sustaining your collection...

[sam the man..]

Dear Spydernuts,



I bet some of you have a drawer full-o-Spydies! *Hee-hee!* with your habit and lifestyle, how do you maintain and sustain your collection? Having to pay four times as much for any knife, I'll have to get a second job like flipping burgers, bartending or mowing lawns to finance my habit.. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Do you have a tale that you wish to share on the secret of your success?



Sam



have surgical scars will travel..



Edited by - samo on 4/24/2002 2:44:35 AM

[patogordo]

basicaly whats left of my month y spend in knifes or usless things acording to my wife <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

I want all }{

[Jeff/1911]

Samo,

Well, being a husband and a parent of small children I find I must be responsible about such things.

Once my pay is received, and all of the monthly knives are bought I usually find enough left over for the frivolous things like food, mortgage payments, shoes for the kids and so on. If not, then some of these luxuries simply have to wait for the next month's pay to arrive.

Jeff/1911.

[J Smith]

I load Pepsi trucks for a living.On fridays I offer to wash the drivers trucks,20.00 each after I get off.I useally get at least 2 or 3 a week.This is pure extra money for the good stuff.

}{ Jeff }{

[sam the man..]

Hey Mr Smith! You are my ROLE MODEL man!! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Thanks for sharing your thoughts! This is most precious to me! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have surgical scars will travel..

[dialex]

dear Samo, I am in the same bucket with you, just that I live in a country where the average wages are about 40 &#247; 60 USD a month. I also have to pay more than the usual prices, as there is not even a spidie dealer in the whole country. (at least, none that I know). I discovered Spyderco only a few months ago, and I currently own proudly a Ladybug only. But I am sure I'll get more spydies, as I got the dabs<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. Anyway, look at the bright side: no pain, no gain. The harder you get them, the more valuable they are, right?
See you...

[RYAN]

I just got a job with Spyderco!! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[AllenETreat]

Dear Samo ( &amp; dialex )

As I am on Social Security ( $1,012 a month )
I have to make certain &quot;sacrifices&quot; ( i.e. no
&quot;excessive&quot; living ) to pay for that next
Spydie. But if Spydies are your pleasure, then, it's worth it! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I basically have to
go where the deals are ( GlassHartt, 1SKS,
Bestknives.com, etc.)but I ALWAYS get my Spydie! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I was touched seeing on dialex's
first posting how he actually took a whole months salary and put it down on a Ladybug.
Thats commitment! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> It also gives creedence
to the Gospel according to Luke...

&quot;...and let him that has no sword sell his robe and buy one...&quot; Luke 22:36 <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Al]

Allen ~ Were you hurt/disabled in the line of duty?.

[gadfly]

Of the four hundred thousand dollars I've earned in my life, I spent three hundred and fifty thousand dollars on wine, women, knives and song.

The rest I spent foolishly

One way or the other, you pay for your tools!

[liko]

Sustaining my collection has had to take a back seat to other expenses lately, mainly debts to my parents. With all other expenses out of the way, I usually have enough free money for one or two spydies a month. If money gets tight, new knives are the first thing to get cut from the &quot;budget&quot;, as I can definitely get by on the knives I have already. Next comes bass gear. Sometimes my bass will need a new part or three, and while usually not expensive, my basses are my babies. I'm also saving up for a brand-new bass that I'll hand-build. If I can't afford to keep up with bass gear and knives, I need to seriously examine my paychecks, or my more pressing expenses.

Wise man say, forgiveness is divine. Remember that when your <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=0> bites you!

[yog]

Ironically when I worked exclusively on site and used a knife most, I couldn't afford many good quality knives.
Now I'm more office bound I can afford them easier.
My excuse is I'm making up for lost time <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Walk softly, carry a big stick.

[Xibalba]

Good question, samo!
I am currently a graduate student in social work. My wife is also a social worker, so needless to say, knives are luxury expenditure. I just started my <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> collection (after several other knoves) last Oct., and now own two. I have decided that I can afford to buy myself a <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> at the end of every semester, kind of like a &quot;motivational&quot; knife. At this rate, I will have four before I graduate, and will have to make the difficult choice as to which one goes best with my cap and gown! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


"'The best de-fense is a good o-ffense.' You know who said that? Mel, the cook from 'Alice'!" - Ed Gruberman

[John Watson]

You friends from other contries make us here in the US feel even more fortunate to live in this great contry. To think about trying to spend almost a months salary for a knife makes me shudder. I am blessed in that we aren't doing too bad for a family of four with two in college. I seem to get my fare share of knives each year to add to my collection. I keep the wife happy with her trinkets and I buy her a pink handle Sypderco every once in a while for her to feel part of my affliction.

[java]

Samo

Tightwad had some salient insights into this in another post. I have to bargain shop on e-bay or check out specials on other sales sites. (The Forum Vesuvius being a worthwhile an exception). Occasionally the local Flea Market, Garage Sales, or Gun &amp; Knife shows can prove a mother-lode.

This said, I have two CoPilots winging my way for under $30. How would you like to hook up with one??


Stay safe! Stay sharp!

[AllenETreat]

Hey Al the Scotsman :

You could say that. I worked for the Fairfield Public School system in Ct. for 7yrs and was injured numerous times. Could've
filed worker's compensation, but I was the nice guy ( they oft finish last!)<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I was
eventually terminated and, after almost two yrs out of work ended up on disability
Social Security <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> not much of a livin' but
livin' none-the-less. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

ATE ( ex-Army, ex-employed ) <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[br44]

Look high and look low and live in Spyland. And always carry cash. Cause your plastic don't always work. My highlight of many was finding an old plain edge Harpy about a month ago.

[sam the man..]

Wow! Great stories dudes! Dialex ~ I feel for you man! I hope the situation will improve at your end! Hey Al ~ Good guys always finish last! My thoughts and prayers are with you man! Java ~ Thanks for the offer dude! You are very-very kind! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Well, back here in Malaysia, Spyderco knives are indeed a luxury.. Imagine this, a Spyderco Lumto (fixed blade) at US$199.95, thats almost RM800 a slice! We do have a limited selection here.. But no dedicated knifeshop.. I get my thrills from browsing through knife catalogs and save up to get some knives for my collection.

To sustain my collection, I normally write articles for other sections in my publications.. And clock in the overtime for some extra cash.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[glasshartt]

I'm able to get my spydie fixes thanks to 2 things, I can work side jobs now and then (football and basket ball games, concerts, etc) and the other reason most of you know by now. But, with DH (dear husband or other aplicable things) being activated and side jobs having been on hold since November, new <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>'s have been few and far between.

ATE, I admire you not filing for Worker's comp, but I couldn't not do it. Now I don't know if I am going to be able to go back to work. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Linda

<img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O> Integrity is being good even if no-one else is watching <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O>

[Raden]

I get the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> fix with 2 side jobs. Since I no longer officially work for the Sheriff Dept. I now work part-time as a Bail Enforcement Agent, and still teach the chemical agent course for the Dept. I couldn't do the bail work till I went to work outside the county.

Who else has been injured on the job. I was stabbed 2 years ago while doing a cell extraction. It was a month of a head shrink before they let me back at work. Guess they thought I may take revenge. But I just enjoyed the month off with pay. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Latley I have had the chance to look for him he has now jumped bond on a meth charge. If I do find him I just take great pride in telling him I'm being paid 1,500.00 bucks for taking him to jail....... What I didn't tell the bondsman was I would have done it for free. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

<img src=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif>Size Matters<img src=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif><img src=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/372fcedb/bc/toys/samurai2.gif?bcDo_58A88UxWudf>

[sam the man..]

I was involved in a rather bad motorcycle accident last November. Broke my left Tibia and Fibula. Got the leg fixed and claimed temporary disability.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[JBE]

Wow Samo...that's a pretty painful injury you sustained there...Hope all is healing well...I'm employed full-time as a paramedic for a privately owned ambulance service and with the shortage nationwide of paramedics am able to pick up quite a bit of overtime from time to time to help sustain the habit as well as working the occasional side line job. Also bargain shoppin doesn't hurt either.

[Al]

Hi Allen, sorry to hear of your misfortunes, take care dude. Well folks ~ To sustain my <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> habit, I work as a graphics/dtp assistant in a Media dept for a firm of Land Surveyors. I've been there since last August, before that I worked for thirteen years as a technical assistant for a firm of Consulting Engineers.

So I get by with a wee <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> by my side!

[liko]

The only hard-up country I'd be able to compare to would be India. 5000 Rupee for a $100 knife... That's what the average worker in India earns in a month. I have a couple of friends working with me from India who are planning on saving US$50k or so, and then going back home to India and living like kings. Just think about that for a sec: a couple of years' salary here for a bachelor's degree-level job is more money than most people there make in their entire lives.

Wise man say, forgiveness is divine. Remember that when your <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=0> bites you!

[sam the man..]

I just got paid for restoring some old bayonets.. <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Well, some of the money will go into knives.. Normally, I buy some good folders which I give away to jungle guides. They marvel at how sharp my Spydies are, so, some of my share goes to them.. In a third world country, you live to crave for the good stuff... <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..