Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on September 4, 2013 at 20:50

Bobby, I say I collect Cattaraugus, Robeson, Remington, KaBar Olean NY, and Camillus 4 Liners. But I have more Case than anything - I like the "get what I like" what feels right at the time, I have a mixture of many brands and I like them all. Be sure to enjoy your pocket knives.

Permalink Reply by Bobby Horn on September 4, 2013 at 20:54

Thanks

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on September 4, 2013 at 20:54

Ken's right. Get what you like. Over time you may find a pattern or maker that you've been drawn to more than others.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 4, 2013 at 21:46

Bobby, You may want to take a look at my web page, "A Pocket Guide To Knives"  It really is geared toward people just starting out.

It won't tell you what to collect because you already do have the right answer  -- that is buy what you like

You might take a look at what you already have and then decide from what you see, the knives you like most.  When it comes to traditional pattern folders, there is no doubt that the most collected knife in America by brand is probably W. R. Case & Son and the most collected pattern is probably the Trapper.  But the Case knives that are going to go up in value is the older ones.   Stag is probably the most popular handle material among collectors.

It took me over 150 knives before I really got a feel for what I like.   If you were to ask me, I'd tell you to collect scout knives.  Hog on the other hand, would steer you toward Stockmans.  Others would swear by Case and others tell you Queen. some swear by Stag and other MOP.  Still others collect Randalls!   But it really is your decision.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on September 4, 2013 at 22:56

I can't really give you any direction. I buy what looks good or looks like a good buy when I see it.It just depends on how much you want to spend. I try to buy as much USA made as possible, but I will buy global once in a while, usually a SMKW house brand because they will warranty what they sell. Rough Riders are excellent knives for the price point. I like Great Eastern, Queen Case and Remington for slip joints. Blackjack, Tops, Condor and Eseei for fixed blades. Benchmade, CRKT, Spyderco and SOG for tactical type knives. I just buy according to mood and finances sometimes. So, in a nutshell, buy what you like and enjoy them.

Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on September 5, 2013 at 0:46

In traditional pocket knives I collect Elephant Toenails, Sunfish, Moose, Muskrat, Trapper, Stockman, Peanut, Camp/Scout, Congress, Canoe and Hunters (especially Bird)  in the various sizes, handle materials (prefer stag) and makers...For makers it runs the gamut from Buck and Boker to Queen and William Henry but not Case (they just weren't available in great qualities or selection here when I was younger)... Although In modern folders my largest collection is of CRKT and SOG.

You could try collecting all of one pattern in a certain (common) handle material by all the makers., e.g. Trappers in Jigged Bone

You could try collecting all of one maker's line up in a certain pattern, e.g. Canoe, Stockman etc. in all handle materials.

You could try collecting all of one certain maker, e.g. Camillus, Boker, Hen & Rooster etc. in all styles.

You could collecting knives from a specific region or country like only New York or Mass. makers or only knives from Scandinavia, France, Italy, Germany, etc.

In fixed blades, my passion runs to [para]chute, gentleman, cowboy, California,  San Francisco, King et al Bowies, working knives, Nessmuk, Woodcraft (all primarily custom) and filleting by makers like Loveless, Randall, Dozier, Ek, Scagle etc.,...But, I also collect brands like CRKT, SOG, Fallkniven, Helle, Entrek, Ontario, ESEE, Knives of Alaska, Camillus, Mission, Spartan, Kershaw etc...One thing is, in many cases I'll never have a complete collection since I refuse, adamantly, to buy gut hooks or those made in the PRC (for political not quality issues). ..The other thing is that I won't buy a complete line up because the blades just don't interest me, I.E. TOPS of which I now have 35 with about 5 more that I want but that leaves some 150 that I just won't buy.

Buy what you can afford and that strikes your interest and after awhile you'll notice that you'll have a preponderance of a certain type and then you can start specializing.

I really never have as I love edged implements far too much and I've been collecting for over 55 years.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on September 5, 2013 at 2:41

I buy what I like....period. And I don't let what others like influence me.....though someone might show a picture of their knife and it will get me thinking! LOL! And since I LOVE pretty much any kind of knife, and brands, I've been very fickle. I have been all over the place with brands and patterns through the many years, though fairly recently I have gravitated back to Case knives. 

As an old collector said to me MANY years ago when I was just getting into knife collecting; "Buy what you like, and like what you buy" - words to live by.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 5, 2013 at 6:35

There you go, Bobby.   Yu've already been collecting your knives in a correct manner!  Even people who collect certain types of knives or certain brands are going to have plenty of outliers that are not what they intednded to collect.

My problem is when I buy something that doesn't fit what I normally collect, I try to find some other knife that will go with the odd blade out. Thus, I suddenly have six mushroom knives with one more on the way and three more on my wishlist because of a $7 purchase!  What can I say, That first hawkbill I bought many moons ago was like a gateway drug!

No doubt my most collected pattern is the Scout Knife and most collected brand is Victorinox followed closely by Camillus.  But I have knives of just about every pattern imaginable, by over 30 makers from over 20 countries.   Variety is the spice of life!  Buy what you like!

Permalink Reply by Bobby Horn on September 5, 2013 at 8:28

Permalink Reply by Brad T. on September 5, 2013 at 9:05

Now that is a lot of collecting advice and I pretty much would tell you the same thing. "Collect what you like" and eventually you will narrow your collection down. I will not say it will narrow down to 1 or even 3 criteria, but it will narrow down. 

I started off with tactical folders, but then I got into "Hardware Store" branded knives, then it was 'Butter and Molasses" handled slipjoints. Now I am a Schrade USA junkie.

You may pull your hair out deciding what direction you want to go, but there are no rules. You can change your mind at any time.

Good Luck. 

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on September 5, 2013 at 10:52

Brad, you are so right.  When it comes to knife collectors, it would seem we are a fickle lot.  I started off collecting military fixed blades.  I think I have maybe 6 or 7.  I still like 'em but they always seem to end up on the back burner.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on September 5, 2013 at 11:51

I am a bit all over too, but the collection has taken some shape. I mostly collect by pattern, that way, if I see a certain knife of one brand or other, it will fit in a certain pattern. I don't collect all patterns but certainly enough. Moose, Barlow, Scout, Clasp, Bullet, Hobo's, IKC club knives, custom fixed blades. I also collect a few brands, Great Eastern, Case, Kissing Cranes, Hen and Rooster, Winchester, Robeson, Sheffield, Boker, Camillus, Queen, Ulster. A lot of the knives fit in both categories, example: a Robeson, Moose pattern. See what I mean. Just enjoy what you buy, I know I love the ones that make it in my collection. Oh, I won't mention fixed blades....Ha..Ha.....

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