It's not a hobby, it's an obsession, a brief explanation of why I have so many knives

[T. Erdelyi]

Somewhere in general someone asked the question What knife got you started in this hobby? I never considered it a hobby, startin' out it was my Old Man buyin' me those same stamped steel multi tool keychains, the Old Man would give me one at the first rest area we'd stop at on the way to the annual family vacations, but it wasn't a hobby more of a habit. I'd get a new knife every year and break or lose it by the end of vacation.

Mid teens I started usin' knives for work and since I used it a lot I went through many Colonials and Imperials, most were used and abused to destruction till I got a Buck 303 and that was the first knife I bought and really liked, a hobby? Not yet but now it was more of a necessity and I became very protective of my knife, something I'd never felt before. I was more apt to cut something for you rather than give up my knife. I used that knife exclusively till I got my first real job at 17, then I had to find a knife more suited to my needs.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

As a tradesman I depended on my knife for a lot but my little Busk 303 wouldn't be up to the bigger jobs I had in front of me as a plumber so I shopped and saw everyone had the Buck 110s hangin' off their belts but I thought as a knife for skinnini' it was adequate and I knew many friends and their dads who had that familiar rectangular sheath of the 110s and Schrade's LB7s&8s, not me. I always had to be different and here was a turning point in what you call a hobby, (still not a hobby for me), at this point a needed tool for work. This was the point though where I researched a knife for the very first time.

I knew I didn't like the 110 and I wanted something better, a little bigger in the hand with some heft to it and a blade that I wouldn't be afraid to twist a little if needed. The 110 failed at all these things, actually it sucked at everything I needed it to do about the only thing it did consistently well was cut it's owners in the course of their daily duties. I wanted something better so I started lookin' into book, magazines, now this was late 70s early 80s so no internet but popular mechanics and the various hunting/camping/hiking magazines gave me a place to start.

Seemed like my only option was goin' to be a fixed blade and eventually I did add it to my tool set but I wanted a folder. My requirements weren't that tough, I wanted a lock back, stainless blade capable of holdin' an edge, even if I had to work on it a little to get there I didn't mind, I got pretty good gettin' a sharp edge on all the cheap knifes I had that when I got some good steel it was a breeze . The blade had to be between 3.75-4' thick enough to cut banding and heavy electrical wire and finally a sturdy pivot bolster set up and a handle that was big enough to fill my hand.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Without an internet it was a slow process but while at a hunting show I happened upon a table of a company called Herman's Sporting Goods I don't even know if they were anywhere else other than the east coast but they had some Schrades sitting on the table with the typical German stag handled hunters and folders but this one caught my eye, it had something called "Sawcut Delrin" scales, looked like saw cut bone but it had texture and the guy said it was impervious to blood and the combination with the SS blade made it a great folding hunter.

I was really likin' the drop point leaf shaped blade. It was thick, overbuilt in a time when there was no such term and I could open it with one have back when that wasn't an option yet. Wanna know what that knife was? It was the Schrade 51OT but it still wasn't a hobby. It did get me more interested in a brand name knife though and before long I had 6 Schrade knives but again still not a hobby, I had work knives and hunting knives and that was it. They all got used and I had no reason to look for other knives but I still read the hunting magazines and the increasing hiking wilderness mags and eventually the 1/4 year knife periodicals all the way up to the conversion to internet based magazines.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I guess this might be where it started to become fun, the beginnin' of a hobby, the 80s was where I discovered trade shows, Spyderco, Bench made and custom makers like Pat Crawford, Bud Nealy and way too many to list and this was when I began to see there were people who were really into knives, old and new alike.

I had read about a new knife Buck made and as I never bought a 110 I decided to buy this one, the 186 Titanium Folder. If I had to call it a hobby this would be the point and the 186 would be the knife that started it. The hobby phase didn't last long before it passed into obsession and that's where I am and have been for the last 30 years... Obsessed

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I think Spark has installed TL;DR software for us long winded members

 

[Sonnydaze]

...waiting on the next installment. I know about this kind of obsession...
You forgot to mention Blackie Collins...my first knife hero....

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I bought Blackie Collins Joggin' Buddy with the Thumbolt sheath release when it first came out there was an initial run of 500 iirc and they were white with a serial #, that was another obsession, to get all the colors or the Gerber International offerings when Pete Kershaw, Blackie Collins and A Mar were working together, I love the Al Mar influenced Silver Knight lock backs, so many variations to find. Yea, hobby is just too mild of a term, I collect rocks, that's a hobby now If I had a diamond cut off saw for cutting stones and a $1,000 rock polisher it's an obsession.

 

[JR88FAN]

I think it starts with an obsessive personality and goes from there.....

Most have us from a young age where into collecting, still collect or are involved in other obsessive hobbies, and have the cleanest most organized desks at work....or in my case, the most organized tools!

I am also certain that having this type of addictive and obsessive type of personality has led a lot of us to battle some demons....pick your poison.

Anyway, as long as you can find a balance where obsession and addiction don't cause financial or personal harm, them you can really enjoy a hobby such as knives.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

It's all about the hunt most times, chasin' down history, sometimes even with a good story to go with it. What ever it gets called it keeps me outta trouble... Most times.

 

[Tantu]

Haha, nice answer. I'll be honest, I was thinking for a good 40 seconds if I should call it a hobby, obsession, etc.

 

[22-rimfire]

Knives were always tools for me until the mid-1980's. I had a few folders that I carried regularly and they did the job. But my philosophy was I needed a knife available on a daily basis. I used them often.

Started going to gun shows or gun & knife shows around 1987-1990 as a friend at that time was really into it. Lots of knives at most gun shows I attended then. Picked up a few things, but mostly guns. I did buy a few handmade knives at maker's tables just because I liked the look of them. Didn't know anything about steel in terms of choosing. Noticed Randall knives at shows and a brother in law loved Randalls and I liked what he had. So, I got some Randalls.

To this day, I honestly don't need a fixed blade for anything I normally do. But after the Rambo movie (First Blood) I HAD to get a survival knife. I knew the repos were mostly junk and never bought an actual 'Rambo knife. The survival knife happened and the Randalls also worked for that if I chose to use them. I considered them to be very expensive costing as much as many firearms. Knife or Gun.... usually chose Gun. Now I choose knife.

I don't think I have an obsession with knives. But I really like them. After joining Blade Forums, the threads opened my eyes to what was available and I became interested in just buying knives to try out or just because I wanted them. That continues. I seldom buy a knife that I "know" that I will not use going into the purchase. But by default, many don't get used and it doesn't bother me a bit.

I respect the history aspect of knives, and I have purchased a few older blades, mostly because I liked their regular production. It has not been about history. With guns, history has a lot to do with it. But it is not an overriding compulsion. New vs old.... usually bought new, but I learned to like the older ones that often seemed to be better made, especially revolvers.

Interesting history T. Erdelyi on the development of your knife hobby. I barely knew Black Collins. Met him at shows mostly. Same goes for Bill Moran and some of the other big knife guys that really had a significant role in developing the hobby.

 

[T.K.C.]

My Mom got me hooked on knives. We would go camping and fishing, and she taught the proper use of a good tool; a knife, and how useful having a knife was. I was 7. I have been hooked ever since.

What has been equally fun for ME, is being able to give my Mom some really good knives. She carries one that I gave her, as her EDC.

Thanks for the great thread.

 

[SW-EDC]

I can't wait until my next knife purchase even though I own a couple I really enjoy. I'm not obsessed with knives but I sure love EDC'ing one on me at all times and changing them up once in a while so I don't get bored carrying the same one. My wife understands why I carry but doesn't understand why I need another

 

[155440]

Out of curiosity, what knives do you carry the most? Top 20 or so of your collection? Cool thread.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've calmed down. I tend to go real hot on one "obsession" for a while, and then it wears thin and I find something else to research... It's a darned good thing; it can be exhausting.
Perhaps the reason that I "stopped" is because I've finally tried everything in knives that I wanted to try...over and over again. Many, many Spydercos, a lesser number of ZT's, all of the top steels that I'd heard of. Other brands, of course. A few customs also, and I wandered into fixed blades for a while also, for the exotic and gorgeous wood grips. For the most part, it's over.

Anyway, I'm pretty calm now. I've kind of settled on one folder for the past 16 months...a Brad Southard AVO, and it fits my hand and does everything that I need doing. It's not fancy; it's not the finest blade-steel, but I like the feel and size of it and my cutting needs are pretty casual.

I have a GB2 (love that M4) that I want to dremel a bit on the carbon fiber scale so I can more easily release the lock.
Just got in a ZT 0808 that I've wanted to try. It a nice design, a bit less than my five-ounce weight limit, and very well built. Sold lockup; no stick and the lockbar is solid at 40% as it should be. It sits on the dining room table...waiting for me to do something with it. Fortunately, I'm not in a hurry...

 

[Gary W. Graley]

We should make a T-Shirt

It's not a knife, it's an Adventure !

Which doesn't ever seem to end, I've said often that I have contracted the steel virus and there isn't a cure in sight. Or that my doctor said I need to get more iron in my blood, but for me, I do not remember when I got my first knife, but my grandma in West Virginia always reminded me of how she saw me one day, around 5 years old or so, sitting on the edge of a curb and rubbing a small jack knife against the concrete to sharpen it up...started early

The trouble I have is, I can't keep them, as to get a new one, I have to move an old one, just won't do credit nor take money from my day job for any of my toys, which makes it a LOT nicer in the house as my wife knows I go out of my way to save up money from leather work or knife sales to fund the next new sparkle I see, so there isn't any guilt, at least with the better half. The one trouble I also have is, I sell something to fund something and several years later, or sometimes months, I'll think "gee that looks great, I should give that another try! " and so I've purchased some knives multiple times...never learning my lesson, but for the briefest of moments, I'm happy

And that's key, being happy, that's a good thing to strive for!

So, Hobby? pretty strange one, I'd agree with you it's more of an Obsession/Addiction than hobby for sure!

G2

 

[pyrrha1]

I bought Blackie Collins Joggin' Buddy with the Thumbolt sheath release when it first came out there was an initial run of 500 iirc and they were white with a serial #, that was another obsession, to get all the colors or the Gerber International offerings when Pete Kershaw, Blackie Collins and A Mar were working together, I love the Al Mar influenced Silver Knight lock backs, so many variations to find. Yea, hobby is just too mild of a term, I collect rocks, that's a hobby now If I had a diamond cut off saw for cutting stones and a $1,000 rock polisher it's an obsession.

Careful collecting those rocks. I have been collecting (hoarding) Japanese naturals and Belgian coticules. I like my knives but I love my stones. I have way too many and have spent way too much but I'm sure that the next one that I have to have is just around the corner. I guess there is worse things to be spending money on [emoji2]

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Out of curiosity, what knives do you carry the most? Top 20 or so of your collection? Cool thread.

Current top 20 seeing the most carry in no particular order...

Sebenza

Lone Wolf/Loveless City Knife and the 2015 BFC Traditional Annual knife

Case/Bose Sowbelly

William Henry B10-P Lancet

1912 Union Knife works Moose...

2014 GEC Traditional Forum's annual Stag Jack

Swamprat Howlin'Rat...

Dan Koster Bushcrafter...

Nathan "The Machinist" Carothers Drop Point Hunter... and Dopic1's Osage pen to match Nathan's Osage scales.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Next 10...

Spyderco Dyad Jr given to me by Sal Glesser along with a SS Dragonfly

David Winston Damascus Keyring knife...

200+ year old Josef Sziraki handmade lobster Sleevboard...

80s EK model 5 Combat Bowie with homemade Oak Scales reclaimed from a chair leg that was thrown out at work.

First US made and first Spyderco Collaboration knife...

Custom made Bud Nealy Aikuchi in O1

Case/Bose Swayback Jack in Chestnut bone...

Custom R Cover Drop Point in Snakewood covers...

1920s Pre Eisenhower Case Green bone Pen

Custom Mad Hungarian by our own Matt "Charlie Mike" of CMFTW knives.

There are many more like the Chestnut Bone Sodbuster Jr that always goes out with the Swayback Jack similarly skinned or both my Old Man's hunting knife or my grandfather's work knife a Gerlach hawkbill pruner. Hopefully the 20 I posted answered some of your question.

 

[pyrrha1]

Beautiful Koster