Difference between collector and SAK fan ?:P

[volbu]

Just today I got a second Alox soldier ('08 stamped) and I am on the hunt for some cool looking hopefully rare alox!

So I put to you the question:

What is the difference between someone who likes to buy some cool looking SAK's (more than he needs) but doesnt really want to have a big number of them, and a collector??

The reason I ask myself that is that I want to convince myself I m not gonna buy lots of them, just the good looking ones, and also that I am backing up my soldier and not starting a collection 

[magentus]

I would say, as a newbie, that I'm a SAK fan; I wouldn't have anything I wouldn't use, and use regularly.

Each to their own, but I see them as very portable tools and as such they need using.

Having said that, if an antique Soldier landed in my lap (I certainly wouldn't be buying one) I'd have to have a rethink - I'd probably end up using it or swapping it for something I would use..

[Espen]

Hm. I guess I'm a bit of both. I collect some pieces i find interesting and invest in modern ones i manage to pick up cheap because they are the best bang for my buck IMO. When the world of paper currency comes crashing down the swiss army knives will still be useful and in demand.

[demonoflust]

Collector usually have objective to what they want to collect, other than that he is an accumulator 

[user24]

I'm not gonna buy lots of them ... not starting a collection

 

Hahahahahahahaaaa, that's a good one 

[AimlessWanderer]

Collector usually have objective to what they want to collect, other than that he is an accumulator 

Accumulator ... I like that 

I don't consider myself a collector - I consider collectors to get most of the fun from the hunt and the growing collection, whereas my fun is in the use. For me just owning them isn't enough. I have plenty of options  plus several which I don't use which were either acquired for "educational" reasons (i.e. to play with for a while and find out what they're like then pass them on) or as donors for future modding.

Users ... maybe 7 or 8 (depending on occasion/location/tasks etc)
Bought for curiosity/parts ... not sure but in double figures (till I start breaking them up)
As regards "collector" SAK's ... I have one!

[Syph007]

Collectors/fans buy at least 2 of each, one to keep 'for good' and one to play with.
Collectors just buy one and keep it pristine.
Fans buy one of each and use them all. 

That's my take on it anyhow..

[volbu]

Collectors/fans buy at least 2 of each, one to keep 'for good' and one to play with.
Collectors just buy one and keep it pristine.
Fans buy one of each and use them all. 

That's my take on it anyhow..

Seems you nailed it and know what you are talking about 

[demonoflust]

We only have 2 hands but so many SAKs and many of them are similar 

[Styerman]

I'm a huge SAK fan , but never have more than a half a dozen at any one time . Models are all over the map .

Chris

[stressmaster5000]

Just today I got a second Alox soldier ('08 stamped) and I am on the hunt for some cool looking hopefully rare alox!

So I put to you the question:

What is the difference between someone who likes to buy some cool looking SAK's (more than he needs) but doesnt really want to have a big number of them, and a collector??

The reason I ask myself that is that I want to convince myself I m not gonna buy lots of them, just the good looking ones, and also that I am backing up my soldier and not starting a collection 

This is the problem that most have here. There are so many good looking SAK's usually you find something else to buy every week. Different colors, models and tool assortments means there is nearly an endless variety. This is just the modern versions. Now consider the older vintage models and you have the perfect storm. It's like Lays Potato Chips, you can't stop eating them.

[volbu]

yep!
thats what i thought and the reason I made my post to begin with

[ColoSwiss]

I'm a knife collector. I specialize in Victorinox and Wenger pocket knives.

1) They are an outstanding example of industrial design.
2) They are well made.
3) There is a tremendous variety of them, so I am unlikely to ever finish the collection.
4) They are reasonably priced (normally).
5) They are not fragile.
6) They don't take up a lot of space.
7) Whatever their value as a collectible, they will always have utility value as a tool.

The big one: they are just plain NEAT!.

I'm also a user. There are a dozen or so users floating around here, including an old Victorinox Champion sitting on the desk beside me as I type.

Karl

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'm not a collector... I'm more of an "accumulator", like DoL said...   I'm a fan of SAK's too.  I've become really interested in mods now too, specifically for meeting my needs in different usage scenarios.

I have a Compact on the way that should arrive tomorrow; that will be my 8th SAK.  I have a Swiss Champ, Work Champ, Rambler, Executive, Outrider, Patagonia Ranger, Cybertool 34, and soon a Compact. 

My CT34 is one of the 125th anniversary editions, so I keep it as a shelf queen, but it's the only one I have that I don't honestly use at some point or other.  I typically find homes for them where they'll be most useful for their tool compliment. 

Right now I actually have more than I've ever had before, and I'm sure I'll eventually get a few more, but I'll gift or trade the ones I have now for other things so I won't let the accumulation get too big!

[sawman]

I don't know what to call myself, but I know I collect SAKs I find useful and/or interesting.  I don't try to compete with other's collections, just the stuff I find cool.  I think if you're going to collect something though, that SAKs are the best 

[ICanFixThat]

.... I want to convince myself I m not gonna buy lots of them, just the good looking ones, ....

It's too late boys... the  has got him.

Collectors/fans buy at least 2 of each, one to keep 'for good' and one to play with.
Collectors just buy one and keep it pristine.
Fans buy one of each and use them all. 

That's my take on it anyhow..

   This one made sense to me... 

Now we just have to cover the "obbsessed", "insane", and the "SAKborg".   

[volbu]

No way, I got my senses 100%
Just looking for some new cool alox .... that's all 

[Chako]

Do not kid yourself. That is what they all say in the beginning.

The biggest plus to being a collector...you get to fiddle with plenty of different things and have the luxury of comparison.

[ColoSwiss]

I once worked with a man who claimed I was not a true collector because I was not willing to go into debt to support my collection. He collected in a dozen different fields and was a nationally recognized expert in several of them. He was also regularly in debt and being dunned for unpaid bills and bounced checks. He also was a pathological hoarder and a total slob. When he died they brought in a number of industrial sized dumpsters to clean the trash out of his house. All his collections went into the dumpsters also because no one was willing to sort through the tons of garbage to find the good stuff.

The man was brilliant and totally screwed up. Hope no one here falls in the same category.

Karl

[Chako]

I guess if they do, it is their own problem. 

[bushidomosquito]

I have anywhere between 30-50 of them but the thing is, not a single one is intact. They survive a few days once they come out of the box, maybe long enough to peel an orange or open the next package but before too long they all end up in pieces on my parts board.

I just got a blue Solo and a red old cross Farmer and I carried each for less than a week before they were parted out. I wonder what that makes me?

[Tyler_]

I have about 48 SAKs.  I say its betters to collect.  Especially New in box or new in package.  I presently collect  Vic Soldiers

[Carlos]

The reason I ask myself that is that I want to convince myself I m not gonna buy lots of them, just the good looking ones, and also that I am backing up my soldier and not starting a collection 

"Resistance Is Futile. You Will Be Assimilated. "

A collector is, or end up being, a fan. A fan might not be a collector. I'm a fan but no collector (can't afford it, money and space wise).

[jzmtl]

I buy everything with intend to use, but some gets used some doesn't, and I end up with butt load of them.

So I guess that makes me an accidental collector.