How many here are "real" collectors, ie more than just an enthusiast?

[Mr. Whippy]

Just curious.

I'm more like a kid with Hot Wheels (or Matchbox cars)--Sorta like Corgi toys in the UK.  I get MT and knives because they're cool and I like to play with them, but I wouldn't consider myself a real collector (ie I don't catalogue what I have, don't really have any idea of their value and use/abuse them rather than keep them for show)  I don't really trade them.  I just get them.

It seems like there are some real collectors here who know the variants, and know exactly what is in their collection and what the significance of each tool is (in terms of history of the company and whatnot).  Not to say they don't have EDCs, but I suspect the real collectors know which ones should probably NOT be used to pry open a stuck door or hammered on to break something loose. 

[cliosguy]

enthusiast here

[Roadie]

Joe (bw) and Bob (j-sews) come to mind when you say collector (to me at least). Joe's collection of Leathermans is extensive and he knows his stuff. Bob has the most random and eclectic mix of tools imaginable you mention a tool and Bob will pop up with 6 different variations that you'd never seen before!! There are other guys with big numbers of tools (e.g. DaveK and his 70 odd Leathermans, LM123 and his lot of Leathermans) but they don't spring immediately to mind when i think collector.

Me...i buy something if i think i will use it not because i don't have one (at least while i'm not getting paid )

[ducktapehero]

I accumulate more than collect.

[Benner]

I accumulate more than collect.

That's probably my story as well.

[Poncho65]

I am more of a user I know what I have (because I don't have alot ) and have used everyone of them except for some of the ones I just got,  I just like MTs.  I do know more about them than an average person just because I have hung out around here alot

There are some guys here that are collectors but use the multis that they EDC rather hard They are most of the ppl I have learned the most from because they have so many

[Leatherman123]

I accumulate more than collect.

I do too. I don't try to be a collector. It just turned out that way! I just love multitools and I buy more and more of them! 

[Gadget Guy]

I accumulate more than collect.

Me too! 

[DaveK]

Oh I would say I'm a collector, although my collection is minuscule compared to Bob's and Joe's and probably quite a few others. How else do you explain having 12 different types of PST

I would call myself a collector, because it's a long time now since I randomly bought a Leatherman. I only now buy tools that I don't have, and I actively target the "next" tool that I want. There's very little left now that can be routinely bought, everything requires a lot of trawling the internet (especially ebay) and this site to find the oddities, rarities and variations.

The other thing I would say defines me as a collector, is that I don't use or even intend to use most of the tools I buy. They are purely to fill the gaps in the collection.

I don't currently catalog things, because the numbers are manageable still, but I can see that the day will inevitably come.

I do EDC tools, but they tend to be the same tools that work best for me. If I rotate, it's within a very narrow group of tools. I wouldn't collect things if I didn't appreciate them properly.

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm glad to see this overall trend.

Now I won't feel badly when I report back about MT adventures (like the time I wedged my PST pliers head into the manure spreader's gear mechanism so that the dog gear would stay engaged until the spreader had emptied).    

[donvito]

Accumulator here as well I guess. I do have a few rares and some personal specials (shelf queens), but most of my tools get used when need be, and some are carried and rotated extensively.

[Poncho65]

Actually most of my EDC MTs are retired LM I love the old ones seems like they can take more of a beating and keep on ticking

[J-sews]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

[Benner]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

You are a collector Bob. 

[J-sews]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

You are a collector Bob. 

Perhaps so Ben, but I feel like an enthusiast who simply has accumulated a lot of tools.

[Benner]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

You are a collector Bob. 

Perhaps so Ben, but I feel like an enthusiast who simply has accumulated a lot of tools.

Do you have any ideas as to how many you currently have?

[Leatherman123]

He has at the least 400. I counted my arsenal, and the sum total was 136. That includes Victorinox ( Spirit and SwissTool), SOG, LM, and Gerber. Sadly, I don't have ANY Bear tools. I have two CRKT tools as well.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I consider myself a collector as I often buy or trade for tools I have no intention of ever using.  It sounds kind of stupid, I know, but we all have our vices...

Def

[Poncho65]

He has at the least 400. I counted my arsenal, and the sum total was 136. That includes Victorinox ( Spirit and SwissTool), SOG, LM, and Gerber. Sadly, I don't have ANY Bear tools. I have two CRKT tools as well.

You mean I actually have tools that you don't Of course you do have way more of probably every other brand than I have total

[Mr. Whippy]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

Enthusiast: Likes to get new MT's and SAKs cuz they're really cool and wants to try it out

Accumulator:  Clears out a room so there's someplace to keep all his/her tools

Collector:  Accumulator who has pictures of all tools and has traced it back to the day it was produced.  Also has pictures of future acquisitions (Referring to new tools as acquisitions makes someone a de facto collector  )

[cliosguy]

still a enthusiast

[J-sews]

At what point does an enthusiast become an accumulator? And an accumulator a collector?

Enthusiast: Likes to get new MT's and SAKs cuz they're really cool and wants to try it out

Accumulator:  Clears out a room so there's someplace to keep all his/her tools

Collector:  Accumulator who has pictures of all tools and has traced it back to the day it was produced.  Also has pictures of future acquisitions (Referring to new tools as acquisitions makes someone a de facto collector  )

Well that pretty well cinches it then

[RaptorMan]

Enthusiast!!!!!

[Leatherman123]

We are all enthusiasts!

[MultiMat]

I think I am a bit of all 3  . The wife bought me a bigger tub because she was sick of seeing my tools laying around  . I like to use my Surge & Pulse . But my SOG Toolclips(micro +standard), riveted PST ,NIB Sideclip+ Flair, Australian Army issue BO Swisstool. Will not be used in a way that will trash them. I prefer to call them Endangered Tools  , to shelf Queens . Nothing Queeny about cool tools
So I am very enthusiastic , I collect endangered tools(I am providing a public service ) & my wife thinks I accumulate tools   

[David]

I`m enthusiastic about my accumulations.

[EZ822]

I consider my self an enthusiast.

[Sea Monster]

I'm just happy to be here!



I'd have to say an enthusiast, I have (some) tools, I use (some) of them, and I love talking about them, but other than as passing fancies, I'm never looking for the next one and I'm just as happy to play with a tool and give it away as have it growing dust in a box.

[Freudian Frog]

Enthusiast! I can't afford to collect.

[Nikos]

Enthusiast for life! I only buy a new tool if there's something wrong about the one I'm currently abusing and the new one adds some value... But I surely drool over new tools ("new" meaning "not in my mt chest")... I'm actually in the process of sorting out which of my MTs are accumulating more dust than nickscharacter to get them liquidated...