Hi cruedog, welcome to the Schrade Collectors forum! I'm new to this forum and the collecting of Schrade knives as well. Are you buying your knives from retailers? Living in Tennessee, you're near the stockpile of Schrade knives from the closing of the factory. With the possible exception of where you live, the retail supply of USA made Schrade knives has dried up across the country, leaving eBay as the biggest marketplace for most of us.
On any given day, there are about 2,000 Schrade knives for sale on eBay. For some time now, the newer Schrade knives that were in current production until the plant closed, have been selling for well below the original retail prices. There are exceptions to that such as some special editions and customs. The market for the older Schrade-Walden knives that were discontinued before the company went out of business, seems to be holding up well. Those knives are in high demand, especially if in new or mint condition.
It's hard to predict what the future may bring. My gut tells me that prices will fall even further due to the glut of hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of Schrades knives being dumped on the market in such a short period of time. There aren't that many real collectors buying these knives, many are being bought by profiteers. The acquisition of the Schrade brand names by Taylor Cutlery and the importing of knives made in China by Taylor, may keep the prices of the old Schrades higher.
Knife collections are not liquid and make a poor investment. The best advice I can give you is that if you like a particular knife, buy it for your own use and enjoyment. You'll have fewer regrets no matter how much you pay for it.
edit: Phil, you beat me to it and it took me many more words to say what you stated so succinctly.
