Questions from a newly-admitted "collector"

[coffeecup]

OK, I'm still not sure about admitting I'm one of those "collector" people; seems every time someone admits that they get a little crazy with their purchases and stop buying the stuff they enjoy. But anyhow . . .

This is getting a little ridiculous. I've been a knife accumulator all my life: I've got knives in cases and knives in boxes. There are several of those plastic lure boxes full of knives, a couple cigar boxes, maybe 30 or so on each of my 3 desks. Plus maybe a hundred or so that see occasional use.

Time for some organization. Any suggestions on record-keeping? I'm split between software and old-school filecards. I absolutely hate Excel. I'm leaning towards some sort of software that lets me combine pics of the knife with records on marks, age, price, etc.

Once the recordkeeping system is in place, how do I connect the knife with the record? I guess I could use one of those vibrating engravers to scratch a number on the blade, but that seems a little extreme. I'll probably go with lure boxes for storage, maybe I can get away with an inventory number on the dividers in the box.

Pictures: my scanner is dead. Are there any decent scanners (for knife-scanning) on the market, or do I need to look for an older scanner? (I know I can use a digicam and camera stand, but it is slow. For documentation, I'd rather use a scanner.)

I think--until I get this all straightened out and organized--I'm going to put a moratorium on knife purchases.

Except for TL-29s I don't already have. Or really neat trappers. Or EZOs. Or bird-and-trout knives. Or Outers-pattern knives.

I may have a bit of a problem here.

[MrBlister]

Howdys Cup....
Dont think i'd endorse etching numbers on yer knives..
Prolly have an adverse effect on the values..
Sounds like ya "may" have a few too many knives..

regards... Dave

[knife7knut]

Welcome to the 12 steps program!
Actually I am not addicted to knife accumulation;I CAN QUIT ANYTIME!!!!!
That being said may I offer some suggestions.
First of all:storage for your accumulations.If you don't care about displaying all of them,one of the more inexpensive storage containers can be an old suitcase or briefcase lined with ordinary small bath towels to separate the layers.These can be purchased very cheaply at a second hand store or a yard sale.Make sure that they are dry inside and free from mold.A lot of them have dividers that separate the upper and lower compartments.Lay a towel(even a layer of paper towel will suffice)down and put the knives in.Lay another in and repeat until full.Add a couple of dessicant bags to ward off moisture and store in an area where the temperature is fairly constant and low in humidity.Check periodically for moisture and/or rusting.DO NOT store celluloid handled knives in with others as if/when a cel handle starts to deteriorate(out-gas)it will rust everything around it.Store them separately in a container that has air circulation in it.
As for record keeping:A photographic record along with a description and relevant information(price paid,etc.)can be done fairly easily but it takes some time to do properly.
I use a digital camera(a Canon PowerShot 100IS which cost about $150 2 years ago)with a 4GB SanDisk chip.The chips are reasonable now(mine cost $13 about 2 years ago)and on low resolution will hold nearly 10,000 images.For shooting pictures,I use a background of 1" squares I made on a sheet of paper with a magic marker and placed on my bathroom sink counter.The lights from above the mirror provide excellent illumination.The camera has a 10x optical zoom(which extends to 40x on really long shots)and has a MACRO setting which will focus down to about an inch.I don't use a tripod as I like to move around a bit while taking pictures but if you are a bit shakey it might be a good idea.Small ones are very inexpensive and are available readily.If you don't want to spend money on one,go down to the local hardware store and buy a length(a foot or two)of 1/4-20 threaded rod and a small rubber ball(a cat's toy is good).Thread the rod into the camera base(all cameras have a 1/4-20 thread standard to accept a tripod)and determine the best distance to shoot from;cut off the rod to that length and fit the rubber ball to the end.Placed on the surface,it will act as a steadying device(think unipod)for the camera and the height can be regulated by angling the camera in relation to the surface.
I usually take an overall shot of both sides with blades open and closed,a detail shot of the tang stamp,and any unique features of the knife such as flaws or cracks.The great part is even if you take 10 pictures of each knife,you can catalog nearly a thousand knives like this.When you are finished,you can either down load your pictures to your computer's document file or save on a CD picture disk and still retain them on the chip as a backup.
To return to storage for a moment;check the other threads here on knife storage to see what others are using.I have some pictures of what I use and that should give you some ideas.Hope this helps.

[tjmurphy]

I'm not a knife-a-holic! I only buy an occasional knife! I'm just a social collector! I can stop anytime I want! I don't depend on knives!

[Paladin]

Howdys Cup....
Dont think i'd endorse etching numbers on yer knives..
Prolly have an adverse effect on the values..
Sounds like ya "may" have a few too many knives..

regards... Dave

Shame on you, Mr. Blister! You, of all people should know that it is impossible to have too many knives. I have been working all these years to convince my little bride of this indisputible fact!! It is very hard to have 'too many' is my mantra!!
I store in cigar boxes in the safe. That works for me and you just need to settle on a method that works for you. The old brief case idea sounds workable to me. You'd have to store the brief case flat to keep them from becoming a mess but it could work.
As to documentation, I use a program called DPC Knife Collectors. It suits me fine and fits into my ability, or lack of ability, well. I am not sure the program is still available but there are others out there and a little digging will turn them up.

One thing I failed to mention is that I have my little bride sew up little 'socks' for each knife and each is nicely protected inside its own 'sock' and within the cigar box.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Admit it, you're a collector. You went well beyond accumulating when you inaugurated your second area of storage.

There is usually a collectibles software program on Ebay. Sells for about twelve dollars. Works for firearms, swords and knives. You can log in all the data, attach a photo, etc. It's a bit laborious, but you know your knives pretty well when you're done. One of them allows you to rename the different fields.

Just search Ebay using "collectibles software", you'll probably find something.

I know you said you don't like Excel. But, I created an Excel spreadsheet for my Robeson collection, three-hundred-fifty, plus knives. Used columns A thru M, pattern number, length, tang stamp, handle-die shape, handle material, blades, etches, condition, value, etc.

Now, there is some software for PDA's or Smart Phones, called Documents to Go, Premium edition.. If you purchase that for your BlackBerry, or I-Phone, you can then download your Excel spread sheet to your phone.

When I go to a knife show, I have my phone and the spreadsheet that lists every knife I own, and its condition. If I see a knife I like, I can check the spreadsheet in Documents to Go. If I don't already own the pattern, then I have to decide if I want to own that particular one. If I do already have the knife, is it of better or worse condition than the one on the table in front of me?

If I buy a knife, I just plug the particulars into a new row on the spreadsheet in the proper place for that pattern number. When I get home, I attach the phone to the computer with a USB cord, initiate the Documents to Go utility, and it will update the spreadsheet on the computer. If I sell or trade a knife, I delete the item from the spreadsheet on the phone, and when I reconcile the programs, the knife disappears from the PC spreadsheet.

I've been doing this for years. Started with a Sony Clie' PDA. That eventually died. Now I have it on my BlackBerry. That did require purchasing new software, however, as that for the Sony was not compatible with the newer technologies of the BlackBerry.

Charlie Noyes

[MrBlister]

Paladin " One thing I failed to mention is that I have my little bride sew up little 'socks' for each knife and each is nicely protected inside its own 'sock' and within the cigar box."""

Hey Ray..........so that was Gold Bond Powder on those COONS ya sold me..
LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Knife Nut]

Wow, I'm impressed with you high tech folks. I don't have a digital camera and am borderline computer illiterate and don't have a clue what a spreadsheet is. However, I'm going to describe what I do to keep some order in my accumulation.

I use the KISS (keep it simple s***head) philosophy, using the log in on paper method. Every knife I have purchased over the past 40+ years is posted on graph paper (that forces me to print small) in columns showing tang stamp, style, number of blades, size, handles, condition, where bought, when, cost, and condition. Each line represents a knife number. That number is then placed on the knife with a stick-on label.

All the knives are stored in knife rolls (except celluloid) in a locked fireproof file. Because I only buy and not sell, I know what I have and what I don't when I go to shows and auctions so as not to duplicate.

Simple and works for me!

Paul

[RobesonsRme.com]

Paul;
That IS a spreadsheet. You're just doing it longhand on paper, and we're using a keyboard, which I know you can use because you post messages to AAPK.

You could re-create your graph chart using MicroSoft Excel.

Charlie Noyes

[Knife Nut]

Thanks for the encouragement, Charlie. However, my kids and grandkids have even given up on this old geezer!
Paul