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Starting knife collection

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blade003

Joined
Aug 18, 2018
Messages
8
Hello,
I have decided to begin collecting knives as they fascinate me - looking to collect a variety of different types of knives, and wondered if anyone could point me in the direction of learning about all of the variations; couldn't seem to find any general guidance or sort of beginner knowledge, which would be wonderful as I love to learn about these things!
Also wondered where it's possible to find vintage knives, as well as potentially replica knives/swords - for example I'd be interested in finding a replica of the brides samurai sword from kill bill vol 1.
Can't wait to get involved and start my collection.

blade003 x
 
https://knife-depot.com/pages/pocket-knife-buying-guide

Well I guess the first question is: why would you like to collect knives? Are you interested in something to get you through the day like an EDC(every day carry)? Are you into bushcraft? Are you interested in something for display? Are you interested in self-defense? And let this last one not be the case because a gun would suit you better.

As far as the swords, a very good a place to find all sorts, from all cultures and even some from movies is kult of athena, just google that. As far as information on swords myarmoury is a good place.
 
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First of all welcome to the club! You will probably find that knife collecting can become a vicious never ending cycle and that your purchase limits may escalate very quickly as did I. So I would suggest that you start putting funds for future purchases away now:D And as stated above what kind of knives are you “in to”? Folding knives, fixed blades, users, show pieces, etc? If you can be a little more specific I can definitely provide some recommendations.
 
Nothing wrong with a knife for self defense. Hang out on this forum and look at knives online...poke around, and you collect information.

Good luck in your search for the best there is!
 
Aloha and welcome to the forum. There are so many styles and designs of knives that you will not find enough time and money to invest into this endeavor. I started off with a Buck 501 knife years ago and each year I find something else to add to my collection of knives. Majority of my collection are every day carry (EDC) items. Very few of my collection are safe queens. I like to pocket carry or most of the time carry in a sheath off my belt. I love folders but fixed blades are great to have, use, and admire.

Read a lot, research some more, ask questions, and have fun.
 
Welcome to the hobby! :)
I tend to collect whatever tickles my fancy, and as long as it's my own money being spent, it's only my fancy I need to tickle, (I just don't care what other knife folks think my collecting hobby should or shouldn't be).
That said, I think you have already started off right by coming here. You'll be able to see knife pictures and read facts & opinions about knives. You can then start forming your own direction(s), based on your newly formed knowledge and your own gut feelings and tastes, (it's that whole "tickled fancy" thing again). The knowledge part never ends with this stuff... There is so much history behind the blade.
Hope we can help you out with any questions you may have along the way :)
 
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If you want to see lots of cool stuff that you can collect there are a few youtubers:
@NickShabazz imo is the #1 source
For traditionals the apostle P is great (if you can get over the "praise the lord" thing). He also has nice sharpening videos
For swords etc. skallagrim has lots of stuff
EpicSnuggleBunny does lots of customs
Randy Johnson has great videos (but isn't really active anymore)
Innerbark Outdoors and the older stuff from dutch bushcraft knives is there for all your bushcraft needs.
And the @BladeHQ youtube channel is also worth following.

Personally I can just point you to the traditionals part of this forum, great guys and great knives; you'll always find new stuff to buy :D
 
I recently got into knives and quickly ended up here, so I’m in the same boat as you. What I know so far: 1-There is no such thing as being “too knowledgable” or having done “too much research”. 2-Even revered knife manufacturers send out badly flawed knives that would never have passed even any high-speed, low-intensity QC examination--but a lot of knives never even get looked at before shipping, so it’s “Caveat Emptor” every step of the way.

I’ve only bought five knives so far, but I already had to return one (from a truly revered manufacturer) because of a monumentally off-center blade. When that happened, i realized that trusting a brand name isn’t feasible. Moral of the story = research, research and research some more. You can’t know too much before you start pounding your credit cards and getting a knife in the mail every week.
 
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I think this is actually a good starting point for any collection regardless of my questions up there. My first ever knife was a souvenir SAK-like pocket knife I bought in Banff age 14.
 
Welcome blade! Acquiring and using knives is a wonderful past time. My advise would be buy what you like and enjoy, not necessarily what others like or what is popular. If you enjoy it and are happy, it will make the hobby even more satisfying. Knowledge is power. Learn all you can before you start buying. This is a great place to learn a lot and most are willing to help you. Have fun!
 
My advice is that you buy what you like and can afford to begin with. As you develop your preferences, you can refine the kind of knives you might purchase. At the beginning, I bought all kinds of different knives and in particular fighters really interested me.... but I had essentially zero use for a fighter knife. I thought they were really cool. I don't collect knives, but I have what I would consider way way more knives than I will or would use in a couple lifetimes already and I keep buying more because I LIKE EM.
 
I'm also very new to collecting (only a couple of months in) but the addiction has hit hard. I initially went with a ZT as it felt nice in the hand, had a good action and figured it would make a nice EDC. As it got some wear from being carried I got a bit bothered and realized I should get a less expensive "beater" to carry and focus on nicer knives as things to figet with and collect just because they're pretty and I like them.

Have picked up a few more ZTs. I like that they tend to pair with established makers and more or less replicate more expensive models. At $200 or so dollars, it's a great way to get your feet wet and learn who's designs you like and what works or doesn't for you as you go up in price to the real deal stuff.

I'm now looking at far more expensive stuff. Be careful!
 
Start with what strikes your fancy but don’t get too attached because after you acquire a few your path will change as others have stated. After I was up to 25 knives I sat down and really went over what I had, figured out I really only like folders, titanium handle frame lock folders to be specific, so everything else went and I put that money into you guessed it more titanium frame lock folders!
Starts with a Kershaw leak and now have my first Shirogorov on its way!!

Don’t be afraid to try different types and styles and eventually you’ll find your titanium frame lock folder too.
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
SA53341.jpg


I think this is actually a good starting point for any collection regardless of my questions up there. My first ever knife was a souvenir SAK-like pocket knife I bought in Banff age 14.
Click to expand...
A Victorinox Fieldmaster, if I’m not mistaken. The Huntsman is a favourite of mine, with a corkscrew instead of the Phillips. Both great models.
 
Pick a direction, decide what you want to collect for?

I’m more of an accumulator who uses all his knives eventually and as a result of accumulating have accumulated different subsets.

Like A collection of Case knives whose only connection is their name or Victorinox SAKs which became a collection because I had more than 3 and as any collector worth his salt will tell you, It takes a minimum of 3 to make a collection.

I have a collection of all metal handled knives which overlaps the Alox SAKs. Then there’s the collection of customs, (folders and fixed) or the collection of miniature knives. Collection of Spyderco and CRK Sebenzas.

There always room for more knives, a diverse collection helps with that. It also helps to be open to other styles of knives. Vintage slipjoints always are historically interesting knives, I mean who wouldn’t want a replica of the knife Abe Lincoln carried?

Only you the op can decide what you like and what holds your interest. Good luck in your journey and welcome to the forum.
 
blade003 said:
Hello,
I have decided to begin collecting knives as they fascinate me ...
Click to expand...

Welcome. Now, buy what fascinates you. Whatever tickles you fancy. The BF supporting retailers are a great source for great knives.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/paid-dealer-members-list-updated-2-5-16.1089879/

Then, if you become more interested in user knives as opposed to sheer lookers, read up and learn about what constitutes a good user knife.

Most important: if you don't become interested in users, and you just love sexy looking replica weaponry....nothing wrong with that at all.
 
Greetings and welcome to the forum.

Are there any outdoor/camping/hunting retail stores in your home area or close to you?

A hard ware shop might work, too, or even a big box store if they had an outdoor section.

A venue where you can hold a knife in hand (or at least look at in person) might help you along. You would not be exposed to all that is out there in the world of knives, but again, you could start to get a feel for some examples and based on them, learn more about what might inspire your fancy.

From there, buying a knife online would be a little less vague.
 
I would advise getting a copy of blade magazine, read the articles look at the different knives listed, also visit a local knife show many times knife dealers are in a firearm show great places to see a lot of knives.
 
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