Not all collectors were around in the 80's and early 90's to see the prices of pocket knives go through the roof.  Many of my older friends, lol those I have known a long time not old people, will attest to the fact that we sold knives we did not want to sell.  We all knew the end would come sometime and we could buy it again and still make good money.  Sure enough, it did.

There has only been one knife (IMO) that from day one sold for a set amount and to this day I have not seen it waiver more than 50.00.  The Case Sidewinder.  300 then, 300 now.

In the 90's you could buy a Case Classic for a song.  In the early 2000's you needed a mortgage to buy a few of them.  Today they are a mix, the rares command a price, the rest are even reasonable enough to use.

Last year, I divested a few of mine because I needed some space in the safe and also because they were sought after and commanded a price I could not pass up.

So, is your collection just for your enjoyment or are you hedging bets that it may be a retirement plan?

Are you paying the aftermarket mark up price, right out of the box or are you waiting for them to fall back near the original price?

Is it the chase or the purchase you enjoy?

There is no right or wrong answer.  I always say I don't care what or how you collect, if your a knife collector there will always be a spot at our table.