Collections of a single model

[G.Moll]

I was reading through a thread, and the OP was talking about thinning his own collection. Somebody suggested just focusing on one model or type of knife to collect. So who has substantial collections of one type of knife or brand? I was looking at collecting mini grips because there always seems to be a different combination of handle color, grind, ect. Anyway id like to see some pictures if thats possible! Thanks!

 

[Sonnydaze]

There are as many ideas as there are people.
My favorites have been Spyderco Paramilitary 2's in various configurations and blade-steels... or Chris Reeve Sebenzas in various models. Your billfold will talk here.

 

[Comeuppance]

Eh, I thought about doing something along those lines, but I'm more of a user than a collector. Realistically, there's only going to be one or two combinations of handles and blade steels that are going to do it for me, and everything else would be a waste of money because they would just sit in a drawer. In addition to that, factor in the extreme expense and rarity of some variations that are disproportionate to the actual functionality of the knife (example: S30V Kershaw Skyline goes for 110+, but the build quality and functionality don't warrant the price).

I suppose that's a very utilitarian way of looking at it, and might be totally unrelated to the perspective of a collector, but that's just how I look at knives. No matter how many knives I get, I still end up paring down to he ones I know I can rely on. 0550, Gayle Bradley, Tuff Lite.

 

[kda89508]

I say collect all different brands. If you like it then buy it no matter what brand it is. I like old knives like Case XX, Schrade Waldens, ECT... and if it is nice and I have the money I will buy it. Good Luck! Kevin

 

[Bob W]

I Accumulated for many years before deciding on a particular focal point for serious Collecting. And for a focus, I decided on original USA-made Old Timer knives. Not as tightly focused as those who seek variations of one particular model, but one that allows for a collection that's large enough and varied enough to be a long-term continuing project. And to avoid being pigeon-holed or stuck in a rut, I still Accumulate every chance I get too.

The Old Timer Collection has around 160 knives and related items right now. I don't have a picture showing every knife, but here is a display I put together a few years back for a local scouting museum:

And I maintain a couple mini-collections that I add to whenever convenient. Swiss Army Knives and vintage Bruckmann knives. (These photos are not up to date either).

I use the arbitrary number "25" for myself to determine if a group of similar knives is a Collection or not. Need a few more Case and Opinel knives to have "Collections" of those.

 

[G.Moll]

Eh, I thought about doing something along those lines, but I'm more of a user than a collector. Realistically, there's only going to be one or two combinations of handles and blade steels that are going to do it for me, and everything else would be a waste of money because they would just sit in a drawer. In addition to that, factor in the extreme expense and rarity of some variations that are disproportionate to the actual functionality of the knife (example: S30V Kershaw Skyline goes for 110+, but the build quality and functionality don't warrant the price).

I suppose that's a very utilitarian way of looking at it, and might be totally unrelated to the perspective of a collector, but that's just how I look at knives. No matter how many knives I get, I still end up paring down to he ones I know I can rely on. 0550, Gayle Bradley, Tuff Lite.

Good thoughts. Im a user right now and I was looking at how to get into collecting. But yeah im the same way. Only a few knives get beat on because they are the ones I need.

 

[KrisOK]

G.Moll, you should check out Paul Beretta's (The Deacon) awesome collection of Spyderco Kiwi's. Not only does he have all of the ones that Spyderco made, but most of the ones that Sante Fe Stoneworks made, AND several that he had custom made for him.

http://www.paulberetta.com/kiwimania/index.html

 

[RamZar]

There's a member here with over 100 different types of Kershaw Leek knives! May be he'll reveal himself.

There's another member who has nearly all Zero Tolerance 0350 models and I think that's 19-20 different types.

 

[nwmetalbug]

Some of the Blur collectors have way to many :thumbup:

 

[poolhustler]

There's a member here with over 100 different types of Kershaw Leek knives! May be he'll reveal himself.

There's another member who has nearly all Zero Tolerance 0350 models and I think that's 19-20 different types.

That dude must be nuts. Who would want to collect Leeks???

 

[sechip]

Iv'e got 5 different Shirogorov's and currently in negotiations on number 6!:thumbup:

 

[Pete3]

there are just so many knives out there to try... to limit your self so severely seems very strange to me.

 

[Leek_Freak]

There's a member here with over 100 different types of Kershaw Leek knives! May be he'll reveal himself..

You might be referring to me? Not sure...it's been a long long time since I've been on here.

As for my collection, it started with only one Leek, the 1660CKT. Then I bought the 1660. Then the 1660CB. Then I found a few limited edition ones and couldn't pass them up along with more of the current production ones at the time.

I was finding more and more limited edition Leeks. The hunt was on. I had a list of ~ 120 Leeks total and my goal was to have a 100% complete collection. Every time I found a new one, my desire for the complete collection was greater.

I came very close. I peaked at around 110 Leeks. This picture had the most but there were still a few missing from it. Some of the ones I got were amazing finds. I was calling random knife shops of all shapes and sizes. I had probably 25+ alerts on ebay, I was scouring every knife forum I could find going back years and years on posts hunting down people that had a Leek I wanted at one point in time. There were only a handful of Leeks that I had not been able to acquire. I had some of the absolute rarest Leeks in this. The purple smoke, both Nugent Leeks, G10ST, PGT, carbon fiber, pearl, Ken Onion signatures, silver twill, etc. It was a blast. I even had up to 4 titanium Leeks at one point.

Unfortunately due to some unexpected family hospital bills, I had to come up with some money. At first I was only going to sell a few of them. But once those few were gone, I knew that the chances of me ever having a chance to buy them again was extremely slim so I ended up selling off my entire collection to a couple other Leek collectors. I do wish I would have had another way to come up with the money. My 4 years old son at the time loved looking at the collection with me. He wanted to see them almost every day. He's 5 now, and he still asks me to show him the knives which makes me a bit sad...but the hospital bills are paid and that's more important.

 

[poolhustler]

Good to see you posting Joel. Bummer that you had sell off you collection, but some things in life are more important. Enjoy the hell out of your boy, they grow up so fast. Best to you Sir!!

 

[sabernat]

Leak Freak...I'm so sorry you had to part with your collection as I have been eyeing it for some time as I wish to start a 1660 collection. Your photos are famous. Can't agree more with the money well spent on your boy and enjoy every day with him. BTW, without being crass, I'll be posting the models I don't have and all please wish the best for me in my collection hunt.