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Comment by Tobias Gibson on November 10, 2013 at 12:43

Hi Ricky..  This is the first I've seen it.  Looks like a lot to digest and very informative.  The tang stamps and such should prove very helpful   He has an excellent collection.  It'll take some time to get through all of it.   I'm more curious what Wayne has to say.  He is the real expert in the group!

Comment by Ricky L McConnell on November 9, 2013 at 9:20

Hi Steve, I also enjoyed the factory tour. Tobias what did you think about the blog this guy started for SAKS ? I am going to do some more reading there.

Comment by Ron Cooper on November 7, 2013 at 15:56

Steve, that's a great link you posted of Jeroen's visit to the Victorinox factory in Ibach, Switzerland! Especially interesting is what he had to say about the dissolution of the Wenger brand name in 2014. As most folks already know, Victorinox took ownership of Wenger in 2008 but the two brand names retained their respective identities. Now, it would appear, that will change in 2014 with all knives being branded as Victorinox. The Wenger name will disappear. Although, Jeroen states:

"In 2014, Wenger produced knives will have Victorinox stamped on the blade, but with the addition Delemont. Ibach produced knives will have the same stamping they now have."

Thanks again for posting that link, Steve! There was a whole lot of great information packed into that piece. Terrific pictures, too!

Comment by Ron Cooper on November 6, 2013 at 16:07

Steve, the Victorinox Chrono Classic is a watch. The link you provided takes me to what I believe is an Alox Mini Champ...

 

1. The Alox MiniChamp was first manufactured in early 2011 for reseller Swiss Bianco. The knives feature the standard Silver Alox scales with red Victorinox shield. The Alox scales do not allow the tweezers and retractable pen tools to be included. Only a relatively small number were reported to be made; 5 prototypes, and short-run of 20 knives. In March 2011 an additional run of unknown size was manufactured for Swiss Bianco.  In July 2011, Dark Green and Blue Alox models were made; other colors may be available as well.  In April 2012 a run a Red Alox scaled models were manufactured for Swiss Bianco.  The Alox scaled versions are 10.15mm in width, and weigh 39.5g.

Comment by Ron Cooper on November 5, 2013 at 15:18

Well, now that you've "ceded the floor."

I'm gonna jump in here for a second...

I didn't realize you were a commissioned officer?

Let me throw a snappy AIRBORNE salute on ya! 

The Man Cave is looking good, sir!

Comment by Tobias Gibson on November 5, 2013 at 14:33

And as I said, I absolutely understand your philosophy and support it.   I rarely buy a knife for over $100 because I'd be afraid to use it!    If one of my children or a nephew gets the knife bug, I'll probably buy knives for them as well as set some higher end knives and older near mint knives within my collection aside for them. 

In fact, now that I think about it, I have bought knives for them in the past and will probably continue to do so. I've also given them knives from my collection because they showed an interest in them.

Sorry to have hi-jacked the comment wall, everybody.  I know this thread probably belongs somewhere else   This is the great thing about collecting. We all do it for different reasons, and we all appreciate our collections in different ways.  We may all  find different ways to enjoy our collections but at the end of the day; it comes down to the joy of collecting.  I've yapped enough and  I cede the floor to Anthony for any final comments! 

--Let's see if I can actually NOT post a reply!  LOL

In Memoriam Comment by Anthony "Tank" Meeks on November 5, 2013 at 14:07

I thoroughly enjoyed reading that and your philosophy is wonderful. Since I'm no longer able to use mine I collect higher dollar knives as investments I plan on leaving to my nephew to hopefully help pay for his college education.

I let him swap my users in and out now when he goes camping and hunting.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on November 5, 2013 at 13:33

I can understand where you're coming from Anthony but I enjoy seeing them out on the walls.  I  want to see them  when I'm in my little cubby hole.  i also want other people to see them. Their value to me is not going to drop and I'm not concerned about their value to others.

I suppose I could look at ways to mount the knives on the walls out side of the sheaths but I feel it is safer to have them in the sheath.   I probably wouldn't even buy them If I were just going to leave them in the original box or original packaging. 

I under stand your philosophy but none of my knives are worth over $100 and many are just in the $25-$50 range and  all have been used at one time or another. I suppose some could still look mint but they are really "near" mint.

You know, I often see knives at estate sales that have never left the box and I can normally pick them up for $5-$10.  I always wonder was this a knife he never used because he didn't like it or because it was his favorite? And if it was his favorite why didn't he enjoy it. You can't take it with you!

I've decided that if the good Lord gives me the chance, I'll sell off all the knives I never used or seldom used before I die and leave my favorites  to my loved ones. They'll know they were my favorites because they were used and were often on display.

In Memoriam Comment by Anthony "Tank" Meeks on November 5, 2013 at 13:01

Myself I don't tempt fate. I Renaissance Wax my knives and oil my sheaths and store them separately.

Comment by Tobias Gibson on November 5, 2013 at 12:07

Anthony, they are displayed not stored.  I regularly remove and inspect.  Plus they are rotated and given time to breathe outside the sheaths

On a side note, My Camillus MkII fighting knife (1095 Carbon Steel) was carried and stored in its leather sheath for well over 20 year with no noticeable side effects. If it wasn't cutting something or being cleaned it was in the sheath. And there were even times when the knife spent days in wet sheath.(the situation required such an action).

I think it is more important to monitor temperature and humidity in your display area and  check your knives and sheaths routinely for any signs of corrosion, rust, staining dry rot, etc at least once a month. Blades need to be wiped and sheaths need to be conditioned.

One thing I do highly recommend is making sure you don't store a knife or bayonet in a steel scabbard. Rust will form quickly!

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