Tips for beginner collector

R

Rebel37

Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
11
Hey.
I'm a new collector. I've always had several knives for work and personal use, but I have just started looking at collecting seriously.
I'm plannign on two collections at the moment. One that is mroe eclectic for the decorative and unusual knives and the more serious collection for both American Civil War and American West. My one piece of my collection is a knife set displaying four famous indian chiefs and warriors.
I am looking at mostly knives and possibly swords for my Civil War collection. I'm on a college student budget so I'm somewhat limited so I am looking particularly for items that are valuable yet affordable. I have looked on SMKW.com and a few spots on ebay and amazon.
So my major questions are:
1. What kind of knives/swords should I look for?
2. What are signs/products to avoid?
3. Where are some places to purchase for my collection?
4. Best advice to give to a beginner?

Thanks in advance!
 
Welcome. Some advice.

1) If you looking into getting actual antique Civil War and knives and swords...don't. That market is crawling with fakes. You need to be a real expert to get into it.
2) Nothing, by definition, is "valuable yet affordable"
3) Don't expect knives to go up in value.
4) Figure out what you like. Historically inaccurate reproductions...whatever...it really doesn't matter as long as you like it. Then buy it. Then buy some more like it.

And if you want a "Western" knife buy some Green River or Old Hickory knives...that's exactly what they actually used.
 
I would say learn as much as possible about the type of knives that interest you. With most production knives if you buy what you know you like you can't go far wrong, but if you are looking to collect in an expensive area like civil war material then even more important to learn before you buy. Look at Bernard Levine's sub-forum here, he has a sticky there on how to immunize yourself against fakes. A little knowledge can save yourself from a VERY expensive mistake. If you are just wanting to get reproductions then that's much easier and cheaper.
 
Words to live by:
Quality over quantity. It's better to have 1 or 2 really good knives, than a drawer full of garbage ones.
 
Ditto on the above advice. There are more Civil War knives and swords out there today then were in existence during the war. Assume it's a fake and you'll be right more times then not.
On collecting I was influenced by a guy on this forum, who wrote that he had added up the amount he had spent on cheap knives and realized he could have had a Sebenza. Read the reviews, check out the Exchange, get a feel for what you really want & go big or go home. If this means buying one really good piece a year, so be it. By the time your 40 you'll have a collection you'll be proud of and not just a bunch of crap.
 
RevDevil said:
Words to live by:
Quality over quantity. It's better to have 1 or 2 really good knives, than a drawer full of garbage ones.
Click to expand...

To the op, listen to this gentleman I quoted above. Less truly is more....wish I learned that years ago on all my collecting.
 
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I know I can't afford the authentic so reproductions seem like the way to go.
One of my big concerns is like RevDevil said. I'd rather have a few good pieces than a drawer full of garbage.
 
Buy what you like and what resonates with you not whatever people tell you to buy. I would also have added that you should give everything a fair chance before making your mind up on it but I doubt you'll run into that if you're collecting for historical purposes.
 
Yeah, that's what I'm tryin to do. Particularly why I joined the forum so I could get a wider range of opinions Since I have an idea of what I'm looking for. that's like I've been looking around for cavalry sabers. I've found two that interest me, but I'm still searching around since it'll be a while before I actually make the purchase. I actually posted a topic in the swords forum for it.
 
Rebel37 said:
1. What kind of knives/swords should I look for?
Click to expand...
Whatever interests you. A certain brand, a certain style, a certain material...

2. What are signs/products to avoid?
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Avoid low-quality imports.
I'd also stay away from highly decorated "commemorative" knives; I'd rather have a Barlow knife that's maybe sort-of similar to what people carried in the 1860s than a display knife with cheesy etchings all over the blades. Know what I mean?

3. Where are some places to purchase for my collection?
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I see many frontier-themed or rustic-themed knives listed in the For Sale By Maker area at BladeForums. Not too expensive either - some would be suitable for a college-kid-working-in-the-cafeteria budget (been there, done that). Rick Lowe is one maker in particular that I think you'd be interested in.

4. Best advice to give to a beginner?
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1) Keep your knives in new unused condition if you intend to keep them as long-term collectibles.
2) Keep the boxes, paperwork, and whatever accessories intact.
3) Take security into consideration when deciding how and where to store knives. Parents' house, locked trunk, etc.
4) Keep records.
 
Welcome to the party,

My suggestion is to buy what you like. If you really like it, then someone else will like it, and it will retain it's value as long as properly stored. I keep mine in a Ziplock Freezer bag and stored in a dry gun safe in a cool basement and using a little Breakfree CLP on the knife as needed, which is very rarely.

If you are getting up in the tens of thousands knife collecting budget area only buy those made by famous bladesmiths. I'm assuming you are not in this category or you wouldn't be asking the questions.

Enjoy! The varieties are infinite!


QueenMountainMan3LCocobolo003.jpg
 
RevDevil said:
Words to live by:
Quality over quantity. It's better to have 1 or 2 really good knives, than a drawer full of garbage ones.
Click to expand...

This is important. Also, it doesnt have to be a drawer full of garbage, it could be a drawer full of useless redundant ones that you really have lost interest in. Luckily I realized this quick/early and only had to auction a handful.

You are no doubt going to want to invest in a sharpening rig, plan wisely and if you have those useless drawer knives, save a couple to practice with! Sharpmaker is a safe bet to start with unless you will freehand.

Enjoy like I did bro!
 
GatorFlash1 said:
Welcome to the party,

I keep mine in a Ziplock Freezer bag and stored in a dry gun safe in a cool basement and using a little Breakfree CLP on the knife as needed, which is very rarely.

Yeah. I'm looking for a glass dispay case where I can show them off.
Good advice on the sharpener, although the knives won't be used so it probably wouldn't be very necessary for the displays. I've got a few knives I keep on me and I've got just a simple quick sharpener for those. I usually have at least 2 or 3 on me at all times. I feel naked without them lol. At least one folding in my side pocket and a remington case knife in my back pocket with my wallet.
Click to expand...
 
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