How important is the individual history of an older knife to you

How important is the individual history of a knife to you?

  • I won't buy a knife without history

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Important but not critical, but it does add value to me

    Votes: 19 46.3%

  • would love to have the history, but won't affect my buying decision and has no value to me

    Votes: 17 41.5%

  • Could care less about the history. Means nothing to me

    Votes: 5 12.2%
  • Total voters
    41
Cobalt

Cobalt

Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 23, 1998
Messages
17,619
With all the recent talk of older steel hearts and mistresses, I was just wondering how important is it to have it's history, considering modifications that may or may not have been done from the factory. Like different handles finishes etc.

I will start by saying that it is cool for me, but not critical. Does it add value. To me, the history could add value. Depends on what it is, so yes. For example, all SHBM's are equal. Is Cliffs or Hoods SHBM better? No, do their history add value, I think in those rare cases they do to certain collectors. What about knowing who the original owner of a 90's busse was. Someone that use to be on a forum and is now gone. Unless a famous personality, probably no value.
 
I agree w/2nd paragraph.

I’d vote:
2nd button 2% of the time. (for an obviously special knife)
3rd button 98% of the time. (for typical model runs)
 
TENTEX said:
My history is more geared to the development/design of the blade throughout the generations of that particular blade style. Like Generations of the SHBM from 1/300, 1/6-8 to Tubed to 20th Anniversary, etc..
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This is why I voted how I did. The history of the model matters more to me than who owned it. I’ve chased some models for decades just because of what they are and when they came out (materials used, design, style of manufacturing at the time).
 
TENTEX said:
My history is more geared to the development/design of the blade throughout the generations of that particular blade style. Like Generations of the SHBM from 1/300, 1/6-8 to Tubed to 20th Anniversary, etc..
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Quite often the history of the specific knife goes hand in hand with the history of the line. For example, with the SHBM, many of the first ones that were satin and sent out to be tested were collector grade knives, same as an LE but with the slotted bolts not ground down to smooth bolts. ASHBM is a completely different knife. Much larger in both handle and blade and thicker on average, and the steel is a different composition as well. So I never include the ASHBM in any SHBM discussion as it is like talking about an FBM or a BME.

For me it's cool to find out who in the past owned it and where they got it from and who did what to it. A lot of it for me, has to do with, where the mods factory or aftermarket. In other cases, knowing that a blade belonged to someone I knew long ago, who is now gone is also pretty cool. As for value, it only adds value for me.
 
Cobalt said:
Quite often the history of the specific knife goes hand in hand with the history of the line. For example, with the SHBM, many of the first ones that were satin and sent out to be tested were collector grade knives, same as an LE but with the slotted bolts not ground down to smooth bolts. ASHBM is a completely different knife. Much larger in both handle and blade and thicker on average, and the steel is a different composition as well. So I never include the ASHBM in any SHBM discussion as it is like talking about an FBM or a BME.

For me it's cool to find out who in the past owned it and where they got it from and who did what to it. A lot of it for me, has to do with, where the mods factory or aftermarket. In other cases, knowing that a blade belonged to someone I knew long ago, who is now gone is also pretty cool. As for value, it only adds value for me.
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While I agree with your statement I believe the ASHBM is closer to the SHBM than almost all other Battle Mistresses. The closest here recently is the Nano Fusion Camp Mistress in my opinion. But you have handled far more blades in that size and style than I ever have.
 
TENTEX said:
While I agree with your statement I believe the ASHBM is closer to the SHBM than almost all other Battle Mistresses. The closest here recently is the Nano Fusion Camp Mistress in my opinion. But you have handled far more blades in that size and style than I ever have.
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I would agree that the ASHBM is a near enlarged clone. Still different enough to have it's own place in history.
 
One of my favorite Busse's I ever owned was mostly due to the history it had with Will York (Ironic).... his early asym Basic 9 "Cactus Whacker". Like him, I used it for a while and passed it along so someone else could enjoy the experience, but wish I still had it, 100% because of the good man who once held it in his hands.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Stump
 
I voted 2nd button.

I have picked up some pieces, not all are Busse, that based on where I got them I wouldn't mind knowing the history even though I never will.

Some of my knives have had a history and many don't, i think the best way to put it is that you can just tell, plus where i picked them up..

For example, how did this bead blasted, thick, Sabre ground SFNO end up in a pawn shop outside of Fort Campbell KY? Or how on earth did a dust and dirt covered but almost mint condition Masters of Defense Keating Hornet end up in a $3 knife bin in a rural fleamarket? An original RAT 3 with a rather unique badge laser engraved on the presentation side of the blade floating around a TN gun show? I'll never know I suppose.

There are stories there and while I will never know what they may be, that adds a mystique and uniqueness to them that makes me want to treasure them and a few others a bit more than the rest. Almost like I may be able to add to their stories since they came my way. My $.02 lol
 
Aegisoffire said:
There are stories there and while I will never know what they may be, that adds a mystique and uniqueness to them that makes me want to treasure them and a few others a bit more than the rest. Almost like I may be able to add to their stories since they came my way. My $.02 lol
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I Like that set of thoughts & Agree with them...
Hence #2: Important but not critical, but it Does Add Value To Me...

We're talking about the Longevity of a Useful Blade: a piece with History, whether unknown at the time of discovery or potentially Learned later on in its further History. I Appreciate finding out Where it's been, Who had it, & "Who did What to Whom" if at all possible.
Which gives Rise to: "Every Blade has its Story..."
Certainly "Every Busse has its Story..."
That Adds Value in my book...
 
I chose the second, although I don't think the value added because of a specific knife's history is always going to be monetary value. I think in many cases, it's more likely to manifest as more of a sentimental value because of previous owners, or maybe how a special blade came into a person's hands

Personally, I think the general history behind significant models like the 1/300 and how they came into being or how they put a company on the map adds to perceived value as much, if not more than a special chain of ownership

If there's higher performance to go with that special history, like higher HRC for knives like the BAD, 1/300, or even the MBC(iso btw), that also adds to value and overall desirability imo.
 
Good poll!

I picked #3, but in my vote, I imagined changing the word "love" to "like".

Only blades where the backstory is important to me-- as in, never sell-- are knives that were gifted to me.

Apart from that, the provenance is cool to know, but in the final analysis, they're all slabs of apexed INFI or sr101....or Elmax...or sr77...or A2 , or..... or......:p
 
hookahhabib said:
I chose the second, although I don't think the value added because of a specific knife's history is always going to be monetary value. I think in many cases, it's more likely to manifest as more of a sentimental value because of previous owners, or maybe how a special blade came into a person's hands

Personally, I think the general history behind significant models like the 1/300 and how they came into being or how they put a company on the map adds to perceived value as much, if not more than a special chain of ownership

If there's higher performance to go with that special history, like higher HRC for knives like the BAD, 1/300, or even the MBC(iso btw), that also adds to value and overall desirability imo.
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I completely agree with you. Just remember, all the original SHBM's were higher in HRc. And the two knives that gave INFI it's fame were not 300's. Ron Hoods knife had a different swedge(mild) and Cliff Stamps knife had no swedge. Sorry, I can't help myself when it comes to SHBM's.

But regardless, knowing something was an early model, pre-production or prototype is a part of history. There has been times when I have seen certain old SHBM's on ebay that I knew the history of, which may have made the knife more valuable, but had no reason to help out the person selling it on ebay. I have helped people on here by providing the history of certain knives that were being sold. I don't know if it added value or just helped sell it faster.
 
Man, I know what you wanted to ask, but I bet comming up with the right phrasing for the categories must have been a nightmare. Because everyone is somewhere on that spectrum.

I went with option number 2. Honestly, I see the value in history. But, then again something of value doesn't mean I'll buy it. It's kind of like options on used car, they dint really add to sale value, but it makes it a more desirable choice, easier to sell.

And this is deeply personal based on my fun budget. At the time when I'm considering offloading chunk of my collection for a set of good NODs it's hard to justified spending on collector items.

I do own one with history. It is a Uncle Mojo LE with a custom number 888. It was "commissioned" by Progunner Progunner at the time when it was offered around Christmas. He reached out to Jerry to ask for custom number, and it was done. It is kind of one of a kind, with different logo, and different number than other Busse mojo le. That story can be found here in the old posts.

It was also my first grail knife at the time, I thought it was the most awesome looking knife ever. I did not even know anything about anyone when I bought it.

If I decide to part with it, I really don't think I'd mark it up though, and don't think anyone would pay premium for that background. But, it's a cool little bit about one of my longest owned knives. If anything, I'll try to make sure it stays in the group, and not on ebay or something.
 
I have a few knives that go back 2 or 3 centuries and were originally produced in remote parts of the planet. It would be cool to know about some of many owners and their colorful backstories. I am sure we would all share something in common in that we all saw value in preserving these knives for later generations.

With more recent knives the emphasis is focused on the condition. It is a used knife, but is it still worthy?

N2s
 
There are surely some interesting histories and stories out there. As I get older though, for me, it is more about the history or stories that a blade carries that I have been part of making. Each of my children's first knives, the knife that skinned kids first deer, the knives that will cut kid's wedding cakes. To anyone else that stuff may never matter but to me those are the stories or histories that will mean the most to me.

Some blades carry much more sentimental value than could ever be recognized in dollars and cents. The first knife I made, not that anyone would buy it because it was horrible. The knife that I gifted to my Grandfather that came back to me when he passed away. The knife that my wife commissioned Jerry to make for me years ago for a Christmas present. Those are blades that I would not sell at any price.

Just my opinion. Thanks for putting up this thread. It is really interesting to get others opinions.

Garth
 
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