Collecting tips for a noob

[kalan850]

Hello fellow blade addicts!
My fascination with blades began when I was very young. My dad used to take my brother and I to gun and knife show so I believe that's where it started.
Anyhow lately I have been interested in collecting. I like the idea of having a handful of edc knives in rotation, knives I don't mind thrashing. But I would like to plan some purchases on collectibility like knives I can pass down to my kids. Very interested in Kershaw, ZT, and Spyderco.

What should I be looking for in those types of purchases?

My latest purchase was a camber

 

[strategy9]

A good place to start; Sprint runs and limited editions always make for good collector pieces...

As well as a specific model you truly like that comes in alternate forms... Always good to have more then one of a knife you like in stock.

For me the latter would be the Kershaw Blur

 

[Badhammer]

Forget about collecting. Once you get more than one blade you're bound to enter the "Accumulator Phase" which can last one or two lifetimes and or a dozen credit cards, which ever comes first. Only after you have passed this phase can you even begin to start "collecting".

 

[kalan850]

A good place to start; Sprint runs and limited editions always make for good collector pieces...

As well as a specific model you truly like that comes in alternate forms... Always good to have more then one of a knife you like in stock.

For me the latter would be the Kershaw Blur

Ok cool any specific place I can find sprint runs and limited editions?
Lol yeah I see what your saying having more than one of the of the ones I like. At times it does seem difficult to justify the purchase though. I'm sure it'll be Easier after I do it a couple times lol.
As an example to distinguish between blades I should buy and use vs blades I should buy and put away...
The Cryo and Cryo II (mass produced Chinese made) would be users while American made blur or maybe piston would be kept pristine?
Am I on the right page?
Is there any point to collect Chinese kershaw knives that are not sprint run or limited edition for the purpose of handing down to my kids?

 

[Zero_Time]

Ok cool any specific place I can find sprint runs and limited editions?
Lol yeah I see what your saying having more than one of the of the ones I like. At times it does seem difficult to justify the purchase though. I'm sure it'll be Easier after I do it a couple times lol.
As an example to distinguish between blades I should buy and use vs blades I should buy and put away...
The Cryo and Cryo II (mass produced Chinese made) would be users while American made blur or maybe piston would be kept pristine?
Am I on the right page?
Is there any point to collect Chinese kershaw knives that are not sprint run or limited edition for the purpose of handing down to my kids?

Why collect production blades that aren't useful to you? I can understand some art knives (somewhat) but I don't understand the idea of collecting for the sake of collecting.

Get quality blades. Use them. Figure out what shapes/designs/forms work best for you. Then raise your kids using them. The knives will be far more collectible for them if they used said blades with dear old dad and have a sentimental attachment than if they're some odd pieces of steel, plastic, and g10 that dad kept in a safe.

Zero

 

[strategy9]

I have a standard OD green Blur I use
An Elmax Blur I rotate for more casual occasions
A combo edged Blemish (discounted) Blur I use for work

I then have 2 more Elmax models (my favorite AND limited edition) and a half dozen others in different colors and steels in collecting. Easy to "collect" them because I have 3 in regular use, as well as a bunch of other cheaper chinese kershaws to use.

The conundrum is when I have the funds for "another" Blur, but I also see other knives I don't have, "yet", which I have to weigh the desires.

"collecting" is all at the whim of the collector though... If you want to collect Chinese made knives, more power to you. They likely won't ever have the resale value, (unless years from now they were highly favorable and discontinued).

Sprint runs and limited editions are usually labeled as such when they are released, keeping abreast of the news in the knife world via this site, Facebook pages from different knife sites, or via online "window shopping" at different retailers helps give you the jump on them when they are released, but it's all about keeping your eyes open and hoping to have the funds when they are released before they are sold out.

Keeping in mind, outside of a billion dollars of spendable money, you can't have them all, helps to keep you humble. No reason to fret over the ones you can't have, as there is always more that you can.

One thing, in conjunction with badhamner's comment, acquiring isn't a bad way to start either. Different styles, blade profiles, brands, and handle designs/materials, all helps to steer you in a right direction if/when you start purchasing higher end knives and collectors. For example, if you have an eye for traditionals patterned knives, before spending $50-100 or more a piece on expensive higher end brands, there is nothing wrong with spending $10-20 a piece on half decent Chinese made rough riders in multiple patterns first, to see in hand which pattern(s) you like the most...

Designers is another way to help gauge direction: If you like the Cryo design, you'll likely do well with other "Hinderer" designs when you decide to buy pricier models, since the Cryo was a design collaboration with Rick Hinderer.
If you love a CRKT Liong Mah Eraser, saving up for a real custom Mah Eraser might be worth your time, and easier knowing you like the design in hand thanks to the much cheaper production model.

Best advice, just buy knives you like and can afford, until you have enough variety to realize which ones you like more, and have enough quantity to patiently save up for nicer ones you want more...

 

[jc57]

Sure, I can give you some advice which you will probably ignore.

#1 - Start slowly. if you are buying knives to carry, then actually carry each new knife for a full month before buying the next carry knife. this serves two purposes - you will better refine what it is you like or don't like about the knife, and will be able to dial-in your preferences for the next knife much better. Also, it limits your buying to 12 knives per year so you don't go into some wild spending frenzy from the get-go.

#2 - It's better to have ten $200 dollar knives of good quality and design that will last you forever, than to have a hundred $20 knives cluttering up your drawers and shelves. So wait and save up for the good ones. (Note - the numbers are examples and will depend on your budget).

#3 - The above notwithstanding, if you goal is just to have cutting tools available, there are very inexpensive knives that are quite good at cutting things.

#4 - For user knives, try to determine early what your price-point is, and don't buy a knife with the intent to use it that just becomes a shelf queen because it is "too nice/ too expensive to use." If you'll actually use and carry a $70 knife but don't want to mess up a $150 knife, then don't buy $150 knives as users.

#5 - Learn to sharpen and invest in some basic but decent sharpening equipment early on (unless of course you already know how).

 

[Rich S]

First law of collecting anything. Collect what you like, but like what you collect and don't expect to make money on resale. Collecting is a hobby and almost always a $$$ loser. None the less, I've been doing it for 60+ years and love it.
Rich

 

[kalan850]

Why collect production blades that aren't useful to you? I can understand some art knives (somewhat) but I don't understand the idea of collecting for the sake of collecting.

Get quality blades. Use them. Figure out what shapes/designs/forms work best for you. Then raise your kids using them. The knives will be far more collectible for them if they used said blades with dear old dad and have a sentimental attachment than if they're some odd pieces of steel, plastic, and g10 that dad kept in a safe.

Zero

Well for a good return generations from now I'd like them to be worth some money. Believe me, I am battling trying to justify buying them to collect lol. Knives I won't use sounds crazy but I want em all ya know lol! if I make purchases wisely my kids kids may be able to make a profit on them.

 

[Zero_Time]

Well for a good return generations from now I'd like them to be worth some money. Believe me, I am battling trying to justify buying them to collect lol. Knives I won't use sounds crazy but I want em all ya know lol! if I make purchases wisely my kids kids may be able to make a profit on them.

Don't even think of knives as an investment. Don't. Even. Think. The customs market has been very, very spiky- and that's the most likely candidate for increased value.

That's why I didn't even talk about "return". Think about the old 1095 scout knife of old. Now think of the fact ontario can make a 1095 knife with good heat treat with a blade 2X as long for $50.

Don't believe you can beat the market with savvy investing in a non-investment good. That's how dumb people go broke. I'm not trying to be mean, but I've seen many people make very poor decisions. Remember beanie babies.

Zero

 

[kalan850]

First law of collecting anything. Collect what you like, but like what you collect and don't expect to make money on resale. Collecting is a hobby and almost always a $$$ loser. None the less, I've been doing it for 60+ years and love it.
Rich

Ah I see well thanks for your wisdom.
I guess the profit idea kinda got the best of me when I noticed my BK15 had been discontinued. They can still be had but for a higher price than what I payed...

 

[kalan850]

Don't even think of knives as an investment. Don't. Even. Think. The customs market has been very, very spiky- and that's the most likely candidate for increased value.

That's why I didn't even talk about "return". Think about the old 1095 scout knife of old. Now think of the fact ontario can make a 1095 knife with good heat treat with a blade 2X as long for $50.

Don't believe you can beat the market with savvy investing in a non-investment good. That's how dumb people go broke. I'm not trying to be mean, but I've seen many people make very poor decisions. Remember beanie babies.

Zero

Lol Wow bud I can see you feel very strongly about this lol don't worry it'll be alright [emoji6]

 

[kalan850]

Sure, I can give you some advice which you will probably ignore.

#1 - Start slowly. if you are buying knives to carry, then actually carry each new knife for a full month before buying the next carry knife. this serves two purposes - you will better refine what it is you like or don't like about the knife, and will be able to dial-in your preferences for the next knife much better. Also, it limits your buying to 12 knives per year so you don't go into some wild spending frenzy from the get-go.

#2 - It's better to have ten $200 dollar knives of good quality and design that will last you forever, than to have a hundred $20 knives cluttering up your drawers and shelves. So wait and save up for the good ones. (Note - the numbers are examples and will depend on your budget).

#3 - The above notwithstanding, if you goal is just to have cutting tools available, there are very inexpensive knives that are quite good at cutting things.

#4 - For user knives, try to determine early what your price-point is, and don't buy a knife with the intent to use it that just becomes a shelf queen because it is "too nice/ too expensive to use." If you'll actually use and carry a $70 knife but don't want to mess up a $150 knife, then don't buy $150 knives as users.

#5 - Learn to sharpen and invest in some basic but decent sharpening equipment early on (unless of course you already know how).

Whoa what a good post! Thanks, very good tips! I'm digging the one a month strategy.
I was thinking of getting a worksharp for sharpening. Are they any good?

 

[Sigguy]

I have to agree with using your knives. It is going to give you an appreciation for the knife design and steel. If you can bear using a 200.00 knife don't buy it, know your limits. Last piece of advise is be open minded and try to be objective.

 

[kalan850]

I have a standard OD green Blur I use
An Elmax Blur I rotate for more casual occasions
A combo edged Blemish (discounted) Blur I use for work

I then have 2 more Elmax models (my favorite AND limited edition) and a half dozen others in different colors and steels in collecting. Easy to "collect" them because I have 3 in regular use, as well as a bunch of other cheaper chinese kershaws to use.

The conundrum is when I have the funds for "another" Blur, but I also see other knives I don't have, "yet", which I have to weigh the desires.

"collecting" is all at the whim of the collector though... If you want to collect Chinese made knives, more power to you. They likely won't ever have the resale value, (unless years from now they were highly favorable and discontinued).

Sprint runs and limited editions are usually labeled as such when they are released, keeping abreast of the news in the knife world via this site, Facebook pages from different knife sites, or via online "window shopping" at different retailers helps give you the jump on them when they are released, but it's all about keeping your eyes open and hoping to have the funds when they are released before they are sold out.

Keeping in mind, outside of a billion dollars of spendable money, you can't have them all, helps to keep you humble. No reason to fret over the ones you can't have, as there is always more that you can.

One thing, in conjunction with badhamner's comment, acquiring isn't a bad way to start either. Different styles, blade profiles, brands, and handle designs/materials, all helps to steer you in a right direction if/when you start purchasing higher end knives and collectors. For example, if you have an eye for traditionals patterned knives, before spending $50-100 or more a piece on expensive higher end brands, there is nothing wrong with spending $10-20 a piece on half decent Chinese made rough riders in multiple patterns first, to see in hand which pattern(s) you like the most...

Designers is another way to help gauge direction: If you like the Cryo design, you'll likely do well with other "Hinderer" designs when you decide to buy pricier models, since the Cryo was a design collaboration with Rick Hinderer.
If you love a CRKT Liong Mah Eraser, saving up for a real custom Mah Eraser might be worth your time, and easier knowing you like the design in hand thanks to the much cheaper production model.

Best advice, just buy knives you like and can afford, until you have enough variety to realize which ones you like more, and have enough quantity to patiently save up for nicer ones you want more...

Hey thanks for your tips I'll definitely benefit from them

 

[Zero_Time]

Lol Wow bud I can see you feel very strongly about this lol don't worry it'll be alright [emoji6]

Just because I feel strongly doesn't make me wrong.

One of the guys who predicted the economic collapse of 2008 lost a bunch on investing in gold a few years later.

Absolutely, if a quality company with interesting, innovative designs go under you have a better chance of those pieces appreciating value.

But plenty of quality companies have enough stock to go around, or the market for purchasing such pieces isn't very strong.

I've managed to obtain Camillus pieces for about what they cost before Camillus went bankrupt, adjusted for inflation.

Zero

 

[strategy9]

. Remember beanie babies.

Zero

Lol... A good point... But on the other side of that coin, have seen the going rate on a burnt orange Kershaw Blur, or American made Kershaw Bump lately?
(Huge reason why I don't own either).

I'm not saying one should buy knives as an "investment", certainly more then likely not going to retire from the resale value, but you can buy collectable knives "intelligently" to where a knife more then likely won't lose much if any value NIB years to come, and will still be considered quality steel knives 100 years from now if properly kept, much the same as steels from 100 years ago still are forged into quality knives by smiths todays, and NIB "quality" knives from that era, are still considered as such... Like an old mint condition Barlow for instance, (or a camilus that didn't "lose" value at least )..

 

[link2derek]

Buy what you like. And know what it's worth. I like to keep it simple.

 

[kalan850]

Buy what you like. And know what it's worth. I like to keep it simple.

Right on brotha good philosophy

 

[Thumber]

I don't believe in safe queens but some knives get a little harder used than others. I never have bought a knife because I thought of it as a financial investment. I buy them because I like knives, I'm curious about the new knife I bought and I have managed to convince myself I "need" something new. I am pretty new to this as well and I think the no more than one a month is good advice.