Be careful what you wish for.

[powernoodle]

Thesis:  after you buy everything you want, there is nothing left to buy.  You can quote me on that.

I bought my first MT in 1989.  I was in my first year of law school, and received an A in contracts.  No small feat.  I rewarded myself with a Leatherman Mini Tool.  I knew nothing about MTs at the time, and can't remember why I picked the Mini or where I bought it.

That started my journey.  Fast forward 27 years, and I now own virtually every MT I could possibly want.  Dozens and dozens of them.  Multiples from Leatherman and Victorinox and SOG and Gerber.  Duplicate after duplicate.  I once bought a case of Gerber MT 600s - just because.  I own 6x Gerber Dimes, and about the same number of PS4s.  Powerlocks and Spirits and Cores.  At least 10x Waves and Supertools. If I've ever wanted it, I now own it.

I've run out of stuff to buy, and its sorta sad.  It is by no means a real problem, like sickness or divorce.  I know that.  I'm not complaining.  I'm just saying to be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.

I almost envy the guy with 1 or 2 MTs.  He still has his MT dreams still ahead of him.  For me, much of the fun is the hunt, the web surfing, the window shopping, the decision making, the purchase, and the anticipation of arrival.  Having basically run out of MTs left to covet, I have to transition to a different level of MT love.  Slowing down a little, noticing what I'm doing, and appreciating the MT on my belt.  Being thankful for what I have, and not merely coveting the next and the next MT.  Remember that there are actually people in this world who could never afford an MT.  Billions of them.

Consider applying the experience of my 27 years to your station in life.  Slow it down a little.  Maybe don't covet every MT you run across.  Enjoy the process and be thankful.  In the land of the empty-handed, the man with one MT is King.

 

[sak60]

Well said. 

[ColoSwiss]

Are you SURE you have everything? Go look at some of Chako's posts.

[ThePeacent]

Nice writing!
I hope you still get satisfaction from your MTs for years to come.
I started kinda the same journey ten years ago, and I feel I am also reaching a limit after having, testing, selling and buying almost every MT available out there.

But, finished or not, the long hunt will always leave good memories and experiences not to be forgotten.
Have a nice day!

[powernoodle]

This does not just apply to MTs.  I have pretty much maxed out with SAKs, knives, guns and Maxpedition bags too.  I will buy an occasional new toy, and am constantly on the lookout, but it is increasingly rare.

[powernoodle]

Are you SURE you have everything? Go look at some of Chako's posts.

I don't own one of everything like Chako, but do own one (or several) of everything I want.

And I forgot flashlights.  Tons and tons of those too.  They were my first love.

[dks]

you need to go into Watches, Cars, Quadcopters, Wine, Stamps.......

[dks]

   TC Barlow knives

[kirk13]

I can empathise with what your saying. In Multitool terms,there were two moments of true enlightenment for me.

The first was getting a Spirit from 59ft-trad. For me personally,it's pretty much the best Multitool.

The second was that I enjoy using Sideclips and PSTs more than any other multi. It's not to say I don't carry or use other tools,but those are the ones I keep going back to.

As far as SAKs go,I'm more interested now in getting older knives that need some TLC,and bring them back to use.

On the same note,I've learnt so much while being a member here,there's not a great number of surprises or major discoveries to be made,but the craic is so good I'll be here for a long time to come!

[powernoodle]

you need to go into Watches, Cars, Quadcopters, Wine, Stamps....... TC Barlow knives

All good stuff.  I own a couple of Seiko Monsters, but I love my atomic G-Shock so much that everything pales in comparison.  For me, the atomic function is more fun that the man-jewelry function of expensive watches.

As for cars, I bought a restored 1969 Chevy CST-10 pickup about 10 years ago.  Incredible truck that turns heads. Yesterday, I got it appraised so I can sell it.  Its like a boat - you love to buy it, and love even more to sell it. 

Quadcopters?  Heck yeah. Want one.

Wine, stamps and TC Barlows?  Eh, not my thing.  I toyed the buying a TC Barlow after studying them on Bladeforums, but just can't bring myself to pay $160 for a knife on the secondary market that was purchased the day before for $80.  And though I own a drawer full of traditional knives - probably 40 of them - I'm really not that into them.

I'm sure I'll find my next obsession, or come back to an old one.  After buying 11 Glocks several years ago, I have rediscovered them recently, and the fun it back.  I pocket carry a Glock 43 now.  So it goes.

[dks]

Invest in coloured alox 

There should be some 14 TC Barlows coming soon. The older ones were 15 frame.

I wanted to get rid of a 40 year old car that I haven't used properly for a decade, but though it started fine some electrics need working on...

[ReamerPunch]

The hunt is exciting alright... 
There's a ton of stuff I want.
I don't even own a Gerber or SOG multi-tool yet. And Bear&Son, a Paladin, and anything else I am unaware of now.
I'll get there, though. I remember ordering a SwissChamp with a Micra, thinking "I'm set. No more".
Boy, was I wrong...

[Brock O Lee]

Mr Noodle, I appreciate guys like you who are fully committed to a hobby like this. You provide a valuable service by posting about your hard-earned real-world experiences with these tools. As a result of your diligence, I can limit my purchases to only the few tools that received exceptional reviews !   

[Biker_Bob]

Alexander The Great had the same problem, and the Buddhists know a thing or two about this situation.
My big obsession is bikes, but I realised years ago that it's the thrill of the chase that is enjoyable, finding that rare bike is much more enjoyable than the actual ownership of it.
There is no cure easily attainable.

[anditsgone]

You can switch to folding knife collecting. There are thousands of different models instead of the hundreds of different mt,s.

[Aloha]

Alexander The Great had the same problem, and the Buddhists know a thing or two about this situation.
My big obsession is bikes, but I realised years ago that it's the thrill of the chase that is enjoyable, finding that rare bike is much more enjoyable than the actual ownership of it.
There is no cure easily attainable.

There is really something to this in many of life's pleasures. 

I started pretty aggressive and obtained most of what I was after within the first year I began.  I do still have a few I'd like to stumble upon but I am not actively hunting. 

I really enjoy coming here and seeing all the new toys you all get and every often I happen upon a gem at the flea market. 

I haven't hunted on flea bay in a long while.  That place is a bit of a thrill as well. 

[Barry Rowland]

You know, I agree.  I don't have many at the moment, but life was sure "easier" when all I had to do was throw that Huntsman in my pocket or my lone PST.  Maybe Solomon was right....

That being said, I do love the thrill of a new one showing up!

[ToolJoe]

I find myself being happy with just my Crunch as my only MT..

[magentus]

Maybe, if it's the hunt that does it for you, you could give them away/sell them and start again?

There's a great line in 'Between Angels and Insects' by Papa Roach which says, 'The things you own, own you', and I am very aware of that.

[ducttapetech]

Sounds like you need a motorcycle or two.

That's us mobile

[pfrsantos]

Got an idea for a new colection:

Show content

Not very easy to find, hence more appealing...

Show content

How about...

Show content

 

[Chako]

Agreed, a motorcycle is much needed here. 

[ducttapetech]

Agreed, a motorcycle is much needed here. 

Amen! Show him some pics of that sweet bike of yours. That'll hook him.

That's us mobile

[HarleyXJGuy]

Read this whole thread and all I can say is...

How much for the truck?

[firiki]

Thesis:  after you buy everything you want, there is nothing left to buy.  You can quote me on that.

[...]

[Poncho65]

I still have many tools to get to feel complete in "my collection" but I have slowed way down and get what I want at the time but watch out for any deals on what I really want

If you don't mind some hard work Powernoodle and you have a little piece of unused land grow a fruit orchard You can never run out of different variations with that It is fun to watch them grow as well, plus you get some good old fashioned outdoor time and after a few years you get rewarded with the fruit You have plenty of different types of fruit to pick from, trees, bushes, vines etc. and each type has unlimited variations nearly

Now all I need is a LM Genus

  A Hybrid or a Vista would also do

[pfrsantos]

Agreed, a motorcycle is much needed here. 

Amen! Show him some pics of that sweet bike of yours. That'll hook him.

That's us mobile

Shalom! Show him some pics of that dude bike of yours. That'll parcel him.

 

[ducttapetech]

I see what you did right there.

That's us mobile

[sawman]

We are on a very tight budget YET I still manage to squeeze in a knife/MT on occasion

[ducttapetech]

Sawman! Long time, no see!

That's us mobile