Old and worn vs brand new

pinnah said:
This is the core distinction among collectors of all sorts of things.

Original mint tells the story of the manufacturer.
Used and worn tells the story of the owner.
Restored tells the story of the mechanic.

They're all valid.
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Pnwknifeguy said:
"they're all valid" - pinnah

Well put. I hate the "your doing it wrong" attitude. People can do whatever they want to with a their collections. If that's how they enjoy the hobby who's to stop them.
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Very good attitudes to have. I like and own both mint old knives and well used old knives. I like them in different ways.

I avoid old knives with cracked handles or wore out blades.

I really like a patina on some of my old knives, but, believe it would be a huge mistake to let all the mints go down that road.

I might take any knife I own and stick it in it's own pocket for a day or two of carry.

It truly is a personal decision one has to make. There is no wrong answer, in my opinion.:)
 
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That's right, there's no rights or wrongs. It is interesting to see the different ways we collect. Or accumulate. I have a few knives I've bought brand new. Most of my purchases are in the kind of well used but usable conditions you find at yard sales and gun shows. I just rarely see old knives that are still in mint condition. If I did, I suppose I might hesitate to use it. For a little while. :)
 
pinnah said:
This is the core distinction among collectors of all sorts of things.

Original mint tells the story of the manufacturer.
Used and worn tells the story of the owner.
Restored tells the story of the mechanic.

They're all valid.
Click to expand...

Gonna have to write this one down. Never quite thought of it like that, I like it a lot.
 
I don't add used knives to the collection.

But that hasn't stopped me from picking up good condition users for my desk drawer or pocket. The price has to be 'right' though, $5-$10.
 
No one is doing it wrong. As long as you have a good time. I'm selling and trading here and there and realizing I don't really get whiplash at shows like I used to. Information and sensory overload to be sure though.
 
I did try to buy a few books though. Other than a few kids that came with their parents, the cut off age seemed to be 35-40. At least of those with some coin. Good to see the younger brother showing his collection off to the older dealers, and their genuine excitement to see someone of such a young age interested.

Having typed all this and started this thread, I still traded for a Case swayback jack at the knife shop in town.
 
I collect diversity, so that means I have a selection of knives that came to me with history, and others that I am forming the history of. I don't tend to find rare/collectible knives, so basicly all of the knives I buy get sharpened and put in pocket. I don't pay a premium for names or mint quality, I pay for quality of materials and quality of construction. Luckily for me, used Slipjoints are often exhibit very high quality of manufacture, at a price often below $20! If a pattern calls to me that will be hard to find used then I try it new. It's fun not worrying about my knives as commodities, they are my fancy tools and the only things I want out of them in the end are matter separation, small amount of joy over a nice varied collection, and maybe some good memories of my kids getting to pick out Dad's knives of the day!


Today in pocket are two new acquisitions, one new in box to me, and another that hasn't been new in around a century I believe. Both knocking around in pockets being pocketknives, but mine!! ;)

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I like both!

New knives are nice. They're shiny and clean, and it's sometimes pleasant to be the first one to open the box, pull out the knife, sharpen it up for the first time and set the edge to my preference, break it in. The aging process happens there, before my eyes, and I know the stories behind every little mark or blemish; I am intimately familiar with the knife's character.

Old knives are nice, too! They often cost much less, while still being quite serviceable. And, you can be sure that if it's lasted this long, it's good to go for the future. Built well. And, a knife with character is a beautiful thing, to me, even if I wasn't the one who broke it in in the first place. Sometimes, though, I wish I could have seen what the knife looked like when it came out the factory door.
 
I thought we were all just giving our opinions...didn't think there was a "right or wrong" about it. I'm happy there are mint knives out there for those looking for them, and used knives for others to find and enjoy!

Regards,
Ron
 
I like old knives. I like used knives. I like new knives. I just like knives :). I enjoy seeing all kinds :)
 
so far i have only bought new knives with the intent of carrying and using all of them. to date i have carried and used them all to varying degrees.
i have some folders i inherited from relatives that i dont generally carry because i dont want to risk losing them. i have a couple dozen or so other knives that could be replaced should i happen to lose one.
i dont buy old collector knives perhaps primarily because of cost but also because im an accumulator by nature. i do like looking at all sorts of knives and will happily look at whatever there is to see.
 
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