Newbie advice -

mfm22

mfm22

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Nov 9, 2010
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I've been drawn to the traditionals more & more , actually started with them unknowingly
50 years ago ! - that's all there was back then ..

I know myself well enough to see this sector could be overwhelming and a financial hazard if not approached correctly :confused:

So i'll ask those with experience for any advice on going about this [ collecting that is ]
I know the best advice - Don't start ! but that aside ..

Thinking about approaching this from either by Brand , Design /Pattern , etc..
what if any Direction would you suggest ?

Or I can go Willy- nilly my normal predisposition :D
 
It's random for me. I buy what I like, or think that I'm going to like. If It turns out that I don't like one, or change my mind on another, away It goes. So, there is a considerable amount of rotation, but when you get one that's right for you, you'll know it. There will be some surprises along the way. You'll find yourself liking some that might not have immediately appealed to you, and not caring for some that seemed right for you. So, go with your gut! Don't think of them as an investment, satisfy your own taste. Most of all, enjoy the hobby! -Lance
 
Whether you are interested in old knives or new knives, reading Levine's Guide to Knives & Their Values would be the best way to start. Get the 4th Edition if you can find it otherwise get whatever edition you can get. The important thing is that you start reading. The vast majority of questions that you have (or will have) are answered in the book. Unfortunately with our internet culture, books often get forgotten these days.
 
I have to stop myself from buying all the time. But then i think is this knife really going to add something unique to my collection? I have to really watch because i usually dont want to sell any even if i dont care much for it. I would rather have a collection of a few knives i really really love instead of every new release that i think are just ok. I guess what im saying is i really put a lot of effort into my selections even though there are a ton more i would love to have.
 
Thanks , I would never look at these as an investment .
I guess I got more interested in "traditional" knives after owning and seeing the vast array of
Modern Ti slab/ frame locks. They are wonderful at what they do. But lack the warmth & craftsmanship of slips

I agree ''tis better to own a few prize knives than accumulate a bunch of less appealing ones
Seems It's always Quality over Quantity
 
Rough Rider is great for trying different patterns without bankrupting the bank.
Their slipjoints are usually excellent.
Some of their liner locks, (like their small "Sod Buster" pattern) I've heard, have problems.
At any rate, if you like the pattern you can "upgrade" to a more expensive brand, if you want, or just keep using the Rough Rider.
 
mfm22 said:
Thanks , I would never look at these as an investment .
I guess I got more interested in "traditional" knives after owning and seeing the vast array of
Modern Ti slab/ frame locks. They are wonderful at what they do. But lack the warmth & craftsmanship of slips

I agree ''tis better to own a few prize knives than accumulate a bunch of less appealing ones
Seems It's always Quality over Quantity
Click to expand...

Quality over Quantity is the only way to build a nice collection. If you do Quantity over Quality you'll just have stuff.
 
What is the higharchy brand wise. Let's say a general ranking for brands like Case , GEC,
Queen , Boker Etc
 
supratentorial said:
Whether you are interested in old knives or new knives, reading Levine's Guide to Knives & Their Values would be the best way to start. Get the 4th Edition if you can find it otherwise get whatever edition you can get. The important thing is that you start reading. The vast majority of questions that you have (or will have) are answered in the book. Unfortunately with our internet culture, books often get forgotten these days.
Click to expand...

I'm interested in picking this up. I see there is at least one version newer than 4th (looking at 5th on Amazon). Is the 4th edition better in some way?
Thanks for the recommendation.
 
Postlapsaria said:
I'm interested in picking this up. I see there is at least one version newer than 4th (looking at 5th on Amazon). Is the 4th edition better in some way?
Thanks for the recommendation.
Click to expand...
I think the 4th is the last one Levine actually had a hand in.
 
Postlapsaria said:
I'm interested in picking this up. I see there is at least one version newer than 4th (looking at 5th on Amazon). Is the 4th edition better in some way?
Thanks for the recommendation.
Click to expand...
Later editions work fine for descriptive information. BL had less control over the editorial content after the 4th ed. This was more of an issue before the internet, as now research is much easier. I still use often use Levine's Guide as a starting point when researching. Ignore any prices that are in any guide, they were not really applicable by the time they were printed as prices go up and down mostly at the whim of the market (or even the whims of the individual buyer and seller) unless something is truly old or actually rare and desired. The descriptions and information are generally nearly as good in 5th ed., just keep in mind that it has always been intended as a guide not a rule book.
 
mfm22 said:
I've been drawn to the traditionals more & more , actually started with them unknowingly
50 years ago ! - that's all there was back then ..
Click to expand...
Since you are of an age to know your mind, decide what you are interested in and then consider why. There will always be a struggle between more and better. Just remember that more is more and better is better. It is nicer to have a smaller collection that you take pride of ownership in, so handle as many as possible (knife shows are great) but buy few at first. A lot of pattern preference depends on how these things feel to you personally, which generally can come down to hand size and intended use.
 
I buy knives and stuff in general for the "Neato" factor. I like to carry and use "Neato" stuff. My current taste is split back spring whittlers. Very "Neato"--KV
 
I wish there were more places to see things. Very few if any knife shops by me
Long Island NY. Gun shops have some knives but usually just spyderco , benchmade and the like

I end up buying & selling just to try things. It gets expensive as the sell is never a profit

It looks like Case is moderately priced , may pick up a few patterns to see if they suit me .
At $ 50-70 per they could serve as users. The gec brand seems to be the cats meow
And I'm sure are well made
 
It’s willy nilly at first but you will figure out quickly what you really like. Then it’s about dicipline. So many temptaions :oops:. For me all knifes are users. If I don’t put it in my picket it goes or I better don’t pick it up in the first place.
 
Start with a Victorinox of your choosing, I suggest a Tinker or recruit.
They're pretty much the most popular slipjoint knife in the world today and you gotta start somewhere.

They're very consistent so it'll give you a good idea of pull weight / walk & talk because they're not too strong or two weak.
 
mfm22 said:
What is the higharchy brand wise. Let's say a general ranking for brands like Case , GEC,
Queen , Boker Etc
Click to expand...
This topic causes some debate, I own a bunch of GEC , a few old case ( 1972 and earlier) one Queen and few customs. There's been quite a few threads on this forum that hash brand ranking.
 
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