You are so right , jmosh. When I look at the worthless crap people spend their money on, my knives seem like a bargain. I will continue collecting and using them until the day I die. I started as a shoe shine boy saving tips to buy barlows and bowie knives. My parents hated it, but when the affliction continued, they and my other family members accepted it. With some, it is clothes, or shoes or the latest electronic gadgets or games. With me, it is steel. Whenever any of my friends or family seek advice on guns or knives, they turn to me. I am sure many of you are in the same situation. I am a knife knut and proud of it.
My Dad used to "pay" me for work (weeding, planting, splitting wood etc.) with .22's. 5 bullets for what seemed an eternity of work. I think part of it is when you don't have a ton of $$ you want to buy stuff that will LAST. Knives and guns do that-and are a lot more dependable than designer jeans.
Some great references to family tools, knives etc. I will probably not be too attached to my Dad's Carharts when he goes, but the Winchester '73 is another story.
