Safe Queens

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rdnzl

rdnzl

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How many people are like me? I have a lot of knives that I never actually use to cut anything besides maybe paper. I have the probably misguided viewpoint that one day my "safe queens" might be worth something.

I tend to have multiple versions of the same knife. I designate one or two of each model as my "users" and the rest reside in my safe, and are brought out for show and tell or fondling.

I beat the hell out of my users. But sometimes I wonder if I am treating most of my knife collection like a STAMP COLLECTION.

I know, I'm probably preaching to the choir......
 
rdnzl said:
How many people are like me? I have a lot of knives that I never actually use to cut anything besides maybe paper. I have the probably misguided viewpoint that one day my "safe queens" might be worth something.

I tend to have multiple versions of the same knife. I designate one or two of each model as my "users" and the rest reside in my safe, and are brought out for show and tell or fondling.

I beat the hell out of my users. But sometimes I wonder if I am treating most of my knife collection like a STAMP COLLECTION.

I know, I'm probably preaching to the choir......
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I don't believe in safe queens.
 
I’m running about 50/50 or so at this point. I have plenty of knives I’ve carried and used but I also have some that will not be used simply because of their collector status and value.
 
rdnzl said:
How many people are like me? I have a lot of knives that I never actually use to cut anything besides maybe paper. I have the probably misguided viewpoint that one day my "safe queens" might be worth something.
Click to expand...
Yeah, me too. All of my users get used for anything/everything. But I bought a few knives just to appreciate and admire--a few Randalls and customs, especially.
 
I have a problem with not being able to not use all of them. Have a couple that in hindsight might have been better as safe queens because of collector value. But I end up carrying and using every one I buy, or moving them along if I won’t. In the end the only joy I get from knives is in carrying and using them.
 
It just depends on what you enjoy about your hobby.

While I enjoy carrying and "appropriately" using my knives, some might get just as much enjoyment occasionally unboxing and fondling their knives.

I will say that experience has shown me that very few collectors of any collectible ever realize any financial windfall "someday".

This is due in great part to the inability to recognize when it is time to end one's hobby and sell the collection off. That task is almost invariably left to heirs.

I am into collecting a couple things other than knives, and sadly, I have more than a few friends who have always had that "someday I'll sell all of this" dream but now they are too old to ever be able to sell it off short of having an auction company come in and do it for them.

I did meet one fellow in my lifetime who did hold his own estate auction. He said he wanted to see it all sell and didn't want his family to deal with it. He was the only one that got out alive.
 
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mqqn said:
It just depends on what you enjoy about your hobby.

While I enjoy carrying and "appropriately" using my knives, some might get just as much enjoyment occasionally unboxing and fondling their knives.

I will say that experience has shown me that very few collectors of any collectible ever realize any financial windfall "someday".

This is due in great part to the inability to recognize when it is time to end one's hobby and sell the collection off. That task is almost invariably left to heirs.

I am into collecting a couple things other than knives, and sadly, I have more than a few friends who have always had that "someday I'll sell all of this" dream but now they are to old to ever be able to sell it off short of having an auction company come in and do it for them.

I did meet one fellow in my lifetime who did hold his own estate auction. He said he wanted to see it all sell and didn't want his family to deal with it. He was the only one that got out alive.
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Very well put. We have seen some of that here, where some poor widow or son is trying to deal with the husband's knife bric-a-brac.
 
I have exactly one pocket knife in this category, A marzitelli megaladon. I had purchased it fully intending to carry it... But then I got to thinking about how I would feel if I lost it and in the safe it sits. It is the only pocket knife in that category though, unless I find a martizelli big snarly j someday. Everything else I have is cheap enough that I won't lose sleep if I lose it. Now if you really want to talk safe queens we could talk about the khukris from the1880s or the seaxes or the other ridiculous things I have acquired.
 
I generally buy knives in anticipation of using them - I love trying a new knife just like driving a new car.

I have exactly one “safe queen” which is this trench knife that my Dad found on the beach before I was born and gave me when I was about 13…

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