Well, you guys have more organized phlosophies for this sort of thing than I do.

Whatever my intention at the start, when I get interested in something, I usually end up buying 2-5 versions of it as part of the process of learning what's (perhaps subjectively) "best". Then I keep buying new "best" candidates periodically as they appear, and as my usage of them changes (I learn from my mistakes what really works)... so I end up with nine tents, a dozen or so large and small packs, a dozen stoves, maybe 20 flashlights, and enough knives to fill a wheelbarrow.

I really should try to sell this stuff on ebay...