All About Pocket Knives

I've always been a "knife nut"
Eat, drink, breathe knives. But the last month or so, I've lost the "spark"
It's odd. Have you ever experienced this?

American Blade 92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:05 pm I've always been a "knife nut"
Eat, drink, breathe knives. But the last month or so, I've lost the "spark"
It's odd. Have you ever experienced this?

No sir! Not even close. I dont buy as many anymore, but I like reading about them, seeing them and learning about them. You can sure learn about them with the very knowledgeable people on this site. Not saying that will never happen, but not at this time.

woodwalker wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:16 pm

American Blade 92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:05 pm I've always been a "knife nut"
Eat, drink, breathe knives. But the last month or so, I've lost the "spark"
It's odd. Have you ever experienced this?

No sir! Not even close. I dont buy as many anymore, but I like reading about them, seeing them and learning about them. You can sure learn about them with the very knowledgeable people on this site. Not saying that will never happen, but not at this time.

Good deal!

I haven't found a cure yet!

I’ve had periods of time when I was in a slump and didn’t feel as excited about knives as I usually do but I have never lost the spark entirely.

Maybe you’re just in a temporary slump. Give it a few weeks and see if the spark reignites after a cooling off period.

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:25 pm I haven't found a cure yet!

Hahaha

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:32 pm I’ve had periods of time when I was in a slump and didn’t feel as excited about knives as I usually do but I have never lost the spark entirely.

Maybe you’re just in a temporary slump. Give it a few weeks and see if the spark reignites after a cooling off period.

Maybe so

I find them far too interesting and I enjoy the history so much to ever lose my "spark" for vintage knives.
I'm so glad I found this forum. (the only one I associate with)
What a great learning experience here.

I lose interest in them all the time.....until l see another one!

It seems I can always find something to spark my curiosity.

American Blade 92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:05 pm I've always been a "knife nut"
Eat, drink, breathe knives. But the last month or so, I've lost the "spark"
It's odd.

“This too shall pass”.

Ken

Prices in the last few years have soured me ... takes the art of the deal out of collecting.

Maybe try something different. Have you ever taken a Barlow pocket knife apart? And put it back together again. It will give you a different kind of appreciation and satisfaction. Have you ever tried making your own knife from a circular saw blade? Thats a very satisfying experience as well. Maybe read some history on the greats. Like Russell, Scagle, kephart, Nessmuk, Randall. Maybe do some real knife hunting. At a flea market or gun show or Antique store. Hopefully there is a small ember still left, which you can nurture into a flame. Keep them sharp!

American Blade 92 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:05 pm I've always been a "knife nut"
Eat, drink, breathe knives. But the last month or so, I've lost the "spark"
It's odd. Have you ever experienced this?

I’ve had occasion to fall into a slump but I cure that by reading and researching more until I find an area of knives that catches my eye and renews my interest in unfamiliar waters.

It happens.....then I bump into a knife that I can't live without...lol

I'm kinda in a slump and am probably gonna stay there as far as buying goes, I may have bought one last year off of ebay, but prices just kinda leave me cold. I bought several cheapos at the little local flea market and enjoyed cleaning then up. I still enjoy my knives and carry and use one every day but the hunting has abated to some extent, of course if I see something that floats my boat at a good price I'll jump on it like a duck on a June bug.

My slump is in between buys. Or when my wife says “another knife, really” and I cool it for awhile. I don’t think the fire will ever leave me. At least I hope not. FYI my wife is usually alright with my hobby. I’m sure some of you all can relate.

My interest has always been high but there has always been an ebb and tide of motion going on. Finding and buying HOKs is more challenging now than ever and it is an expected evolution. Pricing can also a deterrent in today's market. Given this I have changed my standards some as far as buying excellent or better pre-1970 knives is concerned. I have so stop and think the pre-1970 knives I bought in 1990 were 20 or more years old and if I curve that to apply to knives today I would be buying knives made pre-2006. All said I am not really searching for knives all that 2006 new but I have changed my definition of what an HOK is as far as year of manufacture is concerned. Good using knives made with close to old standards and materials are still what I look for.

woodwalker wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:16 pm No sir! Not even close. I dont buy as many anymore, but I like reading about them, seeing them and learning about them. You can sure learn about them with the very knowledgeable people on this site. Not saying that will never happen, but not at this time.

I agree 100%.

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:25 pm I haven't found a cure yet!

I don't think there is a cure, and the only successful treatment is to acquire "just one more knife".

As most of you regulars know, I'm selling out for medical and financial reasons, So much for that. Truth is I'm having nearly as much fun selling and dealing with serious and nice collectors as I did buying for 45+ years. I'll always love a good knife and will probably buy a prize when I see one, but owning 1,000 + pieces got cumbersome and I'm over it. Again, I'm just glad my babies are going to good stewards and will stay in the hobby. 40+ Catts and 40+ KA BAR's are going to my two grandsons, and, my son won't have to deal with the rest.
Unscientifically, it seems there is a little decline in the activity on the site. Maybe it's me, but there doesn't seem to be as many folks on line at any given moment as there were a few years ago, and some of the old familiar names are either missing or less frequently heard from. Probably inevitable as those among us are getting older. Good time for the younger addicts to grab some nice pieces. J.O'.

I sometimes wish my spark WOULD die with the way prices have gone up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve promised myself to just put a hold on buying for a period of time, and it NEVER lasts!

No.

I still enjoy finding a HOK, but I believe the spark is a bit weaker than it used to be. Still wading around in the shallow end of the bay but not willing to get into a bidding war for most knives being offered.
Haven't been to a antique store or flea market since my wife passed last year. For many years she looked for green glass and I looked for knives, enjoying every minute of it.
Treefarmer

tvic wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:59 pm I sometimes wish my spark WOULD die with the way prices have gone up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve promised myself to just put a hold on buying for a period of time, and it NEVER lasts!

Took the words right out of my mouth, Tim Nailed it

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2026 8:19 pm
Unscientifically, it seems there is a little decline in the activity on the site. Maybe it's me, but there doesn't seem to be as many folks on line at any given moment as there were a few years ago, and some of the old familiar names are either missing or less frequently heard from. Probably inevitable as those among us are getting older.

I have noticed the same thing.

We have unfortunately lost some members to their passing but I think the majority of them are now on Facebook.

Every Tom, Dick and Harry ( as the old saying goes) has left AAPK to join or start their own Facebook page

I don't like Facebook, the format drives me nuts, endlessly scrolling to the bottomless page to read the content. Not to mention the endless advertising. It is unorganized, no separate forums to find what specifically you are looking for. I like the structure and organization of AAPK
To each their own.

There are several thousand people each day still perusing this forum however they are mostly not signed in, only the regulars sign in so they can make a post or use the search function.

They do come here when they want an answer to a knife question that can not be found on Facebook, my favorite kind of poster the perverbial " One and Done" poster, get what they are looking for and don't even have the courtesy to say thank you.

Another thing that burns me up is long time members who have been here for years with hundreds dare I say thousands of knives in their collection who have only posted a handful of knives?? And no I don't expect anyone to post every single knife they own!

I don't get it, the life blood of this and any knife forum is PARTICIPATION post a comment or a picture!

Rant Over!