To collect or not collect...

driftless

driftless

Joined
Mar 9, 2012
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59
OK. I inherited a knife collection that appears to go back a few years. It is a long story how this collection came into my possession, nevertheless, it is mine. I have spent the last few weeks identifying most of the knives, matching the sheaths (that were stored separately), and becoming more than a little obsessed with this new world. The original collector passed away years ago and had labeled most of the knives and cataloged them. Unfortunately, none of the paper work wound up with the collection itself. I initially started researching with the idea of simply selling the knives off - either individually or the entire collection. So here is my pressing question. What might some of you tell me about this fascinating world of knife collection that would help me decide whether to sell these off vs hold on to them and enter into what appears to be an endless path. Some of the knives? (in, from what I can gather, excellent to near mint condition) - Loveless, Draper, Fischer, Marbles, Olsen, Schrade, Buck, Cooper, Randall, Morseth, Stone, Gerber, Russel, Seguine, etc.
 

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Thats a nice bunch of sharpened metal you got there. *sweating*
T-They are not all that great... You should just sell me some of those. *fidgeting*
 
Sell them immediately. A passion for knives didn't bring you here. An inherited collection did. The more you research into knives for resale value, the more you may be drawn into them and appreciate them. That can be good or bad. That is a beautiful collection you have there.
 
Good point, DrivebyTrucker. Passion didn't bring me to my wife, either, but here I am 35 years later still madly in love and enjoying the adventure. I am falling into a quandary with these knives...
 
I would first think about the original owner and what their wishes might have been. If they were originally passed down to you, there might have been an expectation that you would keep and enjoy them. If there is no such emotional connection, and you have no interest in collecting, I would sell them off one by one to people that do collect and appreciate a good knife. Then I would use that money on a hobby you do enjoy. Just my opinions. Good luck! You have a nice collection. Continue to do your research, maybe you will end up appreciating them as the original owner once did.
 
You have a nice collection which offers you a unique opportunity to learn about the world of knives and knife collecting whether you decide to keep all, sell some or sell all. Unless you need the money I would keep the knives for now and put them in some kind of display to see if they speak to you. Once they are gone they are probably gone forever and they will be worth at least the same next year.
If I were so 'unlucky' as to inherit such a fine collection I would probably pick a personal top 20 or so to keep for myself and slowly try to sell some of the others for a fair price.
 
Thanks, Gerard
"Unluckiness" comes in many forms... My father was shot down over Rozenburg, Holland during WW2. Captured by the Nazis and taken to Stalag Lufte 3 for the remainder of the war. I took him back to your country in 2005 to the site where he crashed and was captured. You have very fine countrymen! We made some lifelong friends over there.
 
If you have an interest in knives and plan on starting a collection of your own, I wouldn't be in a rush to sell off any of your inherited blades. As you learn more about knives, you'll find your personal tastes change and grow with your knowledge. Some of the knives you have now may not pique your interest right away, but you might just grow to appreciate them as time goes on. No need to be hasty... I'd say hang on to 'em for a few years then decide; it would be far more expensive to buy them back later on.

Good luck! :)
 
driftless said:
Thanks, Gerard
"Unluckiness" comes in many forms... My father was shot down over Rozenburg, Holland during WW2. Captured by the Nazis and taken to Stalag Lufte 3 for the remainder of the war. I took him back to your country in 2005 to the site where he crashed and was captured. You have very fine countrymen! We made some lifelong friends over there.
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Small world, I was born in Heerlen!

I say keep the knives until you learn lots more about them and then decide later. Take a picture of each knife beside it's sheath and create a nice, but post about them. I am sure you'll get a lot of input from folks here and across the web. Especially if you have old Randalls and such. Those things are made out of unobtanium you know. ;)
 
I normally don't post in here, but I happened to come across this thread and felt I should say something.

From seeing what you have, you inherited some VERY nice traditional knives. I'm greedy, and I'm a collector... so if it was me I would keep them in a heartbeat, I'm sure after owning/holding them for a while you will grow to like them and want to keep them unless you are hell bent on selling them. If you are, sell a few, but keep the Randalls in a safe place and wait a few years... their value will SKYROCKET over time and can be good to have to sell in a pinch or pass on.

Whatever brought you here, welcome and enjoy your stay!
 
Wow...

Do you live in the "Driftless" region of Wisconsin?

How badly do you need money right now? Many of those items would catch a fair price in good economic times, especially at auction. If you can hang on to them until such a time, you might make more $$ from sales and that would give you the chance to get to know some of them should the desire strike you. I second the opinion that you could select your favorites to keep and begin by selling those least interesting to you. Do you have friends/acquaintances that appreciate knives? They also make good gifts.
 
Yes.. we live on 134 acres in the Driftless region. WISCONSIN'S well kept secret. My knowledge of knives has always been from a utilitarian standpoint ( hunting/fishing).
 
Then keep a couple and use them. :) But just make sure that if you sell any, you are not screwing yourself over by not knowing what they are. If I passed on and left my whole collection to someone, I would want them to keep what they wanted and let other enthusiasts get a chance to get some of the rare/odd things I have gotten over the years.
 
If I inherited a Loveless, you'd have to pry it from my dead hands. I don't know if you should collect, but I don't think you should get rid of all of them (if any). Unless you want to give some (all) to me :D.
 
haha, a collection many knifenuts wish to have & may never obtain. I think you're off to a very good start/nightmare to financial ruins :p
 
If you have an interest in knives and plan on starting a collection of your own, I wouldn't be in a rush to sell off any of your inherited blades. As you learn more about knives, you'll find your personal tastes change and grow with your knowledge. Some of the knives you have now may not pique your interest right away, but you might just grow to appreciate them as time goes on. No need to be hasty... I'd say hang on to 'em for a few years then decide; it would be far more expensive to buy them back later on.
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Good advice, particularly from Timberweasel.

If somehow I acquired a collection like your's, I'd quickly integrate into my own collection.

You may have already discovered this in your weeks of research, but some things to keep in mind regarding values and collectibility:
Condition is a huge factor when determining value. Don't use, mar, clean, or otherwise foul any of these you might sell in the future.
Another obvious price factor is whether the knives have the correct sheathes, original boxes, and factory paperwork.
When (if) you decide to sell any of them, taking good photographs is key to getting the highest price.

Overall I'd say those knives are very collectible, as in desirable to collectors. Schrade went out of business in 2004, Old Timers have skyrocketed in value, many people collect Buck knives, older Gerber knives are highly sought after, Marbles... Lovelace... Randall... all collectible and in some instances very valuable.

No one can predict what future knife collectors will find appealing.
 
I personally think you'd do yourself a favor by keeping them. Knives seem to hold their value or increase in value over time. As time goes on you may find that you desire collecting them, and you'll be glad you didn't sell.

If you do decide to sell, please sell them on the forums. At least you know they'll go to people who love and care for them!
 
Bob W said:
Good advice, particularly from Timberweasel.

If somehow I acquired a collection like your's, I'd quickly integrate into my own collection.

You may have already discovered this in your weeks of research, but some things to keep in mind regarding values and collectibility:
Condition is a huge factor when determining value. Don't use, mar, clean, or otherwise foul any of these you might sell in the future.
Another obvious price factor is whether the knives have the correct sheathes, original boxes, and factory paperwork.
When (if) you decide to sell any of them, taking good photographs is key to getting the highest price.

Overall I'd say those knives are very collectible, as in desirable to collectors. Schrade went out of business in 2004, Old Timers have skyrocketed in value, many people collect Buck knives, older Gerber knives are highly sought after, Marbles... Lovelace... Randall... all collectible and in some instances very valuable.

No one can predict what future knife collectors will find appealing.
Click to expand...

Driftless, please take note of Bob W.s post above. Especially the part in bold.
Handle the knives, appreciate the craftsmanship, feel the stories they can tell. If you don't get anything out of that then I say sell them. Just my 2cents.
Good luck,
Dan
 
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