Limited Editions, Customs, and BOTM's

[stevekolt]

Just curious, do y'all use and carry these knives, or are they more for display/investment purposes? Please feel free to elaborate/expound...

 

[afishhunter]

I carry and use mine. I'm pretty sure that is what they were made for.
I don't own a safe, so no "Safe Queens". No display shelves, either, so no "Shelf Kings".

"Investment Purposes"? I'd probably be better off collecting old RC Cola bottles and memorabilia or vintage tea pots or "milk glass" for that ...

 

[bucksway]

When the S30V 112 BOTM I opened it and put it in my pocket. I have a handful of 112 Custom's I use regularly . But my first was the 2008 BCCI club 111 in Elk with the gold etch..that was my 'Desk' Buck for years. When I first got it I was going to put it up but wife asked me who was I saving it for. I use some that when the time comes to display I put them in..But a few I have I consider myself a caretaker of that bit of Bucks history and never use only display.

 

[pease]

This months will be my first limited production Buck when it shows up it will go in my pocket if I like it or I’ll sell it if I don’t like it. I don’t buy knives for investment and I don’t buy knives to flip. I have some one offs and very limited one that I carry and use, all my knives get used or sold. I’m not opposed to making money when I sell a knife if it went up in value.

 

[Fixall]

Depends on what you mean by knives that are intended for display/investment purposes. If you're talking about the Buck knives with mirror finishes, cutouts, etchings and stuff like that... I just don't buy them since I don't really purchase knives I don't intend on using. If you're talking about limited releases with collector value like the BotM's, BCCI knives, etc then that's a different story. If they have premium steel or a handle material I prefer, I'll buy them and use the crap out of them.

 

[DeSotoSky]

I view my Buck Knives as being an "Art Collection". That viewpoint influences not only the type of knife I buy but also the condition. A Buck knife with a blade cutout meets my definition of art in metal just fine. I'll bet 95% of my collection for modern Bucks is NIB or As New. They will never cut anything but air under my stewardship. As for users, I only have a few, Paradigm is my favorite, it's predominate use is opening boxes of new knives arriving in the post (and the occasional piece of meat). I do not hunt (or fish) anymore, I have land and a stocked pond but I'd rather look at them than shoot (or hook) them in my old age so my working knife need is low.

Investment?? Don't kid yourself. Perhaps if you were sucking up BOTM's and reselling them on the bay. Fine old custom Bucks can often be bought for less than they sold for originally if you are careful and not in a hurry. You had better be buying them because you like them.

 

[wonderboy1377s]

I both collect and have some users. My knives with stag/elk handles are mostly just for collecting while ones with wood or synthetic handles get used more frequently.

 

[pjsjr]

I originally thought and justified the purchase of LE, custom with the idea that I would use it...nope, couldn't bring myself to use it. I did find a 'duplicate' LE 308 that was on sale at a good price and bought and use/carry it.
This is my usual EDC pair...

 

[PStone]

I voted carry and use, along with play and admire. I use pretty much every knife at some point. Some sit longer than others though. But they still get fondled and admired as much as the next one. And I’d say most of them are limited editions of some kind. Nothing is on display, but I do store them together and love spending time fiddling with, and admiring them all.

 

[BP_]

Use/Carry
Play With/Admire

I told myself I wouldn’t own any that I won’t use. It may be impossible to actually use them all, but I would if it came down to it (or if that’s all I had at the time). I got rid of all but one or two (I think) safe queens. All my knives are still in great condition, but I’d use any of them anytime. The only hesitation would be... which one to grab

 

[eveled]

There is a difference between “art knives” and ones built to use. I don’t buy “art knives”. Yes I use my limited edition knives, don’t own any BOM’s.

 

[Lesknife]

One thing about limited edition knives is some of them would be really nice as a regular offering or available as through the custom shop. But with being a limited edition and collectors depending on that limited number to secure a higher value it puts them out for many others who would like a good knife in that particular build. Now if they were released as a limited run with possible reruns then a collector would know the value could change depending on the later release volumes and keep a more stable price on that build. As I see it those limited edition knives that were really built for heavy work will not come back and secondary market prices are sky high so most will be safe queens never put in action.

 

[eveled]

Good points Lesknife I hate to see really great knives languishing in safes and boxes, but at least they are useable and could be used someday.

The ones that belong locked away unused are the ones with handles made from valuable materials that aren’t even good handle materials. Or the ones with the cutout blades. These are the ones I call “art knives”. It’s just sad when an art knife is made with a really great steal that will never cut anything.


As stated I won’t buy those. If I pick up a knife in an emergency. I want it to perform.

If others want those knives and if the knife companies make money on them. I won’t deny them that.

 

[BuckShack]

Play with/admire. The plan is to use, but they need to press my every day carry knives out of my pockets and sheaths. Some rotate in, most sit around the computer and cut paper while I read Blade Forums and buy more knives I plan to use.

 

[bucksway]

I was just thinking about the really top end very expensive Bucks..the Ivory Mastodon Damascus Sub hilt Bowie's and 1 of 1 early Custom shop knifes. The kind Skyler posts and a few others. They are the true 'investment' knives that basically NEVER cut stuff lol! I like that kind of truly collectable Buck and I really admire them. They have a real place in our world but you have to have the resources to buy them and a real dedication to search for them as they seldom show up on Ebay and the 'normal' places we buy our knives. There's a network of high end collectors who buy/sell/trade Bucks like that. They are the kind of Bucks we love to fondle...

 

[farm]

I don’t use any I just collect them

 

[bucksway]

Well farm you sure have a few nice one's! I would slip that Fisk 'Wolf' 112 in my pocket any time I could..

 

[Makael]

I do use this on most camp trips. Its a old school custom. Its partner I bring is a Old School Behring made bowie. Another knife thats a pleasure to use.

 

[eveled]

Wow! Makael I should have known when you sold your stag Randall you had some awesome stag user knives.

Love the fringe on the one sheath. Very classic.

Those are spectacular and the scenery is gorgeous.

 

[JD Bear]

I don't have any LE's or stuff that's really nice. I use all my custom shop knives...cause that's the reason I get em...