How many of us collect antiques knives, edged weapons and other edged tools?

[not2sharp]

I know that we have many collectors who love older knives; but, because of the way these forums are established, it is hard to get a sense of how many of us are actually focused on collecting antique items, which is to say, knives that are at least 100 years old. There are a great many threads on swords, bayonets, khukuries, traditionals, axes and within the Levine sub-forums; but, all of those forums present a mix-match of discussions on both new items and historically significant pieces.

So please chime in here and let us know what area of history and historical knives you are most interested in and what percentage of your collection would be considered actual antiques.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

To get us started.

I am most interested in 19th century military knives and knives of Persia/India, which jointly make up about a 1/3 of my collection.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

It's gone suddenly quite. Does that mean that we have no history enthusiast, no knife collectors or very few antique collectors?

n2s

 

[Bob W]

I only have one item that's over a hundred years old, and it's a khukri from the 1800s.

And there's a vintage bayonet that's close. I'll have to look at it again and learn more about it.

50-100 years old, there are a few items. Bayonets, pocketknives, another khukri...

I have nothing at all that's Persian or Indian in origin...

In my years as an archaeologist I've found, recorded, and curated knives and bladed objects that were thousands of years old.

 

[R.c.s]

I do like old military knives going back through the ages . unfortunately my budget doesn't allow me to to buy the older ones .so I have to make do with modern reproductions . :grumpy:

 

[not2sharp]

I do like old military knives going back through the ages . unfortunately my budget doesn't allow me to to buy the older ones .so I have to make do with modern reproductions . :grumpy:

The funny thing is, that if you look hard enough, you can sometimes find original examples selling for prices similar to the reproduction. The real cost in the effort you put in and number of miles that you are willing to walk in your search.

n2s

 

[Sonnydaze]

Some older guys, like me, like the newer stuff.
I have rust in my bones; don't need any in my blades.

 

[savage99]

After recieving my grandfather's old hunting knife, ( from the 40's or 50's?) I have become interested in pocket and hunting knives from that period. The outdoorsmen in that period interest me and I already have a few guns from that era so I will pick up knives older knives when I find them


Here is a pic of grandpa's old hunting knife, this is after a fair bit of cleaning up

 

[not2sharp]

Here a German dress bayonet model from about 1871.

n2s

 

[Armadew]

I'll take some pics when I get home

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I have a wide range of collection interests. I like most sharp, pointy objects, just some more than others.

I got started with military knives and bayonets.
The first area was US military knives and bayonets, although my first bayonet was a French Chassepot.
Then I started adding Western and Kabar knives to the herd. These two brands probably make up 65% of my collection.
Later, I started branching out into Boy/Girl Scout knives, dive knives and vintage throwing knives.
The most recent lines of OC acquisition has been Beckers and Muelas.

It depends on what criteria you use to define "antique".

If we use 100+ years, then it's about 1%. I have less than 2 dozen in that category, the oldest being an 1868 Chassepot bayonet.

If we skip to 75+ years, then the percentage jumps up to around 35%.

At 50+ years, its about 85%. Heck, even I have been in that category for over a decade.

 

[Davidfs]

I own two vintage straight razors, neither over a hundred years old, but I'd love to find some true antique ones, unfortunately I don't have the budget to truly collect antique blades, I do find them interesting though

 

[gitarmac]

I have a knife my grandpa had made for my uncle in WWII. The blade is made from a file, I'm not sure what the handle is, stacked layers of something. Mom used to keep it in her tackle box for cutting bait. I rescued it some time after she died. The sheath is kind of rotten but it's still in one piece.

I'll have to take some pics.

 

[Bighaze51]

I have several old straight razors from before 1920. I've honed and use all of them to shave with. But my pride and joy is my great great grandfathers Wade and Butcher. The closest I've been able to date it is 1880ish. This thing is a beast. I've used it to mow down a three month beard.

 

[not2sharp]

This is a German 1898/05 "butcher bayonet". It would have been made during the first world war, so it is about to celebrate it's 100 birthday. The sheath is an all metal version of the standard leather sheath.

n2s

 

[not2sharp]

There are still plenty of nice knives out there. Here is a U.S. 1904 hospital corps bolo.

n2s

 

[JayGoliath]

Over the years i've kept (and let go) some of the grail khukuris and up until this moment i have acquired a taste for what i really want to keep.
Had the Rana, the first Nepalese Army issue and a few of those that have found good homes worldwide.
With that i also come to appreciate the cultures and background of the neighboring countries here. The Zamboanga parang is one of my grails that will be difficult to let go.
Perhaps the most memorable piece that i have now is the Malayan Emergency Khukuri, which reminds me the country's dark past.
It's good to be home (if the khuk can speak)

 

[not2sharp]

Now that you mentioned khukuries:

Maharaja of Jodphur khukuri (1911-1918). This khukuri design was selected by this ruler for his police and military.

n2s