Many many moon ago I had a stupidly large collection of pre-war Boker knives and razors. I sold them all and really don't regret it at all. Same with the Swiss watches, and Winchester Lever guns, I enjoyed them and then passed them along to another steward.
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Thinking about selling nearly all my knives. Anyone get that far out of collecting? How did it go?
- Thread starter Dadpool
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I've given away a few dozen knives over the years and still have a couple hundred of them (I've bought a lot since the picture below was taken), despite slowing down knife purchases to a trickle in the last two years. I've never sold a knife though, because how can you sell your children, without knowing if they'll go to a good home. I've made arrangements for my knives to go to good homes when I die, but been careful to say nothing about it to the person inheriting the vast bulk of the collection... 
I try to use and appreciate my sharp and pointy things as much as possible, by rotating knives staged at my desk for grab and go, having knives always handy at work stations inside and outside, and making the time to take out my knife collection to look at from time to time.
I try to use and appreciate my sharp and pointy things as much as possible, by rotating knives staged at my desk for grab and go, having knives always handy at work stations inside and outside, and making the time to take out my knife collection to look at from time to time.
SwissHeritageCo
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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The only kind of knives I've ever collected were puukkos. I've definitely sold a few that I later regretted selling. Wish I still had them, even if I didn't use them... admiration has it's own value. Fortunately for me, I find very few folders attractive so I don't collect them. I'm only after 5 "ideal" folders and then I'm done, I'm currently two down with three to go.
But these days my appreciation comes from a combination of utility, design, and value as a tool. This puts me on the more budget side of things since I never really use my more expensive knives... so it's a win win. There is something weirdly satisfying about using a well designed tool that you purchased for good price.
Saying all of that, if I was a wealthier man I'd likely have a bunch of expensive knives and never part with them unless I needed the funds for different knives that I liked better I'm a firm believer that knives are therapeutic and that the appreciation for them hearkens back to the days of sharp stone tools.
But these days my appreciation comes from a combination of utility, design, and value as a tool. This puts me on the more budget side of things since I never really use my more expensive knives... so it's a win win. There is something weirdly satisfying about using a well designed tool that you purchased for good price.
Saying all of that, if I was a wealthier man I'd likely have a bunch of expensive knives and never part with them unless I needed the funds for different knives that I liked better
I'm a firm believer that knives are therapeutic and that the appreciation for them hearkens back to the days of sharp stone tools.Bigburly912
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My perspective…. Long read.
I am 39 years old. I see so many people my age and younger wasting things and really just not giving a crap about the old days and old ways so I kind of feel like if i can hang on to older or handmade tools/stuff maybe my kids will gain and interest in it and keep it going when im gone.
As far as MY things, i dont care if they keep them or sell them or whatever but id love to instill in them at least a little bit of the concept that years past matter and the struggles and trials of the older generations were real and everything used was loved and cherished.
I grew up poor, really poor so i started working as soon as possible in the neighborhood and held 3 jobs in high school and played sports to help mom pay the bills. Now i can afford a lot of those things from the 70s 80s 90s and earlier i would have loved to have had growing up and i just appreciate that older craftsmanship. Thats where my collecting comes from, just an appreciation really. Yall take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
I am 39 years old. I see so many people my age and younger wasting things and really just not giving a crap about the old days and old ways so I kind of feel like if i can hang on to older or handmade tools/stuff maybe my kids will gain and interest in it and keep it going when im gone.
As far as MY things, i dont care if they keep them or sell them or whatever but id love to instill in them at least a little bit of the concept that years past matter and the struggles and trials of the older generations were real and everything used was loved and cherished.
I grew up poor, really poor so i started working as soon as possible in the neighborhood and held 3 jobs in high school and played sports to help mom pay the bills. Now i can afford a lot of those things from the 70s 80s 90s and earlier i would have loved to have had growing up and i just appreciate that older craftsmanship. Thats where my collecting comes from, just an appreciation really. Yall take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
DeadPineKnives
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Honestly I used to have quite a few but sold almost all of them to fund knife making tools, lol.
Flatsman007
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Do whatever makes you happy and fulfilled. Good luck with whatever you decide. The only .02 I have to offer.
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I recommend hanging onto your current collection and just hold off on buying for a while. If you still feel the same way in a month or two, then downsize a little bit. I went through phases where I wanted to get rid of modern folders and start collecting traditionals, or keep a couple knives I really liked and get rid of the rest. Of course, I would eventually catch the knife bug and start buying them up again.
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My suggestion is to move very slowly. I’ve thought about selling some over time as I like the idea of a small, but meaningful collection, but after 40 years of this hobby, I’ve only ever sold one knife. It was one I never really carried or connected with and I did not regret it.
I like the three bucket idea. Maybe select and try living with the knives you’d keep in your small collection for at least a year or two. Sell the knives that you know you won’t use or don’t like. Store the rest and revisit in a year or two.
I’ve done this every time I think about selling and I always find some reason not to. On the other hand, I’m prepared to quickly make the choices if I need to.
I like the three bucket idea. Maybe select and try living with the knives you’d keep in your small collection for at least a year or two. Sell the knives that you know you won’t use or don’t like. Store the rest and revisit in a year or two.
I’ve done this every time I think about selling and I always find some reason not to. On the other hand, I’m prepared to quickly make the choices if I need to.
BD_01
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I came in to say more or less the same thing.
Like some others, I’m an accumulator more than collector.
I really like what I’ve collected. Most of it stays stored away, with an Endura in my pocket and Pac Salt in my Kayak.
But my accumulation still brings me joy and I have room to keep ‘em, so it stays around.
With regards to accumulation and aging, my Dad is almost 88 and just bought a 55 Chevy hot rod. Why? Because he can afford it and it brings him joy. I’m flying to see him later today to help clean the garage so he’s got a place to keep it. Lol!
Find joy in the journey, I guess.
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I have favorites which always get more carry time or use than others. I have started getting rid of some I simply do not use. I have some I can’t imagine not having.
If a knife has sentimental value, or cannot be replaced- think hard before selling.
If you are going to sell, do so when you don’t need the money.
If a knife has sentimental value, or cannot be replaced- think hard before selling.
If you are going to sell, do so when you don’t need the money.
eveled
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Oh boy! Treasure the time you spend with him and please post pictures of the car.
I would give anything to be able to clean a garage with my Dad.
Sold 166 knives, 2018-2020 = 90% on forums, the rest on ebay. Mostly factory but a few were rare and some customs.
When all is said and done I actually made a whopping $1300 .
Now only 150 to go.
Good pictures, otherwise it looks like your hiding something.
I never took paypal, but that would be easier. I hear PP sides with the buyer if anything comes up. regardless.
USPS flat rate is easy.
When all is said and done I actually made a whopping $1300 .
Now only 150 to go.
Good pictures, otherwise it looks like your hiding something.
I never took paypal, but that would be easier. I hear PP sides with the buyer if anything comes up. regardless.
USPS flat rate is easy.
There are several that I would not miss and the funds could go to something else but I hate shipping stuff and don't want the hassle of selling so I continue to accumulate.
They don’t take up much space either so I am just not motivated.
I had a boss whose hobby was buying and selling guitars (mainly used but fairly high end). He had close to 100 at any given time between his home and an entire room at work. Once he sold his business he had to get climate controlled storage.
They don’t take up much space either so I am just not motivated.
I had a boss whose hobby was buying and selling guitars (mainly used but fairly high end). He had close to 100 at any given time between his home and an entire room at work. Once he sold his business he had to get climate controlled storage.
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I heard some good advice a long time ago: Don't ever love anything that doesn't love you back.
Life is about growth and change, embrace it.
I got rid of lots of knives years ago. I never had a giant collection... 30-50. I began to wonder why I had so many knives just sitting in drawers, they never got used, never needed to be sharpened. Sold the ones that were worth a hundred dollars or more otherwise I didn't feel it was worth the hassle. Gifted others. I've bought two knives in the last five plus years. One in magnacut because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The steel isn't anything particularly special. I don't abuse my knives or have trouble with rust, but I wanted a small fixed blade to carry in the yard. Mission accomplished.
Another just recently while I was on vacation. I've wanted to try out a Spyderco Manix for years and decided to get one as a souvenir on our recent trip to Maine. (Much better souvenir than a t-shirt.)
I've got three I haven't used in awhile sitting in a drawer, those will go to my son next time I see him. He uses them, keeps what he likes or finds useful and then gifts the rest to people he works with.
Sometimes you need to realize, you don't own the stuff, the stuff owns you.
Good luck.
Grizz
Life is about growth and change, embrace it.
I got rid of lots of knives years ago. I never had a giant collection... 30-50. I began to wonder why I had so many knives just sitting in drawers, they never got used, never needed to be sharpened. Sold the ones that were worth a hundred dollars or more otherwise I didn't feel it was worth the hassle. Gifted others. I've bought two knives in the last five plus years. One in magnacut because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The steel isn't anything particularly special. I don't abuse my knives or have trouble with rust, but I wanted a small fixed blade to carry in the yard. Mission accomplished.
Another just recently while I was on vacation. I've wanted to try out a Spyderco Manix for years and decided to get one as a souvenir on our recent trip to Maine. (Much better souvenir than a t-shirt.)
I've got three I haven't used in awhile sitting in a drawer, those will go to my son next time I see him. He uses them, keeps what he likes or finds useful and then gifts the rest to people he works with.
Sometimes you need to realize, you don't own the stuff, the stuff owns you.
Good luck.
Grizz
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How many knives do you plan to sell off? I was never really a "collector" of anything. I chose my knives and firearms based upon what I need. If you have a valuable collection, you may want to have it appraised before making any decisions to sell or trade.Currently feeling the winds of change blowing through my life and thinking about paring back my daily carry options to like five or six knives, plus thinning the purpose-specific knife herd for good measure.
For carry options, I'd keep something along the lines of 3-4 modern folders (one medium "does it all," one lightweight, one rustproof serrated, one medium flipper just for fun) and two slipjoints (one Barlow, one SAK).
Even though I've had a scaled-down collection for the past several years, this degree of scaling down would be a first for me. If you've done something like this, how'd it work out for you? Any tips on avoiding regrets?
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Wow, I thought I had a decent bunch of knives. Some of you go all in!
I was a fishing addict. Poured all the disposable income into that fruitless hobby. Not much left for knives.
Out of all the junk I would sell, knives are not on the list. Most were gifts except my automatics. They’re not going anywhere, except in my pocket.
I was a fishing addict. Poured all the disposable income into that fruitless hobby. Not much left for knives.
Out of all the junk I would sell, knives are not on the list. Most were gifts except my automatics. They’re not going anywhere, except in my pocket.
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I did this over the past year. My needs changed....I got older and did an honest re-assessment. My humble collection is now a few custom SAK's, A couple of GEC and Case Bose knives, a few Spydercos for hard use, and a couple of Spartan Harsey folders for fun & pride of ownership. I feel they are making some of the best USA made knives these days, and prefer them to current CRK.
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