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Permalink Reply by Ted Erdelyi on February 13, 2017 at 8:31

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Permalink Reply by Ted Erdelyi on February 13, 2017 at 9:37

Why do I collect/accumulate knives? Wow! If I could answer that effectively I'd save my self a lot of money on therapy.

I guest I'd have to break it out into a couple different areas.

1) Historical

2) Functionality

3) Aesthetics 

4) Emotional

Historically: It's man's 3rd oldest tool preceded by his brain and a rock/hammer first. There's something about a tool that can trace it's roots back a half a million years. There's a lot of history between that first piece of chipped rock early man picked up realizing it made separating things, (skin from meat/flesh from bone, branches from trees and even trees from their earthen trap) and today's modern edged tools that allowed us to conquer our environment.

Here's an old 1800s Josef Sziraki Pearl Lobster I happened across in a box lot at an estate sale.

Functionality: There's no such thing as that "one" knife, if that were true there'd be no reason for places like this, we'd all have the same knife and we'd use it for everything, end of discussion. There's a problem though, there's no such thing as that one perfect knife. That's why we have different patterns, some blade shapes and geometries are better at certain tasks than others and that's why I collect. One knife will never serve all my needs perfectly so I'll spend the rest of my life trying and searching for the best compromise or the exact/best tool for the specific job.

When it comes to functionality you can build a collection on Swiss Army Knives alone. One of the first to try to fit as many functions into a pocket knife as possible and certainly still tryin'.

Aesthetics: Pretty self explanatory, I love a beautiful handcrafted knife, when the cutler's hit his stride and everything comes together to create a functional piece of art/jewelry.and what person doesn't like surrounding themselves with beautiful things right? :)

Some knives I collect because they look cool while being knives too.

Emotional: This covers everything from knives my Old Man and grandfather carried to gifts from friends whether it's a $5 yard sales knife or a custom a friend's made for or given me, this is the hardest category to explain, Knives just speak to me, some of my most prized knives are crazy Franklin Mint knives given to me by well meaning family and friends. The fact that they took the time to get me something they know so little about means a lot so I have a few "novelty" knives and even a few gems they got lucky with.

I have many knives that fit into this category from my Old Man's hunting knives form 45 years ago and my grandfather's pocket knife from a hundred years ago or like this gift from a friend because he knew I liked knives.

Hope I answered the OP

Ted E.

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Permalink Reply by David Mullins on February 13, 2017 at 9:41

   I think you gave an exemplary explanation and I enjoyed it. Made me think and that is something i rarely do! Thank you sir.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Erdelyi on February 13, 2017 at 9:49

I'm spread so thin between knife sites it gets difficult to post in them all so I'm goin' with the quality over quantity and read more post less theory I espouse on other forums. Thanks for the comment. I plan to show up a little more often to share my pics and my feelings and what I know about the knives I collect.

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Permalink Reply by James Cole on February 13, 2017 at 9:55

Ted, great post and great pix.

Jim

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Permalink Reply by David Mullins on February 13, 2017 at 9:58

I think I have went from collection to obsession! I have collected  about everything  possible at one time or another. This morning I got online to see the two Trade a blade knives I got from Ebay last night. It hit me that I just may be crossing the line into obsession. I like all kinds of knives, but for about a year or two I find myself even more interested in the old (sometimes new) type of combo hatchet knife sets. I used to collect guitars and that was fun for a time, but then I began collecting knives. I sold most of my guitars to use the money I made to buy knives. I think I now have just north of 60 old combo sets but I want more! I cannot help it. I just love them! My last statement kinda proves to me what I really didn't want to admit. I am obsessed now.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Spero on February 13, 2017 at 10:16

you can say that again sounds like me and old Buck 110 Folders every one i see on ebay gets kind vof expensive though so i kind of slowed down good luck on the hunting {for bargains}

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Permalink Reply by Frank Spero on February 13, 2017 at 10:18

way cool collection Ted love the pics
 
Ted Erdelyi said:

Why do I collect/accumulate knives? Wow! If I could answer that effectively I'd save my self a lot of money on therapy.

I guest I'd have to break it out into a couple different areas.

1) Historical

2) Functionality

3) Aesthetics 

4) Emotional

Historically: It's man's 3rd oldest tool preceded by his brain and a rock/hammer first. There's something about a tool that can trace it's roots back a half a million years. There's a lot of history between that first piece of chipped rock early man picked up realizing it made separating things, (skin from meat/flesh from bone, branches from trees and even trees from their earthen trap) and today's modern edged tools that allowed us to conquer our environment.

Here's an old 1800s Josef Sziraki Pearl Lobster I happened across in a box lot at an estate sale.

Functionality: There's no such thing as that "one" knife, if that were true there'd be no reason for places like this, we'd all have the same knife and we'd use it for everything, end of discussion. There's a problem though, there's no such thing as that one perfect knife. That's why we have different patterns, some blade shapes and geometries are better at certain tasks than others and that's why I collect. One knife will never serve all my needs perfectly so I'll spend the rest of my life trying and searching for the best compromise or the exact/best tool for the specific job.

When it comes to functionality you can build a collection on Swiss Army Knives alone. One of the first to try to fit as many functions into a pocket knife as possible and certainly still tryin'.

Aesthetics: Pretty self explanatory, I love a beautiful handcrafted knife, when the cutler's hit his stride and everything comes together to create a functional piece of art/jewelry.and what person doesn't like surrounding themselves with beautiful things right? :)

Some knives I collect because they look cool while being knives too.

Emotional: This covers everything from knives my Old Man and grandfather carried to gifts from friends whether it's a $5 yard sales knife or a custom a friend's made for or given me, this is the hardest category to explain, Knives just speak to me, some of my most prized knives are crazy Franklin Mint knives given to me by well meaning family and friends. The fact that they took the time to get me something they know so little about means a lot so I have a few "novelty" knives and even a few gems they got lucky with.

I have many knives that fit into this category from my Old Man's hunting knives form 45 years ago and my grandfather's pocket knife from a hundred years ago or like this gift from a friend because he knew I liked knives.

Hope I answered the OP

Ted E.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 13, 2017 at 13:08

Hey there, Ted...

As you have probably gathered, we are not like other knife sites. We don't charge for knowledge or info, we don't talk down to folks, we don't discourage off-topic conversations, we are fluent in "typo", we like to hear about your dog, we don't take a membership fee, we do our best to help people, we encourage discussion, we value other people's opinions as much as our own, we like what we like but are not snobs about price/brand/steels, we get silly in chat, we remember family members' names...I could go on, but I think you get the point. LOL. Post away! We like pics, we love knife or gear reviews...we like it all! Quality is all well and good, but sometimes a bit of quantity is just fine with us! Jump right in and post what you like! Join us in Chat if/when you have the time. There are some phenomenal folks lurking in here. Looking forward to hear from you and all the new folks joining. We are not your average knife community!

Ted Erdelyi said:

I'm spread so thin between knife sites it gets difficult to post in them all so I'm goin' with the quality over quantity and read more post less theory I espouse on other forums. Thanks for the comment. I plan to show up a little more often to share my pics and my feelings and what I know about the knives I collect.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Erdelyi on February 13, 2017 at 16:29

Thanks Steve, I can see that there's a different dynamic here and I need to get a little more familiar with the format. I won't be a stranger now that I found the site again. I have lots of pics, lots of stories, lots of info and history in some areas more than others. I love to share my knowledge and also learn all I can about all things sharp. I'm sure there are folks here from the "other" site too, I like them all as they all have something to offer it's just a matter of navigating through the site and the characters. Again thanks for the welcome back and the heads up. If anyone knows me from the other site you know I'm pretty prolific when it comes to posting pics and what ever I know or learn.

Another favorite pic of mine and I'm off to poke around some more. Custom R(oy) Cover Drop Point with snake wood scales, stainless fittings and ATS34 blade. His son Ray is a world class engraver who's worked on some of the knife great's creations adding his own flair to to some already beautiful knives. His dad no longer makes knives and I was so glad to get this one many, many years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 13, 2017 at 16:37

Great to hear! Just a note...I wasn't referring to any particular site, but just the dynamic of many other knife sites I have encountered...lol. Totally a personal observation. I am on a few. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 13, 2017 at 19:00

Ted,

I have to say, you have a rather well thought out answer, so fire the therapist and just keep collecting LOL.

Seriously though, if you break it down, those are the same for many of us.  I became hooked on the history of traditionals and how the knife trade influenced US History.  Then it was the thrill of seeing the first knife I spent so long researching when it finally came home, and that thrill has never left me.  Being here on iKC was the culmination of all of that and finding like minded folks who were just plain nice to the "lady in room".  I have never forgotten how nice it was to be accepted for just my love of knives and all things sharp.  So welcome home and we look forward to seeing you here again :)

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