Given that this site is "iKnifeCollector", I think it reasonable to assume that most of the members have a "Steel Addiction". Sure, some only have a little "itch"...while for other folks, it is a full-blown case of Chicken Pox. I probably fall into the latter category. My "Steel Addiction" isn't restricted to one or two types of knife design; it covers a pretty wide range. From old-fashioned pocket knives to modern "tactical" folders to fixed blade knives, I pretty much "dig them all". From "high-value" blades that weigh in very lightly on the old wallet, to one-of-a-kind customs, never has the knife realm offered more for a collector than it does today.

With knives being manufactured from many parts of the world, the number of great options available to the collector is staggering. Additionally, manufacturing technology has improved by leaps and bounds; this allows for a consistency of product that was previously unreachable on a wide-spread level. That said, a well-built, hand-assembled 50 year-old pocket knife may display a level of fit and finish that can't be obtained purely via machinery.

Like many collectors, I first was "bitten" by the knife bug as a small boy. My first knives were a Buck Cadet, an original Swiss Army Knife (which, technically, qualified as my first "multi-tool"), and an older Buck fixed blade hunting/outdoor knife. Somehow...and I wish I knew how, of those 3 starter knives, I was able to keep the Buck Cadet and the Buck fixed blade. Unfortunately, I failed to keep the Swiss Army Knife. Over the years, my collection grew, and grew...and grew...and continues to grow. Today, I have a collection that encompasses all kinds of different designs.

As a collector, the method to my addiction has altered over time. Initially, my approach was purely based upon happenstance; if I had the means and wanted the blade, I'd pick it up. Over years of collecting, my approach developed...and now I predominantly try to collect in series. From pocket knives to tactical folders to large fixed blade knives...certain, specific aspects will draw me in. I get a great sense of satisfaction when a specific collection series is "complete". This, of course, doesn't mean that I don't acquire blades purely on impulse; sometimes I'll trip over a deal that is too goodl to pass up. Typically, I build "Wish Lists" for my blades and methodically work on acquiring the various blades on the list. This method seems to work well and I recommend it highly to anybody that is really serious about building a larger collection. I also record all my knives into a spreadsheet. Fortunately, today's technology allows me to link these things (OneNote and Excel work especially well for this).

Of course, if you tend to keep your blades rather than "catch and release", figuring out a storage system becomes a necessary part of "collecting". This is yet another area where modern technology has provided some very good "help" for a large-scale problem. Frankly, prior to watching Nutnfancy's video on the subject, my method was as frustrating as it was helpful. Having gotten my growing collection "corralled", I can now focus my attention on to my Wish List.

8/19/2009: Here's a little update. I've ordered a couple of great Emerson designs; a CQC-15 and a CQC-7. I tend to be VERY fond of Emerson's blades. I can't wait to get them in...as the Emerson monkey is on my back big time. On a more immediate note, I just received my CRKT Elishewitz Pharoah in black. I already had the standard model...and the black one completes that part of my collection. Again, a very satisfying part of collecting blades is the pursuit of various models. Oh...and if I've neglected to say this, for anyone that likes the CRKT Elishewitz collaborations (Anubis, Pharoah, E-lock)...owning a custom-made one-of-a-kind Elishewitz is an amazing thing. My custom Anubis is my favorite blade...and for a variety of reasons.

8/20/09: Friends, Romans and Countrymen, lend me your eyes. The Emerson CQC-15 that I've so eagerly been awaiting is now here! As is typical of Emerson Knives, the CQC-15 is truly an EXCEPTIONAL FOLDING KNIFE. From the impeccable design concept to the high-quality materials to the fit and finish; this blade is a remarkable knife...even for an Emerson. The blade shape is an interesting hybrid of clip point and tanto. In essence, this shape provides the wielder with the best of both worlds! The handle's shape provides an incredibly secure grip while the perfectly textured G10 provides the perfect level of gription. The size of this knife is what I would classify as a large folder...albeit at the smaller end of "big". For my hands; this is "just right". Additionally, though it hides in the dominating shadow cast by the CQC-15, I also picked up another larger folder...the Benchmade HK Ascender. Truly, a great value for $50-$60 range. Nicely made (of course...it is a Benchmade...though from the RED class), this knife provides the user with some subtle elegance via the classy logo markings on the handle and the blade (mirrored logos). Though the blade is quite large for a folder, it deploys super, SUPER fast. Additionally, this knife came VERY sharp right out of the box. Definitely a high grade for this imported blade!

9/01/90: Well, after a little fixed blade binge, I've picked up a trio of Ontario Knife Company blades. Two from the Ranger series; the RD-4 and the Ranger Assault Knife. I've posted photos of these on my page. Take a good look at the RD-4. This is one extremely serious fixed blade. With 1/4" thick 1095 steel, nicely shaped micarta handle scales, full tang construction, nice jimping on the blade's spine and a serious heavy duty lanyard loop (the most extreme that I've ever seen). It comes with a good sheath (could be better, though). The Ranger Assault knife is quite a bit different from it's stocky brother. The blade's materials are the same as the RD-4, but the steel's thickness is less...the handle shape is less...and it really is a much, much faster blade. The choil allows for the most "choking" up that I've ever encountered on a knife. The last of the trio is the TAK-1. Of the three, this is the little one...but it really is an ideally-sized knife. Well made, good materials and only one serious detraction (it is lacking jimping on the spine of the blade). I also picked up the Benchmade Nimravus. Impressive, sleek self-defense blade. In keeping with typical Benchmade standards, the workmanship and materials on this knife are top-rung. I recently ordered a Tom Brown Tracker and am looking forward to adding that to the collection. Eclectic...but perhaps surprisingly useful in the bush...we'll have to see.

9/07/2009: I received my Tom Brown Tracker...and am surprisingly pleased. The version that I have is the T2...the smaller knife (though at 9 1/2" long, it is definitely not a small knife). The workmanship and detailing are exceptional. The carefully sculpted linen micarta handle scales have an incredibly ergonomic design and fit the hand very well. The logo work on the handle and the red line at the inside of the scales add a nice level of detail. The 1095 blade steel is very carefully shaped. I didn't measure the thickness of the steel...but it looks to be 3/16". The cutting surface of the blade offers up an interestingly utilitarian combination of slicing, stabbing, and chopping. While many "survival" knives can be used to "chop"...the blade shape of the Tracker makes it much more effective at this particular task. Though not as effective as an axe...it certainly works better than just about any knife out there. The spine of the knife is equally unique in that it features a broad saw-tooth design. The teeth of this saw are most certainly VERY sharp...though their breadth might make them impractical to saw with. Up near the base of the handle, the spine has a nice thumb ramp that features very functional jimping. The blade is covered in an aesthetically pleasing black powder coating. A dual purpose finish, the coating looks "great" and provides protection for the 1095 steel. And...once again...the logo work on the blade is wonderfully detailed. The sheath that comes with the knife is...interesting. Well made...the sheath holds the knife firmly...so firmly that the saw teeth on the blade's spine tend to remove some material when drawing the knife. The sheath features a very odd double belt clip (metal). Both clips will rotate to provide the wearer with different carry options. Though well made, I find the sheath to be a little oddly designed. All in all, I was very pleased with this knife and am happy to have it in my collection.

9/12/2009: As all of you Steel Addicts know, the "addiction" will come and go in waves. Lately, it is rather "strong" for me and I've added some nice knives to my collection. Chief amongst them are four Emersons; a CQC8 Horseman, a A-100, a super CQC7 and a CQC7SF (stonewashed finish on the blade). As should be the case, I am impressed with each of these knives (proof that some things really are still "right" in this part of the universe). I also picked up a Spyderco Military with black blade and digicamo handle. I am VERY impressed with this knife. Past these 5 wonderful pieces of steel, I also picked up a trio of Benchmades; a Mini Dejavoo, a Griptillian 551 and a Mini Skirmish. Again, as one would (and should) expect of Benchmade; all three knives are superb. That said, the Mini Dejavoo is the one that really has me "wowed". Frankly, this is a little bit of a surprise; when I originally looked at the Dejavoo knives, they didn't ring my bell AT ALL. Now...it would be accurate to say that I'm smitten with the Mini Dejavoo! As is often the case with any really good BINGE...my new acquisitions didn't stop here. I picked up two new KaBars; a Mule Tanto in Foliage Green and a Marine Combat also in Foliage Green. Yes...I have a "thing" for the black blade and foliage green combination. And, last but most certainly NOT least, I added yet another large Ontario fixed blade to the family; the RD6. I've had the RD4 for about a month...and have been amazed by it. So...when the chance to pick up the RD6 came across my path, I just HAD TO. The RD6 is one seriously intimidating survival knife. 1/4" 5061 steel with that crazy and positively brutal-looking lanyard ring. Of course, I've posted photos of most of these...to share my most recent bout of steel fever with you. Oh...what a GREAT time to be a knife collector!


9/18/2009: Well...as is the case with any strong addiction, you can only go so long before you need a fix. Got my latest fix with some nice, new additions to the Steel Family; the TOPS Tom Brown Jr. Tracker T1 (the big guy!), a TOPS Interceptor and the Benchmade Dejavoo 740. All superb examples of production blade craft! Frankly, with my recent interest in TOPS, I'm rediscovering the joys of 1095 steel. That and I'm really getting my Micarta handle scale groove on. Never seen better workmanship on handle scales. Simply brilliant! And...to soothe my folder fixation, I picked up the larger Benchmade Dejavoo 740. I picked up it's little sister...the 745 Mini on the 12th and simply fell in love. So...I just had to get the full-size version as well. Also...like I've mentioned in previous posts, it feels "GREAT" to complete certain parts of my collection; now I have both Benchmade Dejavoos. Va-va-va-voom, baby!

9/26/2009: And the TOPS collection continues to expand. My newest acquisition is the Loner. This awesome medium-sized fixed blade features a reverse-tanto point that makes it an awesome cutter. The ergos of the knife feature an S-shape, running from the tip of the blade to the butt of the handle. Well machined jimping provides additional control at the spine of the 1095 steel blade. As is always the case with TOPS knives, the linen micarta handle scales are perfectly done and feature a white spacer between the scales and the blade steel; an excellently detailed element. The TOPS logo is perfectly done on the handle. One of the more aesthetically appealing aspects of this knife is the polished top swedge that contrasts so perfectly with the black powder coated lower portion of the knife. In addition to this fantastic piece of cutlery, I picked up the OKC RD-9; what a MONSTER of a blade! As I'm on a bit of a fixed-blade kick, I also added a RAT RC-4 to my collection. What an ideal carry knife for day hikes! Looks like that will be my companion on the bigger hikes! Last, but absolutely not least, I finally broke down and got a BRKT Bravo I. What an amazing knife! Truly a beautiful blade, there is so much to it underneath those striking good looks. A 1/4" thick steel blade provides serious cutting power and strength. As a mid-sized knife, this blade is relatively light and feels extremely fast in the hand. It came with a nice kydex sheath. So...with all those nice additions to the family, I'm basking in a little slice of steel paradise!