Just accumulating or "trying new tools"?

[Aloha]

I've been on MTo since 2013.  When I got here I was already in full MT "collecting" mode.  I had a few SAKs and at the time found my go to tool, LM Wave.  I was partly wanting to try new tools as well collecting.  I later got a old style Surge but really wanted a new one.  I eventually got the new one and it easily became my go to tool.  As we all know new members are steered in the direction of the Swisstools and I got one of each.  I leaned more towards the Swisstool vs Spirit. 

In terms of SAKs my go to was my Wenger S10 or Recruit.  I got an Explorer Plus and this very quickly became my go to until I got my Swisschamp. 

Long story short, I accumulated many of the tools I had wanted to "try".  I'm still a huge fan of my Wave and Surge with my Swisstool not far behind.  As I read threads about certain tools ( OHT, MUT ) it inspired me to try them.  I am a fan of both and glad I continued to explore new to me tools. 

Are you just accumulating tools with no intention of actually trying them?  Pure collector pieces?  I'm a collector only of my JPSTs and Juices with zero intention of using them. 

Or are you accumulating with the potential of discovering a tool/s that may become users?   

[SteveC]

I use all my Multi tools and like to rotate through them. I do have my favorites and a couple that are my go to that I use for work.

[sawman]

Besides from a couple collectible folders and a few "backup" tools, I use all of my gear.

I owe MTO much thanks for what I do have, as you all have been a tremendous influence on what I buy/keep/sell.

[Zed]

Sadly i cant afford too collect mt's as expensive,so i trade everytime i want to try another,ive pretty much tried most now and happy where ive ended, if i did a list of all the mt's ive had it would be long,do i regret some ive traded hell yeah,but sadly this is the only way i can playvwith other mt's, now sak's thats another story, ive been gifted a few and accumulated many others,so i have become a bit of a sak collector  these are far more affordable here in the uk than most mt's, plus uk legal    and i do use most of my sak's, slipjoints another thing i love 

[Lynn LeFey]

I think I've pretty well finished major acquisitions. The tools I still have I've kept for comparison, and I honestly know I ought to just sell or trade a bunch of them away.

I went looking for the best tools (to me). I think I've found them. The odds of an improvement happening are mostly no longer worth the cost of finding out.

[TheDude]

I give most of them a go. Occasionally my EDC changes as part the process. I became a collector purely by accident.

[Zed]

I think I've pretty well finished major acquisitions. The tools I still have I've kept for comparison, and I honestly know I ought to just sell or trade a bunch of them away.

I went looking for the best tools (to me). I think I've found them. The odds of an improvement happening are mostly no longer worth the cost of finding out.

Same here lynn  ive pretty much ended my personal mt journey with what works for me,as for sak's    thats another horse of a different colour 

[comis]

Besides collecting SAKs, everytime when I need an excuse to get a new tool, I am always under the delusions that I will use it someday, but who am I kidding...

[Mextreme]

I think I've pretty well finished major acquisitions. The tools I still have I've kept for comparison, and I honestly know I ought to just sell or trade a bunch of them away.

I went looking for the best tools (to me). I think I've found them. The odds of an improvement happening are mostly no longer worth the cost of finding out.

I think I´m getting there slowly, after 30+ years.
Now I have a bunch, but 4-5 gets regular pocket wear.

[Syph007]

I collected all the ones I wanted, but only have 2 users.  Wave with upgraded blade, and swisstool spirit are all the MTs I actually use.  I have alot more user SAKs, but I cant see me buying any more of either MTs or SAKs for just collecting purposes.  The only new one that came out I want but dont have yet is the new switch plier.

[Marcellus]

A little of both after 50 years
I can't possibly use all this stuff  in  maybe 300 lifetimes

A lot of collectors who have enjoyed the study, use, and history of knives/tools   start to give away
knives  and tools to the  next generation  to enjoy

That said, gifting   an old  knife today  is different then in the 70's & 80's

[Higgins617]

iI got most of mine while looking for what suited me best. I found stuff I liked using, and stuff I enjoy owning. But it turns out that the best for me was probably the most straight forward and to the point multi on the market in the Rebar. Sure I still rotate my other stuff in because I enjoy them, but if you told me I'm going to have to get things done today, you will face some problems you'll need to take care of. I'm grabbing that with no second thoughts. I would still like to try a Surge, but my desires for an OHT have sort of waned after getting a good idea of the type of things I actually have to do. Plus it's not exactly a pretty tool, so you don't feel bad making it earn it's keep like I did with some of my rarer or nicer tools.

[gregozedobe]

I started out just looking for a user tool or two, bought some others to try out something different, then before I knew it I was a serious collector, buying tools I knew I was never, ever going to use    Still, it keeps me off the streets and out of bars, betting shops etc 

[Zephon]

I classify myself as "trying new tools" but since I've been OK with a Micra for like 14yrs already, my wife would say I'm just accumulating.

But that's the point of the matter -- I've never ventured into anything outside the Micra for 14yrs.  I've tried pairing it with a Rebar (no scissors on that) then went to tool + scissors.  Heard that Swisstools were great to I got an RS and Spirit.  I realized that I was just using those like SAK's so the plier-based ones would rather get assigned to the car and I'd just go get a pocketable SAK.

For the accumulating, I've never had a 111mm so I went to try one....then wanted to have it with scissors (even though I still have the Micra) which led to another then another....

Now I've been intrigued by that matte SAK with just a knife, scissors and just the basics and thinking of getting that.....

[leathermon]

When I came to the group I had no Saks, a few leatherman, and I thought gerber was a top of the line knife brand. I came here to find info on a no date code pst my fiance bought me. Since then I have 70 plus leatherman, 30 plus Saks, two swisstools, and for knives I now own spyderco, boker, Emerson, etc. I use and rotate almost everything. With the exception of the really rare stuff like gold plated pst, original "pocket survival tool".

[THE_LONGBOW]

I would say I use the new tools I buy, the old tools I buy go into my collection. In my opinion most of the newer decent tools are superior to use than older tools. At first I did use a few of my tools that are now in my collection, because I originally had no intention of collecting.

[Aloha]

I'm still having fun thinking about stuff I haven't played with yet.  I'd like to get a XLT but I hesitate knowing full well it will get played with then put away.  I cannot justify spending the money for that.

There are a few tools that I would like to try or at least handle.  I'm much like Lynn in regards to having found what I deem best tool for me.  I don't mind spending a few bucks to at least handle it.   

I went looking for the best tools (to me). I think I've found them. The odds of an improvement happening are mostly no longer worth the cost of finding out.

 

[Demel]

There are a few tools that I would like to try or at least handle.  I'm much like Lynn in regards to having found what I deem best tool for me.  I don't mind spending a few bucks to at least handle it.   

I went looking for the best tools (to me). I think I've found them. The odds of an improvement happening are mostly no longer worth the cost of finding out.

My sentiments as well. Certain tools have great "on paper" appeal but in hand are much different than expected. This could be good or bad. Knowing your needs and what you want in a tool can save you boat loads of cash. But it's also good to be able to say yes I tried ______ but it didn't work out for me 

[Chako]

I have already found what works best for me, so I mostly collect with the intention of just collecting these days. In the earlier days, I did buy pieces to explore their potential, and to see if we could get along with each other.

[Demel]

I have already found what works best for me, so I mostly collect with the intention of just collecting these days. In the earlier days, I did buy pieces to explore their potential, and to see if we could get along with each other.

How long have you been collecting? It's really amazing how large it is. Have you checked to see if you have a world record collection? Either way it goes I've always enjoyed seeing your drawer post or brand collection

[Steinar]

I seldom buy anything without potential to be a user, but I've long since passed the point where I could be in denial that I was collecting for the fun in collecting by itself.

[Mr Biriyani]

I seldom buy anything without potential to be a user, but I've long since passed the point where I could be in denial that I was collecting for the fun in collecting by itself.

That pretty much sums it up for me as well. And the number of tools has increased so even if I don´t have any real shelfqueens i tend to not use the since long discontinued tools as much because I have others.

[AimlessWanderer]

Everything I own or have owned was bought with the intention of using it, though I haven't actually used everything I bought. I have had a bad habit of acquiring quicker than I sold them, but it wasn't my intention to "collect" them, as ownership alone is not enough for me to feel benefit from them. My enjoyment has come from trying out different tools, and learning about what works best for me in different settings. I've now settled down in terms of tool use, and can now often see what might work or not (for me) in terms of tool load out or ergonomics, without having to make the outlay.

[derekmac]

I use everything in my collection.  I might carry certain items more than others, but they all get rotated in at some point.

[zoidberg]

I'm only here to collect. Bugs me how some people will actually use MTs and SAKs. Just who do they think they are. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I'm only here to collect. Bugs me how some people will actually use MTs and SAKs. Just who do they think they are. 

 

We actually DO have members who think it's unacceptable to use certain tools if they are deemed collectable. I'm slightly surprised I haven't been  for using a 25th Anniversary Wave. If any such members are reading this post, for your info it operates slightly smoother than a standard one, and I paid less than UK retail for it 


EDIT: 11,111th post 

[zoidberg]

I'm only here to collect. Bugs me how some people will actually use MTs and SAKs. Just who do they think they are. 

 

We actually DO have members who think it's unacceptable to use certain tools if they are deemed collectable. I'm slightly surprised I haven't been  for using a 25th Anniversary Wave. If any such members are reading this post, for your info it operates slightly smoother than a standard one, and I paid less than UK retail for it 


EDIT: 11,111th post 

 

[gregozedobe]

We actually DO have members who think it's unacceptable to use certain tools if they are deemed collectable. I'm slightly surprised I haven't been  for using a 25th Anniversary Wave. If any such members are reading this post, for your info it operates slightly smoother than a standard one, and I paid less than UK retail for it 


EDIT: 11,111th post 

Hey, it's yours, you do what you like with it, I don't mind.  Just don't whinge later if you decide to sell it and it's value has been reduced considerably because it was "used" rather than a pristine shelf (or safe) queen.      

Congrats on reaching such a large palindromic number of posts 

[dks]

I remember my 11,111th post.. 

[zoidberg]

I remember my 11,111th post..  (Image removed from quote.)

What was it?