Give this thread a try and see where it goes

[PA Knives]

The jest of this is to answer the previous question and then leave one of your own for the next reader to respond to. OK here goes,

(Question) How long have you been collecting and what is the foucus of that collection?

Now, leave your answer and post a new question. Keep it knife related. Thanks, these can be VERY interesting.

[Bryan]

Hey pa knives,

Great idea! I’ll be the 1st to answer a question. I guess I would have to say that I’ve been acquiring and collecting knives ever since I got my first slip joint at 8 yrs. old. I traded it from an older neighbor kid. My parents didn’t know about it . Boy does that bring me back. 20 years for me. I have no focus. I collect anything that I can get my hands on.

(Next Question -) --> Do you remember your first knife? What kind was it?

Bryan

[El Lobo]

My first knife was a black 3 1/2'' (4" if you count the bail.. ) Rizzuto pushbotton, made in Milan, Italy. I got it in Mexico in 1963.......I still have it, and it still fires quite well.

Batter up.......

What was the first knife you broke?

Bill

[PA Knives]

HEY Folks, I see where at least 42 people have read this thread and only two have responded. COME ON!!! what's up with that? The whole idea is to learn more about our hobby and what others have to say about it. You can do it!!! REALLY it isn't that hard. Come on hit the "post reply" button and type in your answer and leave a question, THere you go, now was that so hard?????


Any way, I broke my father's buck knife while doing the screwdriver thing. Big mistake, I learned that lesson the hard way, trip to the wood shed and I had to buy him a new one. I was 10 at the time. Now days people would gasp at that but I understand it fully. Don't borrow dads knife without permission and never use one for a screwdriver.

Question, if you could only have one knife, what would it be?

[Matt Hammon]

if I could have only one knife I guess it would be the Case pre-40's gunboat canoe (6294) that my father gave me when I was around 10 years old. He inherited it my my great-great uncle. I carried the knife for awhile like any kid would without knowing the value and being able to fully appreciate it. it's been since put away and I get it out every once in a while just to gawk at it and listen to the crisp snap of the spade and pen blades--neat memories with this knife.

question--What's the fondest memory you have with one of your knives?

[Matt Hammon]

I meant spear and pen blades-don't know where spade came from--thinking of my poor dog I guess!!

[225Q]

Fondest memory with one of my knives....probably getting my 225Q from a family friend at church. He used it during WWII but I never got the chance to ask him about. He died before I could think of asking and before I became really interested in collecting knives. So the moment I received it would be the fondest memory.

Next: What is the oldest knife in your collection?

[Aaron]

The oldest knife in my collection is one that my father gave me that belonged to my grandfather, a Decora camp knife. My grandfather brought it back from Germany when he got out of the army after WWII.
It has composition handle that looks like bark stag.It may not be worth alot, but I do prize it very highly.


question: What is your favorite pattern of knife you collect?

[PA Knives]

All right, I knew you could do it! Nice job, now lets keep it up and see what comes of it. As for my favorite pattern, I am an odd ball I am sure. I like an old Beaver Falls JACK that I have. It isn't pretty to the untrained eye and the handles aren't fancy. But the big heavy knife tells me it was bought to be used and that says a lot to me.

Question. When buying a knife, is the price the first and most important part of your decsion, or do other factors come into play?????

[225Q]

Most of my knives have been given to me by friends or relatives. However, if I were going to buy a knife at this very moment, price would be the number 1 issue(broke college student, you know the drill) and the number 2 concern would looks of the knife. I am not going to buy something that cannot be used for show or as a work knife.

Question: What manufacturer(in business or not) is your favorite?

[PA Knives]

I know, I know, I just couldn't resist answering this one. My favorite company is no doubt any of those associated with Tidioute Pa. That means Brown bros, Union, Baldwin and several others. These old knives are well made and beautiful to look at and admire.

Sorry, I don't mean to be a thread hog, but I am passionate about these old knives.

Next Quesiton and I promise not to answer my own!!! HA HA HA


(who or what had the bigget influence on you to getting into knives and tell us the story of that?)

[Bryan]

That would be my dad. He’s always been a collector of various things (knives included of course). He planted the seed over the years by handing down some of his knives, and his knife related hobbys (hunting, fishing, etc...). It’s his fault!!!

How often do you get your knives out to clean and/or admire?

[225Q]

Here at college, they sit on my desk and I see most of them every day. The remainder of the collection stays at home in a different state and usually is kept in my desk. They usually never come out, its only these special ones that I keep here that I use or display. The ones displayed here are my Cattaraugus 225Q, dive knife, replica Tanto(Samurai suicide knife), Imperial pocket knife, and my Leatherman Tool.

What is your most recently acquired knife?

[El Lobo]

Newest member of the family......

A Trapper from Wendell Carson/Fightin Bull with black baleen (also known as whalebone) scales.
This makes knife #xxx,xxx......HAH! You think I have any idea how many knives I have????? Not a clue. But, I love 'em all!

What is your LARGEST knife?

Bill

[225Q]

Largest would be the Tanto but its not really a knife, its a sword. The Cattaraugus 225Q is the largest one that I have in my collection, no idea on size without a ruler. I'm gonna let you guys talk it out for a few posts before putting something else up.

Question: What is the rarest knife you have?

Erik

[PA Knives]

Yea, I know, but I couldn't resist this one.

The rarest knife I have is a Brown Brothers made in Tidioute at the turn of the century. It has pearl handles that are grooved, with slotted and grooved bolsters. It is in a whittler pattern. I absolutely cherish this knife and it took me many years to find it. When I did it was a sweet deal too. The seller was very kind but I am sure he wondered why I wanted it so bad. He was from the South and I don't suppose it meant to much down there. I when I learn to post photo's I will do so it anyone is interested in seeing it.

My question is this, what would it take for you to part with you collection at this time, If the wife says it or me, which would it be, come on!!! Tell the truth, Not really, I wondered who you admire the most in the hobby of knife collecting??????

[whitebuffalo58]

I came across this old thread while looking for info on a Decora Solingen knife. Thought i'd take a stab at it. PA, that next to the last question plumb scared 'em off, I think.
Answer to that question, hide the knives, keep the wife and hope she never finds out.
Second question, right now, i'd have to say Miller Bros. is someone I really look up to in the hobby. I have no idea what Dimitri's overall background in knife collecting is, but the man seems to have an endless amount of knowledge on all levels of knife collecting. I've actually thought about starting a thread called, "Stump Dimitri"!

Next question, God willing and the creek don't rise, what American knife company (or company's) do you think'll still be around 100 years from now, and why?

WB

[tendots]

Do you really believe the Us will last another 100 years?With in a hundred years will there be collectors left,what will they collect,slipjoints or tacticals.

[big monk]

Yes Sir___the USA,will last another 100 years !!! ( as long as Wal-Mart don't shut the doors ) Canal Street Cutlery,will still be making knives ( they keep a pace, and have since they started operations___that flows with their customer base ) ____ I'm hoping,GEC,will be here too I will not be here,but I'm thinking more and more of the young guys,are collecting "'Tacticals""

Question, (two part)*** How many knives do you buy each year?? ____Do you have a limit, you try to stick with???

[timf600]

I started collecting about a year and a half ago. I had NO CLUE what I was doing! I was more or less acquiring a number of knives. So, then I found the Ford Red Bone Knives, slowly one by I would find more to the collection. I think I am down to one knife missing in the Ford collection. My absolutely favorite is Toothpicks and Russlocks So, I am on to my next challenge I want to have a Case XX and a Great Eastern knife from year that they made knives. I know the older Case XX were not by year but we will see what I come up with.

I think my first knife was a fixed blade with stag handle leather sheath with a Deer embossed on the sheath.

My favorite knife memory was when I was in the 82nd Airborne. When we would go out in the field I would take a log of summer sausage. I would get a break every now and then and lean up against a tree and slice off sausage. It was way better than the MRE's.

[glennbad]

Yes Sir___the USA,will last another 100 years !!! ( as long as Wal-Mart don't shut the doors ) Canal Street Cutlery,will still be making knives ( they keep a pace, and have since they started operations___that flows with their customer base ) ____ I'm hoping,GEC,will be here too I will not be here,but I'm thinking more and more of the young guys,are collecting "'Tacticals""

Question, (two part)*** How many knives do you buy each year?? ____Do you have a limit, you try to stick with???

Really, I buy in spurts. Like a forum knife or something. And sometimes, I get on a little ebay kick, and will by a bunch of junkers at a time. But as far as major knife purchases in a year, maybe 4-6 decently priced knives. My limit??? Whatever I can hide from my wife.

My question? What is the one knife you would never part with, no matter what?

Glenn

[mikek]

There's a couple of Case knives that belonged to my father and uncle that most guys on here wouldn't look twice at but will always be in my collection. Mike

Question: What was the first knife you ever lost?

[dcgm4]

The first knife I ever lost was the first knife I ever got. It was a red plastic-handled lockback I had gotten as a souvenir from White Sands when I was five-years-old. I lost it a few months later when it fell out of my pocket and down a sewer drain.

My question: What knife do you regret buying the most? Be honest. We all have a knife or two we wish we hadn't bought.

[garddogg56]

The first knife I ever lost was a Schrade paratrooper knife with a switchblade type hook blade,boy I still miss that knife My question is of all the out of business old USA KNIFEMAKERS what one do you miss the most and why??

[1967redrider]

This is a cool thread.

For me, I miss the USA-made knife and outdoors products that Webster Marble started making back in 1892. He developed and produced all kinds of folding and fixed blade knives, the Game-Getter hunting firearm, rifle sights, axes, fishing gear, gun cleaning equipment and compasses. It's just sad for me to learn more about this man and what he did for the outdoorsman and see that what is now produced comes from foreign sources. That's why I love collecting vintage Marble's knives and sporting goods. I just wish this company would come back home.

My question is- if money was no object, which vintage knife company would you resurrect and what would be the first knife pattern you would produce and why?