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- Jan 1, 2009
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- 3,440
Excellent thread!
I am going through much the same thing. Although my threshold was about the $600.00 mark. I am selling down. If I can't make myself use it, or I don't like it, it goes up on the block. I am getting there. Although I still have way more than I need.
About six or seven years ago, I set out to simplify my life. I approached it slowly and methodically. I have been very much enjoying the results. I even gave up television. It is amazing how much extra knife money you have when you stop that $72.00/month cable bill for over six years. I don't pretend to think this is, or should be, the path others should follow.
But I have achieved amazing results. I am just having a better time with my life.
I really work hard, not to judge others. Whether their knives are too cheap, or too expensive. If it brings them joy, good on them. I have just been gravitating toward owning less and doing more. Not just with knives, but in all phases of my life.
I think it will be the events I will cherrish in my old age. Not the objects. I have always leaned more to the skills side of things. Properly built tools are a necessity, some are even works of art. And folks should be proud to own and use them. Just don't let them consume you.
I learned the value of skills vs gear at a young age. It was driven home for me on a multi-day camping/canoing trip in northen Maine, way back in 1978.
I was eighteen and poor. But somewhat woods savy. I was invited to go on a group trip. With all the other folks being older and more well off than I. As I set up my tent, one of those old orange 5x7 jobbies from a box store. I was actually mocked, and told I would wake up wet, by this guy with a big dollar specialty tent.. To the point where his wife had to tell him to leave me alone.
I noticed his tent. It was the nicest tent I had ever seen, by a long shot. I also noticed he was setting it up in a low spot. Normally, I might have said something. But after the abuse, I remained silent. Sure enough, that night the rains came. My cheap tent rocked and rolled, but made it through still upright and dry.
Just around sunrise, I could hear the guy and his wife arguing. I emerged from my tent well rested and dry. Only to see their tent, surrounded by a small pond about 2-3" deep. With almost as much inside. It was divine justice. He couldn't believe I was dry. He had to actually look in my tent to verify it. His wife asked if she could move in with me if it rained again.
I learned many lessons on that trip.
1. Never apologize for who you are.
2. Just because you have good gear, doesn't mean you know what you're doing.
3. You can have a lot of fun, no matter what level of gear you own.
4. Sleeping in a wet tent can put quite a strain on a marriage.
Moral of the story.
Do what makes you happy.
Don't worry about what others think.
Don't look down on others because of what they have, or don't have.
Learn to use and enjoy what you have or can afford.
Skills first, gear second.
I am going through much the same thing. Although my threshold was about the $600.00 mark. I am selling down. If I can't make myself use it, or I don't like it, it goes up on the block. I am getting there. Although I still have way more than I need.
About six or seven years ago, I set out to simplify my life. I approached it slowly and methodically. I have been very much enjoying the results. I even gave up television. It is amazing how much extra knife money you have when you stop that $72.00/month cable bill for over six years. I don't pretend to think this is, or should be, the path others should follow.
But I have achieved amazing results. I am just having a better time with my life.
I really work hard, not to judge others. Whether their knives are too cheap, or too expensive. If it brings them joy, good on them. I have just been gravitating toward owning less and doing more. Not just with knives, but in all phases of my life.
I think it will be the events I will cherrish in my old age. Not the objects. I have always leaned more to the skills side of things. Properly built tools are a necessity, some are even works of art. And folks should be proud to own and use them. Just don't let them consume you.
I learned the value of skills vs gear at a young age. It was driven home for me on a multi-day camping/canoing trip in northen Maine, way back in 1978.
I was eighteen and poor. But somewhat woods savy. I was invited to go on a group trip. With all the other folks being older and more well off than I. As I set up my tent, one of those old orange 5x7 jobbies from a box store. I was actually mocked, and told I would wake up wet, by this guy with a big dollar specialty tent.. To the point where his wife had to tell him to leave me alone.
I noticed his tent. It was the nicest tent I had ever seen, by a long shot. I also noticed he was setting it up in a low spot. Normally, I might have said something. But after the abuse, I remained silent. Sure enough, that night the rains came. My cheap tent rocked and rolled, but made it through still upright and dry.
Just around sunrise, I could hear the guy and his wife arguing. I emerged from my tent well rested and dry. Only to see their tent, surrounded by a small pond about 2-3" deep. With almost as much inside. It was divine justice. He couldn't believe I was dry. He had to actually look in my tent to verify it. His wife asked if she could move in with me if it rained again.
I learned many lessons on that trip.
1. Never apologize for who you are.
2. Just because you have good gear, doesn't mean you know what you're doing.
3. You can have a lot of fun, no matter what level of gear you own.
4. Sleeping in a wet tent can put quite a strain on a marriage.
Moral of the story.
Do what makes you happy.
Don't worry about what others think.
Don't look down on others because of what they have, or don't have.
Learn to use and enjoy what you have or can afford.
Skills first, gear second.
