain to someone why I carry a knife.
 
I collect knives because I like them and they are functional art, sadly, I am now selling collection, but I will remake it again, because knives are worth it.
 
I don't even know how to respond to the plethora of responses there... Haha

Thanks for the support guys. I think I'll keep my knife usage on the down-low now. I've decided I'm going to just pop my knives off their clips and into my pockets while at work. I feel too naked without them...

I could see, if someone was unavoidably asking, to use the long-and-winded reply technique to prove I'm not psycho, along with analogies. One I came up with earlier before reading any of these replies was kitchen spoons. "Do you only have one spoon in your kitchen? No, Why? Do you have a serving spoon? A measuring spoon? A soup spoon? Big spoons, little spoons - multiples of the same kind that are used the most frequently? Why don't you only have one spoon if their only function is to scoop? Well, probably because their differing designs excel at certain jobs, and you like to be prepared for everything you might need to handle while making a meal, that's why! So when I have a small knife, it's for cutting small things or doing intricate work, because the design allows it. When I need to get a bigger job done I've got my larger knife. When I need to baton wood or chop down brush, I've got a fixed blade to up the strength and lower the failure rate..." blah blah blah
 
draggat said:
I agree with everyone saying keep your private life private. I've always been very vague about my personal life at work, so now I get the comments about how I'm 'mysterious'. I don't see any reason to talk about my knife addiction to people who don't care or understand. Sure, I've done that before and the other person's eyes quickly glaze over. This is one of the reasons that bladeforums is what it is.

Most of the guys I work with carry some sort of pocket knife. A few of them know about my hobby. I've heard all the 'who're you gonna kill' comments, but now when one of those guys breaks their tip, they beg me to fix it.

What I think is really crazy is that most people use a knife every day in their kitchen, but when I carry a little 3 1/2" blade, it's suddenly a weapon. A lot of people are just ignorant so I just keep it discreet. If they ask about my interest in knives, I start talking about the different materials, custom vs production, sharpening techniques, etc... They realize I'm not a psycho and lose interest pretty quick.

I know people who've lost thousands because they like to gamble, like name brand clothes, whatever... Personally, I feel a lot more satisfaction in getting a good knife and I'm willing to bet that everyone else here feels the same. I'm grateful we have this community!
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the happiest place on earth
 
We need to work on a precise one page essay we can carry as handouts.

That way all we have to say is, "Didn't you get the handout?"

If they start asking you questions, tell them to write them down and place them in the question box (provide box).

Let them know that the questions will be addressed as if unanimous, so no one has to be embarrassed for asking.
 
The Government said:
We need to work on a precise one page essay we can carry as handouts.

That way all we have to say is, "Didn't you get the handout?"

If they start asking you questions, tell them to write them down and place them in the question box (provide box).

Let them know that the questions will be addressed as if unanimous, so no one has to be embarrassed for asking.
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Lmao... This is awesomeness...
 
:rolleyes: I Can't Explain All The Reasons People Freak Out.
1.) They're Scared
2.) They Don't Understand Different Uses.
3.) They Don't Understand Good/Different Materials.
4.) They Don't Want To Understand.
5.) They Just Want To Give You A Hard Time.
6.) They Are Put Off By Anything "Different" Than They're Used To.
7.) They Have So Many Opinions On How Life And People Should Be.

The Way I Deal With All Of This Mostly Is Just Telling Them It's Just What I Like.
A Lot Are Less Threatened Once They Realize I Have Several Other Collections As Well.

1.) I Tell Them I Like To Be Practical, And Like Different Things.
2.) I Also Tell Them I Just Find Them Interesting And Like To Learn New Things About Them Because There Is Endless Information About Knives, Steels, Materials, Sharpening, All Knife Things.
3.) If They Think I'm Weird Or Crazy, I Tell Them I'm Sure There Is Something They Do That I(Or Other Knife Nuts) May Find Weird Or Crazy, But That's Okay. Different Folks, Different Strokes.

You Like What You Like, End Of Story.

P.S,
I'm Asked All The Time Why I Like Knives, Why I Have So Many, Why I Need So Many Different Styles And Sizes? Why Do I Spend So Much, And How Is A Knife Seriously Worth That Much, And Why Don't I Sell Them And Buy Something Else?

Why Do I Like Knives?
Because I Do.

Why Do I Have So Many?
Because I Like Having A Variety.

Why Do I Need So Many Styles/Sizes?
Different Sizes/Styles Are Made For Different Jobs.

Why Do I Spend So Much?
I Spend So Much Because I Like Having Nice Quality Knives But I Also Do Not Just Stick To Big Expensive Knives.

How Is A Knife Seriously Worth That Much?
The Knife Is Worth That Much, Because There Are Different Materials Used, Different Steels And Grinds, Different Features And Lock Mechanisms, Brands And Quality That All Add Up To The Price.

Why Don't I Just Sell Them And Buy Something Else?
Because I Like What I Have And Don't Want Something Else.

People Are Just Ignorant Sometimes And Always Will Be.
 
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Piper Maru said:
I collect knives because I like them and they are functional art, sadly, I am now selling collection, but I will remake it again, because knives are worth it.
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Why are you selling your collection? Seems like you've been trying to expand it recently.
 
If it was a sincere question to begin with then a sincere answer may have garnered a sympathetic response, but in this case "Why do you collect knives..?" sounds more like an opinion in the form of a question -- as if the "ridiculousness" of collecting knives was a foregone conclusion. It can be very difficult to try and reason with someone who already is somewhat rigid in their preconceived notions. Pick your battles.
 
i dont talk about it to people, i post pictures of my knives, guns, and hunting trips sometimes on facebook, but thats because i have a few hunting mates and they enjoy seeing what ive got and i enjoy seeing what they have got, and knife making is an art form, im not going to spend the best of 3-4 weeks hand crafting a knife to not show it off. Its like art, you have taken a blank canvas and turned it into a good looking, functional tool. Not many others can say the same.
 
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