New Collectors - What's Important for me to Know?

Kevin Jones said:
I kind of pictured a document here that new collectors could (edit the bickering out of and) print for future reference.
Click to expand...

I wondering about the same thing, Kevin, though I'm not sure how that would work. It'll take a fair bit of work, but maybe you can edit your original post with some lines...

_________________________________________________________________

and then add all the usefull stuff below it? Not that the bickering isn't informative or entertaining or anything... :D
 
As an aspiring collector (and after lurking and researching for ~3 years I still don't think I know very much at all), I think useful things to put in a sticky (or a document) would be things like ...

1) What are things to look for in terms of fit, finish, and general quality?
2) Price - what is reasonable to expect in terms of F&F for a given price?
3) Materials - what are the properties (and shrinkage probabilities) of different handle / inset materials (e.g. ivory, pearl, different types of wood),
4) "Position in Market" - this is something I find myself having particular trouble with. Everyone's advice seems to be wait, wait, wait before you buy, but at some point you find yourself (especially if you don't have money to burn) torn with indecision, and if the maker you like is a good one, the price of their stuff goes up. In my particular case, I wanted a Burt Foster and a Matt Cucchiara years ago ... while I was waiting around to see if this was a good idea, and trying to decide what I wanted .... their prices went up.
5) How should time frame of investment, or intended use of the knife, affect your purchase?
6) Things to consider when placing an order. For example, the general advice seems to be don't put down a large deposit, except maybe for exotic materials .... this would be very helpful and easily missed in someone who is just doing research in the product quality of the maker.
7) General Terminology. Most of the first year and a half I followed the forums I spent just trying to figure out what certain terms referred to. Some kind of glossary would be helpful :)

That's the main things I can think of right now.
 
ThreeWorlds said:
As an aspiring collector (and after lurking and researching for ~3 years I still don't think I know very much at all), I think useful things to put in a sticky (or a document) would be things like ...

1) What are things to look for in terms of fit, finish, and general quality?
2) Price - what is reasonable to expect in terms of F&F for a given price?
3) Materials - what are the properties (and shrinkage probabilities) of different handle / inset materials (e.g. ivory, pearl, different types of wood),
4) "Position in Market" - this is something I find myself having particular trouble with. Everyone's advice seems to be wait, wait, wait before you buy, but at some point you find yourself (especially if you don't have money to burn) torn with indecision, and if the maker you like is a good one, the price of their stuff goes up. In my particular case, I wanted a Burt Foster and a Matt Cucchiara years ago ... while I was waiting around to see if this was a good idea, and trying to decide what I wanted .... their prices went up.
5) How should time frame of investment, or intended use of the knife, affect your purchase?
6) Things to consider when placing an order. For example, the general advice seems to be don't put down a large deposit, except maybe for exotic materials .... this would be very helpful and easily missed in someone who is just doing research in the product quality of the maker.
7) General Terminology. Most of the first year and a half I followed the forums I spent just trying to figure out what certain terms referred to. Some kind of glossary would be helpful :)

That's the main things I can think of right now.
Click to expand...

Buy a copy of Les Robertson's book. It's a portable sticky.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
Buy a copy of Les Robertson's book. It's a portable sticky.
Roger
Click to expand...

I agree Roger, great book. I have read my copy over an over.
A new collector brought Les's book up in an e-mail to me the other day.
He too praised the book as a good start for a collector, but wished it could be expanded to include more specific knife detail; fit / finish blade geometry, proportion and flow etc. Basically what to look for regarding the mechanics of the knife and such.
Les, any plans for a follow-up book?
 
I actually have a copy of that book. It was really helpful, but sometimes you want things to be expanded on in more detail (as Kevin said) :)
 
Yep, Les' book is a good starting point. The problem I have is determing what is acceptable regarding fit/finish etc. Several threads have addressed these issues with ivory, the thread on the feather damascus, and imperfections/flaws. Sure, I know what one person may call a flaw or imperfection, another may view it as acceptable due to the material or price, i.e. ivory cracking. It sure would be nice to have a general rule of thumb with some photos for comparison. So, when someone says there is a slight twist in a knife, or a bad weld in the damascus I know what they are talking about (I know now..the hard way). There is a section in the Blue Book of Gun Values that does something similar when rating gun condition. I know it gets much more complex than that with highly collectable firearms, but it is a starting point. This forum, and private correspondance with members as helped me immensely. It would be very convenient to a new collector if some of that relevant information was somehow objectively summarized in some organized fashion. There are probably several collectors on here that could capitalize on their knowledge.
 
Guys,

Thank you for the compliments on the book. The idea behind the book was to be a primer for new collectors or people just wanting a little more information. The book was originally 124 pages. That was getting away from the idea of the book. As well it was getting to big. I wanted something compact with a lot of information. Something akin to the Ranger Handbook I carried in the field as Platoon Leader.

There are no pictures in the book as this would raise the price of the book. Also, there are already books on how to make knives which show photos of what things should look like.

There are no photos of handle material as this changes with each person. Blue/green Walrus or Mastodon Ivory will appeal to some but not others as they prefer Brown/Tan, etc.

There are no books of custom knife values as it would be virtually impossible to compile and keep updated. The money you could get for the book would not compensate those who put it together. As well today's values of a knife made in the 80's would be a guess at best. Plus it would show you how much most custom knives depreciate over time.

I was working on a book with regards to custom knives as investments. I abandoned that project after a very long thread with regards to the fact that almost no one on this forum thought custom knives should be looked at as something with investment potential. This included Makers and Collectors. Couple that with the fact that almost no dealer has a trade in policy has only helped solidify the makers and collectors points. Not a marketing ploy or taking a shot at anyone. Lets face it most collectors don't care if their knives hold their value.

The idea behind the "Custom Knife Buying Guide" was to give the collector a knowledge base to start from. Then the collector would have to start their homework in earnest. FOCUS...on what style of knife you want to buy. FOCUS on which handle material you like best. FOCUS on what price range you want to buy custom knives in.

With that in mind learn what you can about the materials. Learn who makes the best knife for the money of the types you are interested in. As well who has value pricing on the knives you like. As collections seldom if ever only limit themselves to one knife maker.

I did an article for the current issue of Knives Illustrated about the Custom Knife Buying Guide. It is a basic summary of the book. The good news for the picture afficienados is that there are several photos in the article.

For those of you wanting more information Bob Neal and myself will be conducting a seminar on Buying and Collecting Custom Knives at the Blade Show. The Seminar will be Saturday at 2:15 in room 108. The attendee's ask a lot of good questions. Sometimes they even get good answers :D

After 23 years involved with custom knives the one thing I have learned is that there are no short cuts. You have to learn for yourself what is a good fit/finish and how/why that happens on some knives and not others. They saying goes "you pay to go to school". The "School" of custom knives is no different. However, the "School" does offer a scholarship of sorts. The more questions you ask...the more money you will save.

WWG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top