-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Why I sold most of my expensive knives (anyone else feel like this?)
- Thread starter DistortionSlayer
- Start date
I rarely spend more than $20 on a knife, and very rarely more than $30. There are some great vintage traditionals from now closed plants that can easily and often be found in those price ranges, and I'm luck enough that those are the ones that really turn my crank.
You can get a one-off custom for not that much money. In the early-mid 90s, my one-off Mayo cost me $125. While a lot of money for me to spend on a knife (then and now), it's not a lot for a one-off by a truly and up and coming maker (which was where Mayo fit in the knife world at that time). You need not spend a lot to get a well made useful one-off/truly custom knife by a good knife maker.
WITH ALL RESPECT... I believe your wrong about some things about the "young folk", and should be encouraged rather than accepting "the status quo" of aging grumpily. You obviously had a great life and memories that you are fond of, but thinking the youth can't create similar fondness in the own memories is just wrong. Maybe its my location (MT), maybe its my age(35). but I work with young folks every day who hunt with self-re-laoded ammo, fish weekly, go mud-boggin in their beat up 70's-90's pick-ups, and work on and fix their beat up trucks/boats. I also work with happy young kids driving new vehicles and choose never to hunt, fish, mud bog and are living life the way the seem fit creating fond memories that differ drastically from my own.
I can look out my door and see a muddied up vehicle with a confederate flag attached to the back.(
yes even in MT) Not too long ago another "young folk" walked approached that "young folk" about the nature of the flag and what they believed it represented, the discussion that followed nearly floored me. An entire group of mixed races and even some mixed sexual preference youth discussed and resolved in the fact that it was a flag of region that was fighting for succession over #1 money and #2 freedom from gov't authority. Fortunately OL Glory is still flown everywhere I go today, but that doesn't mean we aren't fighting oppression. Every "young folk" I encounter wants things to be better, they are not content with "this" being accepted as the norm or how things should be and that it can't be better. Now what their vision looks like, what yours vision looks like, and what my vision look like, may not be the same.
Things may get worse before they get better, but I'd say at this point right now the best knife/gun/fly-rod/vehicle/etc are being produced. Last weekend I went snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, target shooting, and golfing with the "best" equipment I have ever owned and it was all produced in the last 2 years.
Back to topic... I too am thinking of thinning the collection because what I need and use is not the same as what I thought I wanted. I can't hardly force myself anymore to take a $2000 knife out and use it... But you and I should take pride in the fact that quality remains quality. Knives/guns aren't going down in value in my experience. Somebody sees me selling a 1940's knife, recognizes it value and quality, and buys it as fast as I can get a price tag on it... Somebody catches my dad selling a bolt action deer/elk rifle from the 60's that he bought, they snatch it up before I can tell him I want it first. Rudy Ruana made knives 75 years ago to last and perform the way you wanted and that knife still does the same today. CRK and many other quality companies are producing and selling knives that will work for life-times to come.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
- Messages
- 17,936
You can get a one-off custom for not that much money. In the early-mid 90s, my one-off Mayo cost me $125. While a lot of money for me to spend on a knife (then and now), it's not a lot for a one-off by a truly and up and coming maker (which was where Mayo fit in the knife world at that time). You need not spend a lot to get a well made useful one-off/truly custom knife by a good knife maker.
Where in my post did I say it was necessary to spend a lot of money for a custom? If we're talking about fixed blades, then a full custom can be had for a very reasonable price, just check out our knifemaker for sale area. There's even a few guys making custom folders for a good price.
That price range was referring to the folders I typically carry. However, a custom folder can still be had for under $500. One of my custom slipjoints was only $240, which nowadays is typical for a production piece.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
- Messages
- 8,849
None of my knives are particularly expensive - only three of the ones I own cost over $100 and those were just over that, the most expensive being the BF 2013 Traditional Forum knife.
What I have observed is that I have accumulated way more knives than I will ever be able to use in my remaining life span and with my limited genuine needs for pocket knives. So while I haven't started selling any of the unused ones yet, it's probably only a matter of time.
The next 20 -30 years should be a great time for younger knife collectors since all of the baby boomers will be dying out and all of their knife collections will probably be hitting the estate sales and auction sites for whatever low prices their widows or widowers were told they actually paid for them.
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2014
- Messages
- 342
This is a great post DistortionSlayer. I think a lot of us really identify with what your talking about and the cool thing is we're getting some good input across generations.
My story is I'm a younger blade forums member (29 in a couple of weeks, young by blade forums standards), and like a lot of us a was into knives big when I was a kid. I'm a long time lerker but fairly recent joiner. Here's two stories that kind of go along with this thread.
I got into seriously with kitchen cutlery and then got into fixed blades and folders. About 6 year I got used a tax rebate to buy a serious kitchen knife. I bought a 10" shun classic, I learned 2 things from this purchase 1) 10" is too big for my comfort level, I prefer 8", and 2) the flagship line of most production knives is the sweet spot. My shun classic was my nice knife for awhile, since I live in Oregon I go to the Kershaw sale every year for about 4 years now. 2 years ago I got a Shun Bob Kramer, normally $300 - $400 marked down to $70. It was a factory second and the issue was handle shrinkage, the blade itself was fine. I remember thinking, today I enter the big leagues of kitchen knives. I thought this knife would be magic, a laser beam to slice through all things food. And then after using it... it got dull like other knives, cut food like other knives, had kind of a different blade shape, just wasn't magic. I feel like, it was a nice looking knife, nothing more. The chef's knife I use most? 90% of the time it's my Forschner fibrox I got for $20. Perfect handle, sharp, great blade shape, sharpens easily, everything I want in a chef's knife. Get's used more than any shun.
Fast forward to this past early May, I decided to splurge on a Himalayan Import Chiruwa Ang Khola. I got a blem with handle shrinkage for half price. When it came in the mail, I was blown away. They're described as production knives but it very much had what I would expect from a custom feel. Just excellent knife. It had the magic.
I think that's the tough thing about spending top dollar, the more money you spend, if it isn't special, to me it just hurts that much more. You may find magic at $30 or $300. For me I've found I'm kind of a cheap knife guy. I get excited when I use a Mora or my Forschner, or my Cold Steel Lawman, or Manix 2.
Like others have described, you look for the magic and if it's not there, it's time to sell. I ended up selling the Bob Kramer on the bay and I'm actively trying to a sell the Shun Elite on the bay, great knives that don't do it.
My story is I'm a younger blade forums member (29 in a couple of weeks, young by blade forums standards), and like a lot of us a was into knives big when I was a kid. I'm a long time lerker but fairly recent joiner. Here's two stories that kind of go along with this thread.
I got into seriously with kitchen cutlery and then got into fixed blades and folders. About 6 year I got used a tax rebate to buy a serious kitchen knife. I bought a 10" shun classic, I learned 2 things from this purchase 1) 10" is too big for my comfort level, I prefer 8", and 2) the flagship line of most production knives is the sweet spot. My shun classic was my nice knife for awhile, since I live in Oregon I go to the Kershaw sale every year for about 4 years now. 2 years ago I got a Shun Bob Kramer, normally $300 - $400 marked down to $70. It was a factory second and the issue was handle shrinkage, the blade itself was fine. I remember thinking, today I enter the big leagues of kitchen knives. I thought this knife would be magic, a laser beam to slice through all things food. And then after using it... it got dull like other knives, cut food like other knives, had kind of a different blade shape, just wasn't magic. I feel like, it was a nice looking knife, nothing more. The chef's knife I use most? 90% of the time it's my Forschner fibrox I got for $20. Perfect handle, sharp, great blade shape, sharpens easily, everything I want in a chef's knife. Get's used more than any shun.
Fast forward to this past early May, I decided to splurge on a Himalayan Import Chiruwa Ang Khola. I got a blem with handle shrinkage for half price. When it came in the mail, I was blown away. They're described as production knives but it very much had what I would expect from a custom feel. Just excellent knife. It had the magic.
I think that's the tough thing about spending top dollar, the more money you spend, if it isn't special, to me it just hurts that much more. You may find magic at $30 or $300. For me I've found I'm kind of a cheap knife guy. I get excited when I use a Mora or my Forschner, or my Cold Steel Lawman, or Manix 2.
Like others have described, you look for the magic and if it's not there, it's time to sell. I ended up selling the Bob Kramer on the bay and I'm actively trying to a sell the Shun Elite on the bay, great knives that don't do it.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2014
- Messages
- 1,375
Some men and women, grin, have been going through their STUFF, entire house, garage, barn, etc. before they retire or for a big move too.
Been there - done that myself! I still go through my own 'stuff' on a regular basis too. I made my BIG move years ago as planned after my late husband died but we were already PLANNING for Maine, Montana, or ?, downsizing, gifting, donating and selling for some time - on and off. What did not FIT into my former Coleman pop up camper and my former SUV did not come west with me. Uh huh. My late husband and I had planned a future retirement move in a very specific way even before his cancer discovery. I could do the move however I chose to do it and as it turns out - I did what 'we would have done' if we had moved together. Only as a widow - single woman, I moved with even LESS stuff! I never regretted HOW I moved or what I moved. I NEVER regretted what I gifted, donated or sold either!
I know other couples who finally made one last move and they actually made a move like mine or CLOSE TO IT and they never regretted it.
I know others who went through moving H_! Their stuff owns them. I have a few friends like that and one relative is like that too.
I am retired and my MT husband has not retired yet. We may sell this house that I built in this college town when he officially retires and build an even smaller cabin elsewhere. Another one that I designed but I will have it professionally drawn up. That is not my forte'!
My husband has eight more pocket and folding knives that he is not keeping. He may add some more to that LIST OF HIS! Some of them are really nice knives but they are not SUPER expensive like what some of you own.
We donated some more war movies that we thought that we would keep FOREVER the other day to our local library too.
We still kept several of our super, super favorite classic war, western, etc. movies.
So you see, even in a matter of YEARS, not just in 30 plus years of marriage, people can change their minds about their STUFF and what they really, really USE and love/like on a very regular basis.
The interesting and GOOD THING ABOUT KNIVES in my not so humble opinion is that they take up LESS ROOM even if you display your favorites as some people do, we do not display our knives but I enjoy seeing other people do THIS, and they WEIGH LESS than factory loaded ammunition, reloading supplies, firearms even if you ALREADY did a big downsizing over the years and CALIBER CONSOLIDATION, TONS OF BOOKS, lots of music and so forth if you collect, use and read these things on a regular basis too.
KNIVES are EASY TO MOVE even if you have a good sized collection like some people seem to have here.
I just hope some old guy or old gal LEAVES A LIST for the next person in line if that next person decides to ONLY keep and pass on X amount of knives. Some of you have super expensive knives and I would hate to see some person who has NO clue on what is what when it comes to ANY TYPE of collection - large or small - expensive or inexpensive. Boxes, receipts, valuations, appraisals, history, new or used, etc.
Cate
PS: I wonder how that one man did with a ROOM FULL OF KNIVES from his deceased Father (?) and he was trying to help his Mother or Step Mother. He posted on here and my thoughts were what some of you told him. I can't remember his name and I hope that he and his family are doing okay too!
Typos!
Been there - done that myself! I still go through my own 'stuff' on a regular basis too. I made my BIG move years ago as planned after my late husband died but we were already PLANNING for Maine, Montana, or ?, downsizing, gifting, donating and selling for some time - on and off. What did not FIT into my former Coleman pop up camper and my former SUV did not come west with me. Uh huh. My late husband and I had planned a future retirement move in a very specific way even before his cancer discovery. I could do the move however I chose to do it and as it turns out - I did what 'we would have done' if we had moved together. Only as a widow - single woman, I moved with even LESS stuff! I never regretted HOW I moved or what I moved. I NEVER regretted what I gifted, donated or sold either!
I know other couples who finally made one last move and they actually made a move like mine or CLOSE TO IT and they never regretted it.
I know others who went through moving H_! Their stuff owns them. I have a few friends like that and one relative is like that too.
I am retired and my MT husband has not retired yet. We may sell this house that I built in this college town when he officially retires and build an even smaller cabin elsewhere. Another one that I designed but I will have it professionally drawn up. That is not my forte'!
My husband has eight more pocket and folding knives that he is not keeping. He may add some more to that LIST OF HIS! Some of them are really nice knives but they are not SUPER expensive like what some of you own.
We donated some more war movies that we thought that we would keep FOREVER the other day to our local library too.
We still kept several of our super, super favorite classic war, western, etc. movies.
So you see, even in a matter of YEARS, not just in 30 plus years of marriage, people can change their minds about their STUFF and what they really, really USE and love/like on a very regular basis.
The interesting and GOOD THING ABOUT KNIVES in my not so humble opinion is that they take up LESS ROOM even if you display your favorites as some people do, we do not display our knives but I enjoy seeing other people do THIS, and they WEIGH LESS than factory loaded ammunition, reloading supplies, firearms even if you ALREADY did a big downsizing over the years and CALIBER CONSOLIDATION, TONS OF BOOKS, lots of music and so forth if you collect, use and read these things on a regular basis too.
KNIVES are EASY TO MOVE even if you have a good sized collection like some people seem to have here.
I just hope some old guy or old gal LEAVES A LIST for the next person in line if that next person decides to ONLY keep and pass on X amount of knives. Some of you have super expensive knives and I would hate to see some person who has NO clue on what is what when it comes to ANY TYPE of collection - large or small - expensive or inexpensive. Boxes, receipts, valuations, appraisals, history, new or used, etc.
Cate
PS: I wonder how that one man did with a ROOM FULL OF KNIVES from his deceased Father (?) and he was trying to help his Mother or Step Mother. He posted on here and my thoughts were what some of you told him. I can't remember his name and I hope that he and his family are doing okay too!
Typos!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
I may be a carrier of the knife disease, but I don't sell them and infection doesn't spread. 
I know that some family members think I'm crazy buying a knife for say... $300, likely not using it much or any, and then buying another and another. They feel it is financially irresponsible.
I think we all go through phases with our interest in knives. In my case, the quality has increased along with the price. I enjoy looking occasionally at my older knives that I bought and often didn't cut anything with and then look at the more recent knives to see how my focus has changed. I don't worry about it really. I use a SAK everyday which cost perhaps $25-$30 at today's prices and for the most part the so called better knives stay at home. There are exceptions of course as I carry my ZT, my Spydies, and traditionals off and on. I have purposely not purchased another ZT even though I would like to.
I have a book case or three in my office and on one of the shelves and on top of books, are at least 30 knives. These are the ones I look at and handle with some regularity. Then there are the ones in cases stored which I look at every few months. Then there are the ones in a rubber maid tub that I might look at once a year at most and usually when I am looking for something that I can't find. I could easily sell or give away more than half of the knives and not even notice they are missing for the most part. But I generally don't other than the occasional gift.
I know that some family members think I'm crazy buying a knife for say... $300, likely not using it much or any, and then buying another and another. They feel it is financially irresponsible.
I think we all go through phases with our interest in knives. In my case, the quality has increased along with the price. I enjoy looking occasionally at my older knives that I bought and often didn't cut anything with and then look at the more recent knives to see how my focus has changed. I don't worry about it really. I use a SAK everyday which cost perhaps $25-$30 at today's prices and for the most part the so called better knives stay at home. There are exceptions of course as I carry my ZT, my Spydies, and traditionals off and on. I have purposely not purchased another ZT even though I would like to.
I have a book case or three in my office and on one of the shelves and on top of books, are at least 30 knives. These are the ones I look at and handle with some regularity. Then there are the ones in cases stored which I look at every few months. Then there are the ones in a rubber maid tub that I might look at once a year at most and usually when I am looking for something that I can't find. I could easily sell or give away more than half of the knives and not even notice they are missing for the most part. But I generally don't other than the occasional gift.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2000
- Messages
- 28,365
The only thing crazier than spending $2200 on a knife... is not using it.
(Much like buying a $12,050 watch... and putting it in the safe)
(Much like buying a $12,050 watch... and putting it in the safe)
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2015
- Messages
- 4,236
....whatever low prices their widows or widowers were told they actually paid for them.
Lmao, but so true...
"Baby, I know you said no more knives but, I got a really good deal on this one..."
(Or did I?)
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 11,432
About three years ago, I came to the realization that, if anything happened to me, my knives would be a burden to my gf. I began the undertaking of taking pictures of, and identifying, all of them. That flipped the switch, and I started buying again. It's under control, now; but now I've got to restart the chore of the list.
Until a few months ago, I had never sold a knife. I took a quick run through, and sold some that I knew I wouldn't miss (other than because they were no longer here). Lots more to go...but the decisions are no longer easy. Knives with sentimental value, knives no longer in production, knives that I don't want to lose money on, etc - turning the list of keepers into a list to be sold is difficult for me. The biggest obstacle, in reality, is THEY'RE MINE!. There, I said it. When it comes to knives, I'm a hoarder at heart (except I don't have nearly as many as some members here). Still, I recognize that it's time; and I'm going to start the process of....hmmmm, I'm not sure. In theory, something close to liquidation would be my goal; but I know I won't do that. Not yet, at least. Heck, I've still got a few things I plan on buying, lol.
Still, the cycle is broken, and I will (probably in a repeating start/stop fashion) make progress in reducing the quantity of knives. And swords, too; I should probably sell some swords - but I'm not exactly convinced of that part, yet.
Until a few months ago, I had never sold a knife. I took a quick run through, and sold some that I knew I wouldn't miss (other than because they were no longer here). Lots more to go...but the decisions are no longer easy. Knives with sentimental value, knives no longer in production, knives that I don't want to lose money on, etc - turning the list of keepers into a list to be sold is difficult for me. The biggest obstacle, in reality, is THEY'RE MINE!. There, I said it. When it comes to knives, I'm a hoarder at heart (except I don't have nearly as many as some members here). Still, I recognize that it's time; and I'm going to start the process of....hmmmm, I'm not sure. In theory, something close to liquidation would be my goal; but I know I won't do that. Not yet, at least. Heck, I've still got a few things I plan on buying, lol.
Still, the cycle is broken, and I will (probably in a repeating start/stop fashion) make progress in reducing the quantity of knives. And swords, too; I should probably sell some swords - but I'm not exactly convinced of that part, yet.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
The cycle may be broken, but it just may have a restart. My mistake with swords was not buying the Japanese swords that began to appear in the 80's and 90's at shows at very modest prices. I knew they were money in the bank in general and a good investment, but I didn't bite.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Messages
- 1,111
Truer words have never been spoken on this forum.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
Actually not using a $2200 knife makes perfect sense to me, but not using the watch makes no sense at all. It is all about your comfort level on price. $2200 is way beyond my comfort level and I wouldn't buy a damascas blade as a user. But we're all different and that makes the world go around. It would be pretty boring if every time I want a new knife I only look at ESEE and Kabar Beckers as my only options.
hhMoore: I don't really care if my knives become a burden to a spouse or family when I die. They can dump them in the nearest dumpster if they like or have a garage sale and sell them for pennies on the dollar. I do keep a list with purchase price so that somebody who might be interested could get a general feeling about value and beyond that it is their decision.
hhMoore: I don't really care if my knives become a burden to a spouse or family when I die. They can dump them in the nearest dumpster if they like or have a garage sale and sell them for pennies on the dollar. I do keep a list with purchase price so that somebody who might be interested could get a general feeling about value and beyond that it is their decision.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 2,154
I stopped looking for the perfect knife years ago b/c I realized I don't want one perfect knife, I want some variety. I also realized that a quality knife doesn't have to be expensive. At the same time I love the art and design aspects of knives, you know when you see it and you're just like, I need to try one out. I have about 5 knives I put in rotation but have quite a few more that I just like the designs of and keep. There are so many good value and collaboration knives out there, it's hard to justify the high price tags.. but I still like them for sure.. just from a far.
Wolverine666
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2009
- Messages
- 6,719
I've just begun doing something along the lines of what I would call "the opposite" of what this thread is titled (somewhat at least). Over the years I have sold off many knives in my collection. I still have a hefty sum total remaining but I want the ones that I sold. So I'm buying all the models again that I ended up selling. Only the knives that are still being made since I only buy brand new. Buying used doesn't sit well with me.
I love knives. I love carrying them , using them , knowing its in my pocket everyday , learning the intricacies of different steels , admiring the different and innovative lock mechs , etc. So I'm getting all the knives I so foolishly let go. I also (like most of us) have a lengthy list of new knives that I will be purchasing as well. I have the means so why not.
I'm also looking at some custom knives. I remember when spending $100 on my first Benchmade years ago made me think I might be going overboard. But now I'm looking at a few $700-$900 customs (and I'm still getting that feeling a little). But I don't care because I want what I want.
Anyway , I like this thread. Some guys feel the need to thin out the herd (as I did some time ago). But now I have an overwhelming desire to build up my collection to new levels of greatness. Whatever floats your boat. This floats mine.
I love knives. I love carrying them , using them , knowing its in my pocket everyday , learning the intricacies of different steels , admiring the different and innovative lock mechs , etc. So I'm getting all the knives I so foolishly let go. I also (like most of us) have a lengthy list of new knives that I will be purchasing as well. I have the means so why not.
I'm also looking at some custom knives. I remember when spending $100 on my first Benchmade years ago made me think I might be going overboard. But now I'm looking at a few $700-$900 customs (and I'm still getting that feeling a little). But I don't care because I want what I want.
Anyway , I like this thread. Some guys feel the need to thin out the herd (as I did some time ago). But now I have an overwhelming desire to build up my collection to new levels of greatness. Whatever floats your boat. This floats mine.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 11,432
If you don't care about causing your family undue hassle, that's between you and them, lol.
To be clear, though, I'm not selling knives for that reason...nor am I planning on being dead or disabled in the near future. Quite frankly, I'm just not that lucky.
That is the reason that I am photographing and identifying the knives, though - to simplify the process of them being sold if it should come to that. I've seen too many friends neck deep in a spouse's or other family member's estate, trying to sort and deal with belongings that don't interest them in the least.
To be clear, though, I'm not selling knives for that reason...nor am I planning on being dead or disabled in the near future. Quite frankly, I'm just not that lucky.
That is the reason that I am photographing and identifying the knives, though - to simplify the process of them being sold if it should come to that. I've seen too many friends neck deep in a spouse's or other family member's estate, trying to sort and deal with belongings that don't interest them in the least.
Landshark99
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 909
For me if you can afford it, I do not see the need to sell off any of my collectables, because they are too expensive to use or to rationalize that say expensive knives are wasteful and expensive guns or watches make more sense. If that rational works for some fine but it certainly does not apply to everybody else.My only fear of using my more expensive knives for edc is losing them.
I am a photographer for me to spend a small fortune on cameras makes sense for me even though I can still shoot and appreciate shooting amazing images with a cheap point and shoot. I enjoy spending money on my hobbies (knives, wine, cameras, telescopes, 4X4, cars, travel, food etc) but at the same time do not spend a lot on alcohol, clothes, guns, boats, dvds, concerts. and never on gambling top each his own.
I am a photographer for me to spend a small fortune on cameras makes sense for me even though I can still shoot and appreciate shooting amazing images with a cheap point and shoot. I enjoy spending money on my hobbies (knives, wine, cameras, telescopes, 4X4, cars, travel, food etc) but at the same time do not spend a lot on alcohol, clothes, guns, boats, dvds, concerts. and never on gambling top each his own.