Continuing to find ways to decorate with my traditionals...

Another thread got me to thinking. Obviously, a knife is a cutting tool, and that is it's main use purpose. Myself, and everyone I have ever known, uses knives as tools. But, my starting to collect traditional patterned knives, has me buying these tools and not using them for their main purpose. But, I do still use them. No, not to cut, but to display and to decorate in my home. They are part of my home's decor. These are not purchased to be left in their boxes, stored in a safe or drawer... but exposed for myself and others to admire. Anyhow... I see so many premade decor pieces out there, tacky in most cases. These items I display are genuine and make great display and great conversation pieces :-) Maybe not the typical idea that most have for using a knife.... but still serving a purpose :-) All good, in the end :-)

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I don't hang knives on the wall, but I do have a couple antique tools hanging up, and I've made plenty of pieces from natural materials: mounted antler racks, made sculptures, etc. I look at displaying knives in a similar light, sometimes; if it's done artistically, it can be nice. Just usually not my thing. I tend to use the knives to produce the artwork, not as the piece of art itself.

(This feels to me like a thread that the mods might think belongs in Carl's Lounge, due to its subject matter.)
 
Plenty of people collect knives for display rather than use. It also makes life easier for the burglars.
 
jc57 said:
Plenty of people collect knives for display rather than use. It also makes life easier for the burglars.
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If one were to live life in over worrying in fear of burglers, (which is simply a reality of life), one would likely not own any belongings in ones home. Dangers of bad people exist, of course, not going to overly dwell on that... imo, anyway :-) I mean, my car is worth much more than my guns and knives, but I still own it and park it outside for all to see, and thieves to possibly steal.... It is simply a risk I'll take ;-)
 
I think if it suits you to do this, and you enjoy it, that's fine. For me, it's a garage full of cars that never get driven. I prefer to see them being driven, or drive myself. :)
 
i'm not one to collect knives for display but everyone sees things differently. a knife is a tool and a tool must be used. reminds me of a co-worker i know who has a side job where he has a tool belt, and i think he title is maintenance/carpenter. i looked at his tools and it was like they were never used. :confused:
 
I guess to many using something, anything, as a decoration, is not use. I am not in that camp. Many items are in museums, some that were never used for their original purpose, but now are being used as a display that teaches, sparks conversation.... and is enjoyable to look at. As I said in my original post above.. it's all good.
 
I think that, tastefully done (as your picture shows), they make excellent decorative features to a house (or man cave). A glass cover is advisable.

One of the military units I served in gave us, upon PCS, a plaque with an actual dagger that was held to the plaque with a clip. I finally took the plaque down because visitors would pull off the dagger to examine it. If someone cut themselves they'd probably sue me :)
 
Yeah... mine are kept under glass. It keeps them from getting over exposure to dust, and are less likely to be handled by my home's visitors. Some people can't grasp the fact that our hands have moisture and salts that can be cancer to steel if not cleaned off ;-)
 
Yes, Jimmy, there's nothing wrong with displaying your knife collection. Many people who collect have large display cabinets, corners of a room, or entire rooms dedicated to their knife displays. Based on the other knife forums I visit, I would suspect that the majority of collectors do not use their knives as cutting implements. I know some Case collectors who have hundreds of Case knives that are new, unsharpened, never used and for carry they have a yellow Delrin trapper that they've used every day for 15 years, or their carry rotation is about 3 or 4 knives and the rest stay on the shelf.

This forum's current population leans towards those who buy relatively expensive knives and then use them, and who want them to look used. I am in yet a third group who likes to buy relatively affordable knives, use them, and keep them looking fairly new by regular care and maintenance.

I for one enjoy looking at pictures of your displays. They are interesting and tastefully done. The reason I mentioned burglars is that the burglars educated me on how easy it is to lose your possessions two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011. But it's impossible to both display your collection and keep it in a vault, so it's just a risk to live with.
 
jc57 said:
Yes, Jimmy, there's nothing wrong with displaying your knife collection. Many people who collect have large display cabinets, corners of a room, or entire rooms dedicated to their knife displays. Based on the other knife forums I visit, I would suspect that the majority of collectors do not use their knives as cutting implements. I know some Case collectors who have hundreds of Case knives that are new, unsharpened, never used and for carry they have a yellow Delrin trapper that they've used every day for 15 years, or their carry rotation is about 3 or 4 knives and the rest stay on the shelf.

This forum's current population leans towards those who buy relatively expensive knives and then use them, and who want them to look used. I am in yet a third group who likes to buy relatively affordable knives, use them, and keep them looking fairly new by regular care and maintenance.

I for one enjoy looking at pictures of your displays. They are interesting and tastefully done. The reason I mentioned burglars is that the burglars educated me on how easy it is to lose your possessions two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011. But it's impossible to both display your collection and keep it in a vault, so it's just a risk to live with.
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It is sad about thieves being a very real "reality"... and I am sorry you have been a victim :-( They (burglers) are a cancer of society.
 
I would love to walk into a home and see knives displayed on a wall, table, etc. The average person may not think the same, but that's going to be the same with anything. Some people like certain decorations and others don't.
 
I hang up fixed blades of significance in my life, file knife from Korean War given to me by my uncle who started me collecting knives, a machete bought on a month long trip to Belize and Guatemala, a kukhri gotten as a present at my 40th b-day. The rest are all in cigar or chocolate boxes.
 
Turk88 said:
I would love to walk into a home and see knives displayed on a wall, table, etc. The average person may not think the same, but that's going to be the same with anything. Some people like certain decorations and others don't.
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Yeah, I agree... you can't please everyone :-)
I was able to squeeze in my last knife purchase into one of my existing display boxes... But, that is all they will handle without them looking too crowded together. Well, a visit to one of my favorite homegoods type stores today, turned up my finding another display box. I don't know what or when my next traditional knife purchase will be, but this new display placed in my bedroom, will start housing any new additions I get.

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It's kind'a like a blank canvas! :-)
 
I like it! :thumbup:
But then again, my "man cave" is decorated with Zippo lighters in display cases. :D
 
zippofan said:
I like it! :thumbup:
But then again, my "man cave" is decorated with Zippo lighters in display cases. :D
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That sounds cool... And I can only imagine, based on your forum name, you have quite a few! :-)

Since I recently was thinking of starting a display of smaller pocket knives (like the peanut, tiny trapper, and such)... then this latest display could likely hold dozens of them. But, if something else sparks my interest, the mini knife only display may go to the wayside ;-)
 
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Love the displays Jimmy,as long as you recognize & accept the risk,go for it.
Definitely better than Unicorns or Clowns.;)
 
mykel m said:
Love the displays Jimmy,as long as you recognize & accept the risk,go for it.
Definitely better than Unicorns or Clowns.;)
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Unicorns and Clowns.... hmmm?!... lol!... yeah, the knives are cooler, imo ;-)

Guns used to be displayed too.... but now-a-days... well, for various reasons, they are locked up in steel gun cabinets :-( I hope the pocket knives are looked at as being just a little bit more benign... but, it is not the same world I grew up in, ya know :-( As for thieves and such... any burglerly into ones home is sad, but I just can't let them win by scaring me into not doing this... my enjoying the displaying of these items... and yes... a risk I do take.
 
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I placed two of my three latest knives inside my new display. They are both made by Case, and I don't know if my direction will be to just fill this one with Case knives... or, more likely, diversty in patterns and brands will take over again. In any "case", I got plenty of room in this one, so it will take quite a while to fill :-)

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Case medium congress & mini trapper
 
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