"Why I Collect"
by Nancy Stevens-Brown
I love to change what I wear depending on my mood, my plans and the day ahead. I might slip on a trusty Timex® and clip a color-coordinated Spyderco in my jeans, strap on a sassy Swatch® watch and drop a Case in my pocket, or perhaps wear my Native American turquoise-and-sterling watchband along with a Bear & Son Baby Bowie.
I suppose this “stylin’” started with my grandpa. I never saw Papa without his faithful folder. Memories of him futzing around with that ever-present pocketknife are vivid. So, by age 5, I already knew knives were handy to have.
Today, Papa’s ol’ stockman still roams my purse but now shares the chores with quite a few more blades—such as my first Swiss Army knife that I got in Switzerland engraved with my name on it in case I forget who I am.
Then there are those blades I conveniently leave around the ranch, such as the simple Stanley hanging by our recycling area for cutting down cardboard, or the Graham Razel on the entry hall table to open my latest parcel from Smoky Mountain Knife Works.
Other knives tag along on the daily treks with my dogs. Most often I stuff a Benchmade Griptilian or SOG Twitch II in my pocket with the dog treats, and hang a more formidable Westmark fixed blade from my belt.
For mountain biking I always roll with a knife in my bike bag, usually a Spyderco. There’s another Stanley living full time in my truck door so when I buy a new knife at Bass Pro Shops, I can open the package before we get out of the parking lot.
At our cabin I have two decorative knives with bear art etched on them because it’s a cabin, and I like bears—and it’s art.
Then there’s my mom’s old monogrammed gold-toned knife—I’m just sentimental, mind you—and that weathered fishing knife my late stepdad kept well oiled in his tackle box. And don’t forget the no-nonsense Buck hunter my husband Bill gave me; it’s my essential camp companion.
OK, I confess, I recently sprung for a sweet Chris Reeve Small Sebenza with a wolf etched in blue. But you must agree I’m not a true collector — I just keep knives because I need ’em and use ’em.
Oh, excuse me, the mailman’s here. I’m expecting a delivery from A.G. Russell.
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| The author brings along any number of knives on her daily treks with her best friend. (Nancy Stevens-Brown photo) |
I love to change what I wear depending on my mood, my plans and the day ahead. I might slip on a trusty Timex® and clip a color-coordinated Spyderco in my jeans, strap on a sassy Swatch® watch and drop a Case in my pocket, or perhaps wear my Native American turquoise-and-sterling watchband along with a Bear & Son Baby Bowie.
I suppose this “stylin’” started with my grandpa. I never saw Papa without his faithful folder. Memories of him futzing around with that ever-present pocketknife are vivid. So, by age 5, I already knew knives were handy to have.
Today, Papa’s ol’ stockman still roams my purse but now shares the chores with quite a few more blades—such as my first Swiss Army knife that I got in Switzerland engraved with my name on it in case I forget who I am.
Then there are those blades I conveniently leave around the ranch, such as the simple Stanley hanging by our recycling area for cutting down cardboard, or the Graham Razel on the entry hall table to open my latest parcel from Smoky Mountain Knife Works.
Other knives tag along on the daily treks with my dogs. Most often I stuff a Benchmade Griptilian or SOG Twitch II in my pocket with the dog treats, and hang a more formidable Westmark fixed blade from my belt.
For mountain biking I always roll with a knife in my bike bag, usually a Spyderco. There’s another Stanley living full time in my truck door so when I buy a new knife at Bass Pro Shops, I can open the package before we get out of the parking lot.
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| This excerpt is from the July 2010 issue of BLADE Magazine. Subscribe now! |
At our cabin I have two decorative knives with bear art etched on them because it’s a cabin, and I like bears—and it’s art.
Then there’s my mom’s old monogrammed gold-toned knife—I’m just sentimental, mind you—and that weathered fishing knife my late stepdad kept well oiled in his tackle box. And don’t forget the no-nonsense Buck hunter my husband Bill gave me; it’s my essential camp companion.
OK, I confess, I recently sprung for a sweet Chris Reeve Small Sebenza with a wolf etched in blue. But you must agree I’m not a true collector — I just keep knives because I need ’em and use ’em.
Oh, excuse me, the mailman’s here. I’m expecting a delivery from A.G. Russell.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by J.T. Hill on -
You sure sound like a collector to me Nancy - the Sebenza makes it official!
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Permalink Reply by Rickoshea on -
I used to call myself a "collector" but in reality I'm an "accumulator". I buy any blade that looks handy and interesting. I only carry truly capable edc knives like my CRKT Drifter, but I like all the interesting designs I find. Even the cheap Chinese stuff. Yes, there are cheap Chinese knives and Great Chinese knives. I'll get em all but I will only trust my EDC chores to one....my Drifter. I do keep my Sebenza close for showing off. But dang, I'd hate to scratch it. Does that make me a real "collector"? I'll stick to "Accumulator".
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