How I got started:An 8 year old boys brother who was 10 years older than he, gave a very special gift once. The brother came home from the Navy in 1956 on leave and brought his younger brother a 4 blade Imperial knife. The boy was so excited he cut himself with it that very day. His Mother took it away for awhile, and in about a year gave it back. The boy carried it proudly and loved that knife. One day in the 5th grade the teacher had the students do handstands, while the boy was attempting his turn, you guessed it, the knife fell out of his pocket. The teacher took it away. The boys Mother went to the school and got it back. The boy again carried it proudly thru many years. Today, that very knife is in the boys collection and one of his prized knives. Not because of the value of it, but because of the great story it tells and in memory of the one who gave it.          That 8 year old boy was me. 

From then on - thru Boy Scouts, School, and Farm Work I used a knife a good bit but thought not much beyond the knife in my pocket - which for the most part was that first knife.  Then into the military and quickly got attached to my Camillus Fighting Knife. After the Military, back to the farm and various knives for farm use. It wasn't until about 20 years ago, I met a guy who was a wheeler dealer. He could buy something for a dollar and sell it for ten. He was also into knife collecting/buying and selling. So with him, I got interested in knives. It was fun for awhile and I collected a few. I couldn't hardly sell a knife that I bought to enjoy so I kept most of mine. I soon drifted away and a few years ago I got interested again. My collection is still small but I sure enjoy them all.          EBAY THOUGHTS; I for one like Ebay. I am out here in the sticks and not very close to many knife outlets or collectors. Shows are few and far between. So if I want to see any knives for sale, its Ebay and I have bought several off this auction site. I have only received 2 knives that I was not to happy about, but that's not to bad.

I love an old knife. A Knife that I like to carry,
has to feel like it fits, in the scheme of things, its been somewhere, it has a
story to tell. My imagination at times runs wild. Yet as I carry the knife, one
that fits my hand, my pocket, my needs, I am also making history, if that knife
could talk, it would talk of others and also of me. A knife to me is like a
diamond to a woman, I treasure it. I care for it, keep it oiled, keep it clean.
So when it talks again, it will talk of fond memories, like I have of it.

I presently collect: Any knife that I take a liking to. But esp. Cattaraugus, Robeson, Remington, Kabar Olean NY, and Camillus 4 liners.