New Knife Guy questions and comments

timsclips

timsclips

Joined
Nov 27, 2007
Messages
610
I am a new member and just recently became interested in collecting some "pocket" knives. In the 90's I had a knife buddy order me the Camillus Classic Collector series of knives which along with an Al Mar Eagle Talon, is the foundation of my collection. I am starting to pick up a representative sample of most of the "quality" pocket knives available, not any particular brand but at least one example of each make. I have a Ka-bar won on an ebay auction and is on its way as I type. I know that Case, Queen, Schrade and Camillus are the old USA brands that are considered best makers, but two out of four are out of business and Queen and Case are on the expensive side, I would like to have no more than $30 invested in each knife if I can help it. Any one wish to comment on Parker knives? Also german made knives like the Bulldog brand, good/bad/mediocre? I will be doing most of my buying online as I am not in a position to travel to look at knives at specialized shops and my dealings with fleamarkets have been not the best.
Thought I would post this for other new "knife guys" that are just starting out, you are not alone.
 
I collect some traditional knives ( mostly stock/cattle knives) and own a few from several makers. Of the German knives I own, Bulldog knives are pretty good for the money, but I don't own any produced after 2004. You can buy them on Ebay at a reasonable price. I have a collection of 25th anniversary sowbellys and stockmen. The modern German knives are not what they used to be and can be spotty, as far a fit & finish. German Bull and Buck Creek are some lower priced German knives.

Sometimes you get lucky and find popular brands on sale, I recently bought a Puma stockman for $30.00. Case knives can be found on sale too for not much more than your target price.

Another way to build a nice collection and sample different patterns is to try some of the Chinese brands like Rough Rider, Steel Warrior. Also some of the more known brands imported from China like Marbles and Kissing Crane. I don't think they will ever become collector's items but they can be had for under $15.00
 
Welcome aboard timsclips! Canal Street Cutlery and Great Eastern Cutlery also make high quality pocket knives in the USA.

My two cents is that, if you are building a collection, you might want to go with quality over quantity. Three thirty dollar knives my be worth less than $90 in 5-10 years where one 90 dollar knife, like, say, a Schatt&Morgan (made by Queen) will most likely increase in value.

Just a thought.

By the way, that Al Mar Eagle Talon is a nice knife! Been eyeing one of those for a while!
 
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