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Justifying a knife buy

Came across a Duck N Deer brand knife at hardware store today. Never saw tat beans before which got me wondering, do you buy one brand only, one style only or get an unknown knife just to have representative of that company ?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on October 5, 2013 at 15:44

The most common question for a collector just starting out. There are many types of collections. Rarely is the first path followed for very long. This doesn't mean you were wrong to start collecting what was interesting to you. The goals in collecting just tend to evolve as you learn more, Just to name a few types of collections and then others can easily add to the list.

by brand name, all patterns

by pattern all brands

by handle color

by trade or use

by country or region

by period of manufacture

theatrical and training help me out here collectors LOL

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on October 5, 2013 at 15:49

Buy whatever strikes your fancy and enjoy your purchase.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on October 5, 2013 at 16:03

Vintage, tactical, switchblades,folders or fixed .....

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on October 5, 2013 at 16:23

Yep, what Ken said...

Ken Spielvogel said:

Buy whatever strikes your fancy and enjoy your purchase.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 5, 2013 at 16:33

My "likes" will go here and there at times, and will stick on something for a while, but yeah, if you like it, buy it. One thing I've tried to do over the years is......don't over-think something I want. I always feel better if I just go ahead and get it.

Permalink Reply by Brad T. on October 5, 2013 at 20:29

Style/pattern, Materials, brand, price & then maker are my criteria for buying a "New" knife. In the beginning I was worried I may have spent too much money on some knives I really liked from a company I didn't know much about. Now those knives are commanding mmuch more than I paid for them. The fear of buying unique knives is understandable, but each purchase is an experience in and of itself.
If you see a knife you like, get it. Just make sure you paid the light bill first, I understand wives prefer electricity over a new knife. Who da' thunk it?

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on October 6, 2013 at 8:24

I will buy the knife if I like the looks, it is not made in China and it is priced accordingly with the quality represented. This still leave me with lots of options. Swing guard is my favorite style, then the trapper and then all the rest. Big knives are fun as well as mini knives. Basic rule...just have fun.

Permalink Reply by Howard P Reynolds on October 6, 2013 at 9:18

I agree with all foregoing comments, so there is little for me to add. I might just say that there are both a collection of knives and knife collections. I think a lot of us collect knives, but we also develop a collection of purpose-driven knives. I collect a couple patterns of folders, but fixed blades are what I use, so I try different steels, different shapes, and different lengths. Pretty soon you find that even though you aren't really "collecting" these users, you wind up with a collection of them.

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on October 6, 2013 at 10:01

Most, if not all of us, have the question go through our mind as to whether the outlay of money for a knife is something we can live with. We look for a way to get that question behind us. And we really would like to never think about it. But, reality being what it is, we have to negotiate with ourselves to set up priorities. Those priorities are like hurdles that must be cleared, the highest first and then lesser hurdles, If we have a methodology, maybe we can avoid a regret and feel good about our decision. The methodology should include reasons for not buying certain things, as Clint has decided NOT to buy Chinese knives. He has his reasons and it works for him.

I first weigh the possibility of a knife or other type of cutlery being something that I can actually use. Granted, it may simply be a knife that is to be in a bug-out bag, back pack, glove compartment, tool pouch, for whatever "excuse" I can figure out. But, it helps me "get my mind right" before I take the plunge. Well, it seems to be helping me. LOL Even with regards to my modest Scandinavian knife collection, I have considered the usefulness of a certain type of knife. Then, the equally important question in considering an addition to the collection is whether or not I have an example of the pattern or style. As I build the collection, I find it more and more difficult to find something that can be financially justified and that also improves the collection in some way. Just trying to collect one example of each unique stamp mark, on a knife of the type, is enough to keep the collection active. If I don't see in the near future the possibility of justifying the cost of a rare or fine example of a style, I will buy a lesser quality example with the hope of someday upgrading. So, I have to run through my mental list of hurdles, without going around one, to reach a decision. As long as this plan doesn't prevent me from continuing to enjoy the hobby, I have some sense of control. Maybe I'm onto something, as it's been awhile since I've had to rethink my system. Everyone has to figure out what works for them of course.

Permalink Reply by Howard P Reynolds on October 6, 2013 at 10:30

Nice system of hurdles, Clay. Price is pretty much my only hurdle. I don't ever expect to own a Randall or Dietmar Kressler, etc. so I figgr I can spend what to me is an outrageous price for a fixed-blade, but not an astronomical price. The folders I collect are all "new" (no vintage stuff) so they are relatively inexpensive, and sit in a display case. Since I use all my fixed blades, I can't justify (so far) paying $500.+ [$3,500 for a Kressler] for a user.

Permalink Reply by Howard P Reynolds on October 6, 2013 at 11:03

Oh, before one you balloon poppers brings it up, yes, I probably coulda had a couple Ditemar Kresslers for what I have spent on the "relatively inexpensive" folders to-date. Each $50. folder turns into REAL money, down the road.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 6, 2013 at 15:11

LOL, I am not popping that balloon Howard! For us Variety has become the spice of life. We enjoy what we buy and try to get into the knife "right", whatever that is for us at the time