4 Knife Mystery GAW - WINNERS in 1st Post!! PICS

Oh, 3 this time ;)

Pointy bargains are the just reward of much spent shoe leather! ;)
 
My second entry - more than 600 posts in the Best Subforum Of The World

My second choice is # 4

Thanks for this again!
 
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A mystery you say?
I'm in #3
 
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CHOOSE WISELY
#2
cheers thanks for a great giveaway-I love these ones.
 
Thanks for the giveaway KBA, this is not an entry. My best advice to new collectors or users of traditionals is, hang around Bernard Levines forum and Learn what he means by "Read the knife" and get a copy of his 4th edition.:D

Good luck and best regards

Robin
 
Not an entry, but I never balk at giving advice :D

1) Don't be shy when buying used knives. Ask about walk and talk, gaps, blade play, cracks, weak springs, other flaws and defects. If the person selling the knife isn't familiar with nomenclature, you may have to patiently explain these terms so that they can check it out for you. Far too often I will pull the trigger on a great-looking knife only to find that it is just a broken-down wreck that was mis-represented on an auction site and that I was too excited to investigate further.

2) GEC, Queen, Case, CSC are doing great work today but do yourself a favor and find some pre-war antiques. You'll appreciate the modern knives more once you see the traditions of craftsmanship and innovation from which their current production lines are derived. And, if you're finding pre-loved patterns and specimens, you can just clean/sharpen them and drop it in your pocket.

3) It's good to identify your goals early and often. Are you a collector, accumulator, user? Do you not feel like defining your hobby and just want to go for it? But, that said, don't be afraid to branch out. I find that one of the most satisifying yet accessible branches of this hobby is the collection and use of traditional working patterns from all over the world. And because of their humble origins, those kinds of patterns rarely break the bank. Opinel, higonokami, Okapi, Douk Douk, Mercator, Moras, SAKs, German sodbusters...the list goes on.
 
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Thanks for the generous GAW KBA, this is not an entry.
My advice to you would be to not think of knives as an investment when you are buying them. Buy what you like and not what you think others would like....and use them. :thumbup: :)

Enjoy!

Mark
 
My advice is to stop in every store you see and ask about pocket knives. Start up a conversation and look for the beauty. It not so much about the destination as the journey. You will learn so much more than you every imagined.

Thanks for sharing the porch. #3
 
This sounds cool and mysterious. I am in for my first entry with #3

Ted and a few others have already posted some great advice. I would add...

Knives aren't necessarily a good money making investment. The custom market can produce some profit, but generally it's not worth it.

Buy what you like. Don't think you have to buy this brand, or that brand because everyone else is. Try some different things out. If you don't like them, then you can trade them or sell them to fund other purchases.

Don't snub knives that have shell handles. While these knives were built with economy in mind, they generally did not skimp on the steel, and some of that good carbon stuff will perform better (IMO) than a lot of today's super steels.

Don't be afraid to use a "safe queen". That knife that you put in a glass case and never put in your pocket may be the best one you will ever use, but you won't know it if it's still in the box. Easier said than done, I know. Getting that first scratch or ding on it breaks your heart, but after that, you can use it with no reservations.

Learn how to sharpen free hand on a stone. Lansky's and Sharpmakers are great, but there's something about putting and edge on a blade by hand.
 
I'm in, much obliged sir!
I will take #3.

There are some wonderful custom knife craftsman on this site, save up your money and try a custom at least once. You can find some bargains if you are willing to try some newer makers. Their talent is really something to behold.
 
Thanks for all the great feedback. Maybe another newbie down the road will run across this thread. Here in a few days I may give a hint on the brands, but only if it is wanted. I was thinking it would be neat if the winners had the first look when they opened their mail, so I may not post pics, and leave that to the winners. To keep it fair, or untainted, I will only place "Im in" post into the generator.
 
I'm in (so close to 600 in the traditional sub forum, I might make it in for 2 before this closes). Thanks for the chance!

#3

Only buy a fixer uper if you know you can fixer uperer it.

Don't buy knives for which you don't have real money.

(Awesome advice already everyone! Eschwebach, mr_badexample, glennbad, gevonovich, sonnemann, and meako! haha)
 
I'm in and I'll pick #2.

Never loan your knife to none knife people! I've even stopped letting people even hold certain patterns like my GEC 33 Whittlers because the last time I did instead of guiding the blade back into the closed position they just let it snap close and the edge got hung up on one of the little secondary blades..... I is a 1 of 2 knife too so that one if for me only. :)
 
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I am in for my second chance, this time #1

Thanks again!
 
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