Collection Vs. Accumulation

PocketEdge

PocketEdge

Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
566
So I have been accumulating and selling knives mostly for the past ten or so years. I enjoy all traditional knives and appreciate aspects of different patterns as well as scales. While I have put together a modest collection of five #66 GEC jacks, the rest of my small assortment is just that.
I am very hesitant to look at a knife as an investment. While I have made a couple dollars here and there, my sales are at a loss. That's O.K. I enjoy the fun of it and consider that an entertainment expense. But I am curious about real collectors.
If you are a collector of a particular pattern, maker, scale type, etc... I would love to learn more about why you collect what you collect. How often do you buy something outside of your collection because it was calling you? Do you have any concern about the number of future buyers say 20 years from now? Can you give us insight to you thoughts about collecting vs. accumulating? I don't want to get too much into values and expensive collections but rather help those of us (including myself) learn how to more fully appreciate collections rather than accumulations.

Thanks!!
 
For me, my collection is more like having my own mini museum where I can at anytime admire craftsmanship (in this case with knives). I am not buying them as investments... though it is nice to find out something you have purchased is increasing in value because of scarcity, or popularity making it desirable. Again, though it may be nice for ones collection to increase in value.... in the end, it matters not to me... and that is because my mini knife museum is not going up for sale... Well, not while I'm alive, that is ;-)
 
I will never buy a knife that I wouldn't at least consider using. Whether using it actually happens is a different matter altogether. But a knife that doesn't satisfy in both form and function is a nonstarter for me. Even if I were to drop top dollar on one of the fantastic hand-forged bowies we see in the Handmade and Custom section, I wouldn't be happy with a relatively fragile partial tang, for example. IMHO.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
For me, my collection is more like having my own mini museum where I can at anytime admire craftsmanship (in this case with knives). I am not buying them as investments... though it is nice to find out something you have purchased is increasing in value because of scarcity, or popularity making it desirable. Again, though it may be nice for ones collection to increase in value.... in the end, it matters not to me... and that is because my mini knife museum is not going up for sale... Well, not while I'm alive, that is ;-)
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I am in this camp as well. Value is irrelevant, well, except when buying a knife. I collect because I enjoy the design, craftsmanship and engineering of the various types of knives.

I am just starting to get into traditional knife patterns and am trying to work out a collecting goal. The main goal at this point is to collect one example of each major pattern. Then onto variants and sub-patterns as I see fit. This is my initial goal. At some point manufacturer is going to work its way into the collection process as well.

But, definitely collectors and not users. I have my stable of users but I consider the collection to be my own little knife museum.
 
No direction or purpose, I would just call it accumulation.

I am trying for top quality users. Slipjoints and custom bushcraft fixed blades. Sprinkle some Chris reeve and balis here and there.
 
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I've stopped calling it a collection is more of a 40+ year accumulation, although I do have sub collections within my accumulation, like I have a large collection of Pen knives, a small collection of Schrades, and Case.

I have a collection of forum knives for from the traditional subforum. A small collection of miniature knives and another collection of Blackie Collins Buddy knives with the thumbolt sheath...

I guess you could say I have an accumulation of collections, yea that's it... ;)
 
An accumulation is what you have, a collection is the small sub-set of that accumulation that you organize and present.

n2s
 
What does it matter what you call it? Why define? it only diminishes your enjoyment.
I collect rocks. I will never use any of them as a rock ever again. Does that make them worthless as a collection? or do I need to throw them at something to fulfill some sort of purpose?
All of this defining is confusing.
 
Barman1 said:
What does it matter what you call it? Why define? it only diminishes your enjoyment.
I collect rocks. I will never use any of them as a rock ever again. Does that make them worthless as a collection? or do I need to throw them at something to fulfill some sort of purpose?
All of this defining is confusing.
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This is the best post here. Well done, Barman1!
 
You define it so when you meet a like minded person you can easily decide if there's enough of a common ground to build a friendship on. Ever listen to Chevy guys and Ford guys argue their hobbies? BTW I collect rocks too, I collect them from different places, they have no monetary value so they just sit there, nobody ever and me about my rocks but I always get asked about my knives. :)
 
This thread is worthless without pics!!!



























Of the rocks, that is. I've seen plenty of knives.
 
I have an accumulation of knives from various companies, various styles, various steels, etc. I've worked to narrow down what I want in a knife. For me it's not about collecting to display but rather figuring out what features and design I want.
 
Barman1 said:
What does it matter what you call it? Why define? it only diminishes your enjoyment.
I collect rocks. I will never use any of them as a rock ever again. Does that make them worthless as a collection? or do I need to throw them at something to fulfill some sort of purpose?
All of this defining is confusing.
Click to expand...

If the question is confusing, then stay out of the thread and do not troll it.

Gentle humor in Traditional Forum threads is appreciated. Bashing is not.
 
Here's a small collection of 70s Queen simulated Winterbottom bone scales, (still my favorite jigging).

DCP_2921-2.jpg


I'm expecting one of our old timers to come in with his beautiful collection of real Winterbottom bone... ;).

Here is my small Case collection, they all have some sentimental meaning to me.

Starting at 12:00 and goin' clockwise:

1970s M279 Equal End Pen SS scales and blades

1978 62131 Canoe/Double End Jack with Brown Jigged Bone scales and CV blades

2000s 21593 L Russlock with Yellow Delrin scales and a CV blade

1989 CT215 mini Gunstock/Jack Knife with Christmas Tree Celluloid scales SS blade

1989 5125 1/2 Swell Center/mini Coke Bottle with Burnt Stag scales and a 512 layer Parker Damascus blade

2000s 6120 Peanut with Red Jigged Bone scales and SS blade, (Came in a Xmas tin with a stamped Case coin)

1976 92042 Pen with Imitation Pearl/Cracked Ice scales and CV blades

2000s 6355WH Seahorse Whittler with Blue Jigged Bone scales and SS blades

1979 31048 Bare Head/Slim Line Trapper with Yellow Delrin scales and CV blade

1978 640045R Camper/Utility with Brown Jigged Delrin scales and SS blades

In the center, 1920-40 (no pattern #) Equal End Pen(?) Green Jigged Bone scales and CV blades

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My loose collection of plastic handled knives.

004-10.jpg


There now ya got some pics and I've added some more worth to an already worthwhile thread. :)
 
I am an accumulator and generally don't have qualms about selling a knife if it has fallen out of favor. I consider if a win if I can get 50% of my original purchase price out of it. I don't sell to make money on them, generally just to get some money back out of it to buy something else.

Within my accumulation I do have small collections which sometimes come and go. Collected GEC 85s for a while, then barlows and now I'm on jack knives. I have no rhyme or reason to what I buy or sell, just whatever floats my boat at that moment in time. I do regret letting some pieces go but I can't afford to buy and keep everything that comes out.
 
Never though about trying to define my knives. I just really like knives, and buy what catches my eye. If it wasn't for the fact I'm always strapped for cash, I guess I'd have a collection as I could buy more. Being short of funds also influences what I buy. If I'm not going to use it, I don't buy it. If it ends up sitting unused after a year or two, it gets traded or sold.
 
PocketEdge said:
So I have been accumulating and selling knives mostly for the past ten or so years. I enjoy all traditional knives and appreciate aspects of different patterns as well as scales. While I have put together a modest collection of five #66 GEC jacks, the rest of my small assortment is just that.
I am very hesitant to look at a knife as an investment. While I have made a couple dollars here and there, my sales are at a loss. That's O.K. I enjoy the fun of it and consider that an entertainment expense. But I am curious about real collectors.
If you are a collector of a particular pattern, maker, scale type, etc... I would love to learn more about why you collect what you collect. How often do you buy something outside of your collection because it was calling you? Do you have any concern about the number of future buyers say 20 years from now? Can you give us insight to you thoughts about collecting vs. accumulating? I don't want to get too much into values and expensive collections but rather help those of us (including myself) learn how to more fully appreciate collections rather than accumulations.

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Hi...I'll try to answer some of your questions with some random thoughts.

When I got into collecting traditionals, I asked similar questions on this forum and received similar answers.
What I've found, for me at least, is that it's not really what brand/pattern/scale type/etc...etc...you collect, but it's more about "the chase", "the hunt", "the deal" for a knife that you just got to have.
It's all about collecting.
I started buying different patterns. Some I liked and kept, some I didn't like and sold.
I started getting into GEC's but found that I couldn't buy as many as I liked because of the cost. GEC's are worth their price but I like to buy knifes often and the cost of GEC's wont allow that.
I have about a dozen GEC's and most are carry knives. Some are 25 patterns, which I like as collectibles.
Just recently, I started buying cheap Colonial brand pocket knives. There's plenty out there and they're cheap. It's a good old USA brand with a strong history. I might collect Colonials for a while and then change to some other brand. Who knows? Everything changes.
About buying outside my collection. If a knife catches my eye, I'll buy it provided it's not overpriced. I like uncommon knives, maybe the scales are different or it's not a common pattern. Sometimes I'll buy a knife because I have no idea what it is. I really like tracking down the history of a knife and buying one that's a mystery is fun for me.
I guess the bottom line is buy what you like and let your collection "find you". Over time, your collection will work itself out.

Bruno
 
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