Just Curious

[bobby d]

Hi, I am new to the forum & new to collecting, I noticed there are alot of experienced collectors who have been collecting along time. I was wondering how alot of you collected. Do you collect by style, certain blade types, handles, or a special company. As far as style, I am really liking canoe's. Feel free to post some pics. Thanks

[Hukk]

Welcome, yes, many people are pattern collectors, I favor Barlows of all types and I really like Bulldogs lockback Canoes but not to crazy about a "normal" 2 or 3 blade canoe. Some collect old time Americana, Sheffield, Pennsylvania, Case, Buck, Camillus, Schrade (American), and many others as far as brand collecting go. You will see a few that collect only hand made knives, or other patters, toothpicks is not one I want to collect yet I have this odd desire to make a few.

There are many types of collectors, brand, country, pattern. Some only collect stag, some only pearl no matter what the maker or pattern is.

You will see everything under the sun.

[galvanic1882]

Hi Bobby

Welcome to the party. The way people collect is as diverse as the personalities of the collector. I started collecting pretty much anything that was a knife but found that I had alot of knives but no real plan. Money being always an issue for me I decided to buy knives I like that were in NM-Mint condition. More rewarding for me but I also collect any knife marked New York and condition does not matter if it is a hard to find maker.

The first thing I did was read read read all I could find to learn about knives and how to spot counterfeit or bogus knives. It was important 20 plus years ago and is more so now.

If you want to just have fun collect what you like.

Thats my nickle.

Again welcome
Mike

[jonet143]

hey bobby, your examples of collecting are good. i think there is one or more of each style collector lurking around here! one of the neat things about knife collecting(accumulating?) is the diversity of choice, makers, patterns, handles, etc. as a new collector try to buy and collect what appeals to you. canoes are cool.

[knowtracks]

Hi Bobby, Welcome!
I think the main thing is to collect what YOU like. No sense spending your $ on something that doesn't blow your skirt up
Good Luck,

Dave

[BamaFatman]

Johnnie thats a nice looking KA-BAR canoe you got there.

Here is a Canoe of mine. Case XX USA.

[jfarmer]

My problem is that I like several different brands and just about any pattern so I just buy what I like.

Nice Canoes Johnnie and Jody

James

[gpalasz]

Hey Bobby, im very new as well...actually My first post about a month ago was identical to yours. Like a couple others stated..buy what you like. I see so many different kinds, makes, manufactures etc...I think its impossible to focus on one or two. If I like it..and its cool to me..Ill buy it(if its affordable at the time) Youll prob find a pattern or two you will favorite more...mine is the congress.

[Hukk]

Good advice I see up there! I favor the barlow pattern, as I mentioned before, but I sure like Canoe's that are a bit different.

Here's 2 Canoe's that are single blade and ONE that's a single blade lockback with a clip blade.

[bobby d]

Hi Bobby, Welcome!
I think the main thing is to collect what YOU like. No sense spending your $ on something that doesn't blow your skirt up
Good Luck,

Dave

Hi Dave, Here's the problem, I like almost everything. I really like queen knives, I like there reputation & history, From what I have read so far. Maybe I will stick with New york knives, I also like as some one put it Old Americana { Camillus}. Then I saw the new schatt& morgan cotton samplers & said I Gotta Have,One blows my skirt up. LOL. OH Man, I think I am becoming addicted. Don't Tell my wife Ps I appreciate everyone's opinion kepp them coming. Thanks Bobby

[zorrothegreyblade]

Just enjoy it! Set yourself a realistic budget and TRY to keep to it, I know when I see a "bargain" I am sorely tempted but remember them bills still need paying. After a while you will probably find yourself atracted to a specific maker or style or whatever, but don't worry what the other guy's doing, you're collecting for yourself, not him

[Gunstock Jack]

Hi Bobby and welcome! I've been collecting for a number of years and collect vintage and new production quality folders. I try and stay away from celluloid due to their self-destructive properties, although they are beautiful and I have about 40 (mostly vintage). When they go they can make a mess, although many of mine are over 60 years old. I now buy mostly stag and bone, not necessarily in any specific pattern. Buy what you like but remember Keen Kutter's motto; "The recollection of quality remains long after the price is forgotten". GJ

so many knives and so little money!

[Gunstock Jack]

Whoops, I meant to post this one. GJ

[Gunstock Jack]

I mean this one (computer challenged)

[testcase]

Welcome! My name is Tod and I am addicted to sharp shiny things....

I collect what I like, and I like a LOT of different things. I lean toward the Trapper pattern and then the Stockman, but always try to stay American made with the occasional German knife slipping in. Remington,Case, Camillus and Schrade are my favorites and I tend toward the lower end of the dollar spectrum. I like the yellow handled knives a lot for some reason

I tell my wife I am getting them for my grandson....

[orvet]

Welcome Bobby!
There has been great advice posted.
Collect the knives that you like. Sometimes the hunt is as much fun as finding the knife.

I collect Schrade & Camillus, as far as brands go. In patterns I collect stockman, Barlow, hawkbills, TL-29, folding hunters & WWII era bone handled pocketknives. I also collect historical info on Schrade & Camillus.

If you are like me, you will probably find that you will start collecting books related to the history of the knives you collect.

I guess the only wrong thing you can do in collecting is to allow collecting to become an obsession……….like spending the mortgage money on knives.

Enjoy,
Dale