Collecting?

Some knives are for looking at, and they are beautiful, well conceived and executed, and I quite understand that ... I just haven't got any :D

Some knives are old and frail and past use, and I can understand giving them a warm corner - and whilst I understand that too I must be a bit uncharitable :lol:

I don't think a knife is really yours until you have sharpened it because it went blunt using it for what it was for. They don't go blunt in safes, and maybe safe queens are never really yours .. Maybe it is more of a custodianship thing :)
 
"To each, their own"

I consider my knives to be a collection (and a very modest one at that), even though I carry and use them all.

I fully understand the "Safe Queen", but have yet to be able to practice the art myself. I have bought many knives that I never intended to use, but the vast majority of those were just to admire and then sell/trade for something else to admire. Some I have bought to re-sell for a profit so I could buy something nicer the next time (not always successful :rolleyes:)

I wish I could afford to invest in knives, or preserve a few myself, but I can barely afford to keep myself amused. :D
 
Like most here I've accumulated a few knives over the years, it's one of the traits of being a knifenut. I consider myself a user, not a collector. Every one of my knives has been either used by me or has been set aside to be given away. That doesn't mean that I look down at those who collect minty safe queens. I've often sought out knives that I saw posted for the first time by collectors. I have an Imperial cattleman that I searched a couple of years for after seeing Charlie's. There's a place for all types in this hobby, go with whatever makes you happy. If you enjoy using a finely crafted tool, then use it in good health. If you enjoy collecting knives, I hope your checkbook matches your passion.
 
I have to admit that there was a period where I had safe queens.
They are older / mint condition knives. After awhile , I just felt like something was missing. I would take the knives out once in awhile, admire them and put them back...
Then it hit me.... If I carry these knives, I can actually admire them a lot more.
It was a turning point for me. I thinned out the herd and anything I have, I am willing to carry.

When I was collecting old Winchesters and Colts, I loved shooting them.
Some were very rare and what would be considered almost mint condition, some were not.
I did take a couple of them hunting, but was not lucky enough to get anything with them.
They were designed and made to be shot. The fact that they were 100 years old, hadn't changed anything..
The look on peoples faces when I would take them to the range and shoot them, was priceless. It wasn't hurting them though to put a few rounds through them. I'm sure they had already been shot a few times before I got them.... :D

There are definitely some instances, where it is nice to see things preserved.
It is admirable that there are people like Charlie, that are taking the time to do just that. Many years down the road, others will be able to look at them and admire them.

If a person wants to have thing that are never used, to keep in excellent condition, that is great. However, if you have something that is older, don't feel guilty about wanting to use it.
Life is short.

YMMV
 
waynorth said:
My intent in collecting and preserving these knives is in fact to preserve the history of Cutlery in general, and The Empire Knife Company in particular.
A large portion of these knives are over 100 years old, and most soon will be.
A lot of the skill to make them has been lost, being preserved by a very few stalwart companies and individuals.
Without a respect for history, it is easy to lose your way, as an individual, and as a society.
It would be wasteful, foolhardy and tragic if these knives were lost to our progeny.
There is a place for safe queens in this world, and this is one of them.
I have a hundred nice knives I can use up with impunity, and I do.
But there is no logic justifying the use/loss of any of these. Unless you prefer your children to be raised in ignorance!
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Well said, Charlie. :thumbup:

Old and antique knives in excellent condition may have been mere tools in their heyday, but those that have survived the passage of time more or less unscathed have become rare and valuable ties with our past, never to be replaced. Using them as common tools so late in the game is selfish, shortsighted and wasteful. You might as well crack open all the display cases in our museums and use all that cool stuff as if it's nothing more than the contents of a fancy hardware store. As knife lovers, we need to show some restraint and respect for these fine old examples of cutlery's history.
 
Some very wealthy car people use all of their cars for curing their itch for a particular era or chassis-like Jay Leno. I think he has quite a useable collection. That being said, I have somewhere between 100-200 knives, and a few I will never use- but many I do use depending on my feeling that day. I never thought of myself as an avid "collector" per se seeking out specific knife models.... but I have done that. I buy what I like usually, on impulse I guess, based on what I've seen people carry in their pockets from my early age. Helps me to remember curious young kid times while growing up. I guess I am a collector or user or both and it will be known of me when I'm gone. :)
 
Rick said:
Well said, Charlie. :thumbup:

Old and antique knives in excellent condition may have been mere tools in their heyday, but those that have survived the passage of time more or less unscathed have become rare and valuable ties with our past, never to be replaced. Using them as common tools so late in the game is selfish, shortsighted and wasteful. You might as well crack open all the display cases in our museums and use all that cool stuff as if it's nothing more than the contents of a fancy hardware store. As knife lovers, we need to show some restraint and respect for these fine old examples of cutlery's history.
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Does that mean I shouldn't put anymore knives out in the rain?
 
been into knives all my life--have many in what i call my collection and use and carry them all--take care of many more than others--but knives are ment to be used and enjoyed--:D
 
I don't think that anybody who has a profound interest in knives is exclusively a 'collector' or 'user' either/or. Knives are for use, and we appreciate them more by using them. That said, if we are fortunate enough to be keepers of really old or rare patterns we naturally want to preserve them, in order to enhance knowledge and allow future generations the privilege of seeing and wondering at these knives. Preserving old or near extinct patterns is an inspiration not only for knife connoisseurs but for knife-smiths as well!

However, if a knife is neither used or prized, then sell/trade it or give it to someone who can make more of it.
 
i'm with joe bob-- use some & safe queen some.it's really hard for a working man like me to take a mint ka-bar i paid 1200$ for & use it deer hunting. however if you guys want to take your remington bullets that you paid 3000$ for & go hunting & fishing with those knives---that's your business.
 
I've been getting knives the last two years and don't consider myself a collector. Another member said he has been accumulating and I think that's what I've been doing. I might be a knife aficionado because I really like and appreciate knives. I've got lots of brands and styles. I don't have any expensive or rare knives but I have some that I don't want to carry or use which is odd for me because I'm not that way with firearms.

I find a knife I like and get it to carry and use. The problem I've found with that plan is when they arrive or I take a closer look at them I don't want to mess them up because they are just so darn nice. Nothing to do with cost or wanting them to increasing in value. I just want to keep them looking as good as I can.

Now, on the flip side I've been bidding on a couple of used vintage knives and if I had one of those I wouldn't have a problem dropping it in my pocket and cutting whatever whenever.This may be because they're used and there's not much I could do to change their condition.

I've got several knives I use and a couple are my go tos for most days. Maybe one day I'll stick with a particular brand or style and start collecting. Until then, I'll keep accumulating knives I like and having a good time with them.
 
I have both, a large collection of safe queens and some users. I like buying the users, used. Then there are no qualms about carrying. To each his own.


joe
 
I have one safe queen atm: Case Wharncliffe Trapper Ultra violet 1/500. That's only safe queen as I currently have Orange Wharncliffe Trapper 1/500 in use atm. I just buy user's. Knife is made for using and well used knife looks sometimes better than brand new.
 
I use most of my knives unless I'm not sure if I like them and think I might sell them soon. If I had some of these rare,super expensive and historic knives I have seen I probably wouldn't use them to be honest. But I think holding and appreciating a knife is a form of usage.

And Waynorth that's a terrific looking collection and set up.
 
waynorth is certainly on the right wavelength. i remarked to a collector buddy that old knives are always increasing in value since no more are beening produced & attrition is always taking some. waynorths bunch is one of the most amazing exhibits i've seen in 30 yrs.
 
jackknife said:
I have to admit I have never quite understood the safe queen thing.

If I have something, I'm going to use it for what it was intended. To not use it is a waste of an object.

The best teacher I ever had on that subject was Bill Moran. Bill had this guy trade him a 1847 Purdey percussion rifle for one of his knives. This was an icredably beautiful rifle, made maybe for some English royal or rich landed gentry in it's day. Bill being Bill, cast up some round balls, worked up a nice load, and took it hunting. That fall he got a nice buck at a paced off 97 yards with it. About a year went by, and some rich collector traced the rifle to Bill, and wanted to come see it. Bill showed him the rifle and the man fondled and ogled it. He made the comment that it must have been a great shooting gun in its day, and Bill told him that it still shoots great as he had taken a deer with it just last season. I understand the collector eventually recovered from the shock.

There's a deep gut level satisfaction from using something that your father or grandfather used before you. No matter if it's a gun, or a knife, or an old pocket watch. If it works, then it should be used, that's it's best destiny. It's what it was designed and made for.
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Amen, that's what I keep sayin' what's the point of ownin' somethin' ya ain't gonna ever use, I have all my Old Mans Hand Tools, some of these are irreplaceable but I still use 'em, I just take care of 'em is all, same with my knives, I use 'em as intended without abusin' 'em.

I have approximately 300 + or - and sooner or later they all make the rotation.
 
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