Psychology behind playing with your MT

magentus · **on:** June 19, 2014, 08:26:28 PM

I don't know how many of you do this; I'd bet it 's the majority of us, but when I'm at home or at work, every opportunity I get I'm holding my SAK (insert other MT here), opening and closing it, inspecting, or just keeping it in my hand.

It got to the point where I had to question why. I'm not hyperactive, I don't need to play with something the whole time and I'm very good at relaxing quietly. My hands don't 'need' to be busy.

After a bit of thought I reckon it's that, in an increasingly uncertain world (I live in the UK and without bringing politics into the mix, things are changing badly for the majority of us IMO (globally too)) my Swiss Army Knives are an anchor.

They are reliable and dependable, portable and extremely useful and my six SAK's are my favourite possessions.

So does this chime with anyone else?

kirk13 · **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:37:43 PM

I think you got the title wrong

Shirley you meant psychosis not psychology?

Seriously though, a story I recounted here before is at a point where there was some heavy smurf going on at work,I was having difficulty sleeping(very unusual for me), and when I did sleep,it was constant nightmares. Half waking out of one,I knew that if I had a SAK,I'd be ok. I grasped out onto my bedside table,grabbed a Tinker,curled up like a new born and fell into a deep restful sleep

magentus · **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:42:38 PM

Yup - you could be right about the psychosis (and don't call me Shirley) - my wife and daughter used to mention it as a strange thing, but I think even they're used to it now.....

I can relate to your tale - things have been tough workwise for the last few years (just coming through it now with a new job) and with my SAK in my pocket I feel better prepared for life. Silly really but it does make a difference.

I had an interview on Monday (for my great new aforementioned job) and I didn't want to go to the interview without a SAK - My usual Woodsman was too big in my poocket so I took my SI and I definitely felt more confident having it on me. Feels strange to admit it though!

enki_ck · **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:00:21 PM

It's a sickens I tell you!

Even typing this I have half a dozen SAKs and multis in reach and by now I can open any implement on any of my tools one handed from "practicing" opening it.

And we're all inflicted. It's so bad that we had to get a resident MTO psychiatrist. (Not even kidding.

) But I think by now he's fallen to the illness too.

He should be along shortly.

Our psychologist is currently away but does occasionally drop by.

Monrogue · **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:21:03 PM

It is indeed a sickness, but one with which I am happy to be afflicted

magentus · **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:23:23 PM

Quote from: Monrogue on June 19, 2014, 09:21:03 PM

It is indeed a sickness, but one with which I am happy to be afflicted

But my question is; What's it about?

Is it a comfort blanket? a touch-stone?

Monrogue · **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:27:34 PM

Quote from: magentus on June 19, 2014, 09:23:23 PM

Quote from: Monrogue on June 19, 2014, 09:21:03 PM
It is indeed a sickness, but one with which I am happy to be afflicted

But my question is; What's it about?

Is it a comfort blanket? a touch-stone?

For me at least, I think it's a combination of admiration, inspection/analysis and the fiddle factor. Sometimes I do like to keep my hands busy depending on if I'm just sitting and watching tv or whatever. I'm not sure if there's anything beyond that for me, at least on the conscious level I suppose. I just enjoy fiddling with them

scattergun13 · **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:34:30 PM

"Airplane" references? Very well played gentlemen. I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue...

Aloha · **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:45:07 PM

Whether it be MT/SAK/Blade/OPT/Light we know its limitations and know what its not limited to given our imagination. We have got ourselves and others out of jams and sketchy situations all with the tool at hand. In an ever changing climate, uncertainty, and daily variation of life we can rely on our tool to be a constant. We are limited within reason to what these tools can achieve yet some have gone over and above their stated specifications. With each success we gain confidence in our capacity to be self reliant. We may go weeks with out using our tools yet they hold fast and are on the ready for the call. This alone is a state of security and confidence that our day to day comings and goings cannot speak to. This layer of security is connected to our familiarization with our tools. The handling, the cleaning, the having in our possession is tranquility, peace of mind.

colt 1911 · **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:45:23 PM

Comfort factor for me, nothing worse then NOT having a Sak hanging in my pocket and MT on my side.
At home I seem to be always Tinkering with a MT or SAK.
Sak's rule !

tosh · **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:59:40 PM

Interestin'

I'm totally opposite, I buy something, it arrives, open the parcel then store it away!

I'm guessing a huge proportion of mine have never actually been opened, if I do open the box to check the correct one was sent, I very very rarely open the tools....if ever!!

So what's the prognosis there then ??

tosh · **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:01:20 PM

Interestin'

I'm totally opposite, I buy something, it arrives, open the parcel then store it away!

I'm guessing a huge proportion of mine have never actually been opened, if I do open the box to check the correct one was sent, I very very rarely open the tools....if ever!!

So what's the prognosis there then ??

Aloha · **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:03:27 PM

Quote from: tosh on June 19, 2014, 09:59:40 PM

Interestin'

I'm totally opposite, I buy something, it arrives, open the parcel then store it away!

I'm guessing a huge proportion of mine have never actually been opened, if I do open the box to check the correct one was sent, I very very rarely open the tools....if ever!!

So what's the prognosis there then ??

You don't have any tools you carry/use? I also have mostly safe queens and for those it's simply admiration of the tool and interest in the evolution of the tool.

magentus · **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:11:30 PM

Wow Tosh - If you don't mind me asking, what is your motivation? Are you collecting as an investment? Tell us more!

sawman · **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:17:33 PM

Quote from: tosh on June 19, 2014, 09:59:40 PM

Interestin'

I'm totally opposite, I buy something, it arrives, open the parcel then store it away!

I'm guessing a huge proportion of mine have never actually been opened, if I do open the box to check the correct one was sent, I very very rarely open the tools....if ever!!

So what's the prognosis there then ??

Unless I keep something new in the original package, I always open up and inspect the tools. I've had too many defective tools to just assume everything is alright.

I too store my tools away but I also frequently retrieve them and enjoy them. Otherwise, what would be the sense in owning them

tosh · **Reply #15 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:51:21 PM

Quote from: Aloha007 on June 19, 2014, 10:03:27 PM

Quote from: tosh on June 19, 2014, 09:59:40 PM
Interestin'

I'm totally opposite, I buy something, it arrives, open the parcel then store it away!

I'm guessing a huge proportion of mine have never actually been opened, if I do open the box to check the correct one was sent, I very very rarely open the tools....if ever!!

So what's the prognosis there then ??

You don't have any tools you carry/use? I also have mostly safe queens and for those it's simply admiration of the tool and interest in the evolution of the tool.

I began carrying a Gerber Balance sometime back, not really as a EDC but to back up my own view that MTs are pretty much just gadgets, as much as I marvel the ingenuity of the design of multitools I find them all limiting one way or another.

Quote from: magentus on June 19, 2014, 10:11:30 PM

Wow Tosh - If you don't mind me asking, what is your motivation? Are you collecting as an investment? Tell us more!

Don't mind at all, I was originally obsessed by US built multitools. Before joining I had only a wave (original) Spirit and an Explorer. I was fascinated by the complex engineering, so much so that both the wave and spirit lived in my sock drawer!! Far to grand to actually use

I wanted to add a few more and searching the web I stumbled upon MT'o the rest is history as they say. I don't know how many I own, but it's got to be a fair few these days

I'm really not interested in where it's going now. As I've said previously, to me the golden era has gone. I utterly adore the genuine US built stuff but truly hate the garish nasty eastern stuff that is now being churned out. Plus the latest garbage from LM (WTF??), Wenger replicates from Vic, Chinese SOGs (& Gerbers) etc etc....Yuk!!

I'll take heavy vintage US metal any day!

kkokkolis · **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2014, 11:33:23 PM

Very - very interesting indeed. There might be some more potential answers to this question. As always we should be sure to ask the right question in order for any answer to make sense. Is the "why" the proper word? Should the rationale follow deterministic viewpoints? Do we have any empirical data and, if not, how can we discern the value of any hypothesis?
For the moment I will answer "yes I do" and that's the reason I buy those tools, 10% to use and 80% to fiddle (and maybe 10% to have and store at this point). But I don't wonder about the "why", only about the "how".

powernoodle · **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2014, 12:58:28 AM

Quote from: magentus on June 19, 2014, 08:26:28 PM

So does this chime with anyone else?

I have pontificated brilliantly on this in the past.

There is a powerful connection between our toys and our psychology. To one degree or another, each of us has a train wreck between our ears. In order to anesthetize ourselves, we turn to golf, booze, drugs, porn, gambling, shopping, hoarding or whatever. Some of us turn to MTs and knives for the distraction. The internet browsing, the hunt, the purchase, the anticipation, the staring at the mailbox, the opening and the using all distract us from our inner demons. When that distraction wears off, we do it again. Its why I have 100+ knives, as many flashlights, and many dozens of MTs and SAKs. It is almost surely a mental illness, but I am okay with that. There are certainly other neuroses at play here, but distraction and anesthesia are its foundation.

I can stop whenever I want.

ironraven · **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2014, 01:14:51 AM

It's as simple as, I'm bored. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be doing this. I don't want to talk to this person. I'd rather being doing something, something that lets me feel like I've accomplished something. Something that gets me off my butt, and has me doing. Damnit! I am Man the Toolmaker, I want to use this tool to make another tool or repair a tool. I want to craft something and hold it up and have cubefarm victima bow their head rather than weep with shame that while they can do this, they chose to embrace their shackles and stay a slave to a job they hate and customers they despise.

And then I'm good little cubeslave and go back to work, knowing they broke me.

nate j · **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2014, 01:46:36 AM

I think it serves another purpose as well, especially with a new tool. Namely, it allows my fingers to become familiar with the MT, to learn its feel, balance, and implement locations by touch alone. Thus, it ultimately becomes more than just a tool in my hand; it becomes an extension of my will. Of course, this will eventually occur naturally with enough carry and use, but playing with it speeds the process along considerably.

Freaver · **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2014, 01:53:52 AM

Quote from: powernoodle on June 20, 2014, 12:58:28 AM

Quote from: magentus on June 19, 2014, 08:26:28 PM
So does this chime with anyone else?

I have pontificated brilliantly on this in the past. There is a powerful connection between our toys and our psychology. To one degree or another, each of us has a train wreck between our ears. In order to anesthetize ourselves, we turn to golf, booze, drugs, porn, gambling, shopping, hoarding or whatever. Some of us turn to MTs and knives for the distraction. The internet browsing, the hunt, the purchase, the anticipation, the staring at the mailbox, the opening and the using all distract us from our inner demons. When that distraction wears off, we do it again. Its why I have 100+ knives, as many flashlights, and many dozens of MTs and SAKs. It is almost surely a mental illness, but I am okay with that. There are certainly other neuroses at play here, but distraction and anesthesia are its foundation.

^^This! Might be the very best post I've ever seen here. And I can very much relate. Even though the finances doesn't allow me to have 100+ knives/MT/flashlights/whatever, I often do exactly what's mentioned here. Buy something - be it a gadget, knife, MT, light, zippo lighter, paracord - enjoy the waiting, rip open the mailbox when I get home from work, only to realize I'll have to wait a few more days, carefully, but anxiously opening the package, fiddle with the object, inspect it, use it, test it, only to then store it for later use/fiddling and move on to the next object.

Either that, or I just need something to distract me from the urge to smoke...

glorn · **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2014, 06:39:02 AM

OCD in my case. It manifests itself in one form as a psychological need for physical objects to provide a measure of perceived safety from the uncertain. Those objects can become somewhat fussed over and fetishized. I enjoy them on an aesthetic level as well as appreciating the engineering and industrial design. The function appeals.

But it is deeper than that.

The uncertain for me can be vague or even improbable.. more often it is merely mundane. By way of example, lacking toilet paper or hand wipes when I need them is difficult.

Equally so, not being able to repair a broken object, solve a problem that a tool renders easy but in a toolless state would be impossible, etc. These thoughts drive me to distraction, and worse.. The reality drives me to ritualistic madness.

So it is a complex combination of appreciation for and fetishization of the objects comprising the center of my material preparedness and comfort meant to avoid forseeable discomfort and inconvenience. (It just so happens that my "what ifs" greatly outpace my ability to rationally deduce necessity based on likelihood.)

The plus side is that I am also driven to mental preparedness. And I take reasonable care of myself physically. So all this fussing about isn't harmful in the long run. Perhaps merely uneccessary or wasteful of my time.

In short, I have OCD, I like multitools, and my shoulder hurts.

Aloha · **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2014, 07:00:13 AM

I was browsing the net and came upon Morimoto question and answers regarding his knife collection. Here is what was asked and what he answered.

Q: How many knives do you have?

(Morimoto) A: I use only three knives now. But in my hobby collection, I have about 150 knives worth more than $200,000. Maybe half of the hobby knives I use on very special occasions. Or when I’m stressed, I pull my knives out of their cases, look at them, and go “ahhhh.” It relaxes me.

It seems we may share similar feelings about our MTs. I know when I'm looking thru my collection I am relaxed. I take the time to go through each sheath and inspect them for signs of rust or whatever. I can simply touch and hold them and a few hours seem to disappear. We aren't all that different it seems. The one difference is what his collection is worth.

kirk13 · **Reply #23 on:** June 20, 2014, 09:35:20 AM

Does this happen to any of the rest of you?

You are sorting through,or just simply sitting playing with your collection,you stop,look,value the financial cost,and time spent acquiring it,then think of Comic Shop Guy,just as Springfield is about to be annihilated saying as his last words 'LIFE WELL SPENT' ?

No?

Must be just me then