Buying tips for a New Collector

I

Irishrover

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Oct 30, 2015
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Hi there,
I just joined and....
I have loved knives for as long as I can remember and now I would like to buy something higher quality..

Would it be possible for you to give me some pointers on buying Safe Queens and used knifes...

Does the Box effect the Value (with or Without)??
If the paperwork is missing does it make it worthless.
Do I have to worry about copies..?
How do you spot a fake?

May I apologize in advance if this has been covered in an earlier post.. I have a quick look but kept getting distracted ;-)

Thanks

Dave
 
Welcome...

Yes, the box and paperwork matters to collectors, not so much to users. The condition of the box is also important if you're a collector or may want to resell in future.

Missing paperwork doesn't make the knife worthless, but it can reduce what hard core collectors are willing to pay.

You always need to worry about copies / fakes in the more popular lines, esp among higher dollar knives. But entry level knives are also faked. The best way to watch for them is to become very familiar with what the legitimate item you're after looks like, then look closely for any variances. Some variances are legitimate and reflect model changes or factory slip-ups (these can add value in some cases). Another thing you can do is to watch where you buy from. Until you get your feet wet a few times and have some experience, you might want to start by buying from a legitimate dealer, a well-known collector like many of the Bladeforums members (but check our feedback scores first), and avoiding buying from open auction sites and social media sites. Venture out into those area after you know a bit more about what's going on and have more confidence in your "knife eye".

You can always request many pics of the knife you want and post them up here. We'll tell you what we think about the knife. N.B.: You cannot ask us about monetary values unless you're a gold member or higher.

Enjoy the ride.
 
Hello and welcome.

If you are buying a knife to collect - often unused, unsharpened - the box does add value to most people.

If you are buying a knife to use, the box won't really add much value. The same holds true for paperwork that may come with a knife.

Buying from reputable dealers is the best way to avoid fakes. Discontinued older models are harder to ensure authenticity. It's hard to tell some fakes. The most popular models are more often copied. There are quite a few YouTube videos on how the spot fakes. The rule - if it seems too good to be true - should be applied.

You can post pictures here of knives you suspect fake. There are very knowledgeable people here who will steer you in the right direction.

Good luck on future collecting.
 
The best advice I can give you is to read, read, read....spend a few minutes each day browsing blade forums and soon you'll be able to answer all of your own questions.
You'll most likely enjoy the experience and appreciate your purchases even more.
 
If you plan on buying a knife to be a beater knife = don't worry about the box or paperwork

If you want to buy a safe queen from a forum member = study their feedback + the better feedback they have, the more likely it's a valid legit knife

If you want to buy and/or sell on bladesforum = be ready to accept losses if something goes wrong, goes bad, etc.

If you want a safe queen in your collection = study said knife of interest to learn everything about it which also = helps you to spot fakes if it happens

Hope the above helps. Best of luck!
 
Another thing I learned as a new collector, it can be overwhelming with the number of options: manufacturers, patterns, years, handle materials, steel types, blade configurations, factory orders, special custom orders, discontinued companies, limited editions, club knives, etc.

My advise is to look at a lot of different knives online and in person (at knife shows or at dealers locations), and get a handle on what you are attracted to. It's easier to start with a narrow focused collection, and branch out over time.
 
So what do you look for in a knife.?. I like folders....!!

How do you know if its a collector or just a good knife..?

How do you know that the manufacturer is not going to stop production.. or maybe do another run of 5000 of the same... like the ZT 0777 for example..?

I see lots of nice knives and people say they are rare and special but who knows..?

I am living in Austria (at the Minute) and there are a bunch of knife makers here making beautiful pieces... Do you buy or not..?

Thanks again for your input..

D
 
I think the first thing you need to figure out is "Why am I collecting?" What's the point or goal of your collection? Some people imagine that they are investing in a collection that will increase in value over time (it most likely won't). Knives are not a good investment the way art or jewelry can be. Other people collect works from certain makers, or knives that fall into a certain category by a variety of makers.

If you want to start a collection, then decide what focus it should have before you start buying... unless you have unlimited funding and storage space. Once you have a focus, start reading about the makers who fit into your focus area. The maker's name is going to provide a lot of the value of a knife. Gathering information is going to be your best guide to what's valuable and what's not. Go to knife shows... read forums and gather other people's opinions. There are quite a few decent knife forums out there that have knowledegable people who are willing to share what they've learned. Bladeforums, British Blade Forums, several other forums in Europe that I can't remember ATM, manufacturer's forums... Read and learn. That's the best way to start figuring out what you want to collect.

But whatever knives you decide to collect, remember... it's only a collection in your eyes. To most others, even knife nuts... it's just a pile of knives.
 
Wow.. thanks for that fantastic answer, you have really given me a lot to think about and this is what I need.

All the knives I have are for a reason and have been used, now I am still in love with the blades as there are more and more beautiful knives out there than before.

Thanks again for your honest insite..

Dave
 
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