What makes a knife collectable?

freedoom

freedoom

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What makes a traditional knife collectible? Is it specific brands, models, ages or is it just the "ooohh shiny" factor? I just buy patterns that i like regardless of the manufacturer, age, condition. so what makes a knife collectible to you?
 
Condition and manufacturer. Rarity doesn't mean much if no one wants it or collects it.


Regards

Robin
 
Desirability and personal preference - to which rarity, quality, and visual appeal all play a part.
 
Collectable on a personal level could mean anything, just as long as you like it. But in general, I'd say 1) desirability (maker and pattern) and 2) rarity.
 
Knives are collectible due to their nostalgia primarily for me. A familiarity of an era, or season of life memory that is provoked by the knife manufacturer or pattern makes it collectible for me. That is blended with personal taste. Some like to collect the cheap advertising knives, which have no value at all to me. I always admire a well built tool, so the tools I collect have to be still usable. I do not value a really old knife that is so worn down, cracked up and wobbly that it cannot work. I understand however, that those I just mentioned may be very valuable to others who collect for a different reason. The real answer is highly subjective- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is collectibility.
 
Everyones idea is different, and none are wrong....

For me its mostly age and condition. I have a hard time looking at anything that isn't very old, and was made by the millions as collectible. However, if a person finds a current production knife that they really like, there is no reason not to collect that particular version.

I don't collect patterns, my main focus in the past has been scale material. Mostly red bone Case knives (not current versions :D) and the older Schrade Walden jigged Delrin.



YMMV
 
Quality, quantity (number of knives made), rarity of scale material (there is only so much exhibition grade material out there), desirability. If no one wants it it could be the only one ever made but it wouldn't be collectible.
 
Two criteria I use: If they don't make it any more, and it's never been used.

To interchange "Collectible" and "Valuable" would be a mistake though. ;)
 
For myself, collectible means desirable, available, and affordable. Those terms apply to most people, but the definition will vary widely from person to person. I also collect knives that are not necessarily in my collection profile if they are a bargain, to help fund my obsession.
 
For me, it's quality and condition first, followed closely by rarity.

As far as condition goes, I accumulate and use all kinds of knives, but I've been collecting old and antique slipjoints with their original finishes more or less intact for almost thirty years, and I make sure that they stay that way. As a result, I have quite a few old knives that are roughly five times more valuable than they were when I bought them. If I used them like common knives, I'd be very lucky if they even maintain their original value as collector's items, both monetarily, and more importantly, historically and aesthetically.

I think it's safe to say that if you use the knives in question, you're an accumulator; if you preserve them, you're a collector.

With a few rare exceptions, one of my personal rules of thumb continues to be "if it's made specifically for collectors, it's probably not worth collecting," but YMMV.

Note that a 'collectible' is typically a manufactured item designed for people to collect, whereas a 'collector's item' is made without the intention of special interest, but due to the passage of time, uniqueness, production fault, human error, or other events, becomes sought after for its rarity.
 
I'd say some good words of wisdom coming out of the Ashtray of CA. If you were in the jungle I'd say "Rack him!" :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

+1 on the point regarding knives that were "made for collectors".
 
Thanks, Thawk.

Guess I'll need to log-in a lot more jungle time before I figure out what getting 'racked' means. :o
 
Rick said:

I think it's safe to say that if you use the knives in question, you're an accumulator; if you preserve them, you're a collector.
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That's a good way to put it Rick and it goes along with my thinking.

One thing that nobody has said yet is; Does the knife have a story to go with it? If there were two identical knives sitting next to each other as to condition, rarity, etc. and one had a story to go along with it and the other didn't, I'd take the one with the story behind it.
 
Modoc ED said:
One thing that nobody has said yet is; Does the knife have a story to go with it? If there were two identical knives sitting next to each other as to condition, rarity, etc. and one had a story to go along with it and the other didn't, I'd take the one with the story behind it.
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A sentimental connection is always compelling, but you have to be sooo careful when it comes to old knives or you'll get burned. :(

As Bernard Levine is always saying: "Read the knife, not the story."
 
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Rick said:
A sentimental connection is always compelling, but you have to be sooo careful when it comes to old knives or you'll get burned. :(

As Bernard Levine is always saying: "Read the knife, not the story."
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The heck with "Ole Bernie"!!!!:eek: Like I said; "If there were two identical knives sitting next to each other as to condition, rarity, etc. and one had a story to go along with it and the other didn't, I'd take the one with the story behind it."

Note that I said; two identical knives as to condition, rarity, et.. Once I've determined those factors, the knife with the story gets the thumbs up :thumbup: and will be going home with me.

A lot of times a story will put a premium on a knife or gun.
 
Modoc ED said:
The heck with "Ole Bernie"!!!!:eek: Like I said; "If there were two identical knives sitting next to each other as to condition, rarity, etc. and one had a story to go along with it and the other didn't, I'd take the one with the story behind it."

Note that I said; two identical knives as to condition, rarity, et.. Once I've determined those factors, the knife with the story gets the thumbs up :thumbup: and will be going home with me.
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Sorry 'bout that, Ed :o. I thought about my post afterwards, and I just knew you were gonna call "foul!" for not reading carefully. Guess I've developed a knee-jerk reaction to the whole 'story' thing. It's gotten to the point where I'll just ignore the verbiage unless it's coming from a directly verifiable source like close friends or family. I've heard far too much used-horse BS from knife sellers over the years to take it seriously anymore.

A lot of times a story will put a premium on a knife or gun.
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And a premium price to go with it. (I'd insert a "jerk it" smiley at this point, but they're frowned upon here in folksy land. ;))
 
Rick said:
Sorry 'bout that, Ed :o. I thought about my post afterwards, and I just knew you were gonna call "foul!" for not reading carefully. Guess I've developed a knee-jerk reaction to the whole 'story' thing. It's gotten to the point where I'll just ignore the verbiage unless it's coming from a directly verifiable source like close friends or family. I've heard far too much used-horse BS from knife sellers over the years to take it seriously anymore.



And a premium price to go with it. (I'd insert a "jerk it" smiley at this point, but they're frowned upon here in folksy land. ;))
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Oh hell, I didn't take any offense by your post and I hope I didn't come off as being harsh on my reply as I sure as heck didn't intend to be negative in any way. You're right about premium items bringing premium prices but that's what we've got common sense for. Afterall, a story is just that -- not worth breaking the bank over. I hear ya about the smiley.
 
There is the whole marketing of the manufactures for the Collector
Short run, sprint run, serial #s 50 of 50, only 600, and the Vault....

Why is Case more collectable than other brands?
Will GEC make a collectors market with just 50 serial #s of each knife?
Why does Queen have almost no collecting value?

Online retail price of Barkies for the same knife has increased 150% from a couple of years ago
And online retail price of GEC for the same knife has increased almost 100%
Will this affect the collectablity?

How does using a custom affect its resell price?

Lots of questions ........
 
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