Why I sold most of my expensive knives (anyone else feel like this?)

[DistortionSlayer]

About a year back, I found myself doing some soul searching and realized I just couldn't justify keeping some of the knives that went through my hands. Everything ranging from cheapy Walmart blades to 1500+ pieces. Something just clicked and I found myself asking how I could justify some of the prices. So now here I am, a year later, and I mostly have Spydercos, some Benchmades. and Cold Steels. To me, great blades for the money.

I did get more into firearms in the past year and expanded my collection...so that may have somehting to do with. But overall, I just can't justify what once seemed like a good deal at 400...500.. and so on. There were a few pieces I couldn't part with that I ended up keeping (like an RMJ Shrike), but in general I scaled everything down.

Anyone else have these feelings or experiences?

 

[KBA]

I did the same with my traditional collection. I now only have users and a couple nostalgic pieces. My ac unit went out a month after I sold them all. Luckily, I hadn't spent the money and was able to replace it without dipping into the savings.

I honestly enjoy my users more now.

 

[jstn]

I did the same thing. I never really could bring myself to use my high end knives, and many productions knives these days are of such high quality with such great materials that I couldn't justify and $800 dollar knife sitting in my safe when I could have 4-5 knives for that price I wold actually use.

 

[EyeDog]

Well, I can certainly relate to changing circumstances and taste. Been there done that. I've been through expensive (at least for me) autos and tactical, then custom Buck knives and now settling into traditionals.

 

[jeffsenpai]

Every once and awhile I feel like purging the collection. Then I realize I may never be able to replace some of what I own, so I don't.

I would be likely inclined to sell my low cost high value knives, and keep my quality production folders.

 

[Ajack60]

Using/collecting or acquiring knives is about having fun. The hunt, the purchase and finally the possession. Once it is no longer fun, for whatever reason, then it's time to re evaluate why one started this whole knife thing. If it's time for a change, then so be it. IMO everyone that has an addiction to knives performs a purge, whether it's out of guilt, not being able to justify several lifetimes of knives on hand or simply getting bored of having a bunch of knives.
Thank God I'm not there yet, but I know it's coming one day, but not today. I'm still having too much fun.

 

[Comeuppance]

I tried to get into more expensive knives, but the most expensive one I ever brought myself to carry was a CF inlay insingo sebbie. It was nice, but the anxiety of having a knife that valuable on me was too much. Now, I carry in the $5-$200 range and am much more content. I might be able to convince myself to carry something more expensive when I have more liquid cash, but, working retail and preparing to get back into college makes me think it'll be a while...

 

[Charlie Mike]

I'm there right now... threw my damascus DDR and Dalton at the mercy of the Bay.

 

[strategy9]

I can't imagine... I also "try" to buy practical: while I have more then I need for sure, they're all practical use knives, most in that $20-100 range. Truth be told, while there are a few high(er) end knives that got my attention more as artistic pieces then anything, most of the high end customs don't tickle my fancy. And for practicality, a "normal" $300 knife usually doesn't appeal to me much either when I know how pleased I've been with sub $200 and even sub $100 "normal" blades of similar ilk like Buck, Kershaw, and the likes thereof... Usually when I get that "itch" and start shopping, if I see something I really like for say $250; unless its something I just have to have, 99 out of 100 times I'll instead settle for 2 in the $100 range that I like just as much... So as of now, I'm not at that point (yet).

 

[A.L.]

I think majority of knife collectors go through that, at least in some level. Unless it is something really unique or special, it's just material.. Stuff. Eventually you gonna get bored of it more or less, no matter how fancy the knife is.

 

[Marko3]

I have done this.. Sold off the collection at least three times. Problem with me is I started a new collection every time . So now I am back where I started all over again . Like what was said above the hunt is part of the fun . Sometimes I will hunt for a knife for years and when I finally get my grubby hands on it ... I sell it because it is either to small for my hand or just not worth the cost to hang on to it.

 

[TinyDog]

I think that Knife collecting can be a disease. What I mean is that everything that can be purchased, material items today is so automated. Buy it, Track it, Get it....... It becomes more about the chase and not the knife or any other item sought for that matter. For me it seems that its the anticipation of something cool at the time, and I can justify it, But really I can't. I like them all when I get them but sometimes I find my looking at a knife for afew minutes and then it go into hiding until I pull it and sell for a loss. Its just a big revolving door.

The good thing is: I am conscious of this while I am not purchasing a knife and starting to pull back. Don't get me wrong but most of my new knives open the same packages of another new knife... How dumb is that??

TD

 

[sampsa]

I have sell coubles of swords(desent katana and great, huge two handed middle age sword)to spawn shop.
Sometimes that still pisses me off

edit. But the worst is that i lost Buck 25 year anniversity knife.
Police have also commandeer me coubles of folding knives, just because i have them with me in pocket.
Happily I have found reblasement to those witch boys in blue take.
Sorry off-topic.

 

[SALTY]

I am going through a purge of sorts but it is, I believe, driven technology and price. These days a great times to be into knives - especially if you use them. Some of the offerings from overseas rival fit, finish, materials and functionality of what was available only a few short years ago at significantly less cost.

For example, I really like my Sebenza 25 (have sold off a few others) but can freely (comparatively speaking) use the livin' daylights out of folders that are many times less the price. I am speaking of such knives as the Ontario RAT-1 (and II) as well as many of the Kershaw offerings such as the Emerson-Kershaws that I can use, abuse and enjoy without fear or reservation. Be reminded that the number one threat to a folder is loss.

So, while I enjoy owning my Sebenza and have an embarrassing amount of Emersons both in the safe and the EDC rotation drawer, using much lower priced knives has its place for me.

Same for fixed blades. Chris Reeve One Piece Range knives and Busse knives were never really safe if I was near a keyboard and a credit card. Then I discovered (actually re-discovered) Becker Knives and now enjoy using the snot out of those Beckers. I'm off to an outing this weekend and as I pack my knife bag with choppers, slicers and bushcraft knives I pause to realize that all of the knives in the bag are about the same value as one of the knives I used to pursue - yet these users get to go out for the weekend. Do I have back-ups and duplicates of the cheaper knives? Sure, especially in the models that are rumored to be discontinued - but the cost of a user, a keeper and a back-up keeper is one one mere knife used to cost me.

So, I said that to say this: perhaps my tastes have changed or perhaps I now appreciate using my knives more instead of merely possessing them or maybe as I get older I get wiser - who knows? But I characterize all of this as a purging of sorts - at least from a dollar standpoint.

 

[Lycosa]

Been there! And, I'm selling also.
We love knives and it can get crazy. When I found Bladeforums, I had two knives as I sold my collection years ago. Now, I have way too many, again! I just want a few and the rest go! My rules: Sell-to-buy or trade. That's it.
I wish everyone good luck!!
rolf

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

I think almost all of us have expensive knives by the standards of regular people. I simply buy knives that I would be comfortable using, that generally means $200 or less.

 

[vilePossum]

i don't really qualify as a knife collector, as i only have some knives but don't necessarily "collect" anything specific. i wanted to get into collecting and then realized what generally seemed to be the consens in this thread. i don't need it/want it. i want many knives, but i am just not willing to go past the 200$/€ mark. i want to be able to use them and chugging around 400-500$ worth of a knife just isn't comfortable for me.
to each his own, and part of me envies the people who have a collection of 1000+$ knives, but even if i had the cash readily available i just can't picture me spending the money for knives.

 

[TravisH]

wait ... WHAT?! Sell my ... PRECIOUS?!

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

I think that Knife collecting can be a disease. What I mean is that everything that can be purchased, material items today is so automated. Buy it, Track it, Get it....... It becomes more about the chase and not the knife or any other item sought for that matter. For me it seems that its the anticipation of something cool at the time, and I can justify it, But really I can't. I like them all when I get them but sometimes I find my looking at a knife for afew minutes and then it go into hiding until I pull it and sell for a loss. Its just a big revolving door.

The good thing is: I am conscious of this while I am not purchasing a knife and starting to pull back. Don't get me wrong but most of my new knives open the same packages of another new knife... How dumb is that??

TD

I must agree with the "buy it, track it, get it" addictive concept. For us its knives. For others its shoes, watches, etc. Also a societal acceptance of materialism over only getting what we need. But we all rationalize it. In the knives and coffee thread, for example. There are people who are talking about they don't get fancy coffee, but picturing their "workin man's" coffee with a high end knife. Lol. And as clearly as I see that I don't need any more knives ever, I'm not even thinking about stopping. I slow down when I need to, bit I am always lusting over some knife.

 

[Moondrop]

I think almost all of us have expensive knives by the standards of regular people.

You can say that again. My father couldn't wrap his brain around what my Mini Grip cost--and that was when you could get them for under $60. He'd probably short circuit at the prices of some of the knives carried by members here.

I simply buy knives that I would be comfortable using, that generally means $200 or less.

Same. 'Cept I have not yet even broken the $100 barrier. I is a cheapskate. LOL