Buying or Selling: Which is more fun?

[Dr. Snubnose]

Let me start this off by saying for those who do not know me....I have been collecting spyderco knives since the 80's and did amass a substantial collection totaling more than 400 knives at one point...As life would have it...I ran into financial trouble and sold the entire collection...plus many of my treasured custom blades(yes.. even every single Ronin I owned). It hurt to let forum knives, my personal favorites, collector's club numbered knives even those with my name or monogram on them... go. It had to be done, it hurt, but no regrets as the Spyderco Brand held it's value and helped me out of a jam. Now that things are getting better financially I find myself secretly buying back the knives, not my knives exactly but the same knives previous owned buy others, but ones that I owned in the past and loved. I can't explain the exhilaration and joy I feel every time I score another.....it's like starting all over again...and it's very exciting. Well I got a Ladybug...make that two...Had to buy a vintage red one!...Oh and an H1 Dragonfly....then there's the Serrated Delica that was graciously gifted to my by a forum member...after I lost mine at the laundry. This week I scored a vintage Native Blk SE, Waved Endura PE....and a NIB Vintage Black Coated Endura SE...only thing missing is my engraved monogram on it...which is it's next mod as soon as a get it. lol.....Seriously, I'm an old guy (or getting there)
I have sold a lot of different kinds of things throughout my life....houses, cars, commercial real estate holdings, stocks, bonds, diamonds, gold etc......none of it hurt the way it hurt when parting with a Spyderco. I am so glad to have the opportunity to regain what I once had...And I got to tell you acquiring them, even if it's one at a time is real fun..... So for me it's the FUN OF BUYING.....What says you Buying or Selling which is more fun......Doc:)

[remnar]

Buying. Duh! :D :spyder:

[Dr. Snubnose]

Buying. Duh! :D :spyder:

I whole heartily agree....but it's not a no brainer thingy, as one would think. I bet there will be some who think that selling is the cat's meow....Doc:)

[IR192]

It's weird, but whenever I sell one I find myself being concerned that the new owner won't necessarily appreciate what makes it special. Not very logical, after all, whatever made it special to me has very little bearing on what makes it special to the new owner, but, there you have it.
So, I prefer buying, and whenever possible I prefer to give them away.
Ed

[Liquid Cobra]

Buying is way more fun. But selling can be exciting too. Like when I'm selling off a few to reach a specific amount I need to cover the next Spyderco. That feels great. Setting out a plan in action and then having everything work out just like I had hoped.

If I could I would never sell another Spyderco ever again. But until that day, selling off ones I don't carry very often allows me to continue making new purchases.

I'm glad you're getting back what you've lost. I know what that's like. Out of all the knives I've sold the ones I've gone back to replace have been the caly 3.5, ukpk (various), karahawk, Yojimbo 2, nilakka. One day I'll cross paths with a bob Lum tanto again..

[farnorthdan]

Definitely buying, I haven't sold a single one that I've purchased, given away a few but never sold(I have picked up the occasional piece for forum friends). I'm sure some day I will thin the collection.

[Sharp Guy]

Definitely buying for me! I haven't sold any yet. I keep telling myself that I need to thin the herd a little but still haven't done so.

[SpyderNut]

I'm a hopeless shopaholic, so I really enjoy buying. I've never sold a Spyderco, but like Dan, I've given several away. I would honestly say that it is as equally enjoyable gifting Spydercos as it is purchasing Spydercos for myself. :)

[Evil D]

For me the worst part about selling isn't even losing something I like, it's dealing with buyers.

[BTG]

Haven't sold one yet, so I gotta say buying. Like you, would if I had to, but I don't want to.

[bh49]

Buying is fun. Selling is necessity plus what David said.

For me the worst part about selling isn't even losing something I like, it's dealing with buyers.

[Able Dog]

Buying, I'd say. Even the process of planning to buy is addictive. Putting aside some disposable capital, thoroughly researching options, watching countless YouTube reviews, weighing said options, remembering that one knife you meant to buy two years ago but didn't, reconsidering which one you actually want to buy, and so on.

I've never sold a knife, but I've traded several. It was an exciting process. Ultimately though it turned out to be like buying a knife, but just with extra steps.

[Archimedes]

I love getting a new knife.

I still have no problem selling knives. I have had knives I swore I would never sell and then sold them. If I needed the money I would sell every knife I own right now. I have reached the point where I feel like I have to many knives so I may purge some in the new year. I have always wanted a to have just the right amount and always end up with what I feel is to many.

[zenheretic]

Doc, my old spyderholic friend. The easy answer is buying, but I'd say it really depends on why you are selling. For example selling for survival is not fun at all, selling to ease the burden of material goods, especially when you see the delight on the next generations Spyderholics when they score a "grail" is a great thing. I'm learning I really didn't need all those knives, they are finding better homes now.


Ronin!

[jdw]

I would honestly say that it is as equally enjoyable gifting Spydercos as it is purchasing Spydercos for myself. :)

I couldn't agree more. Part of the fun of collecting to me is sharing the experience. It is particularly fun when you gift a Spyderco to someone who is not familiar with them. They are always amazed by the quality and design, "Oh, that's why you like those so much." :D

[bearfacedkiller]

Buy two. Wait, get both. Wait, what was the question? Oh yeah, I like buying...

[The Deacon]

I'd agree that selling for survival sucks. Been there, done that, not with knives but with other hobby items.

But even when I've sold something for less painful reasons, I definitely find buying mire enjoyable. It's funny, but no matter how much I want a particular knife, once I've paid for it I never worry for a second about whether or not it will arrive. Sell one, and I worry from the moment I put it in the mail until the moment the buyer lets me know it's in his hands and he's satisfied with it. Have a ton of stuff I could sell and never miss, but don't, for just that reason.

[Water Bug]

Buying a :spyder:, or any other brand of knife, is the most fun whether the knife is for me or a gift to someone else.

[NoFair]

I prefer giving, but sometimes getting a steal on a buy is sweetness :D

[Ippon]

I like selling actually, but only for the reason that I know I'm getting more funds to get something newer and shinier.... :spyder: