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new to knife collecting need some recommendation and direction

M

mantle62

Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Messages
6
I'm somewhat new to knife and blade collecting. I've had a small collection for a while but recently my interest has been piqued and I'm looking at building up my collection.
However there is lots of crap available I want to know what is quality and worth collecting and also just for general interest.

Looking for some good book recommendations worthy of a collector's bookshelf:

* General knife and blade identification book or encyclopedia
* Keris knife identification book or encyclopedia
* Keris background, historical information, spiritual significance
* Keris care and maintenance
* Knife collecting specific books
* Information on Indonesian and/or South East Asian weapons
* Martial arts weapons encyclopedia (kama, sai, nunchuk, etc)
* Balisong encyclopedia or identification
* South east asian martial arts weapons
* Bayonet encyclopedia or identification
* Katana information, maintenance, care, ID, encyclopedia
* Japanese martial arts weapons encyclopedia
* Any good book on collecting vintage and modern production folders
* Any other good books for collectors/enthusiasts relating to above topics
* Possibly something on the Chinese straight swords

Also I've been trying to get into production folders but am struggling to find something worth buying, some recommendations please. And general recommendations on any interesting types of blades to collect.
What are the most sought after types and models of blades, knives, swords, bayonets, martial arts weapons for collectors modern production and/or antique/vintage.
 
not sure what kind of friends you have but my friends don't steal my personal information and sell it to the NSA and other corporations. Google sure as hell ain't my best friend or even my friend, why do people keep mindlessly repeating that like hypnotized zombies? I don't use google I use ixquick and the search engine was my first point of call, but thanks anyway for your incredibly helpful and useful suggestions. And why have forums at all, just use google everything since it's your friend and you love it so much :disturbed:

I thought my questions are reasonable as I need recommendations from blade collectors specifically, not random people on amazon or unrelated forums.
sorry but I was under the impression that I joined a blade collector's forum and thought that real collectors would happily answer my questions, enthusiastically even. If I joined the wrong forum for this type of information kindly let me know if there is a more suitable forum that I should join.
 
I would start by going to a knife shop and holding some blades. You seem to have diverse interests: balisongs, swords, production folders. Many people collect one style or even focus on one maker or mnufaturer or style. For example, I like Spyderco and Kershaw for one handed folders, I like Case (and soon GEC) for traditional knives. If you like traditional knives, stag handles and non locking blades, check out GEC (great eastern cutlery). For pocket clip, one hand opening folders check out Spyderco and Kershaw (I also have great knives by Buck, Benchmade, Boker and others but those are who I keep going back to) For a stout fixed blade check out Becker knives, or here on the forum Fiddleback forge has been making some great stuff.

I would suggest getting a few knives that don't break the bank and carrying them and seeing what you like. after a few weeks you might get an idea of what you like. as far as swords, I can't offer much help, as for balisongs, keep an eye out for a Benchmade 42.. One other thing I might mention is a mistake I made. I used to buy a serrated blade on occasion, now I only buy plain edges, and not usually coated ( do have a black Para2), they are easier to maintain and generally more desirable in my experience.

I may also add, the first poster was simply recommending that you search for information; whether a library, local knife shop, a forum, or a google, information is our friend. And the more specific a question, the better we can answer. We do try and be polite, if an answer is not helpful, attacking the res ponder won't help you in your search for knowledge, he only offered a suggestion. I wish you the best in your knife collecting. Be careful with those swords, things can get pricey fast enough in my production world! And I hope you can find some good books. All I have are basic illustrated and general weapons and knife history books. A local library will have some decent weapons books, for the price of some books, you could get a knife....
 
marcinek said:
Collect what you like. We can't tell you what that is.
Click to expand...

Ditto - collect what YOU like. And try SmartPage for private searches if you're wary of Google. If you don't know what SmartPage is... just Google it.
Hehehe...
 
Seriously, use the search function on this site. It will at least provide a good jumping off point for most niche knife-related information. You'll have to wade through some stuff but this place should provide plenty of knife topical reading to get you going.

Best of luck :thumbup:
 
mantle62 said:
not sure what kind of friends you have but my friends don't steal my personal information and sell it to the NSA and other corporations. Google sure as hell ain't my best friend or even my friend, why do people keep mindlessly repeating that like hypnotized zombies? I don't use google I use ixquick and the search engine was my first point of call, but thanks anyway for your incredibly helpful and useful suggestions. And why have forums at all, just use google everything since it's your friend and you love it so much :disturbed:

I thought my questions are reasonable as I need recommendations from blade collectors specifically, not random people on amazon or unrelated forums.
sorry but I was under the impression that I joined a blade collector's forum and thought that real collectors would happily answer my questions, enthusiastically even. If I joined the wrong forum for this type of information kindly let me know if there is a more suitable forum that I should join.
Click to expand...
He meant use Google to search within this forum.
We're not being mean.

But to answer you, the sought after knives on here are discontinued production knives. If you want to learn about old production knives like slipjoints, head to the traditional sub forum.
 
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