Is there a method to your collecting madness?

A

Amos Iron Wolf

Joined
Mar 7, 2006
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As I was considering a direction(s) to take in collecting traditional pattern, production folders I started to wonder what if any methods you have to your collecting madness? Do you collect only one style of knife, say barlows, and try to get one of every kind made? Do you focus on handle material, a particular manufacturer, blade material? Only on special editions? You get the idea? Do you have several lines of collections going? For example, barlows, stockman, and trappers in a variety of makers and scale styles?

Related to that, do any of you have price points you won't go over or under?

I like stockman, barlow, canoe (yet to get my first one) and am taken with the sodbuster now that I have my first one. Since my Case Sod Buster Jr is the yellow handle version and I've seen other makers who have yellow handle versions, I've been thinking of maybe focusing on regular production, yellow handles in all patterns they are made in. I've also noticed that in a given line the yellow handle is a tad less exspensive which isn't a bad thing for me. ;) I also want something that I can rotate certain ones out now and then for carry. Then if I get a few favorite EDC types then I can just replace them in the collection with new pieces that don't get used. I bascially am looking for decent, well made knives I can aquire on a regular basis instead of havng to save up many months to get a single piece. I know buying the high dollars may build a "better" investment, but like many of you, I'm not buying first as dollar investment. I'm an old country boy. I appreciate fine things, but I kind of like things that are nice, well built, but intended to be used. That's just for me though. I'm glad some folks collect the higher end stuff so I can get a look at it someday. :thumbup:

I may have to run a second line of stag/bone stag folders too.

One other idea for a secondary collection is notstalgia based (some might say all the above is). Remember when you would see those pasteboard counter displays at the grocery store, the feed store, the hardware store of the cheap barlows? Anyone out there ever collect or consider collecting those? Certainly was never a choice for a carry knife, but they were such a part of Americana (I"m not really sure I like that word), they were out there in number, and are likely to show up in junk stores, etc, for reasonable (if the owner has a clue) prices.

So anyway, if y'all wouldn't mind, share some of your thoughts on collecting. It should make good reading.

Thanks,
Amos
 
I'm still pretty new to collecting. I've really just started and have had to settle into some sort of pattern in order to hold the purchases down.
I started with some of the older Benchmade models just because I liked the way they looked. Then I started buying newer models but found I was really over spending. I've since found I have a real interest in Pacific Cutlery Corp knives (pre-Benchmade). They are fewer and far between so that slows me down a bit. It seems to be more fun for me trying to track down discontinued models.
 
I too collect basically for fun rather than for investment, so what I have is pretty scattered. I have a hard time spending too much on any single knife that I'm not going to use (and justifying this to myself is nothing compared to justfying it to my wife, who uses notions such as "reason" and "purpose" as if they apply to everything...). On the other hand, I have purchased several knives that have had some use, for a lot less than a new one. I guess I feel more comfortable with a less than mint user knife, that can be used for its intended purpose. I too am glad that others collect the high dollar minty stuff, if only I could afford to do so....
 
I'm still working on one of each.
I'm also thinkin' that this could take a while longer than I thought :D
 
I collect any knives that appeal to me and I can afford. No set handle or pattern but I do have a soft spot for bowies and mother of pearl. Most of my knives are CaseXX but I recently found Bark River and am planning on getting several.
 
I don't collect, I accumulate..
But, I generally like stockman patterns, especially punchblade, and cattlemen, especially punchblade. I do have about 8 tl-29s, though, when I thought I was going to start collectig those.
 
LOL, so it appears we all have more madness than method to our collecting. Now if I just had those knives I got rid of a few years ago when I had this wild and dumb idea about clearing out some of those accumulations that I never used. If I were a little more flexible I'd kick myself.
 
I think "madness" is my "method"...AHAHAHA... Jes' kiddin'. I collect barlows because I like the simple, strong style. I don't have many self imposed limits as to cost because most brands of this oldest folder style are fairly reasonable. I have about 100 at this point and have slowed down to fill in some gaps in what I've got, like a two blade, red bone variation of a certain maker.

Wish I could give you some good suggestion, but it sounds like you've got commons sense about getting knives you'll like and maybe use. I can only add have fun with it.

Good colllecting luck to you.

LANNY:cool:
 
I think "madness" is my "method"...AHAHAHA... Jes' kiddin'. I collect barlows because I like the simple, strong style. I don't have many self imposed limits as to cost because most brands of this oldest folder style are fairly reasonable. I have about 100 at this point and have slowed down to fill in some gaps in what I've got, like a two blade, red bone variation of a certain maker.

Wish I could give you some good suggestion, but it sounds like you've got commons sense about getting knives you'll like and maybe use. I can only add have fun with it.

Good collecting luck to you.

LANNY:cool:
 
Been collecing for a pretty long while (over 30 years).

I think the best thought is to settle on the patterns you enjoy. That being said I stray from my whittlers, DR patterns and daggers when I see something that strikes my fancy "really hard" I can afford.

Personally there are slipjoint makers whose knives I enjoy owning regardless of the pattern (Tony and Reese, Richard Rogers, Ruple and Chamblin) as well as some factories that produce some "other" patterns that I buy from.
 
I've collected knives, slipjoints that is for a lot of years, because I am an incurable tool user, and like having the best tool for the job. Appreciating superior workmanship, and the magic of such a useful tool in a foldable, pocketable package has led me to find better and better knives, and backups for the backups; just in case I lose 30 or 40 knives, I'll still have one to use! Then there's the pretty aspect. I mean, have you evar seen pre-war Schrade peachseed bone? I found a whittler, long, slim, mint 3-blade at the Oregon Knife Show this past weekend, and hocked the family jewels to own it!!(don't ask!)
And then there was this grubby little knife roll, with 3 Harness Jacks (my all time favorite pattern) in it, a Miller Bros, a Wolfertz, and an OVB, all in high excellent condition, which the guy let go for $240 ($(80 each). I beat up my friend and took his wallet AND BOUGHT THEM!!
**the knives and prices are real; the story has been embellished to entertain the inmates!!!!!:p :D ;) :cool: :rolleyes:**
I guess the best answer to the original question is: NO! There is not so much method as madness!!
 
waynorth said:
I guess the best answer to the original question is: NO! There is not so much method as madness!!
Click to expand...

Nope, I don't think so either. I was in Sportsman's Warehouse today. I was looking over their yellow handled Case folders, but they were all stainless steel and I was wanting CV. I look around just a little more and a CRKT F4 Carson catches my eye. I'd been attracted to the little inexpensive (very) blade a time or two. I made the mistake of looking at it in hand. I took it home. Nothing like what I intended to look for. I was going for a traditional folder, most likely a Case in CV. This F4 just jumped out and pleaded with me to take it home. It's now on my belt. The best laid plans of mice and men... Oh well, I'll just have more to look forward to next time. And there may be some method after all as I have a CRKT Bear Claw which I really like the design and feel of. I also had a Carajou that I liked, but gave to my step-son and wouldn't mind having another. So I may just be subconciously building an inexpensive neck knife collection (I also have a Cold Steel Spike, not a favorite though.) Somewhere in the midst of madness lies sanity, or at least a devious plan of acquisition.

I did however use my sodbuster on an agricultural endeavor today. I trimmed a bud or two on a tomato plant to force the others. It wasn't more than a flick here and a flick there, but it felt good to use an agrigarian pattern for an agrigarian purpose. I wish I could put this farm boy back on a farm or ranch somewhere.

I agree with the rest of ya's. Buy what ya like, like what ya buy, and just enjoy!
 
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