
Knife
Collecting: A Beginning
Want
to learn more about knife values or knife history?
Knife
collecting is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States.
It provides enjoyment as well as being an excellent investment for
the future. A carefully assembled collection of selected knives
will continue to grow in value year after year. The demand for older
knives is a definite reality.
The
four main groups that most knife collectors specialize in are:
-
Patterns
-
Handle
Materials
-
Brand
Names
-
Specialties
Knife
collecting is a very personal hobby where each individual can select
his or her specialty. There are knife collectors that search for
certain patterns (such as trappers, whittlers, canoes, muskrats,
peanuts, folding hunters, etc). Some collect certain handle materials
(such as stag, mother of pearl, yellow, rough black, green bone,
celluloid, etc). Many collect certain brand names (such as Case,
Remington, Winchester, Fight'n Rooster, IXL, Queen, etc). Others
collect certain blade stampings (such as Case Tested, Case XX, Old
Remington, New Remington, etc). Some collect certain specialties
(such as advertising, figural, souvenir, etc). Regardless of your
desires for a knife specialty, you will find buyers, sellers, traders
at any knife show and most gun and knife shows.
The most sought after knife in any brand or pattern is a mint one.
As a general rule, used knives bring 25-70% of what a mint knife
brings. You can usually pick up an excellent condition knife for
50-70% of what you pay for a mint one. Ten to fifteen years ago,
all the knives experts preached "Buy only mint knives".
Well, in the older knives (1945 and earlier), if you stay with only
mint, you will pass up a lot of fine knives. If possible, collect
only excellent or better knives. Used knives can have considerable
value. But, for the soundest investment, it is more desirable to
collect only excellent to mint knives.
Remember
to take excellent care of your collection, as you are the curator
during your lifetime for future generations to enjoy. Moisture and
fingerprints are the prime villains to avoid. Check your collection
periodically and keep your knives in a dry location. Make an asserted
effort to wipe your knives at least once a month. Your collection
can lose value very quickly if you allow your knives to deteriorate
from lack of care and maintenance.
The
best teacher for learning about knives is to attend as many knife
shows as possible. Most dealers and collectors are very patient
about explaining the many variations and subtleties that make some
knives rarer than others. The more knives you examine the more familiar
you will become with them. This experience will also make it easier
to spot counterfeits or altered knives. If you are just starting
out, take the time to look and talk rather than buying. The next
best thing to going to knife shows is knowledge you can obtain from
books and magazines. The way to obtain this knowledge is to read
books on knives, knife history, knife price guides and knife magazines.
Don't
start out hoping to collect every knife made by a manufacturer as
that would be virtually impossible. For example, Remington made
1300 different patterns. Set your goals at a more realistic level,
such as: one particular pattern, a certain type handle, or a particular
blade stamping. A collection with a theme or direction will be easier
to sell than one that is simply a conglomeration of everything.
Above
all, when you reach the point where you are purchasing knives costing
hundreds of dollars or more, make sure that you buy only from a
reputable dealer who will stand behind the authenticity of the knife.
Beware of 'too good of a bargain' as in all probability you are
being taken. As in any hobby, there are always those unscrupulous
few who will make a fast dollar in any way they can. Many counterfeiters
are very good and only an expert can tell. Simply be as careful
as you can and familiarize yourself with manufacturing methods and
details.
In
any event, get your feet wet at a knife show. Look; ask questions;
read books and articles; start small; become a knife collector,
and join thousands of us who enjoy this great hobby. Look for a
local or regional knife club near you and go there to find other
collectors who will reinforce these ideas.
Article
by Copyright ©Byron Rogers, visit http://KnifeWebGuide.com
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