Book recommendations for amateur?

Cardinal Knife

Cardinal Knife

Joined
Nov 25, 2007
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I was going to buy Bernard Levine's book since that what you guys all seem to talk about. After looking on Amazon it turns out there are 5 editions total, and the consensus of opinion in the review section suggests his last book (5th ed.) is not praised to the extent of the previous released editions. My goal is to acquire a basic understanding of the knife world; how they're made, how to ID fakes, which to invest in. Do you guys have any other books recommendations I should be looking into or should I buy one of Levine's editions?
Tahnks in advance
Chris
 
Get your hands on the 3rd or 4th edition.

Some books that I have enjoyed over the years.

Antique Bowie Knife Book.
Master of the Forge.
Fire and Steel.
Sheffield Exhibition Knives.
Knives and Knife Makers.
The Points of Interest Series.
The Series by David Darom.
How to Make Folding Knives.
Joseph Rogers & Sons - The Samual Setian Collection.
The Bowie Knife Unsheathed - An American Legend.
Knifemakers of Old San Fransisco
Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery.
 
If you can find a 4th Edition, they are great. They can be expensive, but occasionally you can find a used one cheap.

The new Blade's Guide to Knives & Their Values is sort of a newer version of the 5th Edition, but is better than it.

Another book would be "Goins Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings" by John Goin.

Also the "American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors" by Jim Sargent is a great guide for Case & Queen knives.
 
Will a novice like myself actually benefit from the 4th ed over the 5th. I just don't want to spend extra time and money on one if the 5th would suffice.
 
Since no one book will be the end all be all source of all knife knowledge, start where you can. You can search for the 4th book later when you know you can see the differences - and by then, maybe the 6th will be out, and it solves everything.

Even more importantly, you'll have a better idea on what specific area you're interested in - slipjoints, fishing knives, SAKs, etc., and then you can specialize.
 
Start with your library. They should have a book or two you can read for free - save your money for buying knives. :D

If you start off buying new pocketknives or hunting knives from reputable dealers and makers, you won't have to worry about forgeries.

If you're looking at pocketknives as investments, skip it and buy mutual funds instead. :) But if you insist on "investing" in knives, buy knives from popular companies when they are on super-duper closeout sales. Hard to recover your investment if you paid way too much to begin with, and even harder to see an increase value when the knife and/or brand is something that no one else has ever heard of.

That's my 2c worth. On sale today for free. :D
 
Bob W said:
Start with your library. They should have a book or two you can read for free - save your money for buying knives. :D

If you start off buying new pocketknives or hunting knives from reputable dealers and makers, you won't have to worry about forgeries.

If you're looking at pocketknives as investments, skip it and buy mutual funds instead. :) But if you insist on "investing" in knives, buy knives from popular companies when they are on super-duper closeout sales. Hard to recover your investment if you paid way too much to begin with, and even harder to see an increase value when the knife and/or brand is something that no one else has ever heard of.

That's my 2c worth. On sale today for free. :D
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I like fixed blade knives especially customs (when I become able to afford them). I am not looking to make money on them, just don't want to invest my money in junk, hence educating myself. I want to learn what traits make a knife valuable.
 
I like fixed blade knives especially customs (when I become able to afford them). I am not looking to make money on them, just don't want to invest my money in junk, hence educating myself. I want to learn what traits make a knife valuable.
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Most of my comments above still apply. Buy popular knives that are on sale or being discontinued. For example, the Becker knives made by Camillus have always received good reviews, were in short supply even before Camillus went bancrupt, and have really jumped in value since then. Another example, the EK knives made by Blackjack in Effingham Illinois were on closeout for $30 apiece and are now worth 3-5 times that. The Blackjack knives, even if bought at full price, are now worth at least double.

For quality custom made knives at reasonable prices, check out the For Sale By Maker section here at BladeForums. It's impossible to predict which makers are the next Scagel/Don Hanson/Jimmy Lile, but there is a lot of potential there. And you will find many one-of-a-kind custom knives that cost the same or less than a decent factory knife.

By the way, Welcome to Blade Forums!
 
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