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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Ever wake up and wonder...
- Thread starter Jeff O
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 5,533
Here is old article from BBCI Newsletter, I post it here as germaine to the conversation.
Keeping Records - Five knives or five hundred, you will eventually wish you would have started.
Record keeping, the keeping track of the what, how much, where and when is a part of your Buck knife interest you say you will eventually “get around to”. Well, hopefully this article will stimulate you with some ideas and hints that will let you get a record system going and make it easy enough that you will stay with it as your Buck collection grows.
Buck Knives Joe Houser keeps his knives “in cardboard boxes with the papers inside the original boxes”. Heath Stone, of Stoneknifeworks.com, keeps a running computer listing - “I work off existing data sheets and update them. I have very few boxes to keep up with since I only collect the early stuff. I do keep a 3 ring binder for my literature. When I buy a knife for my collection I take a picture with the knife lying next to sheath, front and back views.” Alan Horner keeps track of his extensive crosslock collection by taking a picture of each knife and when he prints the photo he adds pertinent data on the sheet. These are then kept in a three ring binder.
Record keeping is a subject seldom discussed when Buck knife folks get together. We prefer to talk about the actual knives. But I believe we need to discuss it more. In the past there have been a couple of newsletter articles that gave the benefits and methods of keeping good records.
One of the early members of the BCCI, W. Murry Andrews, in the November 1999 newsletter, wrote an extensive article titled, “Buck Knives, Literature and the Collector”. Mr. Murry, covered a lot of useful subjects in his article, including information to improve your record keeping. Club Vice President Larry Oden, wrote a February 2000 newsletter article titled “Keeping Track of Our Bucks”. He outlined his method of keeping records and managing his growing collection. He mainly uses an index card method, as I do, where he keeps “index cards sorted by color for 100 series, 110 series, 300 series, 400 series, 500 series, etc. On each index card I have model number, knife name, my own sequential number, tang stamp, handle and other information, such as handle rivets, mirror polished blade, etching, construction variance and on and on. I also note if I have box and sheath and add comments such as ‘not original’. I also like to put on when and where I acquired the knife plus a code I use that tells me how much money I have in the knife.” “I keep most of my knives separate from the box and sheath and use a small, removable label on reverse side of the master blade with the sequence number of the index card record. I use the same label on the corner of the box and usually keep the sheath in the box with a label on it. These two labels have the sequence number and if the box is not marked by the factory, I will also mark the model number on the label with the model number and sequence number. I put this same number on any letter of authenticity and note on the card I have a letter. I keep letter in a three ringed binder. I store cards sorted by model number but in sequence number order. If I remove a knife from my collection, I remove the card and write across the card how I disposed of the knife. Every once in a while, I find a box or sheath with a sequence number that is not in my current box of cards and I can look in the disposed group of cards to remind myself what happened to the knife. I keep box papers in the original box. “
Well now you can see the different levels and directions different club members take. In the photograph below take a look at the record sheets and then we will discuss what you are seeing.
In the photograph above notice the printed record sheets, these were provided to me by other collectors. The small sheets for the six ring binder were custom printed by Mr. Charles Tofts, long time 300 series collector. I enlarged the small sheet to 8 X 10. The second sheet has both data information area and marked squares for photos of the individual knife. I will see if we can get copies of both sheets on the BCCI website so members can print them out. You also see the 3 X 5 index card box with a copy of one of Larry Odens own cards. Make a note: use only pencil or waterproof ink to record your data. Sharpies are waterproof and are found in many stores. You never know what may happen , something simple such as spilling a glass of water to a major flood. Ballpoint ink runs and fades. Photographs can be very useful, if you haven’t learned to use a camera maybe you can use a computer scanner to get good close-up views of each of your knives. These can be printed with space left on the bottom of the sheet to write in your data and then placed in a binder with an index system you create for ease of use. Note the thumb drives. If you are going to use a computer as your primary record keeping device, always, let me repeat ALWAYS back up your data. I would keep the hard drive copy and then make a copy on a thumb drive that is kept in a different and secure location. I have had two computers die a quick death stealing most of my saved data. I know once we get to discussing record keeping some of you computer experts will have some great ideas. You can come up with your own method, just do it and don’t delay.
In the photo above you will see methods of marking for storage and the storage and filing of the paperwork that comes in the box with your Buck knife. Plastic vinyl sheet protectors are great for storing inserts from Buck boxes. Some folks leave their papers folded up in the box. I take them out, flatten them by a light touch or two with my wife’s iron and place them in sheet protector with info written on a stick- on tabs. Be sure to put tape over the opening to keep things from falling out. Newer boxes can be opened and flattened to reduce bulk. Again be sure to identify the box with a tab. Concerning marking methods, post-it notes, sticky tabs or even blue painters tape work well. I use little squares of blue painters tape because it leaves no residue behind. Old boxes can be wrapped with a paper for information or a smaller piece held on by rubber bands. If you have some good ideas in this area please share them with other club members.
A small word on photographs taken by camera, your photograph will eventually be recorded on a computer. It would likely be safest to make both a printed file and your original computer image file. Thumb drives have gotten very large in capacity get one and copy your records, put it somewhere secure. With a scanner you may only have printed copies. I would recommend you then make two copies kept in two separate spots.
I would recommend that you place a good ruler in the photo alongside the knife to give it accurate perspective. I have a photo/data sheet of all my knives in my display. I take this to knife shows and have it available for viewers to open and check on any knives they may want the full information on. Creating a sheet with spots for different knife views and lines for data entry is not that hard, especially if I can do it.
I believe we have covered the subject of record keeping well enough for you to get started on your own knife record. Let me admonish you once again, whether you have five knives and carry them all or you have 50 knives in a display case. Good records will be useful and at the same time give you some piece of mind that you know all the details of your Bucks. Don’t wish you had “gotten round to it”.
300Bucks
Keeping Records - Five knives or five hundred, you will eventually wish you would have started.
Record keeping, the keeping track of the what, how much, where and when is a part of your Buck knife interest you say you will eventually “get around to”. Well, hopefully this article will stimulate you with some ideas and hints that will let you get a record system going and make it easy enough that you will stay with it as your Buck collection grows.
Buck Knives Joe Houser keeps his knives “in cardboard boxes with the papers inside the original boxes”. Heath Stone, of Stoneknifeworks.com, keeps a running computer listing - “I work off existing data sheets and update them. I have very few boxes to keep up with since I only collect the early stuff. I do keep a 3 ring binder for my literature. When I buy a knife for my collection I take a picture with the knife lying next to sheath, front and back views.” Alan Horner keeps track of his extensive crosslock collection by taking a picture of each knife and when he prints the photo he adds pertinent data on the sheet. These are then kept in a three ring binder.
Record keeping is a subject seldom discussed when Buck knife folks get together. We prefer to talk about the actual knives. But I believe we need to discuss it more. In the past there have been a couple of newsletter articles that gave the benefits and methods of keeping good records.
One of the early members of the BCCI, W. Murry Andrews, in the November 1999 newsletter, wrote an extensive article titled, “Buck Knives, Literature and the Collector”. Mr. Murry, covered a lot of useful subjects in his article, including information to improve your record keeping. Club Vice President Larry Oden, wrote a February 2000 newsletter article titled “Keeping Track of Our Bucks”. He outlined his method of keeping records and managing his growing collection. He mainly uses an index card method, as I do, where he keeps “index cards sorted by color for 100 series, 110 series, 300 series, 400 series, 500 series, etc. On each index card I have model number, knife name, my own sequential number, tang stamp, handle and other information, such as handle rivets, mirror polished blade, etching, construction variance and on and on. I also note if I have box and sheath and add comments such as ‘not original’. I also like to put on when and where I acquired the knife plus a code I use that tells me how much money I have in the knife.” “I keep most of my knives separate from the box and sheath and use a small, removable label on reverse side of the master blade with the sequence number of the index card record. I use the same label on the corner of the box and usually keep the sheath in the box with a label on it. These two labels have the sequence number and if the box is not marked by the factory, I will also mark the model number on the label with the model number and sequence number. I put this same number on any letter of authenticity and note on the card I have a letter. I keep letter in a three ringed binder. I store cards sorted by model number but in sequence number order. If I remove a knife from my collection, I remove the card and write across the card how I disposed of the knife. Every once in a while, I find a box or sheath with a sequence number that is not in my current box of cards and I can look in the disposed group of cards to remind myself what happened to the knife. I keep box papers in the original box. “
Well now you can see the different levels and directions different club members take. In the photograph below take a look at the record sheets and then we will discuss what you are seeing.
In the photograph above notice the printed record sheets, these were provided to me by other collectors. The small sheets for the six ring binder were custom printed by Mr. Charles Tofts, long time 300 series collector. I enlarged the small sheet to 8 X 10. The second sheet has both data information area and marked squares for photos of the individual knife. I will see if we can get copies of both sheets on the BCCI website so members can print them out. You also see the 3 X 5 index card box with a copy of one of Larry Odens own cards. Make a note: use only pencil or waterproof ink to record your data. Sharpies are waterproof and are found in many stores. You never know what may happen , something simple such as spilling a glass of water to a major flood. Ballpoint ink runs and fades. Photographs can be very useful, if you haven’t learned to use a camera maybe you can use a computer scanner to get good close-up views of each of your knives. These can be printed with space left on the bottom of the sheet to write in your data and then placed in a binder with an index system you create for ease of use. Note the thumb drives. If you are going to use a computer as your primary record keeping device, always, let me repeat ALWAYS back up your data. I would keep the hard drive copy and then make a copy on a thumb drive that is kept in a different and secure location. I have had two computers die a quick death stealing most of my saved data. I know once we get to discussing record keeping some of you computer experts will have some great ideas. You can come up with your own method, just do it and don’t delay.
In the photo above you will see methods of marking for storage and the storage and filing of the paperwork that comes in the box with your Buck knife. Plastic vinyl sheet protectors are great for storing inserts from Buck boxes. Some folks leave their papers folded up in the box. I take them out, flatten them by a light touch or two with my wife’s iron and place them in sheet protector with info written on a stick- on tabs. Be sure to put tape over the opening to keep things from falling out. Newer boxes can be opened and flattened to reduce bulk. Again be sure to identify the box with a tab. Concerning marking methods, post-it notes, sticky tabs or even blue painters tape work well. I use little squares of blue painters tape because it leaves no residue behind. Old boxes can be wrapped with a paper for information or a smaller piece held on by rubber bands. If you have some good ideas in this area please share them with other club members.
A small word on photographs taken by camera, your photograph will eventually be recorded on a computer. It would likely be safest to make both a printed file and your original computer image file. Thumb drives have gotten very large in capacity get one and copy your records, put it somewhere secure. With a scanner you may only have printed copies. I would recommend you then make two copies kept in two separate spots.
I would recommend that you place a good ruler in the photo alongside the knife to give it accurate perspective. I have a photo/data sheet of all my knives in my display. I take this to knife shows and have it available for viewers to open and check on any knives they may want the full information on. Creating a sheet with spots for different knife views and lines for data entry is not that hard, especially if I can do it.
I believe we have covered the subject of record keeping well enough for you to get started on your own knife record. Let me admonish you once again, whether you have five knives and carry them all or you have 50 knives in a display case. Good records will be useful and at the same time give you some piece of mind that you know all the details of your Bucks. Don’t wish you had “gotten round to it”.
300Bucks
Last edited:
Here you go JeffO,
I'm not to good at taking group shots....so not to many group shots over the years.
jb4570
Oh, I wish you had not posted that... now I have a 124 on the way.
Incredible display, by the way. :thumbup:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2011
- Messages
- 3,053
Here's my 110's and 112's. I do sometimes wonder if it will ever stop, but I figure the knives are cheaper than a therapist.
Tom
You have a VERY nice collection going here!!:thumbup:
I love all the Sambar, elk and ram's horn especially!!