I have to thin the herd.....

KnifeKnut66

KnifeKnut66

Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
491
OK so here's my dilemma. I really have to thin out my eclectic collection of knives but I'm having a real hard time choosing which one's to put up for sale. I'm also a lefty so a large percentage of my knives are either dedicated lefty's, in left handed leather, or ambi leather or kydex. Makes selling that much more difficult aside from deciding what stays and what goes. Arrrrrgggghhhh!
 
Try to think of it methodically. Why are you thinning? The reason might help you make your decisions.

Are you doing it to make room for new ones? If so that might help you decide what goes by getting rid of the ones that would be redundant.

Are you doing it because you have too many? That might help also for the same reason.

If you just need the money then maybe you can try to get rid of the ones that you wouldn't have too much trouble replacing?

See where I'm going with this? Hope this helps . . .
 
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are there no specialist "lefty stores" in your area?
perhaps such a store might have a lefty's community notice board of somekind for you to advertise your ubique disposals.
 
Just start out with two piles. Stuff that you would never get rid of (sentimental value, not just monetary), and everything else. Out of everything else, take a look at all of your safe queens and stuff you never use. Get rid of those. Work your way from there. Oh yeah, get rid of your doubles too.
 
You could do what I do...Look at your collection and determine a) which ones have sentimental value, and b) which ones you're ever going to use. Sell the ones that don't fall into one of the aforementioned categories.
 
You could always send them to me, I'll pick what I like, and then you can keep the rest.;):D

Seriously, though, find what your specific needs are, keep the knives that will meet those needs at least minimally.

Then grab the ones that just MUST be kept not because of monetary value, or investment potential, but that just grab you from the inside in some way.

Then see if you have any that you would wish to pass on to others when you're gone.

If they have no more hold on your heart than what money they may or may not ever be worth, they are not needed.

Listen to your heart.
 
I don't have as many knives, but for watches, I've always used a "Force Rank" method to keep the number down. I have a watch box that holds a certain number of watches and I won't buy a watch until a slot opens up. I start by taking two watches and ask the question: "If I could only keep one, which would it be?" The I lay them out in rank order. Next, I take a third watch and ask the same question vs. the second one in line. If I would keep it over the second in line, I ask again vs. the first. If I wouldn't keep it, then I grab the next watch and start asking again.

Over the course of the process, you are forced to rank each and every watch in such a way that the ones you want to sell become obvious. Hope that helps.
 
knife-fan said:
I don't have as many knives, but for watches, I've always used a "Force Rank" method to keep the number down. I have a watch box that holds a certain number of watches and I won't buy a watch until a slot opens up. I start by taking two watches and ask the question: "If I could only keep one, which would it be?" The I lay them out in rank order. Next, I take a third watch and ask the same question vs. the second one in line. If I would keep it over the second in line, I ask again vs. the first. If I wouldn't keep it, then I grab the next watch and start asking again.

Over the course of the process, you are forced to rank each and every watch in such a way that the ones you want to sell become obvious. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

I like this method. It's a good way to not only think about which [item] you like more, but it also forces you to think about how often you use each [item] and for what functions.
 
Consider the thought processes which landed you in the 'thin the herd' mode - and correct them - buy more!! Seriously, how much space can they occupy? If you need the money - or are moving to someplace where their ownership might be illegal, that's one thing. If you are changing interests, well, that may be another... but, still, I encourage you to wait a bit longer - the 'change' may be fleeting - your collection is likely hard to replace, especially at the prices you are likely to receive for it's components. If your collection includes LH-ed sheaths, they are hard to find... consider their disposal carefully.

I have travelled your path - most regretfully, with firearms. Learn from my mistakes!

Stainz
 
I just went through the same thing. Sold off around 20 knives in order to afford a Strider SMF and a LG Sebenza 21. It was hard to do. I think the thing we as collectors have to be aware of is that sometimes we create fake value for our knives. For example, when I consider selling a knife that I never use, I think that maybe one day it will skyrocket in value and I'll be happy that I held onto it. That sort of Antiques Road Show mentality is pretty common for collectors I'm sure but it does us no good. My new method is. If there is any doubt as to my using, liking, or wanting the knife, sell it.
 
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