Ever such a thing as too many??

David Bowen · **on:** March 13, 2009, 01:48:59 AM

I was looking at my collection of knives and tools today and was in wonder......wondering how it grew so much. The cabinet I keep them in must hold some kind of magical properties and when left alone they multiply. My collection has NEVER been this massive and if my wife knew what was contained in there I might die a very slow death indeed.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2009, 01:52:20 AM

That's why I'm glad all the tools look pretty similar- my wife can't figure out if it's a new one or one of the many that I already had!

Def

Nikos · **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2009, 01:55:36 AM

Quote from: DavidBinGA on March 13, 2009, 01:48:59 AM

I was looking at my collection of knives and tools today and was in wonder......wondering how it grew so much. The cabinet I keep them in must hold some kind of magical properties and when left alone they multiply. My collection has NEVER been this massive and if my wife knew what was contained in there I might die a very slow death indeed.

Been there a couple of days ago. I was trying to find a specific LM bit to try something out and had to take almost all of my tools out of the toolbox. As I slowly put them back in, I realized that (a) there were far too many for my needs, and (b) being so, they weren't seeing the care and/or abuse they deserved... So I decided to sell them or give them away... I feel much better for some of them now.

Crouton · **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2009, 01:57:13 AM

To me there is such a thing as too much. Some guys feel comfortable having one of each type of tool, and then one of every variation.

Personally I have about a dozen multis and a couple SAKs and I am starting to feel like I have too many.

It all comes down to your level of addiction, your level of funds, and the level of patience of your spouse.

David Bowen · **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:02:57 AM

I am getting the feeling I do have too much, maybe thinning the herd will make my conscience happy. I do like all my tools and don't want to get rid of them, they scream KEEP ME!

What is addict to do but take some more of the drug he's been taking to keep him lulled into a false sense of security. Yes the wife does not know how much is in there, or know one tool from another. But if she knew, boy what a shocker that would be. Course I don't make any comments to her about, purses, shoes or jewelry now do I??

Nikos · **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:10:17 AM

Quote from: DavidBinGA on March 13, 2009, 02:02:57 AM

I am getting the feeling I do have too much, maybe thinning the herd will make my conscience happy. I do like all my tools and don't want to get rid of them, they scream KEEP ME!

I'm in the same boat!

If it helps, think of it as giving them a chance to glory. Noone became a hero by staying at home and those tools are of no use sitting in a box. That said, in my case even if I manage to part with all of what I'm selling away, I'll still be left with a couple of LMs, a couple of STs, a SpyderRench, three or four bit kits and a couple more of SAKs. That's still too much by some ~~ignorant~~ ~~sane~~ non-mt guy's standards...

Swiss Man · **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:26:31 AM

As my collection grew I found the perfect place to "hide" them.

I slip them into my wife's purse since there is so much stuff in there she will never even notice the extra weight.

hawkchucker · **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:27:23 AM

Well I dont know if I amfalling into the same boat. If there is a knife or tool I want I have been really giving way too much in trade, but I amstill looking for the perfect tool. I did part with seveal !!Minis!! and sideclips, but still have several tools to figure out what to do with.

AndyTiedye · **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:53:35 AM

It's not having too many, it is not having enough display space.
Michaels is having a sale on display cases. 40% off.
I just grabbed 3 of them.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2009, 05:50:04 AM

Too many?!!! Get thee to a therapy! You never know when something might be discontinued,and there'd you be---lacking that one tool/knife that's now become a rare bird that fetches some ridiculous price on Ebay.I'll take a surplus over a shortage anyday.

Sean · **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:12:10 AM

Well, being fairly new to this multi tool thing I have about enough to edc a different tool for about a 2 week period. It's nice having that choice. At the moment there's not a heck of alot else I am interested in so have slowed up some. Although... living in fairly close proximity to http://www.warriorsandwonders.com/ is not helping matters at all.

I've been looking at some of his blades and such and wow! I did pick up my first modern folder and will post some pic's soon.

sean

Benner · **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2009, 02:13:11 PM

I don't think you can have too many, however, I hate the thought of wastage so anything that isn't going to be used needs to go IMO.

Sean · **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2009, 03:53:20 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 13, 2009, 02:13:11 PM

I don't think you can have too many, however, I hate the thought of wastage so anything that isn't going to be used needs to go IMO.

couldn't agree with you more!

sean

Pacu · **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2009, 04:14:56 PM

I don't see not using you vast collections of knives and multis as a waste. I like to think of it as me preserving them as a mini Smithsonian to someone in the distant future. Who knows .....my great great great grandkids can bring them onto Antiques Roadshow and people can guess what they were used for.

Black Rose · **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2009, 05:48:40 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 13, 2009, 02:13:11 PM

I don't think you can have too many, however, I hate the thought of wastage so anything that isn't going to be used needs to go IMO.

But what if you are buying for the purposes of collecting versus using?

I've only been SAK collecting for about 4 months and have 10 SAKs.
Of those 10, 4 will probably never see any use other than slicing up some paper since I want to keep them in good condition.
Then again, it might take 30+ years before they might become collectible given production volumes.

Flash · **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:27:35 PM

Quote from: pacu on March 13, 2009, 04:14:56 PM

I don't see not using you vast collections of knives and multis as a waste. I like to think of it as me preserving them as a mini Smithsonian to someone in the distant future. Who knows .....my great great great grandkids can bring them onto Antiques Roadshow and people can guess what they were used for.

Absolutely.....I hope that when I die I will be in my own bed surrounded by hordes of grand and great grand children. Each of whom can have a "tool with a tale" to remember me by and pass to theirs

Benner · **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:46:26 PM

Personally (and I know I am in the minority here) I don't like the idea of a knife or tool just sitting there gathering dust. I am a collector, but I use everything I have as I get enjoyment out of using these things rather than just gazing at them or simply playing with them. Not long ago I had a few things that didn't get used, so I traded them all away for things that I would find useful.

nuphoria · **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2009, 06:57:16 PM

I try and sell or trade things I really don't have a use for but I don't tend to buy to many things I don't really want. I suspect most of go through phases where we get overexcited about something new and have to have it, then calm down a bit a get more selective!

It's quite a nice illness to have though

Pacu · **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2009, 07:04:14 PM

What if you get one fantastic deal....let's say a 5 dollar NIB sideclip. Would you use it, sell it, or tuck it away for keeps knowing you will ever get one at a super deal like that?

I'm super cheap and i rarely pay retail for a multi. I can't see myself unloading any of my tools i got on extreme discount unless it was for something i really am keen on.

Benner · **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2009, 07:07:55 PM

Quote from: pacu on March 13, 2009, 07:04:14 PM

What if you get one fantastic deal....let's say a 5 dollar NIB sideclip. Would you use it, sell it, or tuck it away for keeps knowing you will ever get one at a super deal like that?

I'm super cheap and i rarely pay retail for a multi. I can't see myself unloading any of my tools i got on extreme discount unless it was for something i really am keen on.

I would use it, and why wouldn't I? It's a great edc tool and it only cost $5.

Craig · **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2009, 08:54:12 PM

Quote from: Defender on March 13, 2009, 01:52:20 AM

That's why I'm glad all the tools look pretty similar- my wife can't figure out if it's a new one or one of the many that I already had!

Def

So I just need to get lots more tools and I'll be OK

Magic Bus · **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2009, 09:00:15 PM

My little collection keeps on growing, I just can't seem to help myself

tanker · **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2009, 10:33:53 PM

I´m feeling lately that I have more multis than necesary...but I´m ok knowing that I do have more Vics than necesary

Sean · **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:37:35 AM

I guess I'm the idiot because there ain't too many secrets I can keep from her. My girl knows what I've got and keeps asking how many more of those things I need?

Of course we are usually out together when I am popping by the local cutlery shop.

Dunc · **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2009, 10:21:02 AM

I have somewhere between 15 and 20 full size plier based multis but that collection has evolved and changed to how I want it . I've seen guys discover multis and go out and buy loads of then only to go and sell them a couple of months later when the novelty wears off .In my collection I probably have one maybe 2 tools that I would be willing to swap if something I really wanted came along .At the moment I'm very content with my collection and have some very nice pieces . Although I don't use all of them I get enjoyment from looking and handling them and photographing them .

Dunc

David Bowen · **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2009, 12:04:07 PM

I agree with you Benner, nothing in my collection is just for looks. I don't buy a tool that will merely sit there and not get used, it's like getting a car and not driving it. Some of my stuff might be a little hard to find or rare but they were not made to be shelf queens and I intend on giving them their share in the lime light.

DaveK · **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:42:35 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 13, 2009, 02:13:11 PM

I don't think you can have too many, however, I hate the thought of wastage so anything that isn't going to be used needs to go IMO.

So, you definitely don't approve of this sort of thing then?

or this?

Meh. You're weird

Swiss Man · **Reply #27 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:43:55 PM

Although I don't use all of them I get enjoyment from looking and handling them and photographing them .

Dunc

I know I am not the only one that feels (I am the only one that does this?) but every now and then we just need to be reminded
that there are others out there with this same illness/blessing that we share and we need to be supportive.

Dunc will you be my sponsor? or maybe DaveK

Black Rose · **Reply #28 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:12:41 PM

Quote from: DaveK on March 14, 2009, 01:42:35 PM

So, you definitely don't approve of this sort of thing then?

Wow, what an excellent collection

Gareth · **Reply #29 on:** March 14, 2009, 02:12:55 PM

For my part I have around 30 SAKs and 4 multitools. This seems to be about my happy threshold. There aren't many more production SAKs I want. A few more 84mm scissors would be nice and perhaps a Champion, but that's about it for the moment. I'm still going to enjoy doing my mods though. I'm also looking at the idea of getting a Spirit but I'm going to hold off until I've handled one at the meet-up.

So is 30 or so tools to many? I don't think so, most get used at some time or another. I suspect that much more than that and you are definitely collecting the things though and that's alright too. Things in a collection don't need to be used. People who collect stamps aren't doing it because they send lots of letters.

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Ever such a thing as too many??

Flash

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