Does it fit in my collection?

L

lwrhea

Joined
May 24, 2005
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Guys, I have been folowing the price gouging thread and saw something interesting mentioned by a few including Stephen F and Kevin Jones.I did'nt want to hijack the thread, so I am hoping to get some insight by starting this one. Some of you are representative of the more serious collectors and otherwise knowledgeable knife guys that are not specifically MAKERS.

The question: As a maker, I am interested in just what criteria you use to judge whether or not a specific knife does or does not "fit" into your collection. I have met some of you and read your words, but dont have access to your collections, although some of your knives are indeed shown here from time to time. Would some of you be willing to give a rundown of the most important points of consideration when determining what a knife must have to fit into your collection? It was touched on in the other thread, but I'd like to hear from others too. Pictures would be great. Thanks, Lin
 
lwrhea said:
Would some of you be willing to give a rundown of the most important points of consideration when determining what a knife must have to fit into your collection?
Click to expand...

For me it's simple... if I like the knife it belongs.
 
Lin,
I'm not certain how collectors make such determinations either,
but some insight might be gained from viewing Stephen F's collection
posted on the net........I don't know how to post a link.....a search
may help.

Good Question.....!
 
My criteria is pretty simple but has a couple of parts.

First is that I only buy folders. The reason is because I live in a suburb of NYC and all the knives I have are potential users. I use most of my knives as EDC's and for work, but living in the suburbs and carrying a fixed blade just don't mix, at least where I am. So it is folders only for me.

The second most important criteria for me is looks, if I like the way it looks I will probably buy it. I do some research into materials and makers reputation before I make a purchase and if possible I will try to handle it. I will also come to these forums to see what others think of the knife and or maker, but in the end it is the overall asthetics that draw me to a specific knife.

Size is also important, I wont buy anything with blade over 4 inches ,I just find it to be too cumbersome for pocket carry. And as I said everything I buy I buy to use.

lwrhea as for your knives I have only seen a couple, and I have to say I really like them. Unfortunately I don't hunt or do much camping so the stuff I have seen of yours would just be impractible for me. That is not to say I have not been tempted by your designs.

I hope this helps, I know it is a bit rambling but thats the way I think.

tomorrow I will post some pics.
 
Lin, I don't know that I have a precise formula for determining "what fits". Other than I have been a knife enthusiast for a number of years and definitely know what I like.

I don't think collector" "should" have a theme. I think they should buy what they like. These are, by and large, frivolous expenditures and each buyer should get the most grins for his dollar. If that's a tactical folder today, a forged bowie tomorrow and a Japanese sword next year, so be it.

My focus is on forged fixed blades - primarily the larger bowies, camp knives and fighters. I have a thing for matched sets - I just like pairing up a little knife with its big brother, and I have found most makers more than willing to fill such an order, most often at a very attractive price. Plus, I figure that if I'm waiting a few years for an order to come up, might as well get two knives instead of one.

My purchase criteria are much as Stephen listed in the other thread. Makers who provide a very high value for dollar will dominate my collection - whether they be fairly new or well established masters. Most of my knives are custom orders, so it's not a matter of searching for a knife that "fits" but commisioning one that fits. I try to keep well abreast of the evolving work of as many bladesmiths as I can (by going to shows, harassing Les, and spending way too much time here). There are a number of makers whom I have not yet orderd from, but have "flagged" for future projects as funds become available (yourself included). I can only realistically have so many outstanding custom orders because I realistically only have so much money to spend on custom knives.

I don't know if I have answered your question, but I do know that I am tired of typing. :)

Roger
 
RogerP said:
My focus is on forged fixed blades - primarily the larger bowies, camp knives and fighters.
Click to expand...

Same here, but there are exceptions - I have a couple handforged folders, and one in SS by JW Smith.

For me the question is not whether a piece fits in the current collection, but whether it helps take my collection in the direction I want. It's a subtle but real difference. For example, right now I am trying to raise the average quality of the knives in my collection, so I am less likely to buy a nicely made, great value $300 - $500 piece (unless I know I can sell it for a profit within a year, but even that I rarely do). There are several pieces like that in my collection but I'm trying to take it beyond that.
 
Good question. For me, it's quite simple: I afford it, I like the design, it's well made (edge, fit and finish) and it's not overdressed, then it fits :)
Here is an overview of my collection. As you can see the styles are varied (there are a few factory knives too BTW):
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/fisac/knife collection/

Here are some of the knives I sold over the years. I liked the all and most of the time I sold them to pay for new ones (read to cover for overspending).
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/fisac/knife collection/sold knives/
 
I didn't even think about a theme to my collection before finding Bladeforums,just bought what I liked.
Finding this place was like going to Harvard or MIT:eek: ,the Makers,the Dealers/Purveyors,the extremely well informed fellow collectors and the mods,who are collectors and very well informed as well. :cool:
Even before this place my collection revolved around Bowies and fighters,smaller fixed blades and the occasional folder.
Lin,if you click on my sig,ya' can see some of the nice stuff,IMO,I've picked up here.
Great thread,by the way. :thumbup:

Doug
ps..I didn't even know who Don Fogg was! :eek: :o
 
At this time my criteria are simple. If the knife falls into the styles (bowies and fighters) that I collect, is forged, and it isn't over the price I am willing to pay, then it fits. Why I underlined the first three words of this post is that over the years my criteria have changed, and I am sure they will again in the future.
 
Leatherbird and Flava, thanks for the links. That helps a lot.

Thank all of you for replying. I know you guys do your homework when it comes to what individual makers are doing and their position in the market. Information that you guys are giving me as a maker at least gives me some insight about your collections and what types of knives and dollar ranges you are most interested in.

I dont hink I'm the only maker that would find this informative. Please keep em comming. Lin:)
 
I collect mostly Hunters, Bowies, some tactical and some folders I have some production like EK's and SOGS but I focus on Stag and the diff kinds of stag that I want. I have many hunters/skinners/fighters/bowies in stag and I would guess that is my theme. Most of my slipjoints are stag. California Buckeye is also a big theme in my collection. I guess the more you collect the more you notice what you have the most of. I dont think about my collection when I am buying I just buy what I like and what "calls out to me" which happens to include alot of what I have said. Make sense?
 
Lin, the criteria for a knife “to fit” into my collection is simple. I have to like it, it has to be well made and it has to make sense from an investment standpoint as I consider myself a collector / investor. An investor in a sense that I never expect to get rich form knives, however I do make a modest profit or at least break even as I adjust my collection from time to time. I think everyone will agree that to break even or profit doing something you enjoy is a good thing. Try to break even golfing or boating. :D :D

In order to be successful with investing in anything you have to be knowledgeable in what you are investing in. Even though I enjoy folders, tacticals and various other types of knives, I don’t know enough about them, thus I collect forged bowies and hunters as I know a bit about them and am fascinated by them.

Also, the maker is important to me. I buy form makers who have a track record, are in for the long haul and promote themselves and the industry in general.
 
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