Starting a collection.

jonesjp@surry.net

jonesjp@surry.net

Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
421
I confess. I've gotten the bug. I started with the drawer full of kershaws, a little extra coin, and some dandy deals. But mostly it came from the very friendly folks I met here.

The Kershaws are nice, really nice production folders, but I probably will stick with fixed blades until I get that William Henry Damascus that costs, well. a lot. Other folders I own include a few benchmade/microtech/etc autos.

right now I have a David Farmer tactical drop point, an "RN" patch knife, a Takeshi Saji Akabi, a Bark River Wasp Tactical, and a Bob Dozier K4.

I'm interested in hearing from you what is critical to a decent fixed blade collection. I like fairly simple geometry, relatively small knives. I thiink a 4" blade is plenty... (Legionairres had an obscene saying that was roughly equivalent to all you need to do is slip the head in to be effective).

And I want knives I can carry and use without destroying their resale value. I'm not too interested in safe queens. I'm retired, so buying multiple iterations of one knife won't work too well for me...

I enjoy the upkeep on knives, touching up the edges, putting a decent grade of oil, a little polish... All of this is fun for me.

So... What do I need to look at next? What maker belongs in every collection? What does a rookie need to know to keep from getting ripped off? I have a Lansky stone set, and a 40k grit waterstone. I also have 12k grit sandpaper for my woodworking tools, but is there anything else I need for upkeep? I have an electric waterstone for chisels, but never thought about using this on any knife except an old kukri I won in a sword fight. I know I need a decent camera.

Thanks in advance for your responses.
 
Look at Leu custom Knives. For a traditional style, razor sharp, cord-wrapped handles at a good price, these blades are hard to beat. You Will be hearing more about this maker, soon.
 
I'd start with a theme and a budget. You can collect $50 folders or $10k art knives. Both have the thrill of the chase and the pleasure of amassing an interesting group. If you choose one type of knife, then it breeds harmony. It could be similar patterns, same maker, similar materials, all styles of a knife by a particular company. It looks like you already have that narrowed down to 4" fixed blades, but you could specialize in "tactical" knives, more traditional materials, forged blades, whatever attracts you. It sounds like you're going to be using these, so go for knives that look like you would use them.

If you're looking for lower-priced fixed blades, the Makers area of Bladeforums is a good place to start. There are tons of people making stuff for <$200. You might even stumble on a future-famous maker.
 
Thanks, Tohatchi, for helping me see that there is aready a theme in my selections... The 4" fixed blade is a rich area to mine, lots of 'traditional' patterns and makers. My budget settled out naturally at 150.00. I'd like to raise that as time goes by ti 350 or so. What seems crucial to me is that the knives maintain some sine qua non ("without which, nothing"). I've got some sports -- a bolo gift from a montagnard that I'll never part with, things like that, but you've helped me focus. I feel a special affinity with oriental blades, and will probably concentrarte there if i can.

So, I am still interested in makers readers here think -must- have a place in such collection. Who, What, and Why?

Lycosa, why do you recommend Leu?
 
Pohan makes modern Japanese style blade(s) that are not only elegant but they will cut like crazy. I have told friends to get on the ground floor. I have a good feeling about Pohan and his knives.
 
jonesjp,
I started collecting auto knives a few years back with both a Boker and an Italian auto, and thought anybody who spent > $100 on a knife was/is a nut. I was/is right! :D
While I bounced around a bit I've focused on "multiple iterations of one knife" this last year, somewhat by accident, with me pretty much completing a quest for all four generations of MT LCCs with a current purchase. You can see some of them here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546912
I'm alot like you in that I don't really want any safe queens, I like using my knives. However for most of mine that means a stealthy attack on a envelope. Blade steel, heat treat, edge grinds all mean something, but not as much as if I like the knife. I've bought several that were fine knives (including a lovely WH), but had to let go because they just didn't float my boat. However, most of the LCCs won't lose much, if any value, if it just envelopes they are attacking. They aren't made anymore, so that helps them retain (or improve their value). I'm a fan of collecting what one likes today, because there is no guarantee of their value tomorrow.
all da best,
rats...
 
You might want to add a damascus bladed Microtech Auto.

It seems simple but I suggest buying knives you find interesting. If they also fit in with your desire to have knives that you won't feel bad about using, that's even better.

While a little pricy, one of the things I like about Chris Reeve folders is they can be fancy or plain but they are always well made and can easily be users.
 
I had a great conversation with him, and went through his gallery. I chose what I thought was the perfect knife, expecting a wait of several months. Turns out that one was available, so......

There is a lot of serendipity involved with this, I think.

I'm buying things I like, knives I'm happy to own, and not making "investments", so I think I'll end up fine. Ideally I'll help a couple of makers get started AND end up with very interesting blades.

I'm not attacking anything any more vicious than bills these days, either:). Still, I like to carry one good fixed blade as well as a folder. Old habits die hard.

I went through a microtech phase, but never did spring for a damascus blade. I've just been floored by the beauty of the William Henry folders, and will end up trying to trade my rolex for one someday. The WH will keep better time, fer sure:)

Thanks for the responses, and please keep the ideas flowing. I am learning a lot!!
 
Jones.---Good move on the Leu. I carry my kozuka every day. You need to check-out Busse Combat Knives next. Have fun.
Rolf
 
How about a Fiddleback Nessmuck. He is active on the Wilderness and survival Forum, and makes a very nice classic design for what I am told is a very good deal.
You should also get some puuko style knives, and more Bark rivers.
 
INFI, is an "outstanding" performance steel that only Busse Knives can use. Read about INFI on the Busse web-site.
 
Thank you for pointing him out. I have an EDC on the way from him.

The Nesmuk is an excellent plade design, just not my cup of tea.

I am saving for a k9 and a busse Warden.

Thank you all for your help; I feel like I have a good start on a decent collection of knives that will hold value
 
K-9 and a Busse GW, excellent choices! How you looked at any Phill Hartsfield blades? You should!
 
He is still a bit outside my price range. I'll piddle around down here for a while, and then trade in a few on one of his, I hope.

Thank you very much for your suggestions; obviously I've found value in them.

I need to upgrade my membership so I can sell some of these Kershaws, though I'll probably do better on Ebay with them.
 
pay the membership here and sell anything and everything you want knife related for just the membership fee and not each and every auction fee like ebay!
 
Still an aggregation rather than a collection....

Folders
Paragon Limited first production run auto (the old paragon)
Browning/Mcusta v-10 (very very nice, especially for the price)
Kershaw frankenleek, dammy blade, tungsten handle
Buck auto conversion
Bemchmade Mel Pardue.
Another Frankenleek on the right, stainless handle, tungsten blade.

#2
An old Dozier D2. I'm not sure of the model.
DP knives Woodsman with Amazique
Pohan Leu Custom
Bark River wasp
Cardiff custom damascus/bone
on the right is another Cardiff custom with bubinga scales, and a stag handled patch knife marked "RN".

#3
An old friend M5A1 bayonet
Takashi Saji "Akabi"
George Trout knife and the sheath. Really great craftmanship on this

#4
Fiddleback EDC
David Farmer Modified TDC
David Farmer Mouse
David Farmer custom necker
 

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