Sunday, August 22, 2010

Collectible Knives For Beginners

So, you want to collect knives! Collecting knives is a rewarding hobby that pays off in satisfaction, pride, and an investment in products that will grow in value over the years. Some knife collectibles become valuable heirlooms that are passed generation to generation.

Before you begin, the first thing you want to do is come to a decision about what kind of collectible knives you want to pursue. You might want to pursue collectible pocket knives, limited edition knives of a different makes and models, or antique collectible knives. The best collectibles knives are going to be the ones that give you the most pleasure. So, take your time and do some research before investing too much money.

Some people decide to focus on a particular brand of knives, like collectible Case knives, limited edition Marbles, or old timer pocketknives from Schrade. Others decide to collect a certain type of material, such as pearl handled or stag. Buck bowie knives are also a popular type of knife to collect. They do take up quite a bit more room, so you may want to plan ahead to make sure of what space you'll have to keep your precious collectibles in.

Once you determine what kind of knife you want to collect, it's time to decide how you want to begin collecting your knives. Some people will start one knife at a time. You can give your family and friends a list of the knives you are hoping to add to your collection so they can buy them for you for gifts on the holidays. Some specialty or online stores will offer incentives or discounts for collectors, so make sure to ask around for this as well.

Make it a point to find out where and when the local knife shows are being held in your area. Visiting the different vendors at a knife show can give you more information than most of the books that are out on the market. The dealers also love to talk about their products, so you will learn a lot and might find some excellent deals on new knives to add to your collection!

Talking about books, you will want to look into
Levine's Guide to Knives and Their Values
. It's considered the bible of knife collecting. The Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 14 th Ed by Houston Price is also an excellent resource. Then there are a myriad of knife forums and even collectors associations, such as The National Knife Collectors Association where you will also find much information and others who share your interest.

Once you have three or more knives, it's time to decide how you want to store them so that they will retain original quality and value. There are a variety of knife storage and display cases available. If you want to keep your knives displayed for your every day viewing pleasure, you will want a glass topped display box, possibly to hang on your wall. Knife rolls will also keep your knives protected and you can store them virtually anywhere that is dry and away from extreme temperatures.

I hope this article has given you some good direction on where to get started. In no time at all, you will become a knife-collecting connoisseur. As an excellent knife-maker Darrel Ralph once said, “Beware, like any other hobby, knife collecting can become addictive!”



All Comments are Welcome and Appreciated.


1 comment:

  1. I first got interested in knives when I found a knife on the pew at my church service. Church of all places! So I ended up taking it home and still have it to this day. Its a Gerber Big Rock Knife, nothing fancy. But since then I have had a fascination with knives.

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