What kind of "collector" are you?

I don't think that many serious collectors can afford to use their knives, or even if they could, it would be impractical. I'm into "custom" Microtechs and antique folders. If I carry a damascus Nemesis, I devalue it to such an extent that I might as well never have bought it. Same goes for a hundred-year-old pocketknife; it would be a crime to use it. With rare knives, I believe that we have a "caretaker obligation" to preserve them. Accumulating a drawer full of used regular production knives is one thing, collecting rarities is different. I buy what I like, but at the same time, I look for knives that will hold their value or even increase over time. I draw the line at about $400 for a using knife. Any more then that, I keep it pristine. I can't afford not too.
 
I wish my income was matched to my desire for new knives. I use everyone I purchase. But I must admit that some I use less than others.

Bob
 
Most of my knives are around the $125 price range. I don't cut with them much, but that is just because I don't have the need to. I do, however, carry them, one or two at a time, in my pockets. Should the need arise, I would use them.

I used to simply line up the boxes they came in, and plop the knives on top of their prospective box, nothing ceremonious.

Just recently I purchased a display case for my knives. Why let them collect dust when they're not in use? I also clean them with a silicon cloth before they go in the case.

This does not mean that I'm a collector, as I have no immediate intention of selling any of my knives.

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"All of our knives open with one hand, in case you're busy with the other"
<OVAL OFFICE JOKE>
 
I am the worse type of knife collector...

A BROKE one!!!!
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kid in a candy shop syndrome....so many choices but not a penny to mine name.
 
Interesting and, for me, a somewhat timely quetion. Last night, on impulse, I dragged my small collection out and layed them out, display-style. I proceeded to stare at them for a time hoping to discover some rhyme or reason for why I bought what I did.
I noticed a tendency to want to buy several knives in the same "line." For instance, if there's a "mini" than I'll probably have the "maxi" as well; or, for instance, I have one each of the sizes within the CRKT M16-series. I have tantos and drop points and clip points and spear points, etc. etc., $19 and $400 knives One or two I have used but most I can't bring myself to mar, not because it would decrease their potential re-sale value, but because of my post-military obsession with "shiny"
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. I have the Franklin Mint (please forgive me) Vietnam commemorative series; not because they are quality cutlery but because I was there.
What I noticed most is that there is no "theme" to the collection, accumulation, whatever. I am new at this hobby and I have been mostly influenced by this forum and what the pursuit of information has "informed" me I should own. Some of my original purchases I have come to regret (live and learn). After pondering all of the above and more, I concluded that for me, the activity of "collecting" is merely a vehicle for me to participate in a very interesting and satisfying past time. I guess, for now, that defines the kind of collector I am. It will be interesting to take stock again in a year or two. I don't expect I'll say the same things
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This question got me thinking, why do I like knives? I think that I'm a user collector, meaning I try to buy one knife of every useable kind in case I need it. I have a tanto, a clip point, a spear point. Serrated full, partially and not at all. Folding knife, fixed knife. It seems like I try to get one knife of every type I guess, so if I need say, a 4 in folder, all serrated, then I have it. Or if I need a 6-7 in part serrated knife, I have it. I usually won't buy 2 of a real similar knife, say a Ka-Bar next Generation, then go and get a SOG Government, they're similar design.
 
I collect mostly high end so these are never used! I am a maker so I can readily make a using knife. I do own many pieces (not high end) that I will and do use.
Dave Ellis, ABS, M.S.

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I keep to factory folders to use and custom fixed-blades, some to use, others to admire(B&B knife). Right now the budget is empty, but soon more!
Aaron

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amacks@nist.gov
Don't forget to pay your taxes...they eventually become my knives:)

 
As I've heard others already say, I, too, am a knife accumulator. I don't say, I need such and such knife next. I usually am an impulse buyer. I do look for a bargain before making any purchase, though, but sometimes I just compare to the last place I saw the knife.

I mostly purchase to use, but some knives are just too "pretty" to cut anything with. I like to show them off and will carry them along with another user. I have been known to have four knives on me at one time. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem.

As I can't afford anything over $150 yet, I probably won't be collecting for resale-for-profit reasons for a few years at least, but that doesn't mean I don't want to. It sure would be nice to have a MT Dragonslayer, or other custom "art" knives someday.

For now, I'll just keep accumulating. Hey, knives are cool. What more reason do you need?

Daniel D.
 
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