Why do you collect?

Originally it just started as looking for the prefect knife when I was kid, then it was about craftsmanship, etc..., and then at on point I just realized I liked knives more than anything else I collected. Also, knives are such a small and useful personal objects that it leads to other things I enjoy also. Many times I'll be looking for some small cutlery related thing, and wind up learning some other bit of history I didn't know I need or wanted. Military battles, manufacturing processes, little bits of world history.

You never know where a knife will take you.
 
jerok8 said:
Collecting in a consumer culture
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Interesting take. From the introduction:

"Collecting stamps, or china--or Greek and Egyptian and Chinese statuettes, for that matter- -partakes of, and preserves, early erotic pleasures; Freud, we are told, liked to gaze at the antiquities on his desk as he worked and, at times, moving from looking to touching, would stroke his favorites. But there is more passion to it still; collecting, as anyone who has ever collected can testify, gives power."
 
I've always had a knife on me and I enjoy knowing that it's there.
I don't "collect" to sell, I have a medical condition to like knives more than I should :p.
 
Skar said:
I've always had a knife on me and I enjoy knowing that it's there.
I don't "collect" to sell, I have a medical condition to like knives more than I should :p.
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Bladephelia is an unfortunate affliction that affects thousands of victims with no known cure. Signs can include bulging pants pockets characterized by pocket clips, multiple bandaids on fingers and hands, and an abnormally strong desire to open boxes and packages for others. Don't ignore the warning signs, get them the help they need - a gift card to their favorite online knife retailer.
 
Think it started with my mom buying me every He Man action figure. Add the fact that her much younger brother of whom I looked up to was obsessed playing McGyver and always showing me his new knives……..
 
For me I think it is an experimentation thing. I like to try out new steels, manufacturers, shapes, styles, etc. to see what I like, what's best for different situations. I am reaching the end of that stage now though and have really figured out what I like, so hopefully my accumulation phase should slow ( yeah, right)
 
I don’t honestly know. I think it’s a mental disorder. I’ve always kinda liked knives, but only had a SAK or two for most of my life, until I recently took an interest in ‘nicer’ pocket knives. That led me to here, and I haven’t been able to climb out of the rabbit hole since. I’m the classic ‘just one more knife’ guy - every knife I get, I say ok, this is it, I’m good now, until I see the next cool thing that I absolutely don’t need. For a while I’d make up uses for them, but I don’t even do that any more - if I like it enough and there’s enough spare cash, I go for it. Like the CRKT Snap Lock and the Mantis Gearhead that caught my eye a few nights ago - zero need for any new knife of any kind, but they were just too cool (and actually decently priced) to not pursue.

Yeah, it’s definitely an illness.
 
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I collect and accumulate inexpensive knives from each culture country and culture, they are tools for agriculture, the food, the weather condition of the place to the defense of a state. Usually take the cheapest yet popular of the local. If they offer modern material, I wouldn't say no as long as the the mindset is still the same.

I also have modern knives because of my fascination with technology.
 
I don't really collect although some would say I've got a collection of knives, less than many here but more than most who don't have much of an interest in knives. I've perhaps got 50-60 knives (fixed and folders) not including my kitchen knives.

They are all used (some more than others) and are all to me at least primarily a tool. I'm a carpenter and have always loved tools of various types. I also had knives and penknives from a fairly young age (around 8 years old), it was quite common here in the UK for a kid to have a penknife. So I guess partly personal and partly "cultural" as as a child in the 1970's we didn't have computers/phones etc... but were always out in the woods and in my case old chalk quarries getting into trouble!
 
Just brought back a memory of mine. A friend and me (we were about 10) were walking to the quarries/woods to get some wood for bows and arrows. I had a penknife and my dad's old army Golok/Machete, my mate had a large flick Knife and machete. We were walking through a housing estate and proudly showed the local beat Bobby (police) our knives, iirc he smiled and just said be careful and have fun, how things have changed!
 
If I'm being completely honest, It's more of an obsession to me than it is about accumulation. I don't have a particularly large collection, and I'm glad to let go of one when I tire of it. Most of my purchases are fueled by ideas of customizing the knife in some way, and afterwards I find myself looking for the next project. Sometimes my obsession shifts to other things, like when I purchase a new vehicle, make changes to my living spaces, build something, get into gear related to my other hobbies, etc.; but in between it seems to always come back to knives.

As long as the kids are fed, and as long as I don't let it take precedence over my health or spiritual wellness, I don't see a problem with it. In fact, it's just part of me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
I like tools, not just knives. It's fun having the proper tool for the job or using a tool with unique features or unusual materials.

I have way more screwdriver sets than I "need" because I enjoy the search for the perfect handle shape, the most durable tip or the best construction.

My plier collection is substantial because sometimes a different tip shape, size, or design makes a big difference to a job.

I drool over Nepros ratchets because of their perfect finishing and unique materials.

This stuff applies to knives just as well as the rest of my tools.
 
There is no brick and mortar store near me to hang out in, so I made my own. If I want to try something out, I had to buy it. Now I am well stocked with what interests me, and duplicates of ones I really use.

I have my own store, I’m the only customer.

Actually my kids and nephews are welcome to check out anything they want as well.
 
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