Your collection?

[SchismTSK]

Greetings,

As you could see I rarely post, however, I’ve been frequenting this forum for the past couple years. In fact, my knife collection has been inspired by the information and opinions found within this site. What I've learned are that peoples collections can be a reflection of their personalities; which brings me to a couple questions. First, in your opinion, what constitutes a well-rounded knife collection? I asked this because whenever I break out my knife collection, I’m always asking myself “what’s missing?” I have the large folder, the fix blade, the custom, the tactical, the gentlemen folder, the slip-joint, the high end folder, the beater, etc., etc.

The second question would be “If I where a beginning knife collector, what should be the basics?” What I’m looking for are opinions of which knives and why. What would be a purist’s approach?. What would be a connoisseur’s approach? What would be the hunter’s approach? I ask this because, I’ve read your threads and I know you guys are out there. I apologize for the broadness of the questions. I would like to keep the topic limited to production knives since I know of no noobie that started their collection with an expensive custom knife (but if you're out there, good on you!)

As an example, I believe (as learned on this site) the novice collector should own some, if not all the following knives: a Spyderco clipit (the utility folder), a Vic SAK (the slipjoint/multitool), a Buck 110 (the workhorse), a Opinel (the beater), a Sebenza (the high end folder) and a axis lock Benchmade (the tactical/practical folder). I seriously see this as a Blade forums starter kit. Then again, this is just my opinion.

And to throw a loop, would anyone have any interesting pictures of what they use for an EDC caddy (unless you people sleep with the stuff clipped to your PJ’s,...and I know you’re out there.)

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

 

[ACMarina]

You don't have a fixed blade on your list!! Everybody needs a good fixed blade, for those cases when you're doing something that'd fold even the toughest knife. I've got an old Case, Buck Cocobola Special, Remington Skinner, and a Swamp Rat Howling Rat.

EDC Caddy, hmm, are you thinking of something like this??

That's the Countycomm BOB. It's got all of my "might need" stuff in it. .

 

[ArchAngel]

Welcome to the forums!
IMHO, collecting is such a personal thing that you can't do it wrong. My fixed blade collection centers around the Nepalese Khukuri. That just happens to be the blade design that most interests me. I own more of them that I should even admit to. In the folding blade side I collect mostly tac folders, Ranging from the Sebenza to the BM 630 and the likes of the Madd Maxx and Sifu. I love Mega folders.
I guess what I am getting at is I feel there is no wrong route to collecting.
Find a center of interest or some general direction you want to head towards and have at it! Enjoy the choices you make!

 

[Roodog]

I agree with ArchAngel on this one. Its all about personal choice. Thats what collecting is. We aquire that which we see, like and must have.
I for one, dont own any of the knives you mentioned in your must have list. I have mostly fixed blades of small size, thats what Im into collecting. Recently, Ive developed an interest in extremely small fixed blades with minimal handles (like thumb knif=ves and such) so that has become the focus of my recent aquiring.
I have a few folders that I EDC as beaters along with two small fixed blades but I dont even consider these part of my collection, they are tools I need to have.
My point is that a coin collector that specializes in 50 cent JFK coins is no less a collector than the guy who has a rounded collection of coins from many nations. One's collection does not have to be well rounded to be considered a collection, as long as it brings enjoyment to the collector.

 

[book'em]

3 blade canoe design pocket knives
tactical folders
tactical straight blades
bowie knives
These are the current focus of my collecting, although I'm sure it will change with time. Collect what you like, be it for the maker, design, materials, function or the hundreds of other unexplainable reasons we just got to have 'em.

 

[acastell]

I am very new as well...but, I will say that you did hit on a few knives that represent what many folks on the board consider to be staples. The Sebenza, SAK and the BM axis lock. Each of these items get a lot of bytes in their honor. While these are not the end all be all of knives and others like the Spyderco are heavily touted as well, owning these knive will gain you entrance into a few comminities.

I have a few customs, and love them, but I certainly do not get the same sense of comminity as there are very few folks that have my makers blades.

My production collection consists of:
William Henry
Randall
BM
Vic SAK

Between these 4 brands, I have a lot of fun lurking on the boards. In fact, my purchase decisions were based on data provided by the forumites.

Enjoy and most important, buy what you like. Hopefully, you will find others with similar taste so you can share experiences..

AC

 

[Fool4Blades]

A great Topic, and many excellent points in the above posts!

I started collecting knives as a child, and after 30 plus years have acquired quite a collection. So much so, that in order to justify my ever escalating tastes in knives, I have started selling some of my older pieces. I use to focus mainly on production slipjoints ( Case, Buck, Schrade, Queen, etc...) but have lately gotten more into the Tactical side. Striders, Sebenzas, and Emersons have been my more recent purchases. I still tend to focus mainly on folding knives, as these fit my needs better, but do have several nice fixed blades as well!

The main thing is to collect what you LIKE and can afford, but I would suggest staying away from cheaper knives that have no lasting value, like all the low end tacticals available at Gas stations everywhere! For me, as long as I have a High end folder, a well equipped Victorinox, and a Good MultiTool, I feel like I am prepared for just about anything! Buy the best you can afford, and Enjoy your passion. That is why we are all here!

 

[Bob W]

I've been collecting, or 'accumulating' knives for 25 years, since I was ten. My knife count is up to 130 or so. I only have one of your "must have" knives.

Some people have very fucussed collections. They collect a particular brand, a particular style or pattern, or so-called "collectibles." Although I admire people who have that kind of discipline and determinaiton, I'm not one of them. My accumulation is a wide variety of knives and includes a kukri, military bayonets, folders, hunting knives, one or two 'tacticals', lockbacks, slipjoints, antiques, and high-tech.

But there are certain knife characteristics that are repeated throughout my collection. Knives with unusual mechanisms are always of interest. Several of my knives are first production runs. Many of my knives are no longer being made. If there's a knife brand that I don't already own, their knives are twice as interesting as brands I do own. I definitely prefer natural handle materials. And there's something about a drop-point hunter that cries out to be bought and handled.

There's no right way or wrong way to collect knives. Aggressively collect or casually accumulate, buy what you like, don't shop out of your budget range, have fun, and show them off every chance you get.

Best Wishes,
Bob

 

[Megalobyte]

...don't shop out of your budget range...


Bob

What fun is that?

 

[Hateman]

The answers to most of your questions, as mentioned above, depends entirely on personal choice. To ask 'what's missing' depends on your wants at the time. I say this as some knife collectors have only one type of knife in their collection. For example, a person who collects Victorinox may see 'missing' items as SAK's of differing colors, or SAK's from differing years. He may see not having a tactical folder or fixed blade as missing since he does not find those items of interest. However, that interst can change. I looked at my collection and saw 'missing' smaller blades, such as slipjoints. Another time I saw my collection 'missing' Benchmades. I had been 'missing' Benchmades a while before I noticed, but I never went after them until I actually wanted a Benchmade knife. The point is to get what you want when you want, for what you want, and can afford it; 'missing' being a relative term for a collector.

Speaking of relative, the begginer, to me, should have 2 or three different size, quality made, blades at first. The blades, sizes and styles all are dependent on his wants. Plus, I think he should get a small POS. I say this that the beginner will see a lot of knives as the same, I did. A POS, when compared to quality knives, will show you what is crap and what it is not. An example would be getting a Victorinox and one POS similar to a Vic and comparing the two. A lot of times, a look will tell you quality knives and what you should spend your $$$ on.

Knives of differing sizes will show the right times for the right blade. An overt example is the newbie that EDC's a Skirmish to work in an office or to cut a piece of toast. A knife is a tool; the right tool is needed for any job. Differing sizes can give you a feel of what you're comfortable with and how to use the knife in different situations.

All of this can present some direction as to where you want to go with your collection. In time, that direction, as you have said, will be a reflection of your tastes and thoughts. Then, you can label yourself as the 'purist' or 'conoisseur;' all of it based on what you want. That's one thing that makes the collecting fun. Hope this helps.

 

[dennis75]

personally i started out way wrong when the bug hit me: i first started with a dagger-phase, i bought all kinds of expensive daggers and only fondled them and but them behind glass on display. that was not much fun after awhile, because i realized i was 'missing' about 10000 other daggers, and was on a tight budget....>sold and gave away daggers to my brother.

then i proceeded, still impulsive and undecided, with collecting Al Mar knives. this didn't take long because of the same reason as with the daggers, it would take forever and i didn't have much cash.

later on, still not very smartened up, i just bought whatever i fancied at my local shops, like a kid in a candy store. bought a buck 110, a buck 119, some opinels and some vic's. only the vic's get used occasionally nowadays, but i've learned i prefer multi-tools like LM instead. the buck 110 i gave to my brother and the buck 119 is collecting dust in my knife-bag.

later i bought an leather-handled Estwing axe, because i thought it was necessary to have as a cutlery-fanatic. i've never regretted that purchase thankfully.

then i got into the 'tactical folder -phase'. sere2000's, military's, buck-striders,............

sold most of them and started to think i was nuts. in fact i WAS. i discovered i was more of a user than a collector.

my advice would be this: see if you're the collector-type or the user-type first. then, should you like to collect as well, put the collecting on hold first. start with getting "user-stuff", the kind of cutlery you could and will use frequently. along those must-haves i include the following:

- a multi-tool and/or sak
- a folder
- a fixed blade
- an axe

now start actually using your acquired must-haves and let time tell you what it is you really like in the cutlery-business that you'd like to collect alongside your using. browse the internet and lurk the forums to get some ideas of what appeals to you to collect, and make sure it's 'realistic', in that you can actually afford it without having to live on bread and water every month.

currently i think i'm pretty sorted myself. i got the must-haves and have developed a collecting-interest in appealing Spyderco-folders and various tactical fixed blades.

one additional hint: if you ever get 'carried away' and find yourself ending up in some sort of phase of sudden interest in a particular kind of knife or brand,.......give it some days of sleep and contemplation to see if it's really a good idea.

hope this all makes sense

dennis

 

[gajinoz]

I'm a bit of a fan of small folders. I'm trying to get together a variety of different types of folders.

Spyderco Native, Cricket, Meerkat and Ladybug
Case slipjoint
Beretta
An odd assortment of real cheapies.
Rainbow Chive
Sebenza

I have three custom made fixed blades and a few other fixed blades but my chief interest is in folders.

On my soon to purchase list are Buck Strider Tarani, Griptillian, Strider SnG and I'm also looking for a nice, but not too expensive, custom folder or two.

 

[cpirtle]

I think the discussion of a well rounded collection could contain as many as 75-100 knives. Especially if you break down different blades/edges and their uses.

A knife afficianado's well rounded collection could be much different than a hard use guys collection as well.

The afficianado may want the classics, the knives that started trends or are a part of knife history where the user guy would look for potntially better locks/steel/construction.

My collection consists of 4 categories.

- Fixed blades
- Slipjoints
- Large folders
- Utility tools

Then there are categories within those as well.

All of my knives are or could be potentially beaters because I won't keep them if I won't use them. I buy what I like and for the most part have pieces from most of the major manufacturers and many custom makers. About the only thing I avoid are liner locks and most frame locks but that's not due to a fear of lock failure.

As for storage, I just posted a thread HERE with pictures and a description.

 

[SchismTSK]

Great advise guys! I totally agree with Hateman on having the right size knife for the right size job. That alone pretty much defines my collection. Being a desk jockey, I dare not crack open my more larger size folder just to slice a bagel. That's just retarded............(okay, okay,..I'm not going to lie. I did that once, but thats before the discovery of this site. Now I've seen the light!!)

 

[jim n]

I've been "collecting" for many years, probably 25 or so, and have gone through many phases. I totally agree with the "it's a personal choice" philosophy. I started off as a younger man with any knife I could find, then after picking up a Levine's guide I started on the older knives, Wostenholme, HJ Sears, long tail Case, Schrade-Walden, O.V.B., etc. Then it was on to factory knives, not really users but "collectible" knives, like Case trappers, Remington Bullet knives, etc. Then off to large fixed blades, like the Tigershark (SK5), Tech I, Warner-Moran rio grande bowie, Gerber LMF/BMF, Swamp Rat Battlerat, BK&T, etc. Lately as I use a pocketclip more and more the search has been on the for perfect EDC, it started with a Gerber EZ out, then 440C mini grip, full size D2/S30V grip, small S30V grip, now it's a mini-grip in D2, my current favorite. This all adds up to one hell of a collection, if I do say so myself, around 500 or so. One piece of advice I can give, NEVER sell or trade off any knife that was given as a gift, no matter how crappy. I have received many a knife from friends and family, and have only ever gotten rid of one or two. I wish I had them back.

 

[Gollnick]

First, in your opinion, what constitutes a well-rounded knife collection?

You have to ask yourself what your interest is. Collect what interests you.

My collection is farily large but almost entirely balisong-style knives. Most knife collectors have no balisongs in their collections. So, my collection is very deep in a very obscure style of knife.

There are some collectors who collect almost exclusively a certain brand.

Some people have a collection of knives that they use in the activities they enjoy, perhaps hunting or fishing or climbing. So their knife collection is focused around their other activities.

There are all kinds of collections out there.

As an example, I believe (as learned on this site) the novice collector should own some, if not all the following knives: a Spyderco clipit (the utility folder), a Vic SAK (the slipjoint/multitool), a Buck 110 (the workhorse), a Opinel (the beater), a Sebenza (the high end folder) and a axis lock Benchmade (the tactical/practical folder). I seriously see this as a Blade forums starter kit. Then again, this is just my opinion.

Well, I think I'm a knife collector and I think this pile of stuff I have qualifies as a knife collection but I don't have a Spyderco Clipit (sorry Sal). I've got no SAK. I don't have a Buck 110. There is an Opinel around here somewhere that someone gave me (Why do people buy these things? It's a horrible POS knife.). I've got no Sebenza. But there are a few Axis Lock's around here. I still think I have a collection though.

The point being that there is no list that says you have to have a certain group of knives to be considered a collection. Collect what appeals to you.

 

[Bob W]

jim n says:

One piece of advice I can give, NEVER sell or trade off any knife that was given as a gift, no matter how crappy.

I wholeheartedly agree. Knives that people gave me, whether as a wrapped gift or "Someone left this in my truck, want it?" are definitely keepers. The most 'valuable' knives however are ones I found.

Gollnick says:

There is an Opinel around here somewhere that someone gave me (Why do people buy these things? It's a horrible POS knife.).

I have over 130 knives in my 'accumulation' and the only one I carry is an Opinel. It's kept in my daypack where I always have it for work or recreating. I've worked in the outdoors daily for the past twelve years as an archaeologist and have backpacked extensively. The Opinel does everthing I have ever needed a knife for. It's relatively lightweight, easily replaced (I tend to lose things), it's easy to sharpen, locks open, and is inexpensive. My only complaint, I work in the desert often and it's really annoying when sand gets into the lock ring.

Best Wishes,
Bob

 

[STR]

Most people collect a certain pattern or a certain style of knife. Some like weird lock mechanisms so they zero in on every kind of lock for a folder they can find.

Others like myself are type specific. I like Wharncliff blades and as a result of this I have a lot of Seahorse Whittlers, and Sailors knives with Marlin Spikes and Wharncliff or modified Wharncliff or Sheepsfoot or Modified Sheepsfoot blades on them.

Still others go for handle materials or limited edition and others go for hand made custom knives only, or for one name brand like Randall or or Lyle knives.

No matter what you choose to shoot for the number one thing is always going to boil down to one question. Do you like the knife? If it turns you on seize the day and add it to your collection. If one day you have some of everything but notice there are more of some or one thing that stands out to you it could be you've found your niche. Either way there is no right or wrong in my book. If it is fun and enjoyable go for it.

 

[DaveH]

I haven't seen this mentioned yet so I thought I'd mention it.

You will start moving up the quality scale sooner or later, and it will probably mean your early knives will begin to look different and be used less. My suggestion would be start out with a Ritter grip mini. I think very highly of it, and unless there is a stylistic thing that catches your eye, the grip will give you an excellent measuring stick for quality.

I'm not sure I'd now buy anything "below" it in price or quality, and pretty much anything above it means sebenza range. IMO if you start out there you'll get an excellent knife that won't be easily surpased in functionality, and it will save you money when you don't purchase knives that don't measure up.

Oh and you can try some passarounds, that will help.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Depending on your wants and needs, your collection will take on a life of it's own.

I've started to thin the herd, I got a lot of thinning to do:

My EDCs are usually stored in here:

They used to look like this: