Starting to come around...

K

kevins73cigars

Joined
Feb 24, 2006
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I've been feverishly buying pocket knives for the past two years with some half-baked idea that they were going to be an investment... Something recently shifted in my attitude and I am beginning to get alot more enjoyment out of my two favorite hobbies - so I thought I'd share it here. I no longer give a crap about resale values in regard to my Schrade collection or about getting the best cigar I can for the lowest price. I like Schrade pocket knives and Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur cigars because they both do what they're supposed to do. I know this is a stupid thing to post, but I am starting to understand that money - or the aquisition of more and more stuff - isn't what gives you solice or any real pleasure. I'm going to collect Schrade's because I like them - have since boy scouts. I'm going to smoke big cigars because I like them - and because they keep mosquitos and naggy women away - bonus! Also would like to mention that I recently added a 12OT to my shirt pocket - what a great little knife! I was at a bar-b-q with a bunch of relatives last weekend and I must have used the little bugger 20 times! Everthing from cutting balloons that were tied to the tent (for the kids) to opening hot dog packages... It's awesome. Feels like your pocket is empty, but everytime you need it, it's in there. Perfect everyday carrier!
 
I have never collected knives for their value. One, because I can't afford the "collector" grade knives. But also, because I don't really care about knives for their monetary value. I am much more happy collecting what I like, and preserving history in my own way.

I also happen to think that knives, like guns, are under attack by the PC crowd. It will someday be illegal to show a pocket knife in public, IMO.

I want my son to have something to look back on.

Glenn
 
I couldn't have said it better glenn. I can't afford collector grade knives either, I just like them, I use them. I don't really like to have a "mint" knife, becuase I am afraid to use it. I like to collect knives that I can put into service if need be.
 
kevins73cigars,

Good choices in knives and cigars...:thumbup: :thumbup:

I happen to like Padron 3000s in maduro. And I still haven't figured out what/why I'm collecting the knives I have...but, I'm having a hell of a good time with both!!

Glenn, you've certainly done quite well, as you have some beauties in your collection. :thumbup: :cool:

Bill
 
I guess I can afford the odd collector grade knife because I don't smoke! However I know the joy of a good cigar, as that used to be my reward for a hard day's work about 25-30 years ago, along with a snifter! I got paid also:D
Fewer women and no cigars these days; but the occassional knife makes me a happy old f++t ;)
 
Kevin, I was curious if you picked up your taste for cigars in the boy scouts also?
 
One objective does not preclude the other. Schrade employees were offered a chance to buy a dozen schrade double ( automatic ) knives in the box in 1956 when Schrade stopped making them, for 13 dollars a dozen in a dozen box. The original box would bring hundreds . the knives in the box unused 3 to 5 THOUSAND. Hind site, my family lived in Walden in the time. It just wasent important and after all 13 dollars was a lot of money. However those little doubles 50 years ago were no big deal. ( one hardware store in town sold the seconds in a goldfish bowl for 10 to 25 cents a piece ) No the reason to collect knives especially mass produced plastic or delrin knives does not seem to me to be a major immediate investment alternative . But rather the same draw that makes a smart verile 10lb big mouth bass bite on a colorful bit of plastic and wood. You see he liked it and was drawn to it. Perhapes that same analogy is why colorful knives sell. If you like something I feel you should have it for many years that thirst for me was impossible to quench. the 8-OT is perhapes the most common Schrade knife pattern and is and will be available for many years ( from original Schrade production of millions) however in smooth real bone it is a rarity. and its monetary value is considerably more than a regular version yet I have seen these sold in the same venue and for the same money as a regular version due to the sellers and buyers lack of knowledge of the subject. Knowing the subject is often predicated of neccesity, from a natural desire for the object.

The natural progression of any field of collectables is desire and then understanding of the subject once there is interest and study hense ( I wuv that word ) there is a market and an enlightened and intelligent understanding of the subject. ( example) To buy one OT knife as a user is one thing, to buy 10 different OT knives only whets the desire to own an example of them all. Then of course there is the UH line and then the older Schrade Waldens and Schrade Cuts. Often if you buy small collections there will be an odd imperial or cousin of the Schrades this is like a taste of a new and exotic drug leading to an addiction to these items. The good part I have found is that no matter where these items sit on the monetary ladder this knowledge and desire eventually causes it all to rise in financial value to various degrees. I recently posted a poem about Schrade addiction I chuckled when I wrote it because I knew the response would be that this guy is nuts ( a correct assumption ) never the less it stands as fact.

How much these items appreciate in actual value is the same as the stock market or any other field of investment your financial success is dependent upon your knowledge of the subject and prices will reflect that upon the understanding of the consumer. That is why I wrote my book ( so that dealers would stop ripping off people who had no idea of what some automatic knives were worth.) It is why I sell and give brochures and material away to inform the public of the items which were available and further understand the subject. People like Micheal ( Codger ) or Larry, IRV serve a a great purpose in letting people know what was available. Bobs book on OT and UH also is invaluable. A strong market and a growing market is determined by an informed market. It is time to understand that a pearl is worth more than a fishook which was the price in the south seas at one time. No do not buy to make money, at least until you understand what you are doing. However do not be surprised if one day you may find you bought a pearl for a fishook.

As far as passng items down that of course is dependent upon the people who you desire to leave them to frankly what I have found is that. Unfortunately these items are usually sold for pennies on the dollar by those who receive them. Of course that is not always the situation many familys ( I guess ) treasure them as family heirlooms. Frankly if there is no family interest and you have the time you might want to liquidate to collectors who care about these pieces and will treasure them as well as pay a fair price. Which (money) usually is more appreciated by heirs than are the artifacts, This is unfortunate but true. I have seen widows picked apart by dealers who make there despicable livings this way.

Regarding this subject (Schrade Knife collecting in fact any knife collecting), please consider me the local pusher, kind of the actual original dracula in a cult of vampires . Yes I do relish these items and this history and if that makes me the original Schrade aholic so be it My goal is to preserve this history and the wonderful americans who created it. Often said knowledge is power and to forget historys mistakes are to relive them. For these reasons I treasure these artifacts.

Collecting these items and making money on them is kind of like walking up to a slot machine and saying I must win. Usually this attitude brings immediate loss, but if you approach the machine and say the hell with it and order a drink figuring that you are just there to pass the time often fortune tends to smile on you. Collecting is often the same.

In conclusion to all of my addicted minions I say learn, buy , oh yes an breed. I have got you now. LT
 
A good rant LT with a lot of good points. I think knife collectors (maybe Schrade collectors in particular, I dunno) go through an evolution of sorts. Some get disillusioned and give it up, a few raw deals, dreams of wealth dashed, whatever, but a lot go through transitions just as you described. I myself have a collection, and I also have an accumulation of oddities that were just too dang interesting to pass up. Most of them were fish hooks, and I didn't give more than a sinker for them, but they added to my knowledge of the knives, and the understanding of how the companies that were Schrade played the markets through the years, and how the skills and creativity of the workers made it possible. How peoples tastes and expectations changed, and how the cutleries changed to meet them. This is, I think, a stage beyond the desire to own one of each.

Thanks, LT.

Codger
 
I read what you guys write, and the passion infects me!! You all LT, Glenn, Phil, Larry (who'd I leave out?) must stare off into the distance a lot, with visions of knives, cutlers, businessmen, your past treasures in grubby denim pockets, floating by. Not that connected to Schrade in past years, but getting there now, I envy you all your long histories.
Here's a little tale of ignorance. I bought a box of Schrades from a sporting goods store here in Vancouver, that was moving. In it were about 20 dusty, slightly shelf-worn Old Timers of various patterns, unused; stockmen, trappers and jacks. The owner thought he'd had them for over 10 years, and this was in 2000, so I guess they were from the late 80's. And there was a small showcase, full, (9 knives?) with IXL's in it, with their boxes in a compartment underneath. I think the serial numbers or something matched. Anyway, fool that I was(am?) I traded them off for peanuts! I thought Schrades were low end knives, and common as pennies. It's not the value, so much as the missed chance to study the history. Thump, thump, the sound of me kicking myself again! I hope you all bought one of those knives on Ebay or something, and enjoy them.I daresay I've learned a lot since then, and it is tuning in to the knife community that has helped.
All the effort you folks put in is IMPORTANT to help fools like me get on the right path. Keep up the good work!!
 
Ah common as pennies I always liked that term . they made pennies in 1800. Those are not to common now. I guess the answer that said it best was from a friend of mine who died in 98 he would say never throw ANYTHING out he was scottish and had the most amazing amount of STUFF one could imagine. He was absolutly correct. I used to taunt him when he flushed the toilet it was all he ever disposed of. I still have empty beer bottles and cans that he would save when empty. I kept them when they cleaned out his house and now they are worth money, amazing. In the future anything made in the USA will be as rare as Jap junk made after WWII. We are rapidly replacing that market of raritys. SARCASM. LT BUY FOREIGN SUPPORT FOREIGN AMERICAN ECONOMY CONTROL AND VOTE FOR HILLARY ( presently only imposed on NYS ) soon to be available NATION WIDE.
 
waynorth said:
I read what you guys write, and the passion infects me!! You all LT, Glenn, Phil, Larry (who'd I leave out?) must stare off into the distance a lot, with visions of knives, cutlers, businessmen, your past treasures in grubby denim pockets, floating by. Not that connected to Schrade in past years, but getting there now, I envy you all your long histories.

All the effort you folks put in is IMPORTANT to help fools like me get on the right path. Keep up the good work!!
Click to expand...

I'll second that!

At 37 I've got a late start but I'll stick with it.

Saint Phil, a personal thanks (again). I just got back from a business trip to waynorth's neighborhood (Vancouver/Coquitlam, BC) and found a little package had arrived. Now the official hunt is on :D .
 
Gravelface - I got my taste in cigars from my Grandfather. He liked Partagas stogies and we'd smell like stogies every time we came home from visiting him... I just like relaxing in front of the TV with a smoke and a cup of coffee.

LT - I think I understand what you're talking about. In fact, while I'm on the subject, I recently learned about the history of my Grandfather's cigars and found out that the maker has since changed the recipe of my Granfather's favorite brand (different wrappers and binders, etc...) and the cigars I've taken as my favorites have an very similiar recipe to the ones my Granfather smoked when he was alive. I'm getting more out of the experience by knowing more about it.

It's the same with the knife collecting. The more I know about the history and what goes into each knife, they greater appreciation I have for the subject and the more pleasure I get from my efforts.

My point of writing that small post was just to let you fellas know that I'm "coming along" and moving on to my next phase of being a Schradeaholic - I'm now in my sophmoric phase where I think I know more than I actually do, but I'm not as clueless as I was two years ago...
 
Kevin,
In the 1980s and up until 1992 I managed a small chain of 3 cigar stores, one of which was mostly cutlery, though we sold knives at all 3 stores. It was great fun to go to the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers Show) and get a years supply of sample cigars. I met a lot of nice people, the Fuente family, of Arturo Fuente Cigars, Ernesto Perez of La Gloria Cubana and a ton of other great folks, all giving me cigars. I also sold knives I would pickup at Al Mar Knives. I would usually have a cup of coffee with Al and leave him a cigar or two. I would also take a few cigars out to Les de Asis at Benchmade Knives when picking up an order. Then we would set around in the shop smoking cigars. This was back in the day when Benchmade had 3 or 4 employees besides Les. All great people! A ton of fun!

I think it was the most fun I ever had while earning a pay check!!!:D :D

Dale
 
How come you didn't stop in, Rupestris?:confused: ?;)
 
There is always more to learn. Many learn by braile because they are blinded by to much information blocking there view. In other words take your time getting there is the fun part believe me I know. Here are a couple of signs from my barroom as you can see some of your hobbies are also favorites of mine. The words in the picture ( top left ) of the pic with the cigar reads MAN HATH NO VICES. LT
 

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waynorth said:
How come you didn't stop in, Rupestris?:confused: ?;)
Click to expand...

I wasn't there long enough. Monday & Tuesday. Flew home Wednesday. We have a training center in Coquitlam. Odds are I'll be back before the year is out. I hope to stay a little longer next time and see the Island. I did get to have a couple Alexander Keiths on Monday. :thumbup: Passed on the Cuban cigars though. I'm content with an M1 Torpedo once in a while. Nothing extravagant, but I like 'em.
 
Perhapes next time you can GIT MO if my assumtion is correct. If so Thankyou from an old warhorse if not lo siento. LT
 
Gotta be a Punch Chateau L in EMS wrapper, picked up at the Tribal Smoke Shop on 95 on my way into Vegas.... Interesting that LT writes about knives and gambling, then talks about fishing.... I kinda see my knife gathering, some might call it collecting (mine is so non-specific, I'm not sure it's a collection), as a combination of my two other passions (besides cigars)... fishing and gambling--they're all three in the same vein. I, too, can't afford "collector's" knifes, so I go searching in yard/garage/moving sales, and flea markets. Sometimes folks have a knife or two out at a yard sale, but when they don't, I always ask if they might have "forgotten" to put them out... or ask in some other way.... on the odd occasion that they say, "Yeah, I think I might have some around here somewhere," and head into the house to look, I get that same rush as when the first two reels of a slot stop on Red 7s, or I feel that tug on my line.... that moment when the this-could-be-the-big-one fist clutches your heart, and all time stops. Fishing, gambling, knife gathering, you just never know what you're gonna get! (I guess sometimes that applies to cigar-buying, too!) I buy to sell (so I can get some nice ones once in awhile) and some of my discoveries I just can't part with end up in my "collection." While I'm kind of a garbage can junky, buying and reselling lots of different makes, I seem to just kinda hold on to the Schrades. I picked up a rusted closed Schrade Walden 881 about 3 weeks ago at a Las Vegas flea market (along with, I know now thanx to LT's book, a Rizuto stiletto).[Being 4 hours from Vegas where my mother-in-law lives makes for 4-5 trips a year; thought I should explain all the references.] Anyway, didn't know the rusted thing was a Schrade, but for a buck I was willing to see if I could get it open and find out just what it was. Turned out to be original unsharpened all three blades, except very tip of master was broken off. After cleaning up, now all have excellent snap. All edges still clean and factory sharp (cut myself on the master when it started functioning right); rust didn't get down that deep... but the rest are terribly pitted. Still, this one's a keeper...gotta be... like knowing that big German Brown is lurking around the other bank and going after him until he bites!.... This evening went back and re-read responses to a question I had about distinguishing Ulster style from Schrade Cut style in Schrade Waldens about 9 months ago... because I wanted to try to figure out which this 881 is. Turns out it was LT who gave the most difinitive answer.... I had forgotten that, who it was that is. About 3 months ago I started reading his book on autos in earnest. Then last month I e-mailed him (from address in the book) about a Bullfighter auto I got at a yard sale (and a Springer I got in Brussels), and he promptly replied with very thorough answers.... I thought that had been our first contact, until tonight when I realized he'd answered my Walden question!! Small knife world, huh?
Barry
 
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