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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on February 9, 2012 at 8:24

Jay,  

It's best to collect what you like, first and foremost.   I like whittlers and have some from several different brands.

If you like a particular series, go with it.  Particular brand, great.

In the end what really matters is that you're please with your collection. 

 Ricky Nelson said it best;  "Can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself".

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on February 9, 2012 at 8:51

JJ, said it all right there, buy what you like best. I'd like to add a little to what he has said.  I am a pattern collector "Moose" but I tend to favor one brand over another. I also like more than just one pattern, I may collect a few of  other patterns as well. I love stag handles but wood and bone are also special to me. I also collect custom fixed blades from a wide range of makers. I guess, what I'm trying to say is don't limit yourself to just one type. Explore and let your desires and wallet take you where it can. Almost forgot, I enjoy just looking at knives, you don't have to buy them just enjoy them.

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Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on February 9, 2012 at 21:38

I collect whatever catches my eye. Sometimes I do try to buy all the patterns in a particular series, especially on the less expensive brands. I just buy what catches my eye mainly on the higher end brands. Like J.J. quoted, I just buy what pleases me.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on February 10, 2012 at 4:08

i have to join the chorus of buy what you like, as j.j. said, first and foremost.

there are no rules when it comes to a hobby like knife collecting. form and function come to mind, though. after all, knives are actually intended to be used to accomplish various tasks. j.j. is a great example with his whittlers because those afford him the best blade shapes to accomplish carving his peach pits. similarly i will utilize a particular blade shape to carve the walking sticks, canes and staffs that i enjoy making.

then there's the wow factor. knives that i look at and just say wow! those are the knives i would like to collect, not to use but to pull out of a drawer from time to time and just admire their beauty and craftsmanship. some knives really are works of art, and should be regarded as such. sadly i cannot afford to buy most of the knives that fall into that category. *sigh*

speaking of wow -- wow! way too many words to simply reiterate j.j.'s wisdom: collect what you like!

   cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on February 10, 2012 at 10:23

I collect the mini coke bottle shape  6225 1/2...i have mainly case, but i do have other knife makers in my collection

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Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 10, 2012 at 22:16

J.J. is right on. I collect what inspires me or has a history attached to it. While I have a lot of Jack patterns they are not only what I collect. I like all patterns but lean more towards the older ones mostly. GECs are well built knives and look like older ones to me so that's why I have many of those as well.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on February 11, 2012 at 11:24

Hi Jay.

I've found that I tend to naturally gravitate towards certain patterns, brand names and finally handle material or perhaps "series"   

However I'm not in it for potential resale later.   I normally do not buy a "series" because I normally don't like every pattern in the series. (I'm not a trapper or muskrat fan, and almost every series has a trapper or muskrat)

I do collect knives with certain types of handle material. (white smooth bone, for instance)

I also find myself gravitating toward certain patterns I like,  (Scouts, large toothpicks, rigging knives, = edn pens, etc.)

As for knife makers, typically there are some I avoid.  I'm partial to pre-2007 Camillus but even then I drawn more to patterns than the brand name.  

In the end JJ Smith III gave the ultimate advice, you need to collect what you like, otherwise you're really not going to enjoy what you're doing.

Toby

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 11, 2012 at 20:20

Started with Patterns, went to manufacturer.  The back to patterns and another manufacturer,  Now it is handle material (PB) and manufactures     AH Heck!  It is what ever knife strikes our fancy and makes us smile  

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 14, 2012 at 9:35

Started out, with no rhyme or reason early, early  on and gradually went with what worked and started collecting by pattern. Never went by brand, or any handle material.  Recently got a little away from that just to try some other stuff, like single blade folders......Good grief I'm all over the map too!

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on February 14, 2012 at 9:55

I think were all going to be all over the place.

When it comes to brands, There is no doubt the most common brand  in my collection is Rough Rider, in number of knives but not in over all value.  If were talking a value then iot would be a toss up between Camillus and Victorinox.

Most common pattern in my collection -- sailing knives (Marlinspikes, rope knives, etc)

I do try to collect specific patterns,   Scout knives,  5 inch toothpicks, Canittlers,  and small pattern gentleman knives (which means just about anything under 3 inches - peanuts, toothpicks, lobsters, =end pens, small jacks, etc.)

I think it is easier for me to say what  I don't collect.  That would be trappers and muskrats. 

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on February 14, 2012 at 10:51

Tobias, you brought up a new subject there and one I have been thinking about for a while. It's the "value" of a knife. I have found that some knives that cost say $25 are just as fun to own as one that cost $150. The price of a knife is the least pleasurable thing about collecting. I'm not sure if I can explain what I mean but I enjoy the ownership of knives regardless of their price. I'm not saying a $1000 knife isn't a heck of alot better than that $25 knife, it's just not what I look for. I am not rich so price does enter in to the knife collecting hobby for me. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if I like a knife the price doesn't matter.

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Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on February 14, 2012 at 12:45

Makes good sense, Robert.

My $15.00 Rough Rider whittler feels just like my $50.00 CASE #83 pattern whittler.  There are some RR patterns that are not available anywhere else either.

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