Busse- 4, one on order.
Swamp- 8, one on order.
Scrapyard- 20, two on order.
I keep selling off the lesser knives, in order to keep the size of the collection at a sane level. But I seem to buy more than sell. At about 75 total right now.

What I tell myself sometimes is, "Well, if the SHTF, I can barter with all these great knives."

LOL +1, I have had the same considerations, especially the not so great knives. Got to keep some of those handy for trading.

My wife and I had a "Bussekin knives would be great trade fodder at TEOTWAWKI" conversation just this morning.

After I discovered (and personally tested) Bussekin I sold every other fixed blade I had. All told I probably sold 40-50 Benchmades, Bucks, Gerbers, USGI Bayonets, etc.

Now my Bussekin fixed blade family has grown to a point where I'm seeing a lot of redundancy in purpose. Since I'm a "hoarding for use" type - I like having redundancy but I'm starting to struggle with ideas like:

* I have several SOD's, (2) Mil Regs, and (2) 711's on order. These all serve the same basic purpose - so why have ALL of them?

I created a "chart" that listed all of my fixed blades and their intended reason of ownership. I've spent a lot of time looking at / refining that list so I can see if there are any I can turn loose of. I recently sold a RMD and already sort of miss it - but I have others.

My dilemma is:

Hoarding vs Collecting
Collecting vs Using
Practical Limits vs You Only Live Once

Fortunately I have a bombproof gun safe that I keep my extras in, but it still makes me wonder where I should end up on these things!

I'm right there with you, Arch....although my stash is meager in comparison.

I keep trying to figure out what a Basic 08 can do that my Basic 11 won't do...etc. Even for TEOTWAWKI, I find myself bailing with the Basic 11 and several 4" blades. I could also see choosing a Basic 08 or SYKCO 711 over the Basic 11...for weight savings. Might make the work harder...but probably not by much.

I think I'd be better off getting outside more often and practicing shelter building and similar bushcraft. Actually...I think that will be a great resolution!!

It's the madness...I'm sick with it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I'm keeping you guys company too. I get uncomfortable in the role of collector, sell off a few and then am tempted again! For the moment, I'm not in a too bad of a spot, I'm down- my Tramp, Battle Rat, War Dog, Muk and Weiner are all I have for Dogs and Rats (for the moment) and they all get used pretty regularly. I do have a come and go itch for a RMDx or Desert Jack and the next 5" from the Swamp looks tempting.

Beyond that I have a four customs I enjoy, my HI Tamang which is a great blade a machete...plus some folders! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> lol...that's pretty controlled knife ownership for me!

I figure once the kids are a bit older we'll be out and about more and the knives will see more use and I'll relax my internal collector/user chatter... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

In my mind, I justify the gun and knife collection filled with redundancy, by the fact that I have 5 grandchildren that may appreciate these tools/heirlooms and put them to good use. I won't wait until I'm gone to start giving them to them at appropriate times and milestones in thier lives. The things passed down to me are some of my most cherished.