Confession time .....

[AimlessWanderer]

I know I'm going to get a load of flak for this off a few guys but here goes ... 

After getting my new oak toolbox and loading it up with all manner of items, I set about getting some semblence of order in my growing array of SAKs. I got my pocket rotation down to a nice select few. These comprised of a Yeoman, 84mm Golfer, Original Outdoorsman (plus another "spare" in reserve"), Black Pioneer, Brushed Stainless Traveller, Brushed Stainless Pocket Tool Chest and Alox Rambler. On top of this I also have a few choice SAKs in key places dotted around, a couple of nice ones for formal occasions, and two large Wengers for garden and hiking/camping duties. This will probably sound excessive to many, but it nicely rounds out the assortment of SAK options I want for real life use. I could of course "manage" with less, but I don't want to or have to  Basically after a couple of years exploration and experimentation I'm really happy with the choices and I've got all the right SAKs for me where I need them  ... but I also had a load of additional crap that needed shifting too

There was quite a few knives in excess actually some of which were bought for parts for when (if ever  ) I try my hand at modding, and the rest had been bought to try but simply don't work for me. I don't like owning stuff just for the sake of it so I set all the ones for sale aside and segregated all the mod fodder into a little box for "another day". A fair few have already moved on actually, but there's still a pile I need to photograph and get listed for sale. There's nothing of any real value, but there's no reason for me to hang onto them either - time to offload! (I've pretty much done the same with my other multitools too)

That's the background story, now down to the matter at hand ... 

Initially I had put aside a Metal 50 for sale and a 60% Serrated Traveller for mod fodder. After a bit of thought I wasn't comfortable with this. Although I don't like owning stuff for the sake of it, I actually felt like I was getting rid of these for the sake of it. (just no pleasing some people ) I really liked carrying and using them as well as the brushed stainless version. I also knew there were other variations I wouldn't mind having a gander at too, so last week I decided to chase down and tentatively collect (Yes - 50ft-trad just used the "C" word"!!!  ) other variants of the Traveller. I recently received an Evowood 14 and a Classic 14 (in my pocket as I type), and I have others on the way including an Alinghi Souvenir and Wood 03.

The Traveller is the only SAK that has ever appealed to me enough to track down variants like this. It's such a great knife! As I've normally got a pliers based tool of some kind with a Phillips on me (or nearby) anyway, I've found the Traveller to be a perfect general use SAK, and there's a few really nice versions of it to be had. They'll not all just live in a drawer either, they'll all get used and carried, and for that reason I'm not tracking down variants like the Euro flag version which looks like it will just get wrecked in use  It looks really nice, but I'm still of the mantra that if "I can't use it, I don't want it!"

There is also a very good chance I'll get bored of the idea and ditch the bulk of them at some point  Several years ago, before I got into SAKs and multitools, I did actually (and purposefully) start collecting pocket knives. I got bored fairly quick and they too got culled more than once. I still have a few oddities which sit there as curios and some were kept as reminders of my own stupidity , and of course quite a few which get carried and used, but for now ... I guess my current fascination with the Traveller makes me a very small scale (and probably temporary) collector ... of sorts 

I just thought I'd get that off my chest 

As for SAKs I intend to keep and NOT use ... that number remains the same as before ...

ONE!   

[Mr. Whippy]

MTO: Making the unthinkable, thinkable.


 

[Grumpy]

Do any of the ones your going to sell have a mag/glass???

[AimlessWanderer]

MTO: Making the unthinkable, thinkable.


 

  Anything is usually possible with me anyway. I'm predictably unpredictable 

Do any of the ones your going to sell have a mag/glass???

Errrrmmm ....  .... I think so ... probably ...

Yes! Old Champion! Not sorted a price for it yet though. I need to have a mooch around at values and have a good look at the condition of it  That's the only one that comes to mind at the minute

[Northern Geek]

What version of the Traveler do you prefer?

Been thinking of picking one up to compare it against the Climber but I can't decide on the scales (or if it should be locking or not) yet.

[AimlessWanderer]

What version of the Traveler do you prefer?

Been thinking of picking one up to compare it against the Climber but I can't decide on the scales (or if it should be locking or not) yet.

Ask me again in a couple of months 

I've been carrying the brushed stainless one for the longest by far and that's the one that's got me hooked, but it's too early to comment on the others yet. A couple have only just landed, and the others I've found haven't arrived yet

[tosh]

Well Well,

 


Confession time indeed Al, When I think to the abuse you gave me not so long back for hinting the very thought................


Wait till I get the last few I'm waiting and chasing..    survivor 

hint hint........ SwissFlame, Hybrid, Juice Pro   

I'm goona do a photoshoot incorporating ALL if I can.

I'm truly envious of your wenger collection mate, really am. That S/S Pocketgrip just needs to be mine 

[AimlessWanderer]

It's all a bit half arsed though as far as collections go though, a few Travellers, isn't it - especially considering a few of 'em will arrive and I'll think "nah, I don't want that"  None of them will be safe queens either, so it's arguing with myself as to whether it counts as a proper collection (and I'll have probably got bored and moved them on before I make my mind up  )

Fingers off the Swissgrip mate  I've still yet to spend time with that one, but I think you mentioned elsewhere an interest in a Recoil ... I might be able to help you with that one   

BTW - I think that photo you're referring to didn't show the SBT60 (Business tool) which is another user  However, it does also show one that's on hold for when a kid is old enough, plus all the mod fodder and ones that didn't make the cut ... so it's all a bit misleading really - it's pre-cull

[KTesh]

MTO: Making the unthinkable, thinkable.


 

  Anything is usually possible with me anyway. I'm predictably unpredictable 

We, the unwilling, have been lead by the unknowing for so long and so hard that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing (for the ungrateful).

[Sparky415]

@Al,

 Never mind getting it off your chest!   lets see some pictures of your new chest please 

[Gareth]

I totally follow you on not getting rid of stuff just for the sake of it.  Like you I've got a load of SAKs that see little to no use right now, but you never know, at some point in the future I might rediscover the role I bought them for in the first place.

Add that to the fact none of it is really worth a whole load of cash and I'm just going to hold on to what I have.

Coincidentally I've got a Traveller in my pocket right now.

[AimlessWanderer]

I totally follow you on not getting rid of stuff just for the sake of it.  Like you I've got a load of SAKs that see little to no use right now, but you never know, at some point in the future I might rediscover the role I bought them for in the first place.

Add that to the fact none of it is really worth a whole load of cash and I'm just going to hold on to what I have.

Coincidentally I've got a Traveller in my pocket right now.

Surprisingly influential this place isn't it 

@Al,

 Never mind getting it off your chest!   lets see some pictures of your new chest please 

Yes mate  Still working on getting some organisation to it (and around it  ) first 

[nuphoria]

The first step is admitting you have a problem, the second is posting some bloody pics to prove it

[Gareth]

I totally follow you on not getting rid of stuff just for the sake of it.  Like you I've got a load of SAKs that see little to no use right now, but you never know, at some point in the future I might rediscover the role I bought them for in the first place.

Add that to the fact none of it is really worth a whole load of cash and I'm just going to hold on to what I have.

Coincidentally I've got a Traveller in my pocket right now.

Surprisingly influential this place isn't it 

@Al,

 Never mind getting it off your chest!   lets see some pictures of your new chest please 

Yes mate  Still working on getting some organisation to it (and around it  ) first 

I'd already pocketed it before reading this thread.  Honest.   I actually found it in my bedside table drawer and realised I'd not carried it in ages so thought I'd give it a go for a while.

[AimlessWanderer]

The first step is admitting you have a problem, the second is posting some bloody pics to prove it

 

I do have a problem Chrissy ... they're not bloody here yet   

Once they land, pics will follow 

I'd already pocketed it before reading this thread.  Honest.   I actually found it in my bedside table drawer and realised I'd not carried it in ages so thought I'd give it a go for a while.

I was thinking more of the Traveller vs Climber discussion HERE That was part of the motivation for me to pursue the other variations.

Heinz Doofenschmirtz is the culprit, he got me singing the praises of the Traveller line and then my wallet started to cry 

[papercut]

You need to get the alox traveller, it is mo better.

[AimlessWanderer]

The smooth alox versions look like they'll just get wrecked if carried/used, so unless I find one stupidly cheap I'll leave them alone I think. I'm sure I heard word of an enamel version (possibly the Gawain?) which I think should wear better, so I wouldn't mind one of those

[papercut]

Getting wrecked and scratched is part of the charm!  The Galahad I picked up for ~15 or so fits so well in the pocket.  I would prefer a cadet plus scissors, but that is not in the cards atm. 

[AimlessWanderer]

The reason I said I'd steer clear is I'm not paying premium price for a fancy coating which won't last very long. I'm all for a bit of wear and piccies of one that's seen plenty of use might sway me  and again, it depends on the price. The other versions I've gone for so far should age without actually getting/looking wrecked.

I think the Galahad has a locking blade which is another thing I'm steering clear of, but $15 is a cracking deal mate  If you see a non-locking version at a decent price, I'd appreciate a heads up