What's the Point of Collecting Knives? Users, Safe Queens, and Why I Only Keep Certain Knives 

Fancy like watches. Dangerous like guns. Largely cheaper than either...

Better than stamps.

Not sure if I'm a enthusiast and/Or collector, probably just a total addiction problem! Lol

Knives are like Pokémon, "Gotta catch them all".

Strange, after fifty years of collecting I still haven't figured it out! I do believe that my inner drive is to search for that perfect grail knife that has both all of the design elements, but also is super effective at many tasks. Problem is, I keep finding them, then hitting "reset," and starting all over again.... 🤣⚔️🤣

I do use every part of my collection and I take every single one to work with me as a cabinet maker. I took my fully customized battle black hinderer with that regrind to work with me yesterday. I love my knives but to justify having them I need to use them.

Collect what you like and enjoy period 🔪

Lol questions like this just get the "because I like it" response. 🤣

If someone shits on you because they have a different preference, they're being a knife snob, we're all here to learn, share, and have fun

Why do we collect!?! Easy we are human beings we like hoarding things that appel to us, the list of things people collect varies from rocks, women, knives, guns, soda bottles etc. We do it because we find satisfaction in it. Period.

I have been collecting knives since I was 6 yrs. old. I`m now 63 and have no idea how many knives I own . I could only guess. So maybe around 300 or so. I have given away more knives as gifts than most people own in a life time. I probably own over 100 switchblade knives. Collecting is fun !

I collect because I love seeing how different handles and materials feel in hand and I love seeing how different steels react to the abuse I give them. I generally rotate through most of knives every few weeks or so. However, I recently managed to grab the Shaman z-wear sprint, and that may never leave my pocket.

You collectors are ridiculous. I own one single knife which I use EVERYDAY to cut sheet metal into smaller pieces. I eat one can of baked beans when I wake up at 3:30am in my cabin, and one at 8pm before I rewatch Blackhawk Down. I store the knife by stabbing it into a tree stump, and then shake my son’s hand before bed. You better believe I open the cans with the knife. I do this every day.

I like knives....other people like knives....I like some styles that others hate and vice versa....what everybody does with their knives (hard use vs safe queen) is of no concern to me :) I just like knives and I like interacting with people with the same interests :)

I have some knives that i use the crap out of and some that i just hold in my hand and take photos of and its not about price i have some budget knives that i don't use and some expensive ones that i use daily ,when it comes to knives you do you and enjoy the wonderful world of knives😉

They bring me joy. Nuff said

Get well soon! Kudos to you for being socially responsible. Why collect knives.. hmm.. for me as a newbie, it is a fascinating world of different blade type, locks, handle etc, and how each of them fits into various EDC sets. :)

Those who not into knives at all simply don't understand and don't feel like explaining much to them. We whom love knives also got our own different tastes of different blades, brands etc... especially my country here Singapore where the law is strict and not much of knives people..once I was with my group of friends drinking coffee.. most were debating with me on why and needs to spend even couple of hundreds on one folder, I tried to explain one to two times but what agitated me was one friend, he collect those "fake" knives(no brand)cheap but look like one fierce knife telling me I stupid while he only spend that money get better looking (?) knives than me..I stand up got myself a can of Coke and placed on one pillar...slashed the can,what remains after slashed was fully there including the liquid coke, asked him your knife able to? Before he even answer,I slashed 2 more times leaving just a quarter of the original full can and still the balance of drink was inside the slashed can....so now u tell me if I am stupid or yours are just pure cheapo and useless? He speechless

As a gun guy, I only thought of knives in a practical purpose... Typical Secondary weapon or box opener... However, I think I have gotten the bug...! It's to easy to buy knives I can't afford or justify it's use...! happy and Sad

This is the best ramble vid ever, timely as well -I’ve been thinking about reducing my collection to refine it further, this helped. Thanks for sharing!

I started collecting knives very recently because the inventory at my favorite gun store is low right now. I needed something to fill the void, now I'm hooked. :-)

I really enjoy a simple, well made tool/object. As a bicycle mechanic I work on so much not so perfect stuff.

So far. I use all of my knives (not that many, maybe five or six), but I don't consider myself a collector, just an accumulator. It's usually like "oh, that would be THE knife to have", so I buy it, use it, and then I'm like, "this is cool, but THAT would be THE knife to have", and buy another one. It's a viscous cycle, but I'm enjoying it.

Ive always been into knives from a young age. I buy mine with the Purpose of carrying them. I have very high end knives such as the Grimsmo (which has been my grail for many years befor i got it) and the Arius etc, and I carry them all. Iam not in an enveironment where I need to harduse my knives often at all, but whatever is in my pocket is used for the need I have at that moment. I take real good care of them all, dissamble regularly, clean, stored well etc, but I dont mind getting scratches into them or similiar things. So I dont really have Safequeens, but I do sometimes see what fits best (Hunting, Fishing, Hiking or just city) , but aslong as i dont have a certain occasion on that day I guess I just always put the Knife in my pocket I feel like carrying.

Honestly I love your videos and that’s straight up truth. Your such an inspiration and you have gotten me into the knife world! 🔥

Cheaper than guns..... well it used to be

I don't know when you'd classify my fascination with knives became collecting. Very young I'd find an old pocket knife in a junk drawer or in the garage and play with it. Started carrying a Cub Scout knife at age 8. Switched to a single blade folder a few years later and had a couple different junk knives that I thought were "cool" looking. Still have most of them. So always had at least a few and since I rarely lost any the number grew. About 10-15 years ago I began collecting in earnest wherein I'd actively seek out new models, read reviews and selectively add to the pile. Once storing them became an issue I realized I had my favorites that I carried the vast majority of the time. If they were constantly produced I'd treat them less kindly but when I finally came to a favorite that had been discontinued, well, then I had to have a "backup" in case I ever lost the original. I just wouldn't want to be without a Sage2. Then it became a thing. If I really liked to carry something I'd end up with 2, one to carry, one for the collection. Consequently, there are a fair number I've never carried simply because I have duplicates. I also found I'd get a better price on resale for pristine knives with the original packaging so.. It just goes against my grain to loose money on a transaction when I don't have to. As a result, I'm probably about dead even, some selling for more than I paid, some for less. It let's me justify the purchases when the SO looks at my bank statements. It was also handy to have a ready source for something I could liquidate quickly for cash when emergencies happen.

"this might be a weird video" Well, that's the main reason I subscribed... Your videos are usually informative and always entertaining!

I can't explain why knives. But I can explain that there are things that grab ahold of my mind and interest. Once something grabs my mind, it is something that I run with. Maybe what drew me in was the diversity of knives. 100s of blade steels, blade shapes and grinds, scores of frame and scale materials, a dozen locking mechanism, and a near infinite combination of colors. I have strong personal preferences, but even window shopping at 50 different websites reveals 1000s and 1000s of knives that I can see and ponder over, even if I never come to hold them.

I collect because I enjoy it, same reason I am a knife user and enthusiast! I only own 30 or so, but that’s because I only buy what I like and what I know I’ll use and enjoy keeping around!

MC has been getting philosophical with his videos lately lol.

You've made me a knife addict. Good work.

literally picked up a new watch yesterday... doesn't feel the same as getting a new knife!

If you don't like Metal Complex, there is something wrong with you! 😁

I would like to see your fixed blade's. On a video, hope you test ok

I always find it funny that 90% of all of my knives are actual users and that they all cost at least $200-$250. I used to tell other non-knife people how much each of my knives costs, mostly as a bit of pride because I work hard for each of them, and maybe a bit to show off and the amount of hate and practical disgust that someone has for me to “spend that much on a knife.” Yet there girlfriend for Valentine’s Day demands a $1000 pocket book. Yet getting into this hobby/collecting/appreciation 5-10 years ago I still to this day never scoff at what someone is willing to spend on something but I try and understand why its worth it to them. I love the knife community simply for the passion we share for great tools.

I’ve collected since the early 90s. I still enjoy it, even though I seem to constantly cull my collection and collect again...usually collecting different manufacturers or blade types.

What is the knife in the top right corner?

To feel like we're connected physically to a tool on a fundamental level, And love the mechanical way a knive takes us to a visceral place.....yata yata yara, BOY I LOVE THE WAY MY KEYBOARD COMMANDO MENTALITY. THANKS FOR SHARING BY THE WAY, GOOD RAMBLE..........................................

Nice topic and great points! Collecting is fun and nobody can tell you you’re wrong. Maybe dumb and weird haha. But not wrong.

For me, it comes down to two things: carry options and steel varieties. A fun way for me to start my day is to look at my knives and choose one based on what kind of mood I’m in. Might be a Sebenza, maybe an old Case lock back, or a Drunken. Whatever puts a smile on my face right before I head out is what gets the nod. Also, I’m a sharpener so I really like to see how different steels react to my sharpening and how they hold up to use. I’ll shop for a new knife based on what kind of steel I’m after. Most recently it was a maxamet PM2, now I’m on the hunt for either cruwear or tungsten.

I completely agree about your opinion on collecting knives. Everyone should do what makes them happy. I treat my collection like you do. I consider myself an enthusiast. I carry some knives but other knives I rarely use & keep pristine. I'm a carpenter & would never use a 300 dollar knife at work thats what a utility knife is for. Please keep making philosophical knife content like this & I'll keep watching.

It takes me humility to carry a cheaper knife so you could call that proud of not being a snob but I know I like nice thing's and take care of.....I PROBABLY SOUND LIKE A JACK A$$ $ORRY (BETTER DAYS AHEAD) THANKS...

I'm not (thaaaat) special... if I like it, someone else will (..and hopefully, when I get bored of it.. ) ...and the Circle-of-Knife continues.. er... Simba!?

Like a lot of interests there are collectors, tool users. With knives - collecting, camping, trade work (electrical, cooking, etc...), bushcraft, self-defense, and so on. See the same thing with guns - safe queens, hunting guns, target guns, self defense guns, military guns, historical guns, and everything in between. I like guns and knives that I can use and enjoy using them, yet still appreciate their functional beauty. Everyone is different.

I went from carrying a [loved] shitty razor in a repurposed sheath to realizing current knives can be one handed operation. Still do when work dictates. Decided I'd like to edc carry a knife that was one handed operation, because that's my preferred. Took me a couple tries(silly assisted) to get to the Spiderco Smock. OH! brilliant(hooks starting to set in with this journey). Felt this was all I needed and it ticked all my boxes. Never felt I'd have a knife I wouldn't carry at work. While I only have 2 I won't carry at work now(bonkers to myself), I've none that I'll never carry, yet... I'm probably just a design and materials away. I'm under 20 knives in, but that's only the crest of my growing addiction- It doesn't begin to encapsulate the rabbit holes on handle materials, locks, deployment methods, blade steels/shapes and my growing collection of specialty lubes, tool sets, mats... I'd already been into kitchen knives so I've sharpening stones and strops/compounds a'plenty. My only real question is this: what do you do with all the zippered cases they come in?

Why collect knives? Because they are better than action figures or music boxes and a bunch of other stuff I could name. Why collect knives? Why the hell not? At last count I had 40+ knives. I’m not a hoarder. I rotate through knives. Some I keep, some I give away. Others I would never give away. I’ve got a Benchmade Boguzewski Spike and an AFCK I would never part with. I’ve got a couple Spyderco knives like the Wayne Goddard and the Jotsingh Khalsa I’ll never get rid of. I’ve carried and used them all to one degree or another. Some I’ve used and carried longer than others. I just like knives and I’m always looking for the knife that will be “THE ONE”.

I collect traditional Barlows and Italian and German and Czech automatic knives or switchblades. I own one modern knife but I don’t like it very much. Why do all modern knives look like Benchmade Bugouts?😊

I'm never selling again. I sold 3 Spyderco Chaparral Titanium C152TIP Now I have none and it's the prettiest Syperdo I've seen 😢

Once again I've tuned into another MC "knife philosophy" vdo & left half way, bored & disappointed. Perhaps this need to put out 14 vids a wk (which seems ridiculous & excessive) could be cut down to 7 or 5 great vids....just saying. If u post philosophical vids with titles like "knife addition or why collect" then plz do some prep & discuss the topic. This was another "here's my collection" vdo, fawning over your expensive hardware. U would barely start to discuss the topic then steer off on to some rant about 1 of your knives on display. The reason we watch a vid with this title is to connect with other knife enthusiasts on a discussion style basses. But alas another knife opening/closing vid with prices attached.

I've become a big fan in just a couple weeks now. Great channel. I'd encourage you to use Nutnfancy's terms First Cool and Second Cool. It's easier than having to explain over and over the enthusiast concept versus functional application in evaluating a knife. Also a nod to Nutnfancy, I think the Micky Mouse "voice of the audience"-- even if you're mocking them--needs to be used more often. It cracks me up and you pull it off really well. Great channel!

I kinda think of my knives like little cars. Lots of makes and models, price levels, customs, exclusive builds. But way more inexpensive!

Great vid buddy! Talk about synchrony, we talked about more or less the same subject in my next next Sunday episode. Love you collection and respect your way of collecting.👍😊

Hey MC, you had a little custom knife we watchers called the tiger shark, because that's what it reminded us of do you still have it? It's an awesome knife.

Knife reviewers are like 80's rock bands most are just about looking good and having fun eventually they will be crushed by the grunge reviewers that care more about substance . The good thing about youtube is if you don't like something just change the channel .

I like the "this is how I collect. You do you, and collect how you want to collect. There's no wrong way. " attitude of this. Do it how it makes you happy.

Lol you say in this video "this is half my collection". I don't think your past self knew what was coming

All my knives are users, in that I don't buy a knife that I never intend to use, but that doesn't mean that they actually *get* used. I have some that I bought for things that simply don't come up very often or haven't come up since I bought them, and there are a few I don't really like enough to use but don't dislike enough to get rid of.

Did he just say he doesn't like many knives in hiscollection? 😂😂😂 10/2023

How come you’ve never collected any of the 940 series of knives from benchmade

Pictures of knives don’t show how many flaws they can actually have. I took a picture of the knife I carry and abuse at work. Looks better in the picture haha

Cold meds buzz fueled reviews. I'm all for it.

Because we are too old for Pokémon

I had a Hinderer XM-18 and had some problems with it. I even communicated with the big guy himself. Poor customer service. I now avoid the Hinderer line-up,

“Manliness is associated with inconvenience and stupidity” - sounds about right 🤣

The whole thing about excessive appearance of wear/use on high end knives just seems like a wealth flex to me. People who like to show how hard used their high end stuff is are really just bragging about how much money they have.

Definitely nothing wrong with buying a Ferrari and putting it in storage for 40 years and occasionally visiting it to look at it. Me, I'm gonna drive it, but everyone is different.

oh my god that evo typhoon is amazing

Not trying to flex 😆😆😆 You kids and your cool lingo.

Never get enough of your vids! Keep me coming.

I guess the argument could be made that you only need 2 knives because you only have 2 hands... I didn't say it was a good argument. 😂 Some people collect knives for various reasons. For me it's like I see a collection as a jigsaw puzzle with pieces needed to complete the picture. Everyone has a different puzzle (individual knives) they are working on with a different picture (the complete collection). When you are collecting, you are trying to complete your puzzle. I guess there is a little OCD involved with collecting. 😆 As far as using a knife or not, who owns the knife? Who paid for it? That's as far as the argument goes. The owner has the final say as to what they do with their knives. The rest are just opinions. Opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one.

Stay Warm Metal Complex, us Kansans aren’t used to this single degree weather 😂 love the content btw and your actually the reason I started getting into knives myself

I don’t think people really need justification for collecting things. I think that sometimes there’s an inherent urge to “explain yourself” to people but I also think that *because I like them* is as good a reason as any. I’m very casual with knives...I only own ten or so. But I understand the compulsion. I collect guitars and baitcasting reels much more seriously. I own many more reels than I could ever use on a given fishing trip and I own more guitars than any sane human should. Some of my reels are incredibly expensive and lightweight, some of them are entry level models. Same with my guitars...some are worth THOUSANDS, others I couldn’t sell for $100. But they all make me happy and that’s the point at the end of the day. Whether you collect knives for practical purposes or just because they’re cool...either reason is perfectly valid, IMO.

Are there any other 13-16 y.o female collectors here?

M.C. knives aside for a second. Love your outlook on things, you don't get to wrapped around the axle about to much. You just laugh it off and keep doin what you do.. Hell I watch this channel for the knife content and stay for the perspective. I've got a SPYDERCO Domino in red, for some reason it's just "perfect" for me. Seldom carry it, never used it and it'll stay in my case until I change my mind or drop dead. 😳😜 Stay safe, stay sharp 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

I would consider myself a enthusiast, my favorite knife is ZT 0562ti. It is far from my normal carry. Normal carry is a Para 3LW in SPY27 during the week and a BM 550 on the weekend. I have loaned knives at work or on the weekend for others to use. Have had knifes broken. (Not by me) So for me carrying something that if it doesn’t come back pristine, or gets lost is essential. All though it doesn’t make me happy when this happens I responded with it’s just a tool an move on. I would struggle doing so with the ZT 0562 due to cost to replace. That’s also why I almost never carry my G10 exclusive Smock. PS. If it’s yours, use it or not how you wish.

Price is not my safe queen criteria. Some things are just hard to replace. I have a large lefty knife art cf basketweave damascus. It's pricey, but I have others a little higher up the pay scale. I keep it safe because of sentimental reasons. They had been sold out forever and ever, I knew it would never be. I had several other CRK damascus blades, but this one was THE ONE... Alas it was gone. The day I got home from my grandpas funeral I happened to look on the knife art site. There it was, out of the blue and totally unexpected. I have never bought something so quick. After I bought it, thy were unavailable, the last one if not the only one. I feel like my grandpa sent me that knife and it will always be kept the safest of all things. I have a CruWear PM2 my wife got me for an anniversary that is very special. It is not available anymore so I just carry the other selections of PM2's available in the spyderco box. My cheapest are a few old case knives my above mentioned grandpa carried. They can not be worth hardly any money, but they are worth much in memories.

oh my god!you have knives that you dont use? me too lol

Hey MC, love your content! I saw a video a few months back about a large inkosi that you seemed to really like. I was wondering why you don't keep any Chris Reeves around in your collection. Is it the action, or maybe the visual aesthetics that don't float your boat? Thanks! -M

Good collection explanation! I will say though, I don’t know why you give so much of your time to the people who complain about whether or not you use your knives when you say you ultimately don’t care. Whether it be mocking them, defending your stance or excusing their stance, in reality you’re just acknowledging them and further fueling future comments. Which I guess does ultimately create interactivity in the comments but this video felt like it had multiple minutes of you talking about it. It starts it to feel repetitive and even predictable, some might say “a dead horse that needs no more beating” lol. I’m a big fan of yours and have been for quite some time so I hope this isn’t coming off as anything but constructive criticism. Hope you’re feeling better MC!

I started collecting because it was cheaper than buying guns all the time. Now it’s become more expensive because I buy knives a lot more often. Funny how I started both the same way. First it was quantity over quality then the further I went I now buy fewer but everything’s much more expensive.

👍👍👍

I use my knives and I have different blade shapes for different things. Then some I buy for fidget factor. Then the art design of some. Dont cough into the modem it will spread the super covid by becoming a virtual virus then reanimated into a physical virus thats why it's super. Get well soon brother.

We're all different and different things bring us joy. I couldn't care less about sports memorabilia, but to some people, that's their thing.

I have a small collection of around 30 knives. I really only use 3 or 4 of them the rest are safe queens. I mean why would you need to use more than a few knives anyways?

80 Percent may very much be the truth

"Collecting knives is dumb!" Says the guys who collects sweaty hats and fingernail clippings.

2 users and backups at home. 3 different types. I own 10 pocket knives. And hey, your money, your storage space and every one needs a hobby.

My reason is satisfaction

I’ve given up trying to justify or defend it to people who aren’t open to understanding, so now I usually just say because I like them.

Nick and birdshot basically got me into knives. Damn them lol. Spydercos are my crack. I have a couple 😆

Thus guy gets it!

Your Evo Typhoon looks TINY sitting in between those 2 XM-24’s and the Socom Elite & AD-20!!

Received my first hinderer xm18 yesterday in s45vn! Thank for the knowledge and input you give! Hope all turns out okay!

One of the first questions I asked my boyfriend when I knew he collected, now I am collecting hahahaha

you wont but you will

because i want to

Very interesting video. It raises that question to me, not that I have the answer at this point, although I do have quite a few knives. Hope that you feel better soon and don’t need to lock yourself up for too long.

Describing collection sickness..... you did a good job of it! Get better soon Complex. Nice collection you got going.