Advice???

J

JoeSmile98

Joined
May 27, 2018
Messages
6
Hey everybody, so I’m 19 and have been wanting to get into collecting knives. I have a few that I know are collectible (I.e. case, schrade, Remington, etc). Yet, I don’t really know where to start. My fiancé’s uncle said to replace all my “china knives” with USA or German made to start. But, I would like to have more of a direction you know? I don’t want to just have a collection of random knives. What should I do first???
 
First off, welcome! My advice might be to spend some time wandering the forums, see what is out there.

I have always gone by the motto, "collect what you like". If you're getting into collecting as an investment, I'd rethink that.

I am of the mindset to collect quality, so with a few exceptions, China made knives you may want to avoid. However, there are many different manufacturers. I guess the advice of American or German is a good start. Check out any of the offerings by GEC, Case, Buck, etc. AG Russell also sells many fine quality knives. Then there is always older brands that are no longer made. And of course, customs.

Many directions to go, try to set a budget limit for yourself and stick to it. Oh yeah, be sure to share your knives, we like pics!
 
There are no set rules on collecting. Collect what you like. It can be somewhat random or very specific, but that is up to you. There is no wrong way. Don't plan on it being a great investment. There are better ways to invest. It's a hobby-have fun & enjoy it. I personally prefer quality over quantity.
Welcome to the forum
 
First few I would check out are the “big 3” Spyderco Benchmade, and ZT. Get yourself one and see if you like it. I think that’s where most of us started. I would recommend getting some off the exchange. You can get a great deal on a gently used knife.
 
Do you want a collection of practical (EDC) knives that you want to rotate through and use? Or are you interested in collecting for the sake of collecting?

Just get what you like. Find a local knife shop and drive the owner crazy as you ask to fondle every single one they have.
 
China makes plenty of quality knives, dont let the stereotypical 'Murican attitude get you down. Kizer, WE, Rike, Reate, Real Steel, and Bestech all make some hella good stuff. Higher end Chinese knives are actually starting to match/beat some modern day american or european made knives when it comes to quality. So dont knock em.

Other than that, collect what you like. I agree with the big 3 first, Spyderco ZT and Benchmade are 3 of the most popular knife companies. Go from there.
 
glennbad said:
First off, welcome! My advice might be to spend some time wandering the forums, see what is out there.

I have always gone by the motto, "collect what you like". If you're getting into collecting as an investment, I'd rethink that.

I am of the mindset to collect quality, so with a few exceptions, China made knives you may want to avoid. However, there are many different manufacturers. I guess the advice of American or German is a good start. Check out any of the offerings by GEC, Case, Buck, etc. AG Russell also sells many fine quality knives. Then there is always older brands that are no longer made. And of course, customs.

Many directions to go, try to set a budget limit for yourself and stick to it. Oh yeah, be sure to share your knives, we like pics!
Click to expand...
I will definitely add pics. I want to get some supplies and clean some of em up first. Thanks a lot for the advice! I want to find quality knives then display and sell at auctions. At least I hope to take it that far haha
 
Welcome to BFC !!!!

Collect what your budget will allow. Read the manufacturers forums here and get a feel for what people like. I’ve found it’s trial and error collecting knives. If you see a knife you might be interested in, start a thread and get feedback before you pull the trigger. Don’t equate price to quality. There’s great knives in all price ranges.
Start off with budget friendly knives, you will gain experience in styles, blade shapes and eventually know what type of knife suits you the best.
With each purchase, give the knife a chance to prove its worth before getting another. Try not to get caught up in the moment and impulse buy. Try to acquire a functional collection and save the grails for down the road. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the hobby/addiction :)
 
Wow! I didn’t think i would get this much help. To everyone, thanks for the tips. I’m excited to check out the top three knife manufacturers. Expect a lot of help posts from me for awhile haha.
 
We are now living through the Golden Age of knife collecting. There're more styles, in more materials, from more makers and places, at every price point, then ever before. My advice is the same as some above: take your time and browse around to find what really appeals to you. What appeals to you will certainly change over time but better to start out "strong" than all willy-nilly. :)
 
JoeSmile98 said:
Hey everybody, so I’m 19 and have been wanting to get into collecting knives. I have a few that I know are collectible (I.e. case, schrade, Remington, etc). Yet, I don’t really know where to start. My fiancé’s uncle said to replace all my “china knives” with USA or German made to start. But, I would like to have more of a direction you know? I don’t want to just have a collection of random knives. What should I do first???
Click to expand...

I highly recommend watching some knife reviews on youtube. You should also consider what you want to collect. Traditional or modern, fixed blades or folders? Ideally you would know what you are looking for in knives but usually one doesn’t know that until they’ve spent some time in the hobby.

At the start the best thing you can do is watch some knife reviews and just buy what you think is cool. Over time your tastes will grow more refined and you will know better what you like in a knife. I recommending looking up youtube reviewer Nick Shabazz.

Also while it is true tons of crap knives come out of China there are also awesome knives that come out of China too. Some are comissioned by American knife companies to be built by Chinese factories and can be quite good and inexpensive. There are also some amazing Chinese based companies like Kizer, WE, Reate, Ruike, Rike and Real Steel that make outstanding knives. Real steel in particular has some amazing deals and makes an outstanding product.
 
anthonycastorena2014 said:
First few I would check out are the “big 3” Spyderco Benchmade, and ZT. Get yourself one and see if you like it. I think that’s where most of us started. I would recommend getting some off the exchange. You can get a great deal on a gently used knife.
Click to expand...

Agreed...I've purchased the great majority of mine from the Exchange, and saved a ton of money that way.
 
As somebody who started young although not collecting, don't go straight for nice 150+ knives unless you have the means to spend alot of money. Iike the idea of staying with the big 3. Specifically I'd pick 1 from a category and then jump into another when the funds are available.

Benchmade bugout or mini grip or any entry level manix 2. = Axis type locks

Spyderco delica, native or a buck USA = know if youike lockbacks

Flipper knives = Any ZT model. Many to choose.

Spyderco PM2. Most unique lock type. You might find out you don't need anything else.
 
The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to hold off on buying more than a couple knives until you've spent a good few months on this forum reading. As my knowledge of companies, steels, lock style, etc has grown... My taste in knives has wildly changed and is slowly becoming more refined. Knives that I wanted pretty badly in the past aren't even on my radar anymore (SOG Seal Pup Elite), while knives/companies I had zero interest in (Spyderco) get me all hot and bothered now that I have a little more understanding about what makes a knife exceptional for my needs.

Welcome to the forums and have a great time! There are some WONDERFUL people here and an INSANE amount of knowledge/resources.
 
Last edited:
What do you want to collect? Flippers, fixed blades, traditionals, folders etc? Customs, midtech or productions?

I'd suggest a zt or two, Chris revees is a must. Throw in a Chinese knife from Reate too.
 
Go to knife center or bladehq. Look at the sales, look at the featured brands, look at a specific blade shape or lock type or some sort of parameter. Just look at the knives and see if any jump out at you. Compare them to your current collection, are you looking for more of the same tried and true type of knives, or do you want to diversify?

Alternatively you could hit up the Exchange here and see if you can get a sweet deal on something new. Like others have said there are no rules. You could even keep all your Chinese knives if you want! There are lots of higher quality Chinese knives nowadays.
 
Lots of good suggestions on where you could move on to
or you could continue on the path you are already on and create a nice Case collection, if that is an area that appeals to you. There is plenty of history and variety in that company alone IMO.
 
I agree with the big three. Not just because it's good to have some variety but because you can check out different lock types. I would probably go for a Compression Lock or Liner Lock for Spyderco (Paramilitary 2 or Military), a ZT Frame Lock (0562 or 0452) and a Benchmade with the Axis Lock (Griptilian/Mini Griptilian or a 940 Osborne). Those are some of the go-to knives from each company and you have a good understanding of what to expect in terms of built, quality and operation.
 
lieferung said:
Go to knife center or bladehq. Look at the sales, look at the featured brands, look at a specific blade shape or lock type or some sort of parameter. Just look at the knives and see if any jump out at you. Compare them to your current collection, are you looking for more of the same tried and true type of knives, or do you want to diversify?

Alternatively you could hit up the Exchange here and see if you can get a sweet deal on something new. Like others have said there are no rules. You could even keep all your Chinese knives if you want! There are lots of higher quality Chinese knives nowadays.
Click to expand...

Also for education on the web look at DLT, KSf, USA made blades, collector knifes and knife connection.
 
I’m fairly new been in the game for 1 year and don’t make the mistake I did , I just started buying knives and I liked them but I grew out of them , it wasn’t all bad tho I got to go out of my comfort zone and learned about selling and trading them to but , definitely spend timing looking a lot a lot a lot and see what you like !! God bless you Brother !!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top