How to Value a Collection

[davidsbowes]

I used to collect pocket knives with my father when I was younger, but now I am looking to sell my collection of ~150 mixed knives from Imperial, Case, Remington, and many other makers. Many of the Imperials are in nearly new condition, but much of the collection was well loved by its prior owners. The collection includes a custom made walnut case that houses six sliding glass trays and has a hidden compartment.

I was hoping to get some advice for how to go about valuing my collection and selling it. What do you recommend?

[djknife13]

First, Welcome to AAPK and second I really like your case. Also of importance is that two of your picture knives have celluloid scales that are decomposing and when they do that , they give of a gas that destroys the metal parts of the knife and etches all the knives around them. They need to be removed from the case and placed somewhere they won't affect other collectables. The scales can be removed and rehandled if you choose to save the knife. The rest knives I see in your case appear to be in good condition or better, but I don't see any that are particularly valuable. A really rough guess, and others may disagree would be in the range of $10 to $15 per knife with the pearl ones probably more if you sold them all individually. Selling them to a dealer would drop the total somewhere close to half. In some parts of the country knives sell for more than my area. Hope this helps and I'll be anxious to see if other AAPK members agree with my assessment. Again, welcome. ___Dave

[philco]

I think djDave is in the ballpark as far as average value per knife is concerned. I believe there are actually three picture knives that show signs of outgassing. Please, please, please remove them from the rest of your knives ASAP. Nothing good will come from waiting. If you are not familiar with the term "outgassing" it refers to the chemical decomposition of celluloid that produces caustic gasses that destroy metal. There are numerous threads here on AAPK that discuss this phenomenon.

BTW welcome to AAPK.

[leggo]

If you are cosidering selling the collection...I can save you the stress...just trade me all of it for a large vintage postage stamp collection.

In the fifth photo from the top you have a knife I'd like to own. It's the SANTA FE RAILROAD knife. I collect R.R. stuff.

[terryl308]

I think it will be hard to sell the entire collection to one person, what you might try is too separate the advertising knives and sell them on ebay for one price, that way you are trying to elimate people that are not interested in all of them. Start by figuring out what you have invested and they will charge you at least 10% for selling on ebay. If a dealer is interested , he will only give you about 50-60% of the retail value. Or you can separate by brands, i.e. Case and list them accordingly . I wouldn't put a super high " Buy It Now" price on them, I personally pass on such auctions. Good luck, Terry

[garddogg56]

I wouldn't want to guess the value David but NICE collection

[Rookie]

Well, if you want the most $$$ possible, you'll have to invest the time. ID each one, describe it's condition thoroughly, photograph each knife from every angle, and then sell them 1 at a time on Ebay. If you want to do it quickly and just see what you get, sell them in groups of similar knives, and take what you get. Or, you can sell the entire collection to a large buyer like Swan or Voyles for about 1/2 or less of what they are worth.

I agree with Dave, probably figure on $10 each, a few would be worth more. If you could get $1000 for the entire set, that would be great.

[PCwizard]

Welcome to AAPK, Nice collection.

That custom case is wonderful, did you and your dad make it?
If you end up selling the case by itself. Let me know, I would like make a offer.