I managed to avoid buying any new knives for close to two years, but eventually broke and purchased a Kershaw Cryo while killing time in a Dicks Sporting Goods; in 2017, my friend showed me his Ontario RAT 2 and I ended up buying one, which was kind of the start of the avalanche.
As time went on, I got deeper and deeper into the hobby, but always said “I’ll never spend more than $100 for a knife” which was true (with two exceptions). When the lock-downs hit, I ended up breaking the $100 price ceiling, and in May 2020, I bought my first Spyderco -- a Chaparral LW. It was a game changer for me.
Over the last four years or so, I’ve probably bought and sold close to 200 different knives, and owned everything from super budget knives, discontinued knives, all the way to a few customs.
But now I’m at a place where I’ve tried pretty much everything that I’ve wanted to try, and don’t really feel the need to constantly chase the incremental improvements any more.
About three months ago, I ended up selling all but the following three knives:
- Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 Large (CPM-S45VN)
- Spyderco Chaparral LW
- Spyderco Stretch 2 (K390)
Having something with amazing corrosion resistance is a gap, but certainly not a requirement -- I could realistically just purchase a Magnacut blade for the Sebenza, or just keep my fingers crossed for a Chaparral Salt. I also carry a Victorinox Pioneer on me every day, and if the situation arose, I could easily just carry that as a “suit jacket” knife for more formal occasions.
I’ve also got another six knives that were gifted to me, which will obviously never be sold; but I still tend to pretty much carry stuff exclusively from the list above.
I don’t rule out buying anything else, but I just plan on scrutinizing my purchases even more.
I am not a rich man and have to temper my desires.
dead useful!
