How to collect?

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
8,968
I am most certainly not an authority on collecting knives, and it is something of a very personal nature that I'd like to explore a bit. I myself have been trying to come up with an idea of a decent starter collection for people looking to get into the dise... hobby :D I think that an SAK (Tinker), Spyder (Delica, Dragonfly), BM (definitely Axis, like a Grip), multi-tool, Buck 110, 3 blade stockman, Kershaw Speedsafe (Leek), Opinel 8, Kabar USMC, 4-5" FB (cheap mora-ish one like Frost's army utility), and a big blade (Martindale machete or HI khuk-2 ends of the spectrum) would be a decent starter set, with the multi-tool probably being the most expensive item. Sebenzas, customs, balis, and autos can come later... Toss in any sharpener of good quality, along with some Tuf Cloth, Militec, a steel, strop, small bit driver set, and any other maintenance gear and you're good to go (crazy). Just my personal opinion, and I certainly started buying knives without much direction. Heck, I don't even own all the knives on that list I just made :)

Anyway, I was also wondering what do you collect? Steels, patterns, locks, handle materials, makers/designers, manufacturers, periods, regions, colors, categories of use (tac, hunting, art), etc.?
 
I collect forged knives in the styles (bowies and fighters) that I like. The maker is a very critical part of the equation as to which knives I choose. Much research goes into my decision making process.

My collection is for my own enjoyment, so I collect what I like and not as an investment.
 
I collect SAK's that you can't find in your local sporting goods store and so far, I have acquired 5.
My other knife purchases have been for sole EDC and utility only.
 
Hardheart, your list sounds more like a list of knives that you need rather than a list of knives to collect.

You have got to go with what turns you on rather than what you think that you need to have. "Want" is the corner stone for a collection, not "need". "Need" is only a lame excuse for "want" :)

As for me, I like traditional designs. As such, I have more stockmans(men?) that I will ever have need for. But, I still want some more.

You may find this thread interesting.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311065
 
hardheart said:
Anyway, I was also wondering what do you collect? Steels, patterns, locks, handle materials, makers/designers, manufacturers, periods, regions, colors, categories of use (tac, hunting, art), etc.?
Click to expand...
I collect a lot of different knives. I generally go for tacticals or good utility blades. I have quite a few Spydercos, although I have other manufacturers also. I use all the knives I buy. I would feel bad if I purchased a knife only to let it sit in a case unused.

If you are going to collect, purchase whatever you like as long as it is quality. Don't buy flea market junk; it's dangerous and a waste of money. You only buy quality once. Eventually you'll find out what kind of knives you really like, and start focusing on those. Have fun.
 
Hi All,

I've been planning to collect my "top 10" iconic knives (in good used condition) - being:

- Buck 110
- Kabar fighting/utility knife
- Mercator k55k lockable folder
- any quality English Barlow
- Leatherman PST
- Victorinox Standard Officer (Spartan)
- any good USA Stockman
- Opinel
- Fairbairn-Sykes Commando
- any good USA Scout knife

Got most of them - but not in the condition I'd like.


Siggy
 
Hardheart- just collect what you like. as you collect, your taste will likely change and your interest will take you in different directions. You may decide you like things by a certain makers, or you might settle on a certain style of blade, or handle material. Either way, your collection will not be satisfying unless you have an emotional connection with what you're collecting.
 
I realized that I was becoming a collector of balisongs when I got my third one. I can't flip more than two at once, you see.
 
airyq said:
Hardheart, your list sounds more like a list of knives that you need rather than a list of knives to collect.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking of how to cover some basics and sample some 'iconic' (as siggy put it) blades that are different, useful, and have some history. I like to sample different knives, and haven't settled on one particular criteria (although I do like to get quality) I need to start looking for a hand-forged blade...
 
I agree with fudo on this as well. Collect what you want or whatever turns you on at the time. Your tastes will change as gain more knowledge. I think I started collecting without realizing it :) I had a bunch of SAKs from when I was a Scout leader. I think I've pretty well always had SAK on me or at least a lot. I really didn't look at folders until about 3 or 4 years ago, when I started to make some kit knives and doing some leatherwork. The more I learned about steels, etc., the more I started to look at folders. I started get a tiny demand for stainless hunters - didn't know a thing about them, so I started to play a bit with some folders to "get an idea". I started with a CRKT/Hammond Mirage (I actually have a lefty one :D ) - the more I learned the more I started to buy. My primary interest at first was with collaborations, and I guess to this day, it still sort of like that. Then, I got the basic beaters, like Gerber EZ-Out/Gator, Buck 110/112. Recently (about 4 to 6 months ago - I started on supersteels and Spyderco has been the latest acquisition "direction" if you want to call it that. In between, I've picked up a couple of Benchmades, and a Buck/Strider 887SBT Police Advocate. Somewhere else in there, there are the understated great "bang for the buck" type like the Ka-Bar/Dozier Folding Hunter Series, and the more recent Spyderco/Byrd line. I have been tending toward ones that I know I will be using on a regular basis, more so than "looks neat - I should have one" mode, though my Spydie Meerkat and Buck/Strider were kind of in that mode :D The hidden surprise for me was the Meerkat - surprisingly useful for it's size. I've wanted to monkey wth a Buck/Strider for a long time, and finally found one, so I got it. I've played with it enough, that I'm probably going to order the new one (889, I think) with a plain edge :D I'm in about the 70 folder range. I'm not what you would classify has a "hard" user, but I do use a folder several times a day just in the normal realm of work, along with my multitool (just upgraded to a Leatherman Wave II from my PST).

I've found that as you collect (or in my case accumulate :D ), the direction may determine itself. I'm mostly into production folders and I doubt that the very few that I have that have been discontinued will ever gain too much in value. Not that much of an issue for me. I'm personally more into the useability side - one day, I'll get a custom or two :D

Hope this helps - gord
 
Recently a batch of Spyderco's was sold on Ebay for many thousands of dollars. It was a collection accumulated over many years and each knife had a unique number for the limited production run for that year.

I'm wondering if it is not best to specialize in one manufacturer. I have a drawer full of Gerber Paul knives which don't seem to be decreasing in value thank goodness. However, I'm not planning on selling them to fund my eventual retirement.

Some of the very artistic custom knives command very nice prices if made by known makers.
 
I collect hunters and working blades like Manley, Chris Reeve, Primos, etc. I also collect EK knives I love the style and to me they are worth collecting. As far as pocket knives go I collect CRK, CRKT, Benchmade, William Henry(alot), and a few customs here or there when I have the money.

Money is the most important issue, cuz I want allot of stuff, but hay bills come first. Anyway I collect "mostly" what i like but some knives have value as collectors pieces and I pick them up. I use alot of my knives so I guess its a working collection more than just a collection
 
I used to buy stuff I thought I could resell later on, in addition to knives that I liked the designs of and that I could use. Now I just think of what use I would have for it, do I have another knife that could perform that function, and do I like the design. Actually the look of the knife hooks me first, then I think about if I can use it. I'm still a sucker for a pretty knife, but I've lost so much money on productions I don't even want to think about it. I'm sticking my toes in the water of the custom knife scene, picking up a very nice one this Friday :) :) :), and I think that as my salary increases, I will stay away from the lower end productions and gradually move up to higher end productions and custom knives. Also, there are lots of knife makers here selling great knives in the 150-300 range. Thats what I'm getting into, I also plan on buying a new truck next year, and a house further on down the road, but, I'm a knife addict, what can I do?

Just don't decide to buy that hot knife instead of paying the rent ;).
 
In the collection are production folders, custom fixed blades, auto's, etc..This is all because taste and budget changes over time. For a while it was all tactical folders and only stainless blades. Now I'm into carbon steel fixed blades. This could change at some point and I might buy Striders or Sebbie's. Who knows. I'd say a collection begins with your second non-kitchen knife.
 
i think this is pretty much entirely based on preference - there is no 'recipe' for collecting. some people might collect slip-joint stockmans and have no interest in any other type of knife. some may collect only from a single manufacturer. others may scoff at collecting anything under $400, while others still may consider spending $400 on a knife insanity.

for example, i do not own nor do i really want to own most of the knives in your list, except for the USMC Ka-Bar. i have plenty of SAKs but the tinker model never appealed to me. the dragonfly is illegal in canada, and i do not like the delica - i highly prefer other spyderco models. i prefer whittlers to stockmans, although i do own a couple. i dont like cheapo knives like the frosts mora (the whole price:performance thing at that low a range is nothing suprising - you could take a cheap henckels paring knife you got from the dollar store and it would perform to a similar standard). etc, etc. i also wouldnt spend $425 on a sebenza when i could buy 4 knives that perform just as well and whose styling i prefer for that amount of money.

but before someone starts arguing with me or flaming me for my opinions please realise that this is just my personal preference. everyone is entitled to their own preference - and im not trying to impose mine on anyone else. i am merely illustrating a point that you cannot just write out a 'collecting recipe' because peoples tastes/preferences/budgets are so incredibly diverse. your collecting list wouldnt work for me, as im sure mine wouldnt work for you - or anyone else. everyone should just collect what they want and whatever makes them happy. if someone asks for advice/recommendations by all means give them your opinion, but there is no correct list or ultimate knife because everyone has different wants/needs.

cheers,
-gabriel
 
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I like to collect knives designed for a specific working purpose, and also promotional knives, especially personalized promos. I also accumulate saks, because they work for me, and they're among the cheapest things to get a lot of.
 
I used to think that I didn't "collect", but I just realized that I am a collector - like hardheart, I mostly collect knives that I think I will actually use. Once I had all the different uses covered, I started to upgrade and refine. I still have a ways to go, but eventually I will have a dozen or so knives that are PERFECT for me. Of course, as my needs change (I used to be mostly a medium game hunter, but think I'm going to be doing more small game in the future), I'll have to get a few more knives, upgrade those, etc, etc.
 
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