The Story of My Collection

[rugmar]

Back in the mid 70’s there was a standalone Belk store in the downtown area of where I was living. The store was a three story building with other businesses’ connected at each side. As my wife was shopping one day I went downstairs to the lower level where they had slightly more interesting things. I found that they had an old Case knife display that was just awesome. Yes, in a Belk store. The display was made of light colored wood and was approximately four to five feet wide and two to two and a half feet deep. It had a two section sloped top with glass on top and a lower cabinet with drawers underneath. I have seen a picture of one very similar somewhere on this site. Most importantly, this display was filled with gleaming case knifes. Needless to say, this is where I would spend my time at all future visits to this particular store.

Fast forward about ten years and this store announced it would be closing and joining a new mall that was opening on the other side of town. The knives however, would be closed out and eliminated from the new store. The next few months were interesting as I watched the Case knives begin to slowly dwindle. One thing I noticed was the knives in the display were already 6, 7 and some 10 years old. Being in a Belk store, I guess not too many guys even knew they were there and the women for sure were not telling. Anyway, I did not have lots of expendable income in those days but I did manage to buy a few before they were gone over the period of 2-3 months. Notable purchases were a 1975 Kentucky Bi-centennial sod buster with pretty wood scales and a nice cardboard display box w/clear plastic sleeve, a 1977 or 1978 copperhead, a pen knife with brass scales, a fixed blade Li’l Devil, a 10 dot Texas Lockhorn and a 9 dot Sidewinder. This Sidewinder was one of if not the last knife sold from that location. I had to do some serious saving for that one. I still have all of these along with their original packaging and even some receipts. This event is what started me down the road of collecting knives.

I loved these knives for a few years but eventually they got relegated to a box and although I would occasionally buy another and it’s star would shine for a week or so and then in the box it went. When I out grew that box I found an old wooden box that had belonged to a railroad mechanic and all the knives lived there for many years. Actually until a few months ago. I continued to add knives every so often when I would see something that I liked but they all ended up in the box and unless I wanted to unpack the box and look through them and then pack it back up, I never saw my knives. For twenty five years or so my knives lived in this wooden mechanic’s box with only sporadic visits from me. I kept adding knives but never really enjoying them except for those short visits.

A year or two ago I was at the beach and happened to see this display case sitting outside of a store. It was up against a side wall and was empty except for the glass shelves and LED lighting. It stood about 6 feet tall, 20 inches square with about 2 foot high lockable storage cabinet underneath. It had been a display case for some expensive brand of sunglasses. After a little haggling with the store owner, I loaded it up and took it home. It sat in the garage for the better part of a year until recently when I rearranged my office. It now is parked beside of my desk and yes, you guessed it, all of my wonderful collection is housed within. I say wonderful not to be boastful but to convey the enjoyment these knives are now bringing. My collection is very meager by some standards and there is certainly no rare or expensive knife in it. I think the most I have ever paid for any knife was $175 so I’m not getting rich anytime soon. My point is this; all the years my knives were in a box I liked them a lot. Now that they are in my face, they are the most beautiful things ever and now I have a re-kindled interest in a hobby that I think I’m truly going to love.

Thanks to all who trudged through this with me and thanks to the members of this site who seem so willing to share their knowledge and always seem to find a friendly way to do it. This is a really nice place to hang out.

Feel free to share the story of your knife collection. I promise I’ll read every word.

[Steve Warden]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Any pics?

[tongueriver]

That is a good story. I am delighted that you have found a way to display your knives that works for you.

[Mumbleypeg]

Great story! And great to have your collection where you can easily see it, too.

Ken

[gsmith7158]

rugmar, thats a great story and I would agree with your final position. I want my knives in plain sight and easily accessible so I can ogle and fondle at will!

[orvet]

Great story, can't wait to see pictures.

[Colonel26]

Awesome story! I too would love to see the pics.

[rugmar]

Okay, okay. here are a few pics.

[philco]

Wow, I can see why you're enjoying your knives a lot more. That is an excellent way to display them. Looks great !

By the way, to AAPK.

[doglegg]

Great display Rugmar, I don't think meager is the right word for it. Excellent job on arranging them, not too cluttered and all visible.

[Doc B]

Great story and awesome display!!!!!

[gsmith7158]

Yes sir rugmar that display is first class! Good Job!

[Dinadan]

That is a cool story, Rugmar. That display case is really nice. I bet you like walking into your office a lot more now!

[FRJ]

That is a very nice display, rugmar. Who wouldn't want that.

For the longest time I didn't have my knives out for viewing or access.
I do now and I really enjoy them more now.

Good job!

[Jody744]

Very cool

[Colonel26]

Now that is first class all the way!

[rugmar]

Thanks guys for all the nice comments. It really is phenomenal how much more I enjoy these knives now. I hope this inspires someone else to make their collection visible. I know there is more risk to losing them in a break in but the benefit to me is more important.

Life's too short to keep knives in boxes.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thanks guys for all the nice comments. It really is phenomenal how much more I enjoy these knives now. I hope this inspires someone else to make their collection visible. I know there is more risk to losing them in a break in but the benefit to me is more important.

Life's too short to keep knives in boxes.

I like that last sentence. I decided right off the bat that I would display my knives and not leave them in boxes. You made the right choice to display them. That is a wonderful display. Great story.
By the way I think you do have a least one really nice and expensive knife in there. The Case Sidewinder. Some of those bring some pretty big bucks.
SSk

[woodwalker]

Very nice!! It's nice to be proud of our collection/accumulation. It takes years to put them together as well as the money we have put out on our beauties. And some are gifts from folks we know and respect. That makes them special. Some are handed down from our grandparents and fathers that are no longer with us. Each and every one of them hold a special place in our hearts. Mine are displayed as well in shadow boxes. I like looking at them and as Jerry says coon fingering them now and then. Your display is awesome and you should be proud!!

[WillyCamaro]

Very nice story and collection rugmar! I Especially like how you have it displayed. That's thar some great advice Sharp, sittin' and lookin' at me daddy and mine knives right now. Thou advice, Showeth, Great wisdom, all.

[zoogirl]

What a great setup!
I truly don’t have room for a proper display. Right now my knives occupy two chocolate boxes and a cigar box. Well, the boxes and my purse, coat pockets, camping bags, jeans, etc!

Let’s see some other displays. I bet you guys have some cool cabinets and shelving. Pics!

[eveled]

I went through a similar process recently.

The real benefit for me to have easy access. Is I can go knife “shopping” anytime I want and pick a “new” knife to carry whenever I want. I’ve even making an effort to carry more of my fixed blade knives around town.

[orvet]

Wow rugmar, nice job!
You raised the bar for all of us! Well, maybe not for the guys who have their own
"knife rooms." I expect some of those are pretty spectacular!

[rea1eye]

Very nice story and beautiful knife collection. I want to re-do our office at home. Maybe this
summer I will run across a cabinet like yours and can move my knives too.

Bob

[kingknight]

Life's too short to keep knives in boxes. :D

That's an awesome display and a great post. Every time I unboxed my knives I lament putting them away again. Well, rugmar, you've inspired me to display my treasures. Thanks