Where?

[Tundraman]

I am new to this forum. Have a collection of about 35 knives. A few are collectable, some not so because they are relatively new or still in production, and a few that are probably considered throw aways to some but collectable to me. I have a small folder from my small hometown feed store that is still there. The knife prob from the 60's or early 70's and definately a cheapie sold by the checkout.
Anyway, I was curious as to where you go to find your old knives. I have looked at the area's pawn shops. Found a KA-Bar 1211 that looks brand new for $20. And a Buck 110 Founders edition, still sealed in it's box for the same price at a 2nd shop. I did find 2 German WWII daggers. One I wasn't allowed to even handle. The second, after getting home and researching on the net, being what was a Hitler youth dagger with sheath. It had words etched on the blade. The old man working there was askihg $600. I knew better than to even offer anything. The first pic I found of one was from some weird auction site and they wanted $75 for theirs, which was in much better condition. I have that pic still on my phone. But i would like to know where everyone goes to find their collectables. And yes, I know those pawn shops are usually way overpriced.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Hitler Youth Daggers are notoriously counterfeited. I would never buy one. I think there might be more fakes than real That admonition holds true for a lot of Third Reich stuff.

Charlie Noyes

[zoogirl]

Swap meets, yard sales and antique stores. Antique and collectable shows are good too but a bit pricier. If you’re rural, try estate sales and auctions.
I personally don’t buy anything online, except concert tickets. Then I get my kids to do it!
Happy hunting!

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard.

Unlike Ann (zoogirl) I acquire 99% of my accumulation online. To each their own. And there's nothing that says you can't "collect" (accumulate / hoard) new knives just because other's look for the old stuff. It's been preached here on AAPK and elsewhere, "get what you like".

[Old Hunter]

Pawn shops and antique malls are great places for finding old knives; my experience is you do a LOT of looking for a LITTLE bit of finding to get a nice knife at a reasonable price - but it happens. My other best place is right here on AAPK, either the Member Stores at the top of the page or the classified ads section below - you usually don't get a steal like you do once in a blue moon at a pawn shop, but you will get an honest evaluation and a fair price, usually below it's full worth. Auction Arms, Ebay, and GunBroker are my last choices - I do buy on those websites but usually only fixed blade knives that I know a lot about the model and the manufacturer (Buck, Case, Schrade USA, Western) - there are a lot of non-knife people selling on those websites and you can get stuck because their interpretation of "blade wobble" and "snap" are not what we knife nuts use. OH
Ps Welcome to AAPK - a very friendly and knowledgeable group of KNIFE FOLKS!

[tongueriver]

If you live near the coasts or pretty much anywhere east of the Mississippi you can avail yourself of all the above venues and find items of interest. I live in the 'Rocky Mountain West' and there is basically near-zero knives of interest anywhere to my taste. Chinese, worn-out, junk, Pakistani, etc. I got tired of going to the pawn shops and garage sales and finding nothing but I still occasionally check in. There are zero flea markets in this part of the world and the nearest knife show is a thousand miles away. So I buy off the two knife forums I frequent and Ebay. I would suggest 'read, read, read,' and you will develop a knowledge base regarding your interests today, which will probably change as you learn more. You can use a keyword search on both forums to learn about a given knife or subject. There is a heading at the top of this page "RESEARCH," with a drop-down menu. There are also some nice books and magazines out there. I highly recommend KNIFE magazine, formerly KNIFE WORLD.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I buy almost all of my old knife finds at local gunshows, flea market, and antique and pawn shops.

[cody6268]

If you look hard enough, you will find good scores, even from sources and sellers that are notoriously overpriced, especially flea markets, antique malls, and secondhand stores (I really am not crazy about pawn shops, but we have a ton around here, so I should start checking them out). Also, from time to time, you will find some lots on eBay for super cheap. There's also the occasional knife that isn't overpriced trash on Etsy every now and then.

[Mumbleypeg]

As others have said, you're typically going to do a lot of looking for a little finding. Places you look at today that have nothing, or nothing but junk, may tomorrow have a real prize. Estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, antique malls, gun shows, knife shows are all sources, but you have to be diligent. At estate and garage sales, ask about knives. Many times there aren't any knives displayed but if you ask you may get a response like "oh my dad had a few, if you're interested I'll get them". At flea markets and antique malls talk to the dealers. Make friends. Next time you're there they may remember you and tell you that they or another dealer has just gotten some knives.

Be sure to shop the stores here on AAPK. Never know what may turn up when you're "window shopping". And at least you can drool a little. And learn a lot.

The hunt is a fun part of the hobby. Enjoy it!

Ken

[Lansky1]

with only a couple exceptions, my entire collection of over 100 Case knives was obtained from eBay.

[Tundraman]

Thanks for everyone's help. Its the wrong time of year to hit the few flea markets in the area. But I have found a few antique stores that I didn't previously know of. The wife might like those too. One has a pile of swords pictured. Which I know absolutely nothing about. Nor do I really have the desire to have one. But he may have a pile of knives too. I pretty much give up on e-bay for the time being. Mainly because of all I hear about forgeries. And I like to have a cash limit to my spending. With a credit card, it would get maxed out in no time. And I also like to hold in hand what I am looking at before I buy. There has only been one I got from there and it was the only place I could find it. The first that really got me reading about and collecting knives. I am on 2 forums now reading and learning as much as I can.
Thanks again

[stockman]

AAPK is a good place to buy from. I have purchased several knives here.

Harold