Collector Knife "NO-NO's"

321Bandaid

321Bandaid

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2023
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I'm BRAND NEW. LOL!

Before I potentially diminish the value of any of the knives I've purchased, I was hoping to gain some clarity --

Got bitten by the knife bug a few weeks ago and have been researching various topics.
I've also spent a small fortune already. YIKE$!!!

I read that you shouldn't polish a knife if it wasn't polished in it's original form in an effort to keep it "stock". I get this, but...

I'm thinking this DOES NOT refer to a quick (mild) polish to bring it back to "like-new" condition (i/e Flitz on brass, light coat of mineral oil, etc) for preservation.
Otherwise, it could potentially pit, stain, tarnish, rust, etc., correct?

With that being said, I certainly see where seriously POLISHING (mechanically?), such as bringing a satin blade to a mirror finish would potentially reduce value because that's not the original manufacture.
Furthermore, potentially reducing/removing etches, etc... NO-NO!!!

Is this correct, or am I over-thinking it?

Also, I've noticed that bone scales seem to have a tendency to crack/split over time. Is there a way to eliminate this? Again, I read that mineral oil can be used on bone (but may darken it), stag, etc.
Is there a BEST method to preserve bone scales?

That's it for now. Let me know how much I owe ya!
 
321Bandaid said:
I'm BRAND NEW. LOL!

Before I potentially diminish the value of any of the knives I've purchased, I was hoping to gain some clarity --

Got bitten by the knife bug a few weeks ago and have dove head first into researching various topics.
I've also spent a small fortune already. YIKE$!!!

I read that you shouldn't polish a knife if it wasn't polished in it's original form in an effort to keep it "stock". I get this, but...

I'm thinking this DOES NOT refer to a quick (mild) polish to bring it back to "like-new" condition (i/e Flitz on brass, light coat of mineral oil, etc) for preservation.
Otherwise, it could potentially pit, stain, tarnish, rust, etc., correct?

With that being said, I certainly see where seriously POLISHING (mechanically?), such as bringing a satin blade to a mirror finish would potentially reduce value because that's not the original manufacture.
Furthermore, potentially reducing/removing etches, etc... NO-NO!!!

Is this correct, or am I over-thinking it?

Also, I've noticed that bone scales seem to have a tendency to crack/split over time. Is there a way to eliminate this? Again, I read that mineral oil can be used on bone (but may darken it), stag, etc.
Is there a BEST method to preserve bone scales?

That's it for now. Let me know how much I owe ya!
Click to expand...
I just found the MAINTENANCE FORUM. $#@! Told you. Brand new.
 
There are different kinds of "collecting". And how a knife should be cared for can depend on the knife.

Is the knife truly "collectable", or is it common, and not likely to increase in value or desirability. If that is the case then it shouldn't matter what you do to it. Not all knives are collectable or increase in value.

If you're buying knives that you like, and you intend to keep them forever, then there are no rules, you can do whatever you want to them. Polish them to your hearts content, or more.

If you are buying knives with the thought that you might sell them one day, then yeah, you might not want to alter them in any way, and not at all if you do end up selling them. Of course using a knife, sharpening it, or just carrying it around in your pocket can reduce it's value to others, so it's all a matter of how far you're willing to go to preserve it's value.

If the knife is old/an antique/a relic, and valuable, then you DEFINITELY don't want to alter it in any way, including attempting any type of cleaning, restoring, polishing or rust removal. Such actions should be left to certified professionals who specialize in such things. Even just removing tarnish on an antique knife could significantly reduce it's value.

As far as bone/stag/horn handles, it's my understanding that if you put mineral oil on them, and if they are cracked, that they cannot be repaired (source- Bill DeShivs). I'm thinking the mineral oil would prevent the cracks from being glued to avoid further cracking. My understanding is that bone is more stable than stag or horn and less prone to shrinkage and cracking. Many use various waxes on natural handle materials. You can research this topic in the "Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment" sub-forum by searching for the word "wax".
 
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killgar said:
There are different kinds of "collecting". And how a knife should be cared for can depend on the knife.

Is the knife truly "collectable", or is it common, and not likely to increase in value or desirability. If that is the case then it shouldn't matter what you do to it. Not all knives are collectable or increase in value.

If you're buying knives that you like, and you intend to keep them forever, then there are no rules, you can do whatever you want to them. Polish them to your hearts content, or more.

If you are buying knives with the thought that you might sell them one day, then yeah, you might not want to alter them in any way, and not at all if you do end up selling them. Of course using a knife, sharpening it, or just carrying it around in your pocket can reduce it's value to others, so it's all a matter of how far you're willing to go to preserve it's value.

If the knife is old/an antique/a relic, and valuable, then you DEFINITELY don't want to alter it in any way, including attempting any type of cleaning, restoring, polishing or rust removal. Such actions should be left to certified professionals who specialize in such things. Even just removing tarnish on an antique knife could significantly reduce it's value.

As far as bone/stag/horn handles, it's my understanding that if you put mineral oil on them, and if they are cracked, that they cannot be repaired (source- Bill DeShivs). I'm thinking the mineral oil would prevent the cracks from being glued to avoid further cracking. My understanding is that bone is more stable than stag or horn and less prone to shrinkage and cracking. Many use various waxes on natural handle materials. You can research this topic in the "Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment" sub-forum by searching for the word "wax".
Click to expand...
Well... that answers that! Yep. I found the maintenance forum about 3 mins after I made this post -- Couldn't figure out how to delete it after the fact?? Sorry about that.

I used to think my fly-fishing obsession was insane. Not so much anymore!!

Thank you kindly, everyone!!!

Flitz, Mineral Oil, and wax in route... What the @#$% have I gotten myself into???
 
321Bandaid said:
Well... that answers that! Yep. I found the maintenance forum about 3 mins after I made this post -- Couldn't figure out how to delete it after the fact?? Sorry about that.

I used to think my fly-fishing obsession was insane. Not so much anymore!!

Thank you kindly, everyone!!!

Flitz, Mineral Oil, and wax in route... What the @#$% have I gotten myself into???
Click to expand...
Could have been much, much worst than knives. You could have gotten into watche$, or car$, or boat$; knive are basically free compared to those.
 
Your next adventure is learning how to properly sharpen a blade.......
You will buy a new knife..........and think that's not sharp........I'll really put an edge on this knife.........
Then people will ask why you don't have hair on your arms..........LOL
 
Here is the knife owners' paradox: on the forums, many will beat the drum on how knives are tools to be used, and owners proudly boast that they really use their knives.

Then you go to the Exchange, For Sale section, and virtually every knife is described as BNIB or LNIB or never cut, original edge. And some of these sellers are the ones who look down on people who DON'T use their knives.

Yeah. So I ignore all the voices and do what I want with my knives, which is mainly polishing them with Ren wax and fondling them. :eek:
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Here is the knife owners' paradox: on the forums, many will beat the drum on how knives are tools to be used, and owners proudly boast that they really use their knives.

Then you go to the Exchange, For Sale section, and virtually every knife is described as BNIB or LNIB or never cut, original edge. And some of these sellers are the ones who look down on people who DON'T use their knives.

Yeah. So I ignore all the voices and do what I want with my knives, which is mainly polishing them with Ren wax and fondling them. :eek:
Click to expand...

This is true. I never look down on collectors, because 1, I am one myself lol and 2. I think most of us are somewhere in between user/collector. Say I have 35 expensive knives, ($200+, or whatever that means to you). I’m not going to rotate through every single one and carry it just a handful of times a year. That’s just enough to scratch it up, without really getting to even know the knife.
With my absolute favorites, I have duplicates, if I can afford. Ill carry one and have a backup, in case something happens to it. I have about 10 good dependable EDCs usually at any given time…so about 1/3 of everything I own, give or take…. (Not counting the cheap $20 stuff I bought years ago).
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
many will beat the drum on how knives are tools to be used, and owners proudly boast that they really use their knives.
Click to expand...

I never tell anyone to use a specific knife, but I would strongly suggest that you at least try out a larger knife or two in the great outdoors. This could be in a campsite or in your backyard.

I loved and collected knives from a very young age, and while I used my early knives for carving wood and utility, it unfortunately wasn’t until I was older that I started using larger knives and axes for chopping/trail clearing.

Now this is one of my favorite pass times. I wish I’d discovered it earlier and that’s partly why I promote it so much.

(Oh and I have a brand new in box chopper to sell you). 😂🤣
 
mitchnola said:
Interesting, what is the difference?
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Accumulators tend to just buy what they like at any given time. Collectors tend to choose their purchases based on value/history/etc.

I think everyone starts out as an accumulator to some degree and hones into a collector...if they choose to go that route.

I am an accumulator. I have lots of knives of various value and styles. I have never purchased a knife I didn't plan on carrying or using although many don't see much rotation and I tend to not wail on a $600 Microtech like I would a $50 Kershaw.
 
mitchnola said:
Interesting, what is the difference?
Click to expand...

“Enthusiast” would be a less pejorative term I think.

To me a collector has a theme. Personally I am starting to collect bird & trout knives. I also have a bunch of random folders that have no cohesion….I just like them.
 
Interesting topic, seems like there could be quite a few factors separating the two. E.g passion of a collector vs consumerism of an accumulator. Seems to me an enthusiast would more likely describe a collector. I think this topic needs a thread.
 
mitchnola said:
Interesting, what is the difference?
Click to expand...
Collectors are going to be more specific and methodical. So they may only look for Randall knives, or antique Bowie knives or be even more narrowly focused.

Accumulators is going gather up random knife shaped objects. One day they're buying Spyderco folder, then next it's Gerber fixed blade, then next it's custom SAK and so on.

The rules of collecting are the same whether it's knives, cars, airplanes, beanie babies, or CDs. Other collectors see more value rare or scarce items. The collection can be new or well used but it can't be abused or modified. And if whatever you collect comes with optional accessories you better have them and if it comes in a box or package and has documentation you better have all that too.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with being either but after only a couple weeks of engagement I would hesitate to consider someone a collector.
 
Well I guess I’m a collector of Les George knives and an accumulator of everything else. Although I do intend to complete a collection of hinderers and Reeves. Would that be the correct classification of myself?
 
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