Too Many ??? Never !!!

[centennialknives]

So, as I was putting some renwax on a series of knives in one of many display cases, the better half noted that "you sure have a lot of knives". As we talked, she was of the opinion that I "might" have too many. But, truth is she likes probably 60 to 70 percent of the knives I have and often asks to carry one. Her fav pattern is a peanut, easy enough for her front pocket.

So, this got me thinking...how many is too many? I'm fairly selective so I don't acquire bucket-loads, but I admit I have more than some, but not nearly as many as others.

How many is too many?

[Madmarco]

One is too many, and a hundred is not enough, Rob!
That Renwax is good stuff, huh?

[centennialknives]

Yeah, I admit I have "many" that I may never use .... but I have a nice rotation for EDC. I've caught myself 3 times week ready to buy more here on the AAPK store --- but with a daughter just graduated college (which we paid for), and prepping for 3 week RV trip to TN and FL, and IL property taxes due June 1, I'm not flush with extra cash...the small pile I have is for those bills!!!

[Madmarco]

Hey, I hear ya Rob.
My situation is a bit different in that I'm no longer married or even involved with anyone and I've always lived as simply as possible so what money I have is mine to do with what I please, since I'm free of the responsibilities you described, mind you, an RV trip sounds enticing!
At least you'll never be accused of shirking your responsibilities, and, you are providing a young lady with an education, entertaining those close to you with a road trip, and making sure Washington, IL (near Peoria) has their necessary funds so they have no need to evict you, pretty good deal actually!

[RobesonsRme.com]

I’m reasonably sure that Roland once stated he had upwards of ten thousand knives and he hinted that his obsession for them was the reason for the desolation of his marriage .

Someone here more closely friendly with him might know more about that.

In his case, 10,000 was too many.

But, he surely had some mighty fine knives.

[tvic]

I have about 200. My wife thinks I have too many. I’m 71, retired, able to pay the bills each month, travel once or twice a year, and take the wife out to eat when I want to. I’m grateful for each day the Lord gives me on this earth, but no one is promised tomorrow. I enjoy getting a new knife, try to be reasonable about purchases (reasonable to me, that is), and I’m not taking food off the table. So if I want to buy a knife, I will - and the number just doesn’t matter!

[3030remchesterCOLO]

I made the classic rookie mistake with my wife even though we had been married 40 years at the time of the "incident." I had my wife recording my antique knife purchases. After acquiring a blade marked and dated Mark 3, she came out and had mentioned that I had just made my 500th purchase. After a few nights of contemplation, I started selling off my duplicates. Now it is a much more pleasant household.

[Madmarco]

I’m reasonably sure that Roland once stated he had upwards of ten thousand knives and he hinted that his obsession for them was the reason for the desolation of his marriage .

Someone here more closely friendly with him might know more about that.

In his case, 10,000 was too many.

But, he surely had some mighty fine knives.

You did read/hear correctly about Roland owning 10,000+ knives, cuz I read the same thing and as-a -matter-of-fact, just commented on Roland stating the figure a few posts back. There was no mention of them destroying his marriage though, but the post I read likely was not the only time he stated this. 10,000+, that IS an obsession!

[Madmarco]

I have about 200. My wife thinks I have too many. I’m 71, retired, able to pay the bills each month, travel once or twice a year, and take the wife out to eat when I want to. I’m grateful for each day the Lord gives me on this earth, but no one is promised tomorrow. I enjoy getting a new knife, try to be reasonable about purchases (reasonable to me, that is), and I’m not taking food off the table. So if I want to buy a knife, I will - and the number just doesn’t matter!

Well said, Tim, Bravo!
Me too, cept' I don't have a wife, I have about 400, and I'm 69!
I keep tellin' ya, there's no U-Hauls behind a hearse, might as well enjoy it while we're still here and able to!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I was good friends with Roland and he did have over 10,000 knives. What a mess it is to leave that to your children to sort through and sell off. He did use his knife sales to pay bills many times. It did affect his marriage and family life. If he were here today, I know he would discuss this himself.
Bottom line is that if your knife collecting, coin or Hot Wheels, etc is affecting your family in a negative way, then you should stop, you have already crossed over into the “too many” column.
CS Lewis said it best: there are things of first importance and things of second importance and when you mix those up, it always leads to trouble. I’m paraphrasing.
This question might have been tongue in check but it touches on a very important aspect of our lives.

[bighomer]

Roland also spoke of having a line of credit to purchase knives, now I could see were that might cause some friction in my marriage.
Getting back to the subject at hand, I've got way more than I need, but as I told the boss need has nothing to do with want. Iff'in the ole boy at the little flea mkt. and me can get together on a price I'm gonna add a couple of cheapies to my pile today.

[tvic]

I keep tellin' ya, there's no U-Hauls behind a hearse, might as well enjoy it while we're still here and able to!

Amen, brother!

And, Mark you DO make a good point. Yes, my wife thinks I have too many, but she’s still supportive. If it was affecting family life ... well, yes, you have to think about what’s most important in life.

[bestgear]

To me that’s like being asked how many pages of the original Constitution do I want to buy if they were available for sale to which my reply would be - all that I can afford.

My non-EDC collection is 100X larger than my EDC rotation which is my version of the Constitution from a historical preservation perspective. I’ll be able enjoy them whenever I want after my final move this summer because we (very understanding wife) are setting up 1 room with 3 walls dedicated to permanently displaying my non-EDC collections. Time will tell and pictures this fall will confirm.

To answer the OP, I set the height of the “too many” bar at complete cataloged versions (and variations) of the knives that I collect which are: Official Scouts (Boy, Girl, Cub, Campfire Girl), Humason & Beckley and Landers, Frary & Clark. I have plenty of holes in all of my collections so I haven’t hit that high water mark but the flow has stalled to a trickle.

Hope this helps!