knife collection?

H

Hirohito

Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Messages
45
I am caught up in the dilemma of buying knives.
The knives I buy are only for collection purpose and they never ever see daylight. what has me going is that recently I got confused and couldn't come up with a rational reasoning for myself, that are only expansive knives worth collecting or run of the mill mainstream knifes like opinels and Gerber fast draw are also worth having in a collection.
kindly tell me what do you guys think a collection should be made up of, and cheaper knives fit to be kept in a collection?
I just started collecting so don't bash me. currently I have
m9 bayonet
kabar tanto
lmf2
5000 presidio auto
opinel 8
mech folder can't remember model
and Smith & wesson search and rescue
 
A knife collection should be made up of the knives you want in your knife collection.

Don't let anyone tell you what your preferences should be.
 
He's right! Collect what makes you happy.

But put that Opinel in your pocket! Even if you don't use it. It'll make you feel good.
 
I don't buy knives I won't use, but that's just me. Some people buy Leeks in every color made. Collect what you want.

(Though, yeah, given the Opinel some carry time.)
 
First Law of Collecting (anything):

Collect what you like, but like what you collect
and don't expect to make money selling it.

Rich (65 years of knife collecting)
 
marcinek said:
He's right! Collect what makes you happy.

But put that Opinel in your pocket! Even if you don't use it. It'll make you feel good.
Click to expand...

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Carry some of your knives if you can. It doesn't mean you have to use them. I've got all sorts of knives I barely use because I don't need to use a knife very often for the kind of work I do. But boy is it ever sweet to be able to reach into my pocket any time I feel like it and remind myself of why I love my hobby so much. :thumbup: And hey, it's nice to know it's there if I need it.
 
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bum ditty bum bum bum....don't worry,,,be happy. :)

And I'm happiest when I get a new knife....or an interesting knife....or something I've always wanted...or something I've seen recently and wanted....or something that completes a brand set....or something intriguing...something cute....something strange.....something manly........

Soon you'll decide for yourself that you either like the direction your collection is going, or you don't and change it. You can always sell what you don't like down the road. Or you can do like I do, and just keep it. Because once it's been part of your collection it's kind of like selling one of your children. ;) You know, every family has that one kid that is a master at pissing you off, but you love them just the same anyway. :)
 
I just started to collect about 2 weeks ago..Been on a spree to say the least. Been carrying a knife as long as I can remember, I think my 1st knife was Smith & Wesson baby swat.
Now I have been buying up tactical pens like crazy.. I guess I am just searching for " The One "..
All the knifes/pens that I purchased, I plan on putting to some sort of EDC as I really do not need shelf queens. Already have one in my bed..opps! The biggest disappointment so far is buying 2-3 hundred dollar knife that functions less and just looks prettier then the cheap ones.. I try not to let the price or exclusiveness fool me, but have been a victim in the past.
I guess the reason for the madness on my end is to gain user experience with different types of knifes and manufactures. After a few of each in various styles and types of metals to be used and tested will be the determining factor as to which one survives the collection.
 
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I've been collecting knives for many years and collect what I like, not what others like. It's about enjoying the knives you collect, not enjoying what others like. Just have fun.
 
As others have said, collect whatever interests you. Eventually your tastes will likely evolve in a particular direction and your collection will become more focused.

I started much like you. I saw a knife that interested me so I added it to the "collection". Now I look back at some of my earlier purchases and wonder why I wasted the money on this or that knife. Most of them now sit in a drawer gathering dust. But it took a while of buying those types of knives before my tastes evolved enough to really know what I like and dislike. Now my collection sits at 98 knives and I'm much pickier about what I add.
 
I'm new to forums but have been casually collecting since the 1980's (Spyderco CO4 was the first). My personal philosophy is to acquire either that which I know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Price is not a concern, just my budget.
 
A collection in contrast to an accumulation should have a topic, a direction.
There are countless topics to choose from.

The topic knives itself is vast.
From what you list, you have already choosen a direction: contemporary factory knives.

There are topics as knives from a certain company or model.
You could concentrate on material (natural or manmade), a certain kind of metal.
Focus on a purpose as diving, survival, combat,...
A certain user-group could be interesting: scouts, hunters, farmers,...
There is a world of traditional knives, or knives from a certain region or period.
Then there is the world of custom knives (I know, before that there are handmade knives).
Take a look at that, there are more than enough makers with reasonable prices.

I recommend reading some literature on knives to get an overview, as most online mediums focus on here and now. (there are exceptions).

hope this helps
red mag
 
red mag said:
A collection in contrast to an accumulation should have a topic, a direction.
There are countless topics to choose from.

The topic knives itself is vast.
From what you list, you have already choosen a direction: contemporary factory knives.

There are topics as knives from a certain company or model.
You could concentrate on material (natural or manmade), a certain kind of metal.
Focus on a purpose as diving, survival, combat,...
A certain user-group could be interesting: scouts, hunters, farmers,...
There is a world of traditional knives, or knives from a certain region or period.
Then there is the world of custom knives (I know, before that there are handmade knives).
Take a look at that, there are more than enough makers with reasonable prices.

I recommend reading some literature on knives to get an overview, as most online mediums focus on here and now. (there are exceptions).

hope this helps
red mag
Click to expand...

Or you could just have fun and buy whatever catches your eye.
 
AHHHH Marci, you are the essence of succinctety! (I made that word up just for you :D) Rich, please-none of your kissy faces. :p
 
It's a good point that there is a distinct difference between a collector and an accumulator.
 
addylo: I'm not so sure. What about someone (myself included) who collects KNIVES, period. All kinds, because they all have a purpose and/or story. It seems (to me, at least) that some measure of stature is afforded the collector over the mere "accumulator", a distinction I don't necessarily see. What say you?
 
katanas said:
addylo: I'm not so sure. What about someone (myself included) who collects KNIVES, period. All kinds, because they all have a purpose and/or story. It seems (to me, at least) that some measure of stature is afforded the collector over the mere "accumulator", a distinction I don't necessarily see. What say you?
Click to expand...

I agree. That's like saying "Harumph. Well...what you have is an 'accumulation,' and what I have is a 'collection.' " Lah di dah.

I'm with katanas, nobody's collection is more important than anybody then anyone else's.
 
Great input guys.
I like military knives fixed blade specially. even if a small branch in the military uses it its good enough for me.
currently I am planning to get Bk2 or srk cold steel.
but I also had the option of getting buck but I
gave that up because it's too cheap. stupid me.
 
It's also worth mentioning in my neck of the woods.
good knives are not available or to put it straight only cheap gerber copies are available. what I have is because of persistence and continous struggle. Asking someone to get on for me from abroad and stuff like that.
and as far as carrying goes, I for one can't because I can't Stand the thought of scratching the knife. I like them in pristine condition.
 
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