Starting knife collection

[BeyondTheBox]

For steel info I use this...
http://knifeinformer.com/discovering-the-best-knife-steel/

Very helpful info. Also there a smartphone application you can download for help with pretty much every knife steel there is known to man. Pretty sure it's called "Knife Steel Compositions". It's available on Android, couldn't tell if it is on Apple or not.

Otherwise, from what I can tell, you're in a decent place to start your looking. Many a Google search I used when starting brought me directly to this place, it's why I just decided to join and cut out the middle man.

 

[PirateSeulb]

So much to learn and this place is where I would point you to just browse and read and discuss. You can search on a topic you are curious about and find plenty of information.

 

[22-rimfire]

By all means, visit a knife show if you have the opportunity. If a knife store is close to you, spend time there. It's better to handle and choose your knives in person rather than just looking at pictures online.

I'm relatively fortunate in that I have a really large knife store within a couple hours drive of me and Knives Ship Free will be opening their store front soon (I hope) and they are more or less local to me. The large knife store is in Sevierville TN and I stop by a couple times a year. Sort of glad they aren't too close if you know what I mean.

 

[GermanyChris]

Don't buy things based on a spec sheet but the knife as a whole package. It's pretty easy to get to infatuated with the steel, handle materials etc. Don't worry to much about the brand if you're buying from a reputable dealer. Last don't over spend and don't pimp cheap knives to the point that you have expensive knife money in them.

Edit
Learn to sharpen quickly, there's no point in cool dull knives.

 

[BeyondTheBox]

By all means, visit a knife show if you have the opportunity. If a knife store is close to you, spend time there. It's better to handle and choose your knives in person rather than just looking at pictures online.

I'm relatively fortunate in that I have a really large knife store within a couple hours drive of me and Knives Ship Free will be opening their store front soon (I hope) and they are more or less local to me. The large knife store is in Sevierville TN and I stop by a couple times a year. Sort of glad they aren't too close if you know what I mean.

Wait, there's such a thing as a knife show??? When, where, how soon!?!?!???? Lol

Don't buy things based on a spec sheet but the knife as a whole package. It's pretty easy to get to infatuated with the steel, handle materials etc. Don't worry to much about the brand if you're buying from a reputable dealer. Last don't over spend and don't pimp cheap knives to the point that you have expensive knife money in them.

Edit
Learn to sharpen quickly, there's no point in cool dull knives.

Yeah, this is something I'm learning now. Different handle material and grinds can make much more difference than the steel itself.

And sharpening is key. Paying to have a local shop do it just takes all the life and out of the experience.

 

[sabre cat]

Don't buy things based on a spec sheet but the knife as a whole package. It's pretty easy to get to infatuated with the steel, handle materials etc. Don't worry to much about the brand if you're buying from a reputable dealer. Last don't over spend and don't pimp cheap knives to the point that you have expensive knife money in them.

Edit
Learn to sharpen quickly, there's no point in cool dull knives.

Agreed.

When I joined BF.com I started buying knives like crazy. Prices weren't too bad so I bought more. Then even more. Then I bought some more. The next thing I knew, I owned a bunch of knives that I realized I would never use. Most of them were just "OK" quality. Nothing to write home to Mom about. I had a lot of cool knives that would not meet my needs.

Today, I suggest slow down, buy less and enjoy more. Here's what I mean. If you purchase lots of knives in a short time, you never really get to use and enjoy each knife to it's fullest. Purchase one knife and use it for a while...say, one, maybe two weeks. If you truly hate it, kick it to the curb. You should know if you like it or not within that amount time. Maybe even less time than that.

You still have it? If so, use the knife. Really use it. Get to know it. Use it as your go-to knife for about three months. By then you should have an idea as to why it is still in your collection and if it should really stay there. Carry it longer if need be. What do you like about it? What do you hate about it? Why is it still around? What is keeping it at your side? What knife has it replaced and why? What makes this knife better than the one it replaced? What will it take to kick this one out of your pocket? Is the new knife you are considering as it's replacement really that much better?

Do something like this with every knife and don't purchase a similar knife during the three months. When you do buy another, make sure the old one finds a new home.

What you will end up with is a small modest sized collection of knives. They will be of better quality and you will have better knife skills. More importantly, your small collection of knives will be something you love. And your wallet will thank you, too.

Personally, I am more impressed by a well thought out, purpose driven collection of 6-9 knives (or less) than a huge pile of knives.

 

[22-rimfire]

...You still have it? If so, use the knife. Really use it. Get to know it. Use it as your go-to knife for about three months. By then you should have an idea as to why it is still in your collection and if it should really stay there. Carry it longer if need be. What do you like about it? What do you hate about it? Why is it still around? What is keeping it at your side? What knife has it replaced and why? What makes this knife better than the one it replaced? What will it take to kick this one out of your pocket? Is the new knife you are considering as it's replacement really that much better?

Do something like this with every knife and don't purchase a similar knife during the three months. When you do buy another, make sure the old one finds a new home.

What you will end up with is a small modest sized collection of knives. They will be of better quality and you will have better knife skills. More importantly, your small collection of knives will be something you love. And your wallet will thank you, too.

Personally, I am more impressed by a small well thought out collection of 6-9 knives (or less) than a huge pile of knives.

Finding a new home is the weak point as I have only sold one knife to date and it went for a lot more than I paid for it. I didn't really want to sell it, but I felt I wasn't using it and the buyer was a collector. So, I sold the knife. I'm more of an accumulator versus a collector.

If your collection are knives that you use, go slowly and don't buy gobs of blades all at once. Just buy one or two and use them for a while. Then buy your next one or two.... you will develop a general preference and again if using the collected (vs accumulated) knives is your purpose, I would follow my developing experience with knives as to what you like and what you like less. I generally like most knives, but liking is not enough to get me to use them. Again you have to focus on your purpose and let that guide you.

 

[sabre cat]

...I generally like most knives, but liking is not enough to get me to use them. Again you have to focus on your purpose and let that guide you.

You are spot on, my friend.

When considering a new knife, I ask myself what does a new blade offer that I don't already have? Better steel, better ergonomics, customer service, etc.. Most of the time my wallet stays closed and the shop owner keeps his knife.

I think it has been a couple of years since I purchased a new knife. There is all sorts of gear on the market that I like but very little that I really want. Even less that I can justify. I am pretty happy with what I own. Everything would be fine if I never ever purchased another folding knife.

But, I saw this axe...

 

[blade003]

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.

Hello - returned from holiday! In answer to your first question, simply find them interesting - I like in the UK and with the rise in knife crime of recent I won't be carrying one, so simply for display and for something cool to collect really! I have always loved collecting things, and also currently collect masks from horror films so wanted something else to obsess over too
I'll have a look at kult of athena, that sounds great, thank you!

 

[blade003]

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 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.

I'll get back to you on this one! Currently most knives are appealing to me, other than swiss army knives and pen knives and knives that essentially are made for practicality :')
Found this picture online and really liked the look of the top one and the scorpion ones - any thoughts on where I could find ones like these, and if they'd be of decent quality?

 

[blade003]

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

Thank you for so many resources! Will have a look at those youtubers now.

 

[blade003]

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.

Thanks for the advice!! Any suggestions of where to find sheaths that attach to the leg/thigh?

 

[blade003]

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!

Been having a look at ZT knives - think I might do the same as you and go with one of these initially!
Thanks for the tip

 

[blade003]

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.

Thanks for validating my reasoning behind collecting knives hahaha! Was concerned I might come up against some hostility for it!!

 

[marcinek]

Thanks for validating my reasoning behind collecting knives hahaha! Was concerned I might come up against some hostility for it!!

No problem! I saw your pic that you posted and I think they are butt ugly knives.

You should not care.

Buy what you like.

 

[Dry-cell]

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.

The Victorinox SAK Fieldmaster is even better, it has a saw added to it.

 

[blade003]

No problem! I saw your pic that you posted and I think they are butt ugly knives.

You should not care.

Buy what you like.

Hahahaha each to their own!

 

[Dry-cell]

If your new into knives I strongly suggest downloading product manuals (if available), from each of the companies your interested in. It's a great way to compare one knife to another, and you have all the specifications you need in one place. You can even request a printed copy to be sent to you by mail.

 

[marcinek]

The Victorinox SAK Fieldmaster is even better, it has a saw added to it.

That certainly is an excellent knife. Not quite sure it is applicable to our new friend who is looking for

...
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

though.

 

[PirateSeulb]

If you can or get a chance attending something like BladeShow is great so many pretty and sharp things to handle.