Why so many of the same?

[zenderfall]

I've looked at quite a few collections on this forum (and others), and while I get the collections of different models/colors,

I've wondered why many people have so many of the same model many times over.  I have a small collection of different models/colors so I get the collecting part. I can also see owning two (one for display and another to use), or same model with different colors, but five?  ten?  Of the exact same thing?  One of the pics I saw had a dresser drawer full of red classics.  Wow!

And even more is when the models are popular ones like climber/spartan/SwissChamp- The big Vic will be making these into infinity, with no danger of ever going out of production.

This is by no means an inflammatory post - I've been trying to think of reasons but have come up blank......

[r1nzler]

its like pokemons. you gotta catch em all!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

[McStitchy]

 

[Myron]

I've wondered why many people have so many of the same model many times over.   

five?  ten?  Of the exact same thing? 

Who, me?

[McStitchy]

Who, me?

(Image removed from quote.)

I'll take that one on the very right please, thank you 

[eTripper]

Because we love-em, know what I mean?

[PitCarver]

Gotta have a spare,

And an extra,

And a backup,

Then a......

That's how it starts.

[chip]

I believe any collection is driven by obsession of varying degrees.

And collectors collect, when I did lots of shooting I collected air rifles and pistols which I still have many, I used to do a lot of mountain biking and ended up with five bikes, three I built myself from scratch. I own so many pairs of boots.
 I like to amass things I like.

I know someone who lives by,
“Don’t need it, don’t want it. Ain’t got it can’t have it”.
He has a lot more money than me and space come to think about it.

[kamakiri]

Don't ask me about CAMPING inlay/logo knives. 

Seriously, don't. Because I have no idea. 


 

[nate j]

I can think of several reasons for ending up with a significant number of duplicates:

• One is so fond of a particular model that one wishes to ensure a lifetime supply.
• One buys inexpensive knives when the opportunity arises, with the intent of using them as giveaway and or throwaway knives.
• One buys large lots of (usually TSA-confiscated) knives, and so has no control over exactly what makes and models arrive in the box.
• One buys discontinued models when found at reasonable prices, in the hope that their value will appreciate over time.

[zenderfall]

Who, me?

(Image removed from quote.)

Wow with all those soldiers you have a literal Swiss Army Platoon!

[zenderfall]

I can think of several reasons for ending up with a significant number of duplicates:

• One is so fond of a particular model that one wishes to ensure a lifetime supply.
• One buys inexpensive knives when the opportunity arises, with the intent of using them as giveaway and or throwaway knives.
• One buys large lots of (usually TSA-confiscated) knives, and so has no control over exactly what makes and models arrive in the box.
• One buys discontinued models when found at reasonable prices, in the hope that their value will appreciate over time.

I don't think 1.  works because Victorinox's quality is extremely good - I think a few (or even just one) would be considered a *lifetime supply*.  2.  sort of works, but giving SAK's away and using SAK's as consumables means the collection will be gone.  3.  If that is the case, and TSA lots are a bunch of the same, but random model, that would be a very bad deal for the buyer.  I would never buy a lot expecting many of the same thing.  4.  Works, for example, Soldiers,  but some of these collections are current models, like spartans, climbers, and campers.  IT wouldn't explain those. 

All good reasons, and perhaps a combination and probably OCD as well.  People will buy them because they like them and can afford the space and the $$ for them. 

[Rapidray]

Who, me?

(Image removed from quote.)

I love that numbering system! 

[Rapidray]

Because we love-em, know what I mean?

(Image removed from quote.)

[Don Pablo]

I don't think 1.  works because Victorinox's quality is extremely good - I think a few (or even just one) would be considered a *lifetime supply*. 

I've come near to breaking SAKs before.
(My fault! )

[Don Pablo]

Wow with all those soldiers you have a literal Swiss Army Platoon!

Plus a train conductor!

[McStitchy]

Don't ask me about CAMPING inlay/logo knives. 

Seriously, don't. Because I have no idea. 


 

 

[EMZ]

"One of the pics I saw had a dresser drawer full of red classics. "

Some people collect all kinds of different commercial or governmental inlays and inscriptions. Others collect all the different colors, or tang stamps.
There's also a category who collects technical changes. Somebody here found out that the SwissChamp had about 60 improvements during the last 35 years!
It's possible that you look at a drawer full of the same knives, but in fact they all are different in the details.
I identified 11 differences for the 'KL 1993' DAK. At first glance they look all the same, but there are some major and minor differences to be found.

[McStitchy]

I've come near to breaking SAKs before.
(My fault! )

[Huntsman]

It's a good question .......

Just to explain my collecting philosophy
I collect(ed) - All the versions of the 91mm tools after the mid 50s ..... in so far as I understood it.
Eg According to this .... https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51872.0.html
Although I now know there are loads of really subtle channges that are not so obvious - and that I maybe don't have
- eg Just start talking to Kamakiri!!   or JazzBass

I explicitly did not collect all the models - Although I could (and do) have a few of the same model if the tool versions are different - eg See SwissChamp comment above.

For me I did find I ended up with a few Climbers - I like the tool configuration - And I just could not resist a few ebay listings of very nice models eg the Beijing Opera model; a 125 Anniversary model; an old Traveller; a Damascus - So despite my no duplicate tool/model rule I did find myself collecting a few Climbers - I now have about 10 - All totally different scales. 

I also do have a handful of Classics - Again as mentioned above these were all TSA confiscations are are for gifts
If the tool versions are different or they have interesting scales - I do keep them
- I do not collect different scales - Although again as mentioned above several people do
And there are many themes for Classic scale collections - Colours, Military, Sporting etc etc   

So there were a few reasons you may have duplicate models

Another reason of course is the Soldiers - And collecting each of the year tang stamps - A very worthy collection objective!

Not sure this answers your question - As I think you are talking about dozens of exactly the same model
- I have not seen too much of that to be honest

Although again I know models like the Grand Prix - even though it was only out for a couple of decades - had loads of evolutionary changes to the tools
And Kamakiri (that bloke pops up everywhere  ) also has a thread at the moment on the inlay changes to the Grand Prix

Anyway - Just some thoughts and musings !!

[fullbreakfast]

I identified 11 differences for the 'KL 1993' DAK. At first glance they look all the same, but there are some major and minor differences to be found.

This sounds like a photo-essay to me...

[Mechanickal]

I try to steer clear of owning 2 dozen climbers with different scales.
Which is also why I don't start with gathering military issued SAKs since over half are OHT's with different camo patern scales and/or unit logos.

I did end up with a handfull of Pioneers since they're collector's editions.

So I try to get only the discontinued and/or rare stuff but I can completely understand people who love a certain model and want to find alot of variations on it.
It's just not for me. Which is good! If we all had the same way of collecting/gathering, we'd all be competing here

[McStitchy]

"One of the pics I saw had a dresser drawer full of red classics. "

Some people collect all kinds of different commercial or governmental inlays and inscriptions. Others collect all the different colors, or tang stamps.
There's also a category who collects technical changes. Somebody here found out that the SwissChamp had about 60 improvements during the last 35 years!
It's possible that you look at a drawer full of the same knives, but in fact they all are different in the details.
I identified 11 differences for the 'KL 1993' DAK. At first glance they look all the same, but there are some major and minor differences to be found.

That sounds like lots of fun 
Now, after you've discovered the differences, would you consider selling them off again?
Our do they still serve another purpose?

[Huntsman]

PS. I know this is the SAK board - But if you want a lesson in collecting many of the 'same' model
- Check out wowbaro and his PSTs - I thnk he has about 180 or so.
All PSTs - But all different in some slight way eg Tools, stamps, frame etc etc

[PitCarver]

I can think of several reasons for ending up with a significant number of duplicates:

• One is so fond of a particular model that one wishes to ensure a lifetime supply.

[/li]
[/list]

Yep , that's me.
I literally had a panic attack when CASE locked the Seahorse Whittler away in the vault, several years ago.
It was terrible.

[zenderfall]

It's possible that you look at a drawer full of the same knives, but in fact they all are different in the details.
I identified 11 differences for the 'KL 1993' DAK. At first glance they look all the same, but there are some major and minor differences to be found.

I see, now this makes a lot of sense!  Very subtle differences, not discernible in a pic displaying so many at once!

[magentus]

It's a pertinent question zenderfall, and one I think has a psychological answer that doesn't really belong on the forum. Just best to accept that we each belong to this forum for our very own individual set of complex reasons, but the one reason that binds us together as brothers and sisters is a love (or psychological need  ) for knives and multitools in our lives.

I know that my reasons for always having some kind of MT on me stems from being in some very iffy situations as a child where I felt helpless. Carrying a SAK is for me a physical manifestation of autonomy over that helplessness - a totem (albeit a useful one) if you like. Plus they come in all sorts of lovely colours.

And let's leave it at that 

[McStitchy]

 

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Amen to all those lovely colours, Magentus!

[kamakiri]

This is the most I've put together at one time, but nowhere close to the whole shebang:

I don't think 1.  works because Victorinox's quality is extremely good - I think a few (or even just one) would be considered a *lifetime supply*.  2.  sort of works, but giving SAK's away and using SAK's as consumables means the collection will be gone.  3.  If that is the case, and TSA lots are a bunch of the same, but random model, that would be a very bad deal for the buyer.  I would never buy a lot expecting many of the same thing.  4.  Works, for example, Soldiers,  but some of these collections are current models, like spartans, climbers, and campers.  IT wouldn't explain those. 

All good reasons, and perhaps a combination and probably OCD as well.  People will buy them because they like them and can afford the space and the $$ for them.

Actually, his answers ring pretty true for me. See below.

I can think of several reasons for ending up with a significant number of duplicates:

• One is so fond of a particular model that one wishes to ensure a lifetime supply.
• One buys inexpensive knives when the opportunity arises, with the intent of using them as giveaway and or throwaway knives.
• One buys large lots of (usually TSA-confiscated) knives, and so has no control over exactly what makes and models arrive in the box.
• One buys discontinued models when found at reasonable prices, in the hope that their value will appreciate over time.

#1 is true for me. I have a lifetime supply of new Marlboro Troubleshooters for this reason. Probably less than lifetime supply of used ones for mod fodder. Again, no idea of the total counts. Don't ask.

#2 is only sort of true for me, and that pool is on a revolving basis, so the argument that it would 'run out' doesn't work.

#3 N/A for me.  I've never bought TSA lots, but I do have a LOT of plain-Jane SD/classics that have piled up from *bay lots.

#4 Is somewhat true for me. Like for the Troubleshooters.  I don't think they will depreciate below my personal buy price/line.  There are other model lines that I buy without much hesitation below certain dollar values.