Poll: What are we currently collecting

[sgt1372]

I NEVER would have guessed that this is where I’d be at this point..
..but here I am.
Balisongs.
Go figure.

Nice group.

Along with automatics, I also collect balisongs. Just bought another one today.

 

[sgt1372]

The hard limit on these polls is 10, so opening it up to endless sub-categories is not possible. Even if it were, who would want to read them? I considered that automatic knives could fit under classic folders or tactical folders, depending on the flavor of automatic that you prefer. But, I’ll add it for us.

No need.

While you could make the case that OTS autos are "folders," you can't say the same for OTF autos.

And, while balisongs are "technically" folders, they are not "classic" folders in the sense that I think that term normally would be used.

I also collect karambits that come in both folding & fixed blade forms. Are they classic folders or tactical"? What does "tactical even mean? There are a lot of knives that are described as "tactical" which just look like regular folders & fixed blade knives to me. There's no mistaking a karambit when you see one. So, karambits are just karambits to me.

And does it make sense to include the truly "classic" slip joint" pocket folding knives (like Case) with other folders using different opening & locking devices? Or would you call Case knives, "traditional" & every other type of folder "classic"?

My point is that there simply are too many types of knives & too many reasons why people choose to collect them (or anything else for that matter) .

Far more than can be represented in any poll & none of the choices (individually or collectively) adequately describe my collection, which I why I chose not to vote.

 

[Leo Greer]

I can appreciate multiple elements.



The folder on the right is largely a product of pure machining, the kitchen knife on the left has been cut and shaped almost entirely by hand. Don't worry, the maker used tools, but nothing automated was involved.

Actually, I guess the Shiro has a hand-ground blade, I should've pulled out a Holt!

 

[K.O.D.]

After going through some of my accumulation I've realized what I'm collecting;

dust.

 

[not2sharp]

After going through some of my accumulation I've realized what I'm collecting;

dust.

As long as it’s not rust you’re good.

N2s

 

[RPZIP]

I am a accumulator as well. I do not have the wallet to be a full blown collector of any genre of knife, sword or other bladed tool.

However, I have acquired a good number of bladed tools in the utility category, self defense/emergency rescue, "survival" and bushcraft types. In all categories I have way more than I actually need, and may accumulate a few more based on budget and whim.

There is one category - or perhaps more accurately two - I am starting to accumulate in ernest because they interest me from a historical perspective as well as the practical bladed tool perspective. They are 1930s/World War Two through the Vietnam War military knives and bayonets. So while I don't have the wallet to be a true collector of both, I am hoping to accumulate some of the more common and yes to me, appealing examples.

 

[David Mary]

Some day when I can afford to collect again, I will collect work from other makers, such as Coleman of Sharp & Fiery Leatherworks, Josh of REK, and a list of others. A piece from J. Doyle is very high on my want list as well. For now, I collect blanks of my designs in a few alloys, handle materials and lots of pinstock.

 

[Triton]

I am a accumulator as well. I do not have the wallet to be a full blown collector of any genre of knife, sword or other bladed tool.

However, I have acquired a good number of bladed tools in the utility category, self defense/emergency rescue, "survival" and bushcraft types. In all categories I have way more than I actually need, and may accumulate a few more based on budget and whim.

There is one category - or perhaps more accurately two - I am starting to accumulate in ernest because they interest me from a historical perspective as well as the practical bladed tool perspective. They are 1930s/World War Two through the Vietnam War military knives and bayonets. So while I don't have the wallet to be a true collector of both, I am hoping to accumulate some of the more common and yes to me, appealing examples.

Sounds like you are a collector to me. Philosophically I think that deliberately having more than one of something with an intent to obtain more makes the collector not the size of the accumulation.

 

[RPZIP]

I'll buy that. But usually a collector will seek to obtain every example of a category. I simply don't have the wallet - so will be very limited in what I can aquire and will concentrate on those items that have particular appeal to me historically and practically.

 

[marcus aurelius]

Some day when I can afford to collect again, I will collect work from other makers, such as Coleman of Sharp & Fiery Leatherworks, Josh of REK, and a list of others. A piece from J. Doyle is very high on my want list as well. For now, I collect blanks of my designs in a few alloys, handle materials and lots of pinstock.

I'm right there with you on putting together some REK and Sharp & Fiery pieces. I think the term "collector" or "collection" is just too grand sounding for what I have put together. Especially compared to what I see on here and other sites. But I do like putting together special pieces or making them special to me. A nice leather sheath or slip is just icing on the cake.

 

[sgt1372]

I'll buy that. But usually a collector will seek to obtain every example of a category. I simply don't have the wallet - so will be very limited in what I can aquire and will concentrate on those items that have particular appeal to me historically and practically.

I'm collector of knives of a certain types, categories & brands but I do NOT attempt to collect EVERY example of a EVERY type, category or brand.

I do this where I can but, cost aside, the quantity & diversity of knives of certain types, categories & brands makes that impractical, if not impossible.

I simply try to assemble groups of knives that are representative of a particular type, category or brand that I like & am interested in but, if I'm missing some that I don't like, can't find or that are simply too expensive, that's fine with me because there's always another knife of a different type, category or brand that I can buy instead.

That's good enough for me but I still keep looking for those knives that I'm "missing" (see my Signature Line for 4 of them), which is what collectors like me do.

 

[d762nato]

Khukuris Yeah! Yeah! Khukuris.

 

[BluegrassBrian]

Nice group.

Along with automatics, I also collect balisongs. Just bought another one today.

Post up some pics in the Bali group sometime!.. it’s like a ghost town in there.

 

[Shorttime]

The hunt for knives is part of the entertainment value for me. I collect a lot of antique and vintage items, so finding them is not always as easy as clicking on the latest catalog.

N2s

See, that's the First World dilemma for me: it has to be more than something interesting or entertaining. I want to reduce the accumulation to only include the secret ingredient that makes me want to keep and use it for the rest of my life.

 

[sgt1372]

Post up some pics in the Bali group sometime!.. it’s like a ghost town in there.

I do that each time I buy a new bali.

See, for example, Posts #130, 131 134, 135, 136 & 137 on Page 7 of the Photo Gallery there.

You can find them all by clicking on the link to that page HERE.

And I'll do it again after I receive the new (to me) bali that I bought yesterday.

I also cross-post every pic of a bali that I buy in the Latest Acquisitions thread in the General Discussion sub but it would be harder to find them there because I post pics of EVERY knife of EVERY type, category & brand that I buy there too.

But, I agree, the BF bali sub is like a "ghost town" because there aren't many bali fans on BF.

 

[K.O.D.]

I might have a thing for carbon fiber...

 

[RPZIP]

The hunt for knives is part of the entertainment value for me. I collect a lot of antique and vintage items, so finding them is not always as easy as clicking on the latest catalog.

N2s

Yep - the hunt. The chase.

I have accumulated a lot of other vintage and antique stuff as well.

 

[Win Heger]

I've been a pretty avid collector but then I aged and I changed. I'm not sure I bought a knife in 2025, I did receive a few ordered in 2024. Over the last several years most of my purchases have been Blade Forum makers, I love supporting them and even with a lot of customs the only ones displayed are from them. So far this year I've only gotten one custom, a Yakut from Marcin.

 

[marcus aurelius]

Added another Rex121 knife to the collection today. It's growing!

Already plotting the scales for it. One part of the hunt is over and the next part of the hunt begins for some cool micarta.

 

[Bigbluefish]

Accumulator here. Hey, that looks nice! And it will cut stuff! “Add to cart.”

I do seem to be have acquired multiple ProTech Godsons, however. And I’m finding I like small 3-5” fixed blades in the kaiken, Persian and tanto styles.