Assistance in starting a knife collection

L

Lucky Lee

Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
34
Right, I need some help in choosing a theme for starting a knife collection; I'm just starting out and I don't want to go 'knife crazy' and start buying anything and everything in sight only to regret it later.

My 'likes' are:
Pocket knives.
1,2 or 3 blades.
Bone, wood and stag scales.
New or old.

My 'dislikes' are:
Commemorative knives.
Fixed blades.
Lock knives.
Over the top fancy knives.
Plastic handles.

OK, should I look at collecting a particular firms knives (like Wostenholm or Case) or maybe collect a numer of the firms so as to broaden my purchasing chances?

My collecting habits, so far, include:

Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives.
Scottish dirks as well as a couple of basket-hilt swords (pricey:().
I also have just inherited 3 or 4 marlin spike knives; all have bone (or maybe stag, I'm really not sure as I'm really not up on knives at the moment. These look quite old, and I'll post photos soon to see if anyone can help me ID them.

The major factor is prices! I'm getting married next year, so vast sums can't be spent!!!!

Thank you for reading this and I do hope that someone can give me some pointers; i.e. what are the best knive makers to go for, and who aren't?
 
For what you're after, this should be moved to the Traditional section. Are you going to display these or use them?
 
It sounds like you're interested in traditional slipjoint pocketknives. That's a good start as far as getting ideas for a serious collection. There are several ways you can narrow your focus even more.

- brand collecting. Collect only Bruckmann or Case for example.
- pattern collecting. Stockman, barlow, congress, etc.
- nationality. American, German, etc.
- material collecting. Buying only abalone knives, for example.
- age collecting. Pre-WWII, modern, etc.

And of course you can refine or mix-and-match from the above. Buying only pre-WWII German knives with pearl handles...

In short, there's no right or wrong way to collect. And once you start, there's no rule against changing or refining your focus later on.

Personally, I would start by accumulating knives from various makers. No need to "go crazy," as you put it. There's no starting gun, and it's not a race or competition.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
Lucky Lee said:
Right, I need some help in choosing a theme for starting a knife collection; I'm just starting out and I don't want to go 'knife crazy' and start buying anything and everything in sight only to regret it later.

Hi Lucky Lee. I only started a year ago or so myself and experienced exactly this very issue. I do suggest that you buy what interests you rather than what others suggest. After all you may have to live with it. Secondly, quality never goes out of style. I bought some junk that I can't give away, but I also bought some decent knives that when I decided I didn't want them any more I could at least sell them and recoup my money. I personally get much pleasure from learning about the history associated with older knives but that is just my opinion. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
 
Wow! Quick replies..Thank You very much.:D

mmarkh - Thank you for the link.

silenthunterstudios - Thanks, I'll cross post. I will display, but I'm sure that at one point or other I may end up using 1 or 2.

Bob - "Slipjoint pocket knives"? Sorry to sound dense (no change there!) but what is 'slipjoint'?
I do like the idea of collecting 1 or 2 brands; at least that way I don't have too many firms' histories to study (work and research on the Great War cast a heavy shadow on my time) and it gives me greater scope for collecting.

smiling-knife - I understand what you mean. When I started collecting British campaign medals (many years ago) I went for quantity instead of quantity...never again will I make that mistake.
I will collect what I want, as you suggest, but I will lean very heavily on the advice of fellow collectors on this forum.

Thank you all very much!
Lee
 
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