Do you collect, use, or both?

[ACHË]

Collector AND User

I use and carry every Multi-Tool, Knife, Flashlight, Watch, Bag, etc in my collection.

Normally I try to keep everything looking as close to new as possible and thus limit the amount of hard use some models get; like BO versions of knives & multis which would get that 'beat up' look quickly, but no shelf queens on my shelfs.


It helps that I don't own any 'One Of'  or  'Special/Collector/Anniversary' editions of anything.... Those... I wouldn't use.

[Charger]

I am a user of a few different MT's
I think something that shows me not so much to be a collector is that I traded away a spirit .  Who does that??? 

That said, I would love some items that are "important" in MT history.  I would love to have a PST.  I would also like to try a paratool.  I'm a bit of both: as I sit and look at my charge ALX, I debate cashing it in and getting some add ons for the wave I have coming (bit kit, extender, UTA), or try and score a few older tools for it (PST, Para, supertool).  I want to be aware of other offerings, so I tried the spirit.  I would also like to try a powerlock or other SOG to educate myself. 

Is it a collection or a journey?

[ACHË]

".......I traded away a spirit .  Who does that???  ....."

 

[Mate]

Me do both 

[Benner]

I am a user although I have collected a lot of them.

What I have done over the last few weeks is put aside everything I haven't used for the last few months.  These will all now be sold whether I like them or not.  I just don't see the point nor want to keep anything I have no use for (gifts not included).

[P35]

Both, use a Skeletool every day at my work.
Carry a Farmer as part of mt EDC.
I have over 60  different SAKs in my collection.

[Mercury]

I guess it really is a journey.  BTW Charger, I too traded away my spirit.  I miss it.  But I am trying to experience all sorts of MT's, so it's all good.

[David]

Both but I`m mostly a user. I have very few that will never be used while I own them. Every thing else is fair game. But I have many more than I can ever use so many will sit there and wait to be fondled on occasion.   

[daveim21]

I do both as well.

[Deere Man]

I would say that I collect users.    I've got about 10 LMs, a Spirit and a Farmer.  In my mind, that's a collection becasue it's more then I can concievably "use." Out of those 12 or so, I only regularly use 3 or 4, but I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them. 

I only buy tools that I think I will find useful in some way.  For example as cool as they are, I would never buy a Flair or a Mini tool because I know I'd never use them.  Tools like my PST don't see a lot of use, but it's still a great tool with components that I find useful, and it's a piece of MT history.  I just have other tools that fit my needs better, so I carry them instead.  I do have a hard time letting go of tools once I buy them or have them gifted to me.  So, over time my collection of users is likely to continue growing. 

You mentioned flashlights, and that's a whole different story for me.  Right now I have about 3 high quality LED flashlights and that's all I can bring myself to buy.  My Fenix L2D was worth every penny, but a newer model is over $60.  When my L2D dies or gets lost, I'll certainly buy a replacement, but flashlights cost too much to collect these days. 

Just my $0.02

[Paul]

Both 

[AHB]

Collecting, with a few users.. 

[Jmora]

I have bought some stuff to use, but then decided they were too nice to blemish - my spirit for example. Other stuff I have bought for EDC but have had no use for, I'm still waiting for the opportunity to save the day with a SAK woodsaw. I envy some of the people on this forum that they get so much more opportunity to use their MTs and knives in their professions, I'm just a student (+ waiter), so most of my EDC can be achieved with a 2 layer SAK. I like collecting pretty SAKs too, finding a rare bargain somewhere is fun.   

[PyroJames]

Good topic.  I've become both a collector (when budget permits) and a user.

[joebw]

Hi,

Both for me.

Cheers - Joe

[asupernothing]

I would have to say that I am definitely a user and not a collector. I do have a growing collection, since I came across this website my collection has grown from 2 MTs to about 9. The only tools/knives I have that I have not used are my spare k503 (since its discontinued i need a spare) and my newest purchase the skeletool cx. I bought the skeletool on impulse and honestly don't see myself ever EDCing it. I am keeping it for when I need something light, stylish and compact to carry while suited up, but I have not worn a suit since I bought it.
Other than that every tool I have get used heavily.

The fact that I don't really collect is probably the only reason I haven't re-acquired a KF4.
The next tools I need to get are the crunch and then possibly the supertool.
I see myself using the crunch quite a bit, and the supertool just to try it out.

Oh well thats where I am at.

[Mercury]

I don't see the point in collecting when you don't have much cash.  I spend all my extra cash on EDC gear, so each tool needs to get used or sold.  I am keeping a select few Leathermans though, because I like them and rotate them through my EDC.  I also have a few SAK's that get a lot of use.

[lovenhim]

I live on a fixed income because of my eyesite.  That is not how I want it, however that is just how it is.    I try and make every bit of money count.  I only buy what I need, so for example for my use one of the best multi tools I own is the Leatherman Wave because it fits my needs the best.  Would I collect if I could afford to, I am not sure.  I have always been a person of basics.  I still have a 26 inch CRT 15 year old TV.  Why you may ask, because it still works and gets the job done.  Now I want a Vic Swisstool, but I do not need one.  I want a BO multi so I can see what they are all about.  For my dayly uses I find it hard to beat my Wave and Fenix LD01.  No the LD01 is not my favorite light but it works and gets the job done.   

[Shane769]

I would have to say that I am most definitely a user, and not at all a collector. Even when I had 2... 2 Leatherman tools, I always used them both. Surge (lost) for everyday work, heavy duty stuff, and CX for my mountaineering and camping. Only 1 fixed blade (lost), 1 folder (lost aswell) and like 3 SAKs, all used a lot.

[Silentsniper441]

I mostly use, since I only have 2 working multitools ATM.
Though I would like to collect, my mom says I have a knife obsession and it's disturbing.  If only she knew about the people here!

[Mercury]

I mostly use, since I only have 2 working multitools ATM.
Though I would like to collect, my mom says I have a knife obsession and it's disturbing.  If only she knew about the people here!

Ahem.  You should introduce your mom to Chako.  Once she see's what he has, she will never bug you again... 

[Styerman]

Most deff. a user , only three plier based tools , a few SAK's and one Tacticool . At one time I had between 50 and 100 pieces , not to mention over 20 Surefires etc etc . Now I only have what I actually use .

Chris

[sawman]

If I had a collection like Chako's, I would build a tool museam and charge admission 

[jan.]

I am a user of my leatherman charge ti, that is my only multitool I own for 3 years now.
And I am a EDC user of my alox DAK KL92 for 15 years now and before that I used the older KL75
from my military duty time.
But one month ago I started to collect alox SAKs, only for showcase use.

The SAK KL92 I buyed them 15 years ago very cheap in a 25 pieces box at an armydumpstore and have them everywere in the house and in the barn and at work in the toolbox, in my pocket and so on.
But the last time I count them I have only 6 left at the moment now because when I had so many, I was not careful with them and many are give away to friends and are stolen at work and so on.
I have 3 in use now and 3 new I don't use and take care.

[Chako]

There is no difference between collecting MTs, SAKs and even knives from stamps, coins, and whatever. At least, the MT and SAK collection can be most useful if you ever decide to get MacGyverish.

[Turnstone]

I use what I have. I have a tight budget at the moment, but it could be worse. Just started working again one day a week after being unemployed for two years which means that I have at least a little bit of money which I can spend 

I am looking for tools and SAKs that I can use. I love to have the right tool for every occasion, so I end up with lots of different things. The Farmer for garden work, the Cadet for days when I need something elegant and unobstrusive, the Huntsman lite for "you never know what you might need" in my backpack, the Manager on my keyring as a trusty companion, Pioneer or Soldier as EDC, a Classic in my toilet bag mainly for nail care and because of the tweezers...
A small set of Opinels mainly for food (best kitchen knife replacements for outdoor use and for the holiday home where you find only bad and edgeless knifes in the kitchen).
A Leatherman tool for the few occasions where I need the pliers or the file.

But still I find that I lack the perfect one for special tasks. I am wanting a Compact as a compact EDC knife, a Cybertool because I don't have anything with bit holder, a Sentinel because I want a locking knife which is not OH (I have a nice Benchmade Griptilian Mini, but can't EDC it), and something with a pruning blade because people tell me that it's great for garden work. And I am afraid I find more knifes and more reasons to get them and use them when I have the budget to buy them. I already fell in love with colored Alox. I don't need a blue or red Farmer, but I want them. I guess that's the point where "collecting" starts, even when you plan to use them 

The only SAK that I don't use is the Huntsman which belonged to my grandfather.

[Mercury]

Yes, the alox soldier is a great EDC knife.  I also like the Explorer for days when I don't feel like carrying my Leatherman, but want to be prepared.

[BlueDot]

I tried collecting supermodels, but I spent all my money on leather pants and needed to switch to something cheaper.  Multitools and SAKs fit the bill wonderfully! 

Def

 
Sorry, but did you eat paint chips when you were little?

[6thtexas]

I use what I have, although I have more than I need and I wind up rotating Mts and knives.

It's just getting harder to justify the purchase of something else, especially with money a little tight right now

[Coert]

I collect and use. 

What I have so far:   Leaterman:  Juice S2, Core and Fuse.  Also a couple of SAK's and some other knives. 

I cannot just collect.  I have to use.  I have to see that what I bought was worth the money and the wait.