Why purchase a knife and not use it.

[marcdurant]

Some people are just hoarders by nature. If they didn't have a big pile of untouched Spydercos, they'd have a big pile of something else. It's more about the process of acquisition than actually having the knives.

[jackknifeh]

All the responses make total sense. Looks like I was off on my assumption that many folks here have knives to only look at.

From the comments, put my knife interests squarely into the field with the majority of you.

As I said above, I doubt the CS Trailmaster will ever get used - I just like having it and looking at it. I've got a few other big bladed choppers that I use, and try to abuse at times.

Right now my Spyderco Centofante is still in its box. And I have no idea of if or when I may carry it. Just because I've been carrying my Endura or Rescue JR. almost full time

Regards,
Rob

There is nothing wrong with owning a tool that is supposed to be used and just look at it. We are lucky enough to live in a country where we can spend our money with a total lack of responsibility. :D I am very grateful for that. Irresponsibility should be practiced with moderation of course. As long as our kids have shoes and food and shelter we can pull all the stops.

I really think you should chop at least one thing with your Trail Master though, just to be fair to the knife. You don't want your knife to look like .

Jack

[dsvirsky]

This is just my opinion, some people mike take $150 knife and beat the crap out of it. Thats their choice.

Actually, it's a $200 knife. :D Strider ZM, 1/4" S30V, created with the intent that the owners would use them and not treat them as collectable. Definitely overkill for opening the mail (unless it's still in the mailbox).

[Switchback]

Looking through the forums today I see lots of beautiful knives posted. But something that jumped out at me is that many of them appeared to have never been used.

I think it should be mentioned that people often take photos of their knives when they are new and then whenever they post a pic of that knife they post that pic instead of taking a current pic.

[The Deacon]

I think it should be mentioned that people often take photos of their knives when they are new and then whenever they post a pic of that knife they post that pic instead of taking a current pic.

Either that or they think of their knife photos as portraits, not mug shots, so they compose, light, and possibly even edit them in such a way as to make the knives look their best.

[Pinetreebbs]

This thread begs the question, "Why would you care what someone else does with something they own?"

I just do not understand the compulsion some people have to tell others what to do and what to do it with.

Please, carry on.

[Blerv]

My wife is great in Photoshop. Forget lightboxes and macro lenses...I want a dragon riding a Delica into battle.

[4 s ter]

As many others have stated, I just have too many to use each one, so many sit unused. I also like the fact that I get used to the feel of my EDC and opening it becomes habit - I don't even have to think about it - it just seems to happen. If I kept changing EDCs that wouldn't happen.

[jackknifeh]

This thread begs the question, "Why would you care what someone else does with something they own?"

I just do not understand the compulsion some people have to tell others what to do and what to do it with.

Please, carry on.

I don't think Rob62 is trying to tell anyone what to do. He even says in the first post that anyone can do what they want with their own stuff. I have wondered myself why people collect things. I think he was asking for information rather than saying it is wrong or dumb or something negative. Why would anyone collect stamps? Why would anyone collect comic books, baseball cards? I don't really understand why people collect anything unless the collecting is to make money. I love knives and have all my life, just never bought any quality knives until the past few years. I have bought several searching for a nice set of usable knives. Now I have them and thank Spyderco for that. They provide a great selection. I don't want to collect them which is good because I couldn't afford it.

Jack

[SmoothOne25]

free will.
i can do what i want with my money, that includes dropping thousands on "tools" (i call them art too) and just sticking them away in a safe for a few years cause imho they are too amazing, unique, limited, perfectly flawless to use.

most of us have knives we carry and use, beaters, etc and many have queens they store for future sales/trades/giving to a son ten year later etc...

i'm cool having more queens than users! 2 dozen plus ukpk's make it easy to fufill all my cutting needs!!!

[GohawnFG]

I see the question has already been adequately answered(OP seems satisfied with the responses). Just wanted to add that some people may just be collectors by nature. I'm one of them. Why collect coins when you can spend them? I used to collect all kinds of ****, lol. Cards, coins, stamps, model cars, things from a certain maker/brand name, etc. One thing I can say about it all is that it's total eye candy for me. Same goes for knives; sometimes I just have the urge to go through my collection and fondle or just look at them. I find it enjoyable.

Another trait that may be common among sole collectors is the desire to keep collections in mint/original condition. Not just collections; you know those people who keep the little piece of plastic over their new phone? I think that kind of characteristic might come into play.

Alright, all that said, I do have user knives although most of my collection is just for fondling, lol. The knives I choose to work with are the less pricy ones(unemployed student status) and ones easy to replace. I can imagine that if I had a sizeable income I would be more willing to use expensive blades. And, often I am willing to use an expensive knife, but I'd want a second one as a safe queen.

Just my 0.02 :)

[ceya]

I have had many blades in my young life (18yrs old).

I have blades that are in storage, dresser drawer and next to me.

They are used and safe queens as guy put it.

I say safe queens are my back up and investment.

If I had no choice to use them u bet safe queens will be used.

Like cars collections, they all will be used some day, but not today.

S/F,
CEYA!

[Rutgrr]

I just started buying Spydies, three so far (Ladybug Hawkbill Salt, Delica 4 SE, and Goddard Baby). My forth one is on the way, the Persistence.

Right now, the only thing I use them for is to open/close them, cut paper, etc. I like knives. I like the different shapes and sizes. I just like looking at and holding them.

If I need to cut boxes, open mail, open up plastic packages, I'll definitely use them at some point. But for now they are collectors items.

[Pinetreebbs]

I don't think Rob62 is trying to tell anyone what to do. He even says in the first post that anyone can do what they want with their own stuff. I have wondered myself why people collect things. I think he was asking for information rather than saying it is wrong or dumb or something negative. Why would anyone collect stamps? Why would anyone collect comic books, baseball cards? I don't really understand why people collect anything unless the collecting is to make money. I love knives and have all my life, just never bought any quality knives until the past few years. I have bought several searching for a nice set of usable knives. Now I have them and thank Spyderco for that. They provide a great selection. I don't want to collect them which is good because I couldn't afford it.

Jack

Agree, and I wasn't directing my post to the OP or anyone in particular. It's a form of art appreciation.


:spyder: Spyderco Collecting, "An interest in a sharp objects, made in interesting ways, with interesting materials and able to do interesting things."

[jimnolimit]

all my knives are users. some get used more than others, but they all get used. im a very utilitarian person, i don't own thing's that don't get used in some capacity.