Traditional Knife Library

Rockon75

Rockon75

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Joined
Dec 8, 2008
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I am kicking around the idea of creating a "library" of traditional knives. Right now, from time to time we have a "pass-around" thread, but I'm thinking about a place where many more patterns could be made available for a "test-drive" (over time of course). All brands could be represented of course.

The idea is in the initial stages, and based upon feedback here, I would then approach BF and ask permission to create this library for BF members. The reason I've been kicking this idea around is, I find myself having to buy user knives off the exchange, just to see if I like the pattern. Over 50% of the time, I find myself reselling because, I just don't care for the pattern, or it doesn't fit my needs. We just don't have brick and mortar stores on every corner to walk in and get a "feel" for a knife/pattern.

I'd be willing to manage the library. I'm thinking that an inventory would be kept on record and members could reserve a pattern for a week of use. There would have to be some sort of deposit system and a way for me to track, but these are "down-the-road" concerns. I'd also have to develop a means where by the library's inventory belongs to BF or another independent institution. That way when my time is up, the library duties and inventory can be passed on.

For now, I just want to see if the group would use and appreciate such a library.

Thanks,
Josh
 
So this would be the sort off thing where members would "register" knives they are willing to loan out? The recipient would pay postage and get to play with the knife for a week? I kinda like it, especially when it comes to vintage knives, if you are looking for an excellent condition, its hard to drop that cash ,but somebody could lend you a bad condition user thgat you could check out first.
 
Josh, I think this would be a great idea if it could be ironed out.

I would suggest following suit with BF rules. I think they are that you have to be a paying active member with at least a year old membership. I also think the person loaning the knives should not have to pay fees and shipping. I know I would pay a deposit fee and shipping to use an 82 Dixie stockman for a week. (Ive been on the fence with that one for a while now.)
 
Actually the more I think about this I think it is a great idea!

KBA hit the nail on the head with the first most obvious concern of honesty and preventing abuse. Feedback, paid membership, and seniority should be required.

lessee's should be required to pay INSURED postage and can consider a "tip" :D

The logistics of managing an inventory is the tricky part. A thread where people are free to post their collections with an original post that can be update? It would be too large to be practical I think. Imagine a pidly inventory of 250 (if this takes off I imagine a MUCH larger assortment given the genoroosity of the good people on the porch) knives, somebody wonders if the one they are interested is in it. If there is a comprehensive list (which would be cumbersome) somebody could CNTRL-F for the knife assuming it is labeled as their search. That dosnt seem very pragmatic. The alternative is somebody inquires in a thread or to the "curator" of the library and the search is delegated to an administrative position.

A limit to the number of knives a person can have on loan to them should be considered.

I to lament that there is no brick and mortar I can check these things out and have to drop a pretty good chunck off my cash on just trying things!

I really like this idea. I would be willing to put up a a couple dozen of my knives and I'm sure many others would also participate giving us a more comprehensive inventory than stores.
 
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I forsee the knives belonging to the library, through donations/$ raised etc. The library should belong to BF or another institution/independent group.
 
I'm at football and will get back on this thread later. Keep up the words of wisdom.
 
Rockon75 said:
I forsee the knives belonging to the library, through donations/$ raised etc. The library should belong to BF or another institution/independent group.
Click to expand...

I can see that that would be ideal. However, a comunity based lending directory is what I thought you were going with on your first post. I think that is a more realistic goal. But some people have pretty thick wallets and they might contribute to something like this, who knows!

The other issue with a 3rd party ownership is that a lot of people on the porch like GEC. GEC has VERY small runs compared to other manufactures and a large portion of their released patterns can only be had on the secondary market.

I am interested to see how this thread goes!
 
Rockon75 said:
I forsee the knives belonging to the library, through donations/$ raised etc. The library should belong to BF or another institution/independent group.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of that, but when the responsibility passes to another, will the library also need to be shipped to that individual? If this took off a lot of knives would need to be shipped each passing.
 
Maybe, and this is just a thought, one of the bf dealers could hold the knives and allow one of us to manage. That dealer could charge a storage fee if needed. We then send the dealer the deposit fees and shipping funds. Of course this would require that dealer more work on top of their preexisting business.

Just a thought
 
Just my opinion, and not to be negative...
Although a good idea, it sounds like a FULL time job (or 2), and a logistical NIGHTMARE!
Good luck though!
Mark
 
rma100 said:
What about just buyin a knife and stickin it in your pocket?
Click to expand...

This would work great, if we could try it out for a week and then send it back to the dealer minus shipping and stocking fees. As a dealer though you know this will never happen. ;)
 
Over thinkin the whole pocket knife thing. And being a dealer has absolutely no bearing on the conversation.
 
...and by the way, personally, I share Bob's opinion. I don't like borrowing tools. I buy them.
 
I agree, it is possible to over think, but your post did not help carry the conversation of how to build a library. It merely stated to buy one, which in short is why the library would be helpful. The library would save us a few dollars down the road.

Im sorry, but reading a dealer say buy one and not give a suggestion to show a possibility on howto do it, or even show hurdles in the way, is just annoying. However, that is not why I brought up the dealer concept. I brought it up to show how impossible it is to try a knife without paying for it fully, which brings me back to the main reason it was suggested to start a library.
 
KBA said:
This would work great, if we could try it out for a week and then send it back to the dealer minus shipping and stocking fees. As a dealer though you know this will never happen. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, the way some whine, cry, moan, groan, stamp their feet, fall over in shock, and then jump up and down at the least amount of blade play, a minor spec on their bone cover, a scratch on the frame so tiny that it can only be seen with a 20-X magnifier and other imagined things and then send their knives back to a dealer for such nonsense it seems that such a system as described is already in place.

rma100 (Bob) - Thanks for that concept!!! Imagine - go to a dealer (whether in person or on the internet), pick out a knife you'd like, buy it and then actually stick it in your pocket and carrying it without thinking in the back of your mind that you might return it just because you can!!! Thanks for the idea!:thumbup::)
 
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