with collecting old pocket knives from the 1800s – early 1900s – not only collecting the knives but learning the history. I like knives with character, used and with their own story… sure mint would be nice but truly how many knives were bought long ago and stuck in a drawer… got to be some story and history behind many of the old ones. As an aside I am an avid fly fisherman and tyer (in fact I am an invited tyer at many of the Fly Fishing Shows) and I have an extensive collection of vintage hooks from the 1800s – early 1900s – I tie with these blind-eye hooks using old silk gut for the eyes & other vintage materials and enjoy tying flies from the old books of the 1800s… Sorry for the digression but the connection for me was the work put into hand crafting of the old metal hooks (bending, cutting barbs etc) … somewhat similar to the old knife makers in terms of a craft using metal - either way just really well crafted final products – be it a knife or hook… In terms of my knives to date - I don’t have an extensive collection like some of you folks but it is building slowly as I am trying to be somewhat selective – that can be really hard in some cases. My focus is mostly on old American and some Sheffield knives (1800s – early 1900s) but I have also picked up just a couple of really cool old ones from other countries that I will post in the Foreign Knife subforum… I couldn’t resist and imagine some of you sometimes buy outside your areas of focus when the urge hits and the price is right 
Nonetheless being from CT up in New England I am partial to Miller Bros and a few of the NE old makers… I guess the pride of my collection at the moment which I will post in the near future is a Miller Bros coke bottle jigged bone Hunter… just need to do some nice photos..I hope I can contribute to the forum at least with some photos of my knives but still have a lot to learn so hope you guys don’t mind a lot of questions. In fact I know a few of my really old knives need some cleaning but not sure what is best to keep that sweet patina and keep old bone, stag, ivory handles from being stained or just being wrecked by the wrong product. I’ll post that question somewhere in the very near future along with some knives that already have photos. This site has some great info & historical info, lots of beautiful knives in photos and some really knowledgeable members, and most importantly lots of folks having a good time with this obsession of collecting knives.
Cheers
Lee
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