Collector or user?

"I paid $10 for this knife new in box at a garage sale. So are the other knives worth 5 to 20 times more than this knife?"

I reckon that your finding such a knife new in box, is a fluke.
And that if you want a knife as good as a GEC, then buying a brand new GEC is easier and less costly than driving around to garage sales until you find what you're looking for.

Michael
 
When I first read the title of the thread, I thought this was going to be a "do you use your knives or do you just have a giant collection" kind of thread. And I think that the answer to that question is the same as the answer to this one, everybody's got his or her own preference. I'm a user with a small collection. I've held Case knives that I really liked. Even the nice ones weren't comparable the GECs you're talking about, though. And I'm willing to pay for what I like. I think the fact that they sell out and then sell for double, triple, sometimes QUADRUPLE the original price is a testament to their worth, and also to the efficacy of limited one-time production.
 
You want to talk about utility. My grand father worked assembly for the Big 3 in Detroit, for 40/years never owned a car or drove one, didn’t have a license, took the busses. Lost his index finger on a press and was back to work the next day he didn’t want to loose the pay. Had the same Robson yellow handled pocket knife used for everything.
 
Comparing prices to a Garage Sale Price to either retail or auction prices is not real, let’s compare Apples with Apples.

There’s some people who gave already commented who know more than anyone about the smart buying and investment in Knives.
 
i believe you answered your own question my friend by comparing your $10.00 knife to your gec's, after all you did buy a few
Troy
 
pholder said:
i believe you answered your own question my friend by comparing your $10.00 knife to your gec's, after all you did buy a few
Troy
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Well kinda. I have GEC knives that I don't like near as well as the Schrade. The pull isn't as smooth they don't have the snap and I can't discern any difference in fit and finish. This is an individual thing because I have some that are very nice.
 
New old stock delrin Schrades are about $20-30 in flea markets where I live. They are getting rare too.
 
The value of utility has always run alongside the value of beauty. Why did ancient civilizations paint their pottery when it would have saved time and wealth to just use plain clay? Why carve intricate designs into furniture when you just need a few pieces of wood strategically fitted?

Humans crave beauty even more than utility, and there is even a kind of beauty to utility when thinking of simplicity of design or engineering or skill with the tool. So, I’d say that while beauty comes second to utility in situations of scarcity and want; when man has peace and prosperity it is beauty that he desires above all else.

Knives are tools but because they are made by men who desire beauty there will always be better reasons for wanting to have them than their utility.
 
My sentiments are an echo of so many already mentioned. Thrill of the hunt is huge for me. Having a list of grails that once you acquire you spend precious time just handling, admiring, and if it checks all the boxes carrying and using. I really enjoy high quality and even rarity and will pay for it as I am able. If that Uncle Henry is all of that for you that is awesome, finding a good value/love ratio is huge : )
 
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robertj298 said:
Well kinda. I have GEC knives that I don't like near as well as the Schrade. The pull isn't as smooth they don't have the snap and I can't discern any difference in fit and finish. This is an individual thing because I have some that are very nice.[/QUO
i completly understand, i currently own 12 or so gec of various models, they exude quality, however i own about the same number of schrades-mostly 34ot simply because i have a soft spot for them, so therefore i carry them both
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Vintage knives are what I collect for the most part, more modern tacticals are more for work and specific uses over collection's for the sake of collectin'. That bein' said the majority of my traditional knives cost me $10 and under for used, NOS, NIB, LNIB and gently used. All my knives are in great shape and have full life and functionality left so with those parameters I see no reason to use them. I haber several knives that are over 100 ears old and I use them Like I use any of the 20 or so GECs, Northwoods and queens I have.

Will they be worth more? Only if you buy it for $5 and someone wants it for $100 and let me tell you, it happens but it'e rare so don't bet on it and use and enjoy your blades. JMHO &YMMV :)
 
A knife is a tool, and just like any other tool there are differences in quality at different price points.

Quality includes things like: resistance to wear, better construction and ergonomics, better application of force for better work, better materials, better fit and finish, higher reliability, to name a few.
 
What one man sees as treasure, another may view the same as folly. It's all a matter of perspective, and personal tastes. If I cannot appreciate the value of a thing, my opinion doesn't disqualify, of justify the intrinsic value of said thing, my opinion only ranks me, as my opinion is a reflection of my personal value system. A thing is just a thing, and can viewed through many different lenses, each seeing a different facet of reality, or illusion.
 
I like to think that price is just a market's thing, a moot point when it comes to your knife.
Value is another thing, it is what that knife actually means to you. It could be the patina inset by your grandfather on that crooked slippie, the smile on your face when you open that blade because something finally needs to be cut, or your long chased unicorn of the garage sales...the long waited piece to fill the last empty space in your display case.
 
After collecting a lot of GECs I am less convinced of their value, and these days I only buy a GEC knife that is obviously worth the investment - and fortunately many are. This means foregoing GEC's acrylic, many of the plainer micarta models and most of their stag, which is often poor. I enjoy craftsmanship and aesthetics and find a lot more of my dollars are going on custom-made fixed blades at around the $150 price point. Generally these are available in nice steels and some amazing handles, which I really appreciate.

I think most of GEC's plainer Tidioute line are priced $10-$20 more than their value, when compared against the available traditional knives on the new and second hand market.

The other issue is the limited stainless steel options. Last year we saw some fantastic stainless options (released mid-year) and we haven't really seen anything since. My ideal collection would have a mix of at least 40% stainless as the longevity of the stainless blades would help justify the cost of that investment (I like to keep most of the collection in original condition).
 
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I don't collect knives. I once told one of my co workers about some of my knives as he seemed into the subject. When he realised I have like 40+(? never did a count) knives he cracked a smile and said "Aha! You're a collector!" I remember feeling kind of insulted. Maybe I am a collector?

The way I see it I just buy knives that I like and then I use them..
 
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