Hoarder, Hunter or Curator?

PointyThings

PointyThings

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
314
The other day I was showing my wife a knife on the auction site that shall not be named. It was an old 4-line Camillus pen knife that just oozed old knife qualities: Eureka frame, amazing jigged bone, rattail iron bolsters, assymetrical gimp shield, clip master. You can search for the knife yourself in ended auctions, if you're curious.

I had been watching it and planned to bid on it, but the final ending price was $426 -- way out of my comfort zone for a pen knife.

My wife understood immediately why that knife appealed to me and asked me why I didn't go after it -- instead of spending my money buying other knives that weren't so special.

I told her that while I would have loved to own the knife, it was overpriced, in my opinion. And while I could have squeezed my knife budget to buy the knife, I wouldn't have enjoyed acquiring it.

Why?

Because I enjoy the hunt, that moment of spotting a piece of cutlery in the wild and nabbing it at a price other than "market price."

My most treasured memories of collecting involve such finds, which makes me a hunter of collectibles, not a curator.

I've known other collectors who acquire knives and NEVER consider selling or trading their knives. I've been guilty of this at times and freely admit to periods of hoarding.

But I've never been a true curator of a collection, building it carefully with discipline, working toward a specific goal, upgrading the pieces in the pursuit of a museum-worthy collection.

So what kind of collector are you?
 
I know what you mean. I ran across two knives today that, 2 months ago, I swore it I had the chance I would buy them. But now that the opportunity is there, I backed off. Why? A few reasons. Other stuff coming soon, one isn’t in the US and I’m just not comfy enough for the conditions. But it really comes down to the same question you ask!

I am a part hoarder and part curator. I have knives that I won’t ever use, and someone would die for, but I just can’t get rid of them. And I curate my own collection. But I don’t have guidelines for my collection. I just pick up what I like and there isn’t any real rules. What I carry and use has a general theme, but what I like to just collect doesn’t.
 
A haphazard one. I appreciate this post, I’m continually trying to decide what and why I’m collecting. I tend to buy what I like but I don’t think anyone looking at my collection could identify a goal or plan and the only themes at the moment are Blade aForum knives and GEC single blades and multi blade whittlers. I don’t collect with an eye to future value, I think historically knives and most other “things” are a very risky investment strategy. I know some of the older members plan on turning it over to family but I’ve also seen some lamenting the fact that they don’t have a family member that cares to take it over and it will probably be sold off once they are gone.

Just realized this is my 500th post. Here’s my 35 Hummingbird
F4389CA5-CC67-4D4D-9251-5549EAE6815C.jpeg
 
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For me part of what distinguishes a "grail" knife is that it pushes me out of "hunter" mode and into "curator" mode. There are many knives I'm interested in that I would jump on if I found them at a decent price, and sometimes I'll admit to nabbing a knife that I'm only sort of interested in, but found at a bargain price (always nice to have good trade options). But only when there's something I REALLY want, something I would never consider parting with if I managed to acquire, would I enter curator mode. There's only one knife like that for me right now, something I'd be willing to pay silly market rates or more for.
 
I guess I am still trying to figure out what kind I am . I certainly enjoy the Hunt for what I like at a less than fair price . I collect Northfields that I like and do not sell them . I Do buy Charlie's SFOs and do not sell them but I Do Not hunt them down . I buy Old Knives that I like and do not sell them . I have gifted quite a few . I guess that I am a Hoarder . I have a Database that I have put many of my knives into , but not to be a Curator , but to facilitate my families disposal of said Bunch Of Knives at some point in the future . They basically do not know what a knife is worth or where it came from . They have gifted some to me and the knife will go back to them but they forgot who gave me what . And I Like Stag .

Harry
 
Old Engineer said:
I have a Database that I have put many of my knives into , but not to be a Curator , but to facilitate my families disposal of said Bunch Of Knives at some point in the future.
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I need to do this! My relations would never be able to liquidate my collection for anything close to value without some guidance. I don't want them to have any idea what kind of value we're talking about until I'm gone tho.... :)
 
BDubbs said:
A haphazard one. I appreciate this post, I’m continually trying to decide what and why I’m collecting. I tend to buy what I like but I don’t think anyone looking at my collection could identify a goal or plan and the only themes at the moment are Blade aForum knives and GEC single blades and multi blade whittlers. I don’t collect with an eye to future value, I think historically knives and most other “things” are a very risky investment strategy. I know some of the older members plan on turning it over to family but I’ve also seen some lamenting the fact that they don’t have a family member that cares to take it over and it will probably be sold off once they are gone.

35 Hummingbird
View attachment 1544312
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I agree about knives as risky investments. The collector market can be volatile and the knives themselves are vulnerable to theft, disasters (fire, flood) and deterioration.

I collect because I really don't have a choice; it's wired into my DNA.

As for bequeathing a collection to a family member, that can also be a real risk if the goal is to preserve the collection. Having seen a few friends pass on, I can say that an inherited collection can be a burden if the heir isn't passionate about it. My wife keeps reminding me that she doesn't want to deal with my stuff if I pass before her.
 
I think I’d classify myself as a curator or accumulator - I tend to collect knives that I want to use or like to use. Once I know I like a knife, I like to have an extra sitting around. My most carried knives are the 33 and the 62, so I didn’t feel too bad picking up an extra of each when I found them cheap. I did the same thing with pens I like, and that’s why I have a baker’s dozen of vacumatic Parker 51s. My theory is that I will always have a pen and knife that I like, but that doesn’t mean I’m not always on the hunt for something new! I think the collector or pack-rat gene is in the family, with my father and grandfather collecting classic Fords and stamps, and myself with that obsession plus pens, knives, and typewriters.
 
Old Engineer said:
I guess I am still trying to figure out what kind I am . I certainly enjoy the Hunt for what I like at a less than fair price . I collect Northfields that I like and do not sell them . I Do buy Charlie's SFOs and do not sell them but I Do Not hunt them down . I buy Old Knives that I like and do not sell them . I have gifted quite a few . I guess that I am a Hoarder . I have a Database that I have put many of my knives into , but not to be a Curator , but to facilitate my families disposal of said Bunch Of Knives at some point in the future . They basically do not know what a knife is worth or where it came from . They have gifted some to me and the knife will go back to them but they forgot who gave me what . And I Like Stag .

Harry
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I'm in IT, but have been too lazy to build a database like you have. Congrats on having the self-discipline to do it.

Your family will appreciate your efforts -- as long as you let them know how to find and access that database ;)
 
PointyThings said:
I agree about knives as risky investments. The collector market can be volatile and the knives themselves are vulnerable to theft, disasters (fire, flood) and deterioration.

I collect because I really don't have a choice; it's wired into my DNA.

As for bequeathing a collection to a family member, that can also be a real risk if the goal is to preserve the collection. Having seen a few friends pass on, I can say that an inherited collection can be a burden if the heir isn't passionate about it. My wife keeps reminding me that she doesn't want to deal with my stuff if I pass before her.
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Don’t mean to distract from the thread but this is kind of timely. I was watching a show last night on netflix about minimalism and they talked a bit about loved ones being burdened with “stuff” when someone dies and the guilt about getting rid of it.
 
Tadeusz123 said:
I think I’d classify myself as a curator or accumulator - I tend to collect knives that I want to use or like to use. Once I know I like a knife, I like to have an extra sitting around. My most carried knives are the 33 and the 62, so I didn’t feel too bad picking up an extra of each when I found them cheap. I did the same thing with pens I like, and that’s why I have a baker’s dozen of vacumatic Parker 51s. My theory is that I will always have a pen and knife that I like, but that doesn’t mean I’m not always on the hunt for something new! I think the collector or pack-rat gene is in the family, with my father and grandfather collecting classic Fords and stamps, and myself with that obsession plus pens, knives, and typewriters.
Click to expand...

Don't get me started on pens! The reason my username is PointyThings is because my main collecting interests are knives and fountain pens -- both pointy things.
 
beezwax said:
I need to do this! My relations would never be able to liquidate my collection for anything close to value without some guidance. I don't want them to have any idea what kind of value we're talking about until I'm gone tho.... :)
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Also, probably a good idea to include guidance on the best ways to liquidate your collection -- or direct them to someone you trust to assist in the process. Too many ghouls out there willing to prey on a hapless survivor.
 
I try not to let my knife hoard get over 40 pieces.
If I get too many, I sell a bunch cheap or gift them away.
I only buy or trade for knives I will use and carry, users are favorites.
I only have one true safe queen (Hartshead Barlow).
I pretty much stick to Medium Jacks and Stockman knives.
I enjoy hunting for bargains... $75ish GEC and $35ish Case knives.
I've lost so much money pursuing this hobby, but feel it's well-spent.
Not sure where I fit in the Knife universe... :confused:
 
PointyThings said:
Don't get me started on pens! The reason my username is PointyThings is because my main collecting interests are knives and fountain pens -- both pointy things.
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It’s fun to see how often I find that people will collect both, and it makes sense. If you have to use both in a day, it only makes sense to have quality versions of both. Nothing quite like having well made tools - knives, pens, or anything else. But of course, you can’t have just one! After accumulating a case or two full of fountain pens and a number of GEC tubes and knives, I’m having trouble finding places to put them all! That being said, it’s much easier to store pens and knives than it is to support an interest in classic cars! :thumbsup:

To the point on selling things - I rarely sell knives, and have only sold a few pens. I’ve recently traded a few knives, and I think I prefer trading to selling - its easier simply knowing what I’d like in return for a knife than trying to figure out what a fair price is.
 
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