Is Knife Collecting Gluttony?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Recently I told someone I know that I personally own a collection of knives including multiple Spyderco, Buck, Cold Steel, Opinel, Mora, and other brands.

Unlike most of you on this forum who would most likely give a friendly response, this man said I am greedy, selfish, and uncaring towards those in need in the world, because according to him, I should sell all my knives and only keep one or two for cutting tools. He claims he did this, and used to have a big collection.

I asked him how much is too much? And he said having more than two or three of any item with collector purpose is Material Gluttony.

He tried to make me feel guilty by saying there are starving children who we knife owners should sell our excess knives and use the money to feed them.

How should we reply to this claim?

[Naperville]

There are different ways of looking at the world. Your friend has a view that we live in a world with very finite resources and in austere times.

RESOURCES: Some think there are finite resources and if one person has too many things they deprive others from having anything. Others think that we grow the resource pool when we create new things and that the end result of making more is more for everyone.

RELIGION: Not everyone looks at the world through a religious test. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins. Catholic Pope Gregory I listed the seven deadly sins in the 6th century. You have to imagine what the world was like 500CE to 600CE. Austerity for most humans comes to mind.

MY VIEW: In the last decade through my hands, more than $20,000 in knives has passed. Some may think that is a lot, but it is very limited based on what I was able to collect based on funds, knife availability, and my ability to justify certain designs as it pertains to my ability to use the tools. I plan on ending up with maybe 25 knives that I narrowly define as being cool mechanically or in design, and being able to offer protection. I am not much less gluttonous, I will sell some knives to be able to direct the funds to paying off debts that have accumulated.

[vivi]

yes.

there is no moral justification for collecting excessive amounts of anything.

there are better ways to spend your time, your money, and utilize your physical living space.

I'm as guilty as anyone else here, make no mistake.

I'm trying to work on thinning out my collection through gifting and selling of the excess, and trying to keep tools based on needs.

It took many years but I've generally learned not to buy knives just because they're cool, but because they serve a specific purpose.

I'm at the point where I only have 2 knives that are currently available I plan to buy, and a third I plan to get when its out (couple different machetes and a manix xl salt).

from there it's time to sell 1/2 to 3/4 of what I own and keep the essentials for cooking, camping, trail maintenance, EDC etc.

[Paul Ardbeg]

Why care how other people view you or your hobby? Why the need to justify? That person told you 2-3 knives max, why not one? This person is judging you to feel superior to you....talking about unethical.

[Ankerson]

Technically yes by definition.

But like with anything it's all up to interpretation.

The old saying is:

"Anything in moderation is OK."

I too like some above have been thinning out my collection, and have cut it way back to almost nothing from over 400 knives. (Collection was built up over 4 decades of collecting.

I am down to like 30 or so now maybe.

[Mage7]

If you can apply that logic to a knife collection, you can apply it to plenty of other things.

Does he own a home? Why not rent a modest apartment or hotel room and use his savings to feed those starving children?

Does he own a car? Surely he could take the bus and use the money he saved in cost of ownership (insurance, registration, gas, upkeep) to feed those kids.

Does he have a smartphone? As much as people want to insist that's an absolute necessity these days, you can get by fine with just a basic flip phone. That would net at least a hundred bucks he could feed the needy with.

There's a ton of other examples, but I think you get the point. The modern world is full of amenities that we must apply heaps of double-standards to in order to escape the fact that they're actually luxuries. I would make the argument that simply using electricity would seem gluttonous to half the world's population, and the whole of it only a few hundred years ago.

So I think the easiest way to counter his position would be to point out his hypocrisy, because unless he sleeps in the park, walks everywhere he goes, doesn't use any electrical devices or electricity in general, then he's also gluttonous.

Probably the easiest thing would be to ask him what he thinks about Matthew 7:1

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Thank you for these helpful responses everyone. I am thankful for this.

Naperville, yes, infact this man I mention told me just that, that he now tries to be a minimalist with material goods. He said in his younger years he was into large knife, gun, and other collections but thinned all of that out. Part of his philosophy on this he says is that the less items one owns, the less stress there is in having to look after and maintain it.

Paul, thank you. I ought to focus not on what others may judge but what works best for me, and ofcourse what is the healthiest way of doing things.

One example: For a time I thought that I can convince, through reasoned arguments, the anti knife crowd that knives are important tools and not the big bad evil causers of crime that anti knife folks make them out to be. And that by doing so we could see pro knife policy changes. But I learned through experience and from the wise advice from people on this forum like you, Darby, Lance, Doc Dan, Naperville, Kristi, sal, Larry Mott, The Mastiff, J D Spydo, our late friend The Deacon, and others that no, we can share information on this but in the end each of us must come to being convinced on our own.

[Naperville]

yes.

there is no moral justification for collecting excessive amounts of anything.

there are better ways to spend your time, your money, and utilize your physical living space.

I'm as guilty as anyone else here, make no mistake.

I'm trying to work on thinning out my collection through gifting and selling of the excess, and trying to keep tools based on needs.

It took many years but I've generally learned not to buy knives just because they're cool, but because they serve a specific purpose.

I'm at the point where I only have 2 knives that are currently available I plan to buy, and a third I plan to get when its out (couple different machetes and a manix xl salt).

from there it's time to sell 1/2 to 3/4 of what I own and keep the essentials for cooking, camping, trail maintenance, EDC etc.

What I meant by cool knives, they are just outliers and don't come along that often. They shock you. They are unique. You will keep them.

I maybe have 15 knives that I will always keep no matter what. They are made by all different kinds of manufacturers.

I'd have to do a lot of work to make a list. Here is a short list...

Spyderco 15V knives, and Spyderco Native Chiefs, Spyderco 20CV "slither"
RMJ 3V Trench Knives
Cold Steel 3V Kukri, Cold Steel Recon 1 XL
Bark River Knives Vehement Knives collaboration, Bark River Knives Bolo Machete fixed blades
Rick Hinderer full stainless auto, Rick Hinderer XM24 Warncliffe with stainless horse head grips
...

[RustyIron]

How should we reply to this claim?

You shouldn't reply. Who cares what he thinks? He probably has minimal impact on society, and is of little value to you or the community. Let him be.

If you work hard, earn a few bucks, and choose to spend it on a bunch of knives, you really shouldn't concern yourself with the opinion of some buttinsky. Life your life, have fun, be well. If some jamoke is forced to live a life of frugality, that's ok, as long as he doesn't try to impose his crazy notions on others.

Those who consume a number of knives that woke folks would consider "beyond their fair share," are actually philanthropists. The receptionist who picks up the main line at Spyderco? Who pays for her kids' shoes and Frosted Flakes? The buyers of knives do. The guy pouring plastic pellets into the injection molding machine--how's he pay his mortgage? From the people buying knives.

You, Mister SpyderEdgeForever, are helping society. The joker who you were speaking with sounds like the sort who does little for anyone.

[James Y]

Recently I told someone I know that I personally own a collection of knives including multiple Spyderco, Buck, Cold Steel, Opinel, Mora, and other brands.

Unlike most of you on this forum who would most likely give a friendly response, this man said I am greedy, selfish, and uncaring towards those in need in the world, because according to him, I should sell all my knives and only keep one or two for cutting tools. He claims he did this, and used to have a big collection.

I asked him how much is too much? And he said having more than two or three of any item with collector purpose is Material Gluttony.

He tried to make me feel guilty by saying there are starving children who we knife owners should sell our excess knives and use the money to feed them.

How should we reply to this claim?

Ask him how many starving children in the world has HE helped.

Jim

[Ankerson]

Recently I told someone I know that I personally own a collection of knives including multiple Spyderco, Buck, Cold Steel, Opinel, Mora, and other brands.

Unlike most of you on this forum who would most likely give a friendly response, this man said I am greedy, selfish, and uncaring towards those in need in the world, because according to him, I should sell all my knives and only keep one or two for cutting tools. He claims he did this, and used to have a big collection.

I asked him how much is too much? And he said having more than two or three of any item with collector purpose is Material Gluttony.

He tried to make me feel guilty by saying there are starving children who we knife owners should sell our excess knives and use the money to feed them.

How should we reply to this claim?

Ummm, judging someone else for how they spend their money?

That conversation would have been over the second he tried that with me.

That whole starving children in the world thing really doesn't cut it anymore.

If one wants to donate then give to a Charity or the Church, the Church helps more kids worldwide than just about anyone.

However putting a guilt trip on someone is never the right thing to do.

[RugerNurse]

The catechism of the Catholic Church defines gluttony as ”an inordinate excess or desire for meat or drink. It is characterized by an immoderate love of the pleasures of taste through eating and drinking.” Many times gluttony is a venial sin as it exceeds the bounds of temperance but sometimes because a mortal sin if it causes considerable harm to one’s health or the state of one’s family such as drinking too much and spending all your income on food or drink and neglecting your family.

If one’s sole purpose was collecting knives just to feel good about themselves or show off then avarice and pride would be more of the sins.
I think his use of gluttony doesn’t quite fit here.

[akapennypincher]

Recently I told someone I know that I personally own a collection of knives including multiple Spyderco, Buck, Cold Steel, Opinel, Mora, and other brands.

Unlike most of you on this forum who would most likely give a friendly response, this man said I am greedy, selfish, and uncaring towards those in need in the world, because according to him, I should sell all my knives and only keep one or two for cutting tools. He claims he did this, and used to have a big collection.

I asked him how much is too much? And he said having more than two or three of any item with collector purpose is Material Gluttony.

He tried to make me feel guilty by saying there are starving children who we knife owners should sell our excess knives and use the money to feed them.

How should we reply to this claim?

Well I am going to make a statement that may not be popular, your collection of knives was purchased with your money you earned, it is your personal choice to do with that money money as you wished, because you earned it. Someone saying you are a Glutton is rude, bush league, & inappropriate as they are being judgmental. This is what I call trying to make you feel guilt for someone else’s problem. Be it starving children, or another problem that is not your fault.

No one is under any obligation to help the world or the people living next door, that is your choice if you decided to do so. Some call that FREE WILL.

I am sure Sal & Spyderco get more than a few requests for monetary donations, product donations, and support each year. Know Sal & Spyderco have their charities, and no way could they support every request with money, or product and still stay in business operating in black.

I would have fired back at the person who called you a Glutton, and simply said my hobby is my hobby, and I have a few causes I support annually. Sorry about the starving children, but I do my part to do what I can for my favorite charities.

[Ankerson]

The catechism of the Catholic Church defines gluttony as ”an inordinate excess or desire for meat or drink. It is characterized by an immoderate love of the pleasures of taste through eating and drinking.” Many times gluttony is a venial sin as it exceeds the bounds of temperance but sometimes because a mortal sin if it causes considerable harm to one’s health or the state of one’s family such as drinking too much and spending all your income on food or drink and neglecting your family.

If one’s sole purpose was collecting knives just to feel good about themselves or show off then avarice and pride would be more of the sins.
I think his use of gluttony doesn’t quite fit here.

Gluttony

Gluttony, derived from the Latin gluttire meaning to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste. In some Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins—a misplaced desire of food or its withholding from the needy.

[Scandi Grind]

I once considered whether buying a Bugatti could possibly have any justification considering just how expensive and relatively useless it is. At first I thought "No, there can't be a reason to buy that," but then I realized that things like the Bugatti give rich people a reason to spend their money, when they spend their money, especially on something so expensive, a bunch of other people get paid for making that car. I'd say that is good for everyone. One of the keys to a good economy is that money keep moving around, expensive things help money keep moving. So do knife purchases.

Now can knife collecting be gluttony? Sure, you could deffinitely be acting out of an unheathly obsession, but most likely someone on the outside won't know just by looking at your collection. It is a question you have to ask yourself and be honest about, and I don't think it is the same for everyone.

[Ankerson]

I once considered whether buying a Bugatti could possibly have any justification considering just how expensive and relatively useless it is. At first I thought "No, there can't be a reason to buy that," but then I realized that things like the Bugatti give rich people a reason to spend their money, when they spend their money, especially on something so expensive, a bunch of other people get paid for making that car. I'd say that is good for everyone. One of the keys to a good economy is that money keep moving around, expensive things help money keep moving. So do knife purchases.

Now can knife collecting be gluttony? Sure, you could deffinitely be acting out of an unheathly obsession, but most likely someone on the outside won't know just by looking at your collection. It is a question you have to ask yourself and be honest about, and I don't think it is the same for everyone.

The items expense really doesn't matter all that much as people tend to buy what they can afford and or finance.

To some that would be $80 inflatable raft while others it might be a 150' $100 Million Dollar Yacht.

[shunsui]

My attitude towards a collection that is obviously more knives than you could use in your life is a little different.

I look at knives as a hedge, something you could trade for a can of beans in case things go badly. They travel well in a backpack, and have no expiration date.

[Naperville]

My attitude towards a collection that is obviously more knives than you could use in your life is a little different.

I look at knives as a hedge, something you could trade for a can of beans in case things go badly. They travel well in a backpack, and have no expiration date.

That's a good idea.

[akapennypincher]

I once considered whether buying a Bugatti could possibly have any justification considering just how expensive and relatively useless it is. At first I thought "No, there can't be a reason to buy that," but then I realized that things like the Bugatti give rich people a reason to spend their money, when they spend their money, especially on something so expensive, a bunch of other people get paid for making that car. I'd say that is good for everyone. One of the keys to a good economy is that money keep moving around, expensive things help money keep moving. So do knife purchases.

Now can knife collecting be gluttony? Sure, you could deffinitely be acting out of an unheathly obsession, but most likely someone on the outside won't know just by looking at your collection. It is a question you have to ask yourself and be honest about, and I don't think it is the same for everyone.

Someone said difference between Men & BOYS is cost of toys. Bugatti produces 80-100 vehicle a year, they start at 3.5 million bucks, if you want one put million dollar deposit to be on list. Wait 4 years, for your car to be built, then pay balance, and enjoy.

I know about Bugatti because I know the brand manager who work for Roger Penske, and Bugatti is one of the factories he works close with to get his clients cars in high demand.

Rich people collect cars, and other collectable stuff. A homeless person collects aluminum cans and panhandles.

[RustyIron]

Rich people collect cars, and other collectable stuff. A homeless person collects aluminum cans

Y'know, that's a good way of looking at it. There are some breathtaking car and airplane collections within a short drive of where I'm sitting. And then there are the art and educational collections started by the likes of Getty, Huntington, and Carnegie. Those gluttonous misers and antiquarians have brought me much joy and have lifted society, the world, and all humankind. The aluminum can collector has not done that. Anyway, that's the way it seems to me, but I'm no philosopher or theologian.