Just some personal thoughts

[Shuya]

Hi folks,

Just wand to write some stuff down...

I am a knifenut since ages, carried one since I am old enough to have one.
Been through that tactical phase, Benchmade, Spyderco, you name it, one or two customs, semi customs. Full drawyer of edgy stuff. Usually carried a MT or SAK in addition or even all of them.

What made me rethink was the change in german knife laws some years ago. Locking OHO was now restricted to legal reasons, and seemes to be enforced rather strictly, so all my tactical stuff cant be carried in town anymore. Swichted to traditional folders and slowly moved from there to MTs, mostly the old ones. Carried a old ST or PST at work for some time.

But slowly began to change my mind again. I am a desk jockey for most part of the day, usually cut small stuff (food, packages). Plus I got a MT in on my desk for tbe rest.

The last long vacation in france (no locking stuff allowed) made me rethink again. Carried a Camillus Model 99 for 4 weeks straight (had a classic for the tweezer and toothpick in the pocket too) and that PST in the backpack just in case - that case came once in 4 those weeks. Was happy with that basic load, felt sort of free though equipped (missed an alox for the phillips one some occasions but survived the day)

So now back at work I am still rethinking what I need and what I want.
Do I need to save the world? What tools are essential for me?
Tested out carrying my 2005 Wenger SI, plus that classic, but soon felt like two knifes are too much.
Condensed down my daily needs and tried a Tinker. But that new, shiny thing didnt get me, I fell back to my old Huntsman which I carried with my OHO folders back years ago and still carry for some outdoor walks. Felt more "beausage" (like you call it here), and personal to me, evem if I will never need a.saw here, plus I miss a Phillips.from time.to time. But its my trusty companion and it feels right.

Somehow I now separate my knifes into classes based on that feeling (combined with tools needed) rather than KISS.

Anyone else know what I am trying to tell? Today its that old Camillis 99 again because it feels great and already got some nice use marks. Plus that classic again...

Maybe its just some sort of midlife crisis and I will evolve somehow. Got a daughter now and reorganise my stuff towards Daddy-survival-kit (eg needle, tweezers and bandaids are a must have for that daily trouble plus a bit of tape, cord and wire plus a small  MT for emergency toy repair)

Maybe its my personal way into some middle aged monogamic club, dont know.
Its somehow weird how some personal experience make you rethink, question and finally change your habits...

Thanks for listening folks to those who kept reading my wall of text.

Michael

[SteveC]

It all comes down to what works for you. Needs evolve as we work our way through this thing called life   

[Douglas]

Good write up Shuya, your questions are at some point faced by all of us here.  The search for answsers and just the fun of being with like minded (and someimes opposing) edgy tool nuts helps keep us sane in a world of poeple who just don't get it.  Enjoy the search, enjoy your old reliabls, and find some new friends along the way.  To Quote a wise Sage of MTo...

It all comes down to what works for you. Needs evolve as we work our way through this thing called life   

[Gerhard Gerber]

I always think, my grandfather(s) probably had a pocket knife and a handkerchief, and that was enough.... 

[Aloha]

I enjoyed the read thank you.  I've been there myself.  I agree its part of the fun of this hobby/edc/knife/tool/wanting to be prepared thing,  I find that we do tend to go full circle.  We might pick up the latest and greatest new sharp and carry it a while then back to old faithful.  Those tools are familiar, they are comfortable, and we know what they can and cannot do.  I think thats partly what makes them reliable.  What I like most is that you are trying new combinations.  It keeps the excitement alive.  No we dont have to save to world but when baby girl needs a toy fixed or her bike adjusted or even her food cut, isn't that in some way saving the world for her?  Thats the best feeling anyway. 

Enjoy this neat next journey. 

[Poncho65]

Great read it is always interesting to see why people need and then end up not needing different carries and then maybe end up needing them again I have changed carries many times over the years and when I carry less I usually end up needing something so for now I carry probably more than I need because of this there are plenty of days when just a blade would do but then some days I use a lot of different things on my MT, SAK and a folder as well   

[Vidar]

Lately I've adopted an unofficial lazy tool rotation: As I wear different clothes for different chores and parts of life I've just put more or less suitable knives and multi-tools into clothing which might match their use.

The results is still up for judgement.

[cbl51]

Shuya, I could have written your post myself! I've been a long downsize journey for the past decade and going back to a more minimal load. I too was a knife nut and collected too many customs like Randall's and other makers, and way way too many folding and pocket knives. They're all gone now. Sold off, given away.

I think as we age, we find our needs differing, but even though, I think being an aficionado of something makes up over think ourselves. Like a car nut thinks he needs a Porsche to run down to the store for a quart of milk, or commute to work when the rest of humanity gets by very well with a Toyota Corolla.

With all my "other" knives now gone, I find that I do very well with just one o fly SAK's in my pocket. It gives me a nice sharp blade plus a few basic tools that is mostly what I need. I think of our grandfathers  who lived through a great depression and then fought a world war, and went through life with some very modest little pocket knife and a few items in their pockets. Maybe a keychain screw driver and a bandana.

From 1969 and on, I carried a SAK of some kind, with periods where I did the single blade kickback or semi tactical folder. But every time I had the single blade knife, I'd have to deal with a loose screw, a small repair or something the one trick pony of a knife couldn't handle. So they all went. Even my little Victorinox classic had more capability than the fantasy knife that would be better suited for fighting off enemy paratroopers or skinning a buffalo. Both totally unrelated to real life in the 21st century, or any modern suburbia.

Now I'm involved with the chuck Yeager challenge and find the Victorinox executive enough to go through my day in Georgetown Texas. There's a Victorinox quarto keychain screw driver and my old army P-38 in my wallet in car I need screw driving or can opening capability.

I think that's the biggest thing I had to learn as a collection or aficionado that we vastly over estimate what we need in our misguided enthusiasm. I find my Toyota gets me where I need to go, and my SAK in my pocket does all my everyday cutting, screwing, snipping, and filing.

[McStitchy]

As you can see, you are not alone Shuya   

I've started with a SAK (original Traveller) given to me by my dad, then my first self earned SAK  (SwissChamp) and smurfed the scissors and bend the bottle opener, then bought a more sturdy "real" MT a Leatherman Supertool, I loved it but soon found it a bit heavy and got a Wave.... and so on.... you know.

These days I simply enjoy being able to change my carry depending on my needs, mood, occasion etc.

I had no folder phase in my life though.
I've always felt a SAK or MT is enough blade...



Btw, if you cannot find the perfect EDC for you then what about modding some to your needs? Check out the Mod section on MTO

[Alan K.]

There is comfort in familiarity.  Once you find the one knife that is comfortable to carry and does most of the tasks you want it to do you ask yourself why do I even bother with the rest of them.
 

[Nix]

I tend to carry more than I really need. That's true.

I also find that needs and perceived needs change over time. I'm doing different things now than I did 20 years ago, and my tool choices are a bit different. I focus more on being sure to have a small flashlight and reading glasses with me these days. 

And, of course, my needs change from day to day. If I'm fishing, I like a pliers based multitool with me. If it's a lazy day of shopping and cooking, I may not really need to carry anything at all. (But I feel a bit naked without a SAK.  ) How big a tool set do you really need to go out for dinner or ice-cream?

I'm in the Chuck Yeager Challenge (CYC2) with cbl5. All I've carried for a week has been a Victorinox Executive, and it has done everything I've needed a pocket knife to do. These little challenges seem to be good reminders of how often our perceived needs are often larger than our realities.

On the other hand, I still have that Boy Scout motto ringing in my ears: "Be Prepared." 

[Shuya]

Thanks folks for your attention. I just felt like I needed to write something down.

I always remember those days when I was a kid playing in the woods with just one cheapo knife and some cord in my pockets... (you can do amazing things when having those). Didnt care about the knife, didnt knew better. Just was happy with what I had and the time I spend there. Oh those days...

When doing dayhikes with my parents in the nearby low mountain range my father always had a knife with him (exactly that type in this pic: only two blades and a corcsrew: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/222742192437-0-1/s-l1000.jpg ).  Never saw him open a bottle, but I was allowed to whittle (eg sharpen some stick  ) when we rested. That where the times when I didnt have a knive on my own, maybe when I was 5 or so.

I always think, my grandfather(s) probably had a pocket knife and a handkerchief, and that was enough.... 

Yep, and those old dudes only had ONE, their knife. Nothing else, nothing less. I kind of envy that, but maybe its because of all the knowledge about knifes and the whole bunch of knifes available. Back then, you go to a shop and bought one, maybe even a very expensive quality knife to last for years, and they did.

Maybe its just because when you are nutty about something, you care too much, you think too much instead of just do it.
What amazes me the most is that I carry more metal with me when in town or just at work, when I am out backpacking in the mountains or on long multiple day hikes I usually just carry one single SAK, since less weight is more. And I do not feel unequipped.
Wish I had that state of mind everyday 

[Aloha]

I'm beginning to realize what I need vs what I want to carry is generally based on the the amount of tools I have.  I have a few options at my disposal so I like to carry some things some times and very little other times.  My mood or my lack of attention given to a tool can dictate me carrying that item.  I enjoy having certain tools with me at times so I'll carry that tool or tools.  My main carry for my days off are my Salesman, squirt P4, Pocketwrench 2, and a AAA light.  I'll add when the mood strikes, Spyderco Dragonfly2, Skeletool CX, Explorer Plus, AA light, or whatever strikes me at the time.  If I've neglected a tool I may carry that tool. 

For me its no longer feeling the need to have every base covered as many say in the EDC world.  Its about having a few items that are reliable and are companions to my comings and goings.  Yes some times I will carry much more than I'll need but those days are fun days.     

[pfrsantos]

There are days when I don't need/use any of the tools I carry. I like to feel I have something with me "just in case", though. Also, I have some very (at least for me) nice/pretty knives/SAKs. I enjoy just fiddling with them, opening and closing tools/blades, making up reasons to use them.

Most of my stuff doesn't get used/carried simply because, to be honest, I don't really need much in a usual day. Office work, urban environment.