At what point does a bunch of knives become a collection?

Z

zerogee

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Nov 10, 2001
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A bit of collecting philosophy for ya to ponder -- precisely when does a knife "collection" officially begin? Can we quantify this?

Most of my collections would be considered pattern collections - though I have several that I would say are more manufacturer collections (usually from a particular era).

When I start in on a new pattern of interest, I don't feel that I've actually got the collection started until I have at least three of that particular pattern.

For a manufacturer collection (made up of assorted patterns of interest) I'd say it takes about five knives before I feel the collection is really started.

How about a bunch of random knives with no connection except that they're knives and someone likes them -- how many does it take for those to become a "collection" - ten maybe?

To me, the more random variation, the more knives that are needed before the collection can be said to have officially begun.

Of course, there are all sorts of other collection types out there - knives made in a particular region, knives with a particular handle material, handle material variations of a particular make and pattern, knives with a particular purpose, and who knows how many other variations. But I would expect there to be some reasonably consistent points at which people start to view a group of whatever sort of knives as a collection.

So, what do you guys think?
 
Here's my 2c:

If a "bunch of knives" were purchased because they all fit specific criteria, then it's a Collection. Like if they are all the same brand, the same age, same country of origin, same handle materials, same pattern, whatever.

But if they were bought randomly, with nothing in common and nothing to group them together, then it's an Accumulation.

Most of my knives were bought for Accumulation purposes. Just 'cause, they were on sale, I didn't have one like it, or it caught my eye. Only recently have I begun to specialize in a couple of different areas, creating mini-Collections within the overall Accumulation. While I hope to expand my current Collections, maybe even start a new sub-Collection or two, I will never give up my Accumulation habits completely.

I don't think the numbers matter. Someone is serious about Collecting knives from Schrade-Walden but they only have one so far, it's still a Collection. Someone has 300 knives but it's a completely random sampling bought with no specific goals or organization, then it's still an Accumulation.

Of my 300 knives, at least 200 of them were Accumulated and only 100 were Collected. ;)
 
What would you call this? An accumulation or Collection?
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James;)
 
Bob W said:
If a "bunch of knives" were purchased because they all fit specific criteria, then it's a Collection.
....
But if they were bought randomly, with nothing in common and nothing to group them together, then it's an Accumulation.
....
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Excellent point and a useful distinction. I have a number of more or less coherent sub-collections -- I normally see each of these as a Collection. I don't usually think of my whole pile of knives as "My Collection". I also have an Accumulation. I usually add to my Accumulation when a particular pattern or style of knife really catches my eye. If the knife is special enough (for me this normally means that the knife feels at least as special in the hand as it looks), I usually decide that I simply must have some more like that, and thus begins the Collection phase. Or if it turns out to be nothing really special to me, it becomes a "permanent" part of the Accumulation.
 
As soon as you start taking care of your knives:cleaning them, not chucking them in a tool box,rolling around in the car,lending them to incompetent idiots to abuse,thinking about which to EDC then it takes on the status of collection.

The next phase is more serious.....chronic obsession: getting worked-up over catalogues on-line and paper,unable to concentrate on things other than e-bay auctions, telling yourself (dishonestly)that after- this- next- must -have- that will put a stop to this mania (right).Getting a wild impulse to consult others about their experience with this or that knife...becoming secretive or defensive when girlfriend,wife or others close to you demand " How many is it this time? Didn't you get one of those last month??" And then, hanging around in this place at all hours with other like-minded knife-kings!
 
willgoy said:
The next phase is more serious.....chronic obsession: getting worked-up over catalogues on-line and paper,unable to concentrate on things other than e-bay auctions, telling yourself (dishonestly)that after- this- next- must -have- that will put a stop to this mania (right).Getting a wild impulse to consult others about their experience with this or that knife...becoming secretive or defensive when girlfriend,wife or others close to you demand " How many is it this time? Didn't you get one of those last month??" And then, hanging around in this place at all hours with other like-minded knife-kings!
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I have a collection(s), an accumulation and, as willgoy describes, a more serious chronic obessesion :eek:. I am doubly cursed (I mean blessed) with both a knife and corkscrew habit.
 
Bob W said:
"A Bunch of Different Collections, With Assorted Extras" :D
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I would slightly disagree, it is really a COLLECTION, OLD ONES and NEW ONES.
See that makes all of them fit into just two categories. Each with a purpose.:D:D
 
Interesting question.

Growing up in a Jewish home in England, there were not a lot on knives in the house.
So there were no knives to be passed on.
What I did collect from my grandfathers, my Father and my Mother was their fountain pens.
This triggered me to start buying my self fountain pens.
I purchased them and now have an eclectic collection of fountain pens.


I have been buying knives for a long time.
My mother threw out all the knives I had as a kid, so I only have the knives I had with me and all those that I have bought since.
There is no pattern of buying to the knives I had.
I was not collecting knives.
But I definitely have a collection of knives.

Recently I started 'collecting' knives, first 'tactical', now I am converted to slippies, mainly stockmans and Queens.

One of my daughters is much more interested in my older knives.
For her it is mini history of mine, that she can share, a real collection.
 
Since "Collect" is a verb - The second that you start shopping for the next knife, you are a collector. Therefore, what you currently own is a collection.

I've accumulated a few like items but I don't call 'em a collection. Once in a while I get a free high end diecast collectable model car from work. I don't actively seek them out and I don't pay for them so I don't call them a collection.
 
A very wise man once told me,"One is one, two is a pair and three is a collection!"
 
My thought is anywhere from 1 to "afraid to count that high" since I just might realize that I am out of my mind to own so many knives. :D.
 
Bastid said:
My thought is anywhere from 1 to "afraid to count that high" since I just might realize that I am out of my mind to own so many knives. :D.
Click to expand...

And you know I am absolutely out of mine, another one is all I need.:D:D:D
James
 
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