Do you keep a collection logbook/record? What kind?

[Wudidiz]

Up to now I haven't kept a log of my knife collections. I plan to start keeping a record of individual knife info, etc. Any ideas as to what would be a good format or logbook? Thanks

[OLDE CUTLER]

Up to now I haven't kept a log of my knife collections. I plan to start keeping a record of individual knife info, etc. Any ideas as to what would be a good format or logbook? Thanks

I use a loose leaf binder and put the pre printed forms I make in it in alphabetical order.

[enuf]

I had bought a "knife" log book and started using it.... I dunno, I have seemed to have migrated to a spreadsheet - only seems natural to me since I am a Project Manager and almost live in spreadsheets.

[Colonel26]

I never have. I probably ought to though.

But then I’d miss the fun of forgetting one and rediscovering it when I went through the pile.

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve used an Excel spreadsheet for years.

Ken

[Knifeslut2]

I got started using just 3x5 cards in a little card holder like what my Mom used to keep recipes in. Now have THREE of them pretty well filled

Over the years of collecting I sort of refined it to where it is easy to use and pretty handy. Typical lined 3x5 cards have 11 lines and I add one more at the top since the top one is sort of double spaced. This is how mine are set up:

year manufactured if known , number on knife box or a description
brand/maker of knife purchase on date location (where it is stored in my safe, BIG help in locating as collection grew
purchased from ,
number of blades, frame style, length (closed)
handle material
blade material, liner material, bolster material and if threaded/pinched/etc. shield material and type
Tang Stamp for each blade
Blade etches (I even drew most of them out over a few cold Winters when couped up), Shield (drew these out too)
Purchase Price
Condition, If it has a box and where it is stored cause lots are in knife rolls or briefcases) Papers (where they are stored
Catalog number or year if from a dealer. (I even saved years of catalogs! NUTS!)

Now glad I did it as otherwise could search for hours to find a knife when looking for certain ones!

Well I tried to space each item out like I have em on my cards but when I post it, it jams everything all together. I have like 2-3 rows on each card line spaced to make it easier to read them. I have one card just like this in front of each box so if I go to add another knife and card is easy to follow that same format.

[Wudidiz]

Wow! I might type up and print out a format similar to Knifeslut2. I think I'll try a 3 ring binder to have the flexibility to move pages around. Thanks for the replies.

[Wudidiz]

Up to now I haven't kept a log of my knife collections. I plan to start keeping a record of individual knife info, etc. Any ideas as to what would be a good format or logbook? Thanks

I use a loose leaf binder and put the pre printed forms I make in it in alphabetical order.

That's what I'm gonna try (using Knifeslut2's format).

[OLDE CUTLER]

Up to now I haven't kept a log of my knife collections. I plan to start keeping a record of individual knife info, etc. Any ideas as to what would be a good format or logbook? Thanks

I use a loose leaf binder and put the pre printed forms I make in it in alphabetical order.

That's what I'm gonna try (using Knifeslut2's format).

Make sure you have a system of manufactures so that you have a first choice and 2nd choice when looking up. For example Schrade Old Timer knives could be indexed under either. I discovered recently that I had some knives under Sears and some under Craftsman. My sheets have brand, country of origin, type (fixed or folder), pattern, pattern number, mfg number, mfg date, acquired date, place acquired, overall length (closed for folders), other features, blade material, handle material, number & descr. of blades, and notes. I make copies from a master in a computer file and gang punch the 3 needed holes. Other features include a shield description and if it has a bail or not. Under notes I put price paid and whether I have done any repairs.

[bestgear]

I’ve used an Excel spreadsheet for years.

Ken

ditto and for 2 huge reasons, electronic filtering of data and embedding images into cells in the row of knife data. I then publish the Excel file as a PDF and voila, I have documentation with images and descriptions all neatly presented and searchable and shareable. I then send an annual report to my collectibles insurance company for coverage. Pictures are always a part my collectible records including firearms.

[Railsplitter]

I also use an Excel spreadsheet. Makes it easy to add and subtract knives as I buy and sell them.

The “Auto Sum” feature also makes it easy to keep track of the total amount spent.

[bestgear]

I also use an Excel spreadsheet. Makes it easy to add and subtract knives as I buy and sell them.

The “Auto Sum” feature also makes it easy to keep track of the total amount spent.

Rick!

If you want to insert pictures of your knives, this simply is what to do:
1. On the Insert tab select Pictures.
2. Select Place in Cell
3. Select Insert > Pictures > Place in Cell
4. Select picture and select Insert

[Railsplitter]

I also use an Excel spreadsheet. Makes it easy to add and subtract knives as I buy and sell them.

The “Auto Sum” feature also makes it easy to keep track of the total amount spent.

Rick!

If you want to insert pictures of your knives, this simply is what to do:
1. On the Insert tab select Pictures.
2. Select Place in Cell
3. Select Insert > Pictures > Place in Cell
4. Select picture and select Insert

Thank you, Tom! I have always wondered how that was done. I will definitely give this a try.

[Wudidiz]

I also use an Excel spreadsheet. Makes it easy to add and subtract knives as I buy and sell them.

The “Auto Sum” feature also makes it easy to keep track of the total amount spent.

Rick!

If you want to insert pictures of your knives, this simply is what to do:
1. On the Insert tab select Pictures.
2. Select Place in Cell
3. Select Insert > Pictures > Place in Cell
4. Select picture and select Insert

That's a good idea. I might give that a try.

[bestgear]

That's a good idea. I might give that a try.

it’s true what they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words.

[bestgear]

Thank you, Tom! I have always wondered how that was done. I will definitely give this a try.

[Ridgegrass]

In January I cataloged the 760 or so knives that I just have on display. It took me 3 weeks of a few hours a day. The columns were: Catalog # , Maker/State, Handle material, Description, number of blades, condition, and estimated value 2024. I also wrote the catalog number on the back pile side of each secondary blade in felt tip. The major makers have their own letters and numbers (Ex: Case #28 was C-28, Remington #56 was R-56, etc.) Miscellaneous pieces I grouped in country of origin . (Example: I only have two, Carrier Cutlery knives or one Southington so they are grouped as "American made"-i.e.). That category has all the various small makers numbered from AM-1 to AM-126. The 80+ various German pieces are numbered: "G-1 through G-80, British, Italian, Spanish etc, the same way,
I did this because I have a son and two small grandsons and as of now they have a casual interest in the collection but when I'm gone the catalog should help them divide or dispose of the collection and not be overwhelmed. At least its a starting point for them in dealing with my stuff.
Additionally, the values I put on each piece were conservative and realistic, i.e. what I would sell the piece for, say to anyone I know from AAPK , not
e-bay type prices which can be overly inflated IMO.
I'm glad I did this for my own comfort and that of my wife and family. Once you devise a system you can just plug in new acquisitions as they come along. . We're all just temporary stewards anyway. Never seen a luggage rack or trailer hitch on a hearse. Good luck with your project. J.O'

[bestgear]

It took me 3 weeks of a few hours a day

JO - that’s quite an undertaking but the legacy it will serve many moons from now is huge. If my math is right, it took you about 5 minutes/knife (15 days x 4 hours/day = 60 hours) which seems about right if you aren’t imaging the knives. Imaging (photographing) is a whole other ballgame between setup, capture, edits/corrections and storage. That could easily quadruple the effort if not more.

Bravo on your accomplishment and forward thinking

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks Tom. Didn't do pics. Thought anyone could just look at the knife "labeling" and look it up in seconds on the page. Less printing too as I keep hard copies too. That's what old ocean fisherman do in mid December after the stripers have moved on. J.O'.

[glennbad]

I envy you guys that have organized and cataloged collections. Maybe I just have too many knives, but I can't fathom cataloging all of them. I have so many repeats, and this and that and everything else, I wouldn't know where to begin.

[hardman]

I use an Excel spreadsheet from which I created a Pivot Table. It allows me to sort by one or more of the attributes listed below simultaneously. The more you know about the knife you are looking for, the more specific it gets. It just requires that when you enter the knife into your inventory on the spreadsheet, you need to include as many attributes as possible.

The attributes I can sort by include the following. And, importantly, I can sort by as many attributes as I want simultaneously.

1) Manufacturer (e.g., Case Cutlery)
2) Model (e.g., 6347)
3) Type ( e.g. Folding or Fixed)
4) No. of Blades (e.g., 3)
5) Style (e.g., Stockman)
6) Handle Cover Material (e.g., Bone)
7) Blade Steel (e.g., Stainless Steel, or Damascus, or Whatever)
8.) Size, in inches (Closed for Folders; Overall length for Fixed)
9) Year (if known)
10) Date Acquired
11) Other Identifying Descriptors (Free form text to help describe the knife)
12) Price

If I were to recreate my database/spreadsheet, I would also include an attribute for source, as in where did I get the knife from.

So, once opening my spreadsheet I can filter or sort using the Spreadsheet itself or the Pivot Table function. For example, I can ask it to show me only my Case Cutlery Redbone Whittlers with three blades that have Chrome Vanadium steel blades. And that is what it will show me, and nothing else. And, it will give me a subtotal showing what I collectively paid for the knives meeting that description.

I can carry this spreadsheet right on my phone, so I always have it with me.

In a perfect world, I would love to have a photograph of each knife linked to its description in the Spreadsheet. But that could definitely result in a file size that would be a problem, and therefore make it difficult to transfer between my computer and my phone. As it is now - without a photograph - I can just email the spreadsheet with Pivot Table from one to the other.

Probably more than you ever wanted to know. Sorry.

[knife7knut]

Tried to once; too much work; let someone else do it when I'm dead,

[Ridgegrass]

k7k: I thought of that many times when I was doing mine J.O'.

[dlr110]

I use the Excel spreadsheet like Tom was showing only I haven't been keeping it up to date lately.

[edgy46]

Tried to once; too much work; let someone else do it when I'm dead,

I never have. I probably ought to though.

But then I’d miss the fun of forgetting one and rediscovering it when I went through the pile.

Ray and Colonel 26, my sentiments exactly