Bridging the Gap between young and older collectors

[Dinadan]

As a younger collector, I feel at times there is some tension between the new generation of collectors and older generation of collectors of Case Knives.

This has been an interesting thread. I really do not have much to say about the gap between young and old collectors because this forum is the only place where I meet knife collectors. From what I see here it seems that plenty of older men like the new designs and materials. On the other hand, I think it is common for old men to think that everything in the world was better when they themselves were about 25 years old. The girls were prettier, the cars were fancier, the guns and knives were made better, even the food and beer were better. I think that is just human nature: so naturally a lot of us older men like the knives that were being made when we were young.

Getting back to the young versus old point. Is there tension between newer and older Case collectors? I am not a Case collector but I do read a lot of posts. I cannot say that I have ever noticed such a divide among the members here.

I've started knife clubs in this valley just to end up buying back whole collections from people that have given up finding any knives locally. ... Online auction killed our local knife clubs because we don't have to get together to trade/sell what we find with each other. It's all online now. How do we bring back the local knife clubs/collectors to our love of knives?

I found your post to be very interesting. I grew up out in the middle of a rural area and it would have been a long drive to a pawn shop or sporting goods store. Every store did have a display case of mostly shell handled knives, that were all most folks could afford. If knife clubs existed my area I never heard of one, then or now. Until the internet and Ebay, I never considered knife collecting. For one thing, I never had a clue jut how many different knives were made nor knew anything about the companies that made them. Anyway, it seems to me that for a lot of knife lovers, Ebay and the internet have really opened up possibilities that otherwise would never have existed. You say that folks gave up collecting because they could not find knives: That is probably how it would have been for me before the internet. Fortunately for young collectors, the limits for their collection will be more a matter of money or interest than just hitting dead ends.

[Zbnrthct]

As a younger collector, I feel at times there is some tension between the new generation of collectors and older generation of collectors of Case Knives.

This has been an interesting thread. I really do not have much to say about the gap between young and old collectors because this forum is the only place where I meet knife collectors. From what I see here it seems that plenty of older men like the new designs and materials. On the other hand, I think it is common for old men to think that everything in the world was better when they themselves were about 25 years old. The girls were prettier, the cars were fancier, the guns and knives were made better, even the food and beer were better. I think that is just human nature: so naturally a lot of us older men like the knives that were being made when we were young.

I agree with everything you said Dinadan except the prettier girls! The different generations may just have to agree to disagree on that one.

[FRJ]

I cannot say that I have ever noticed such a divide among the members here.

I have to agree. I think things are moving along flawlessly.

[Bushfire]

I think "collector" as a term encompasses too much.

I'm of the younger generation but am friends with more gentleman of the older generation in knife circles. I'll preface it by saying that there are many, many exceptions but most of the older generation are in knives for the love of knives. Too many of the recent younger collectors are in it for the commodity, a shiny "rare" knife that can be on sold for a profit is desirable purely for that reason.

I just love knives, when I get a new one I work at knocking that shine off as quick as I can. I don't get envious of the rare flashy stuff, I'm envious of a knife some guy has carried for 50 years that's loaded with character and pocket worn all over.

We're all in it for different reasons and have different preferences I guess, that's what makes knife collecting along with show and tell so interesting to me.

[cudgee]

Great to see everyone's views and comments here. Some very well thought out and presented reading. And as stated done in a very civil and respectful manner.

[Lansky1]

Interesting topic ... I'm a bit older than you, and collect almost exclusively Case knives post 1970. I appreciate a nice bone sided knife as much as anybody, but I gravitate towards the flashy versions of traditional slip joints (not the single blade locking types) ... love dyed bone and the modern swirly acrylics - kirinite/corelon. I too sense many of our more esteemed members gravitate towards the more traditional bone sides as I rarely get comments when posting pics of my "flashy" Cases. My favorite GEC's are those with the really unique acrylic sides ... for which they make far fewer than they used to

[RedRaiderRick]

Interesting topic ... I'm a bit older than you, and collect almost exclusively Case knives post 1970. I appreciate a nice bone sided knife as much as anybody, but I gravitate towards the flashy versions of traditional slip joints (not the single blade locking types) ... love dyed bone and the modern swirly acrylics - kirinite/corelon. I too sense many of our more esteemed members gravitate towards the more traditional bone sides as I rarely get comments when posting pics of my "flashy" Cases. My favorite GEC's are those with the really unique acrylic sides ... for which they make far fewer than they used to

corelon.jpg

Buddy I'm with you!

I love the brighter colors from Case - Indian Paint Brush, Burnt Sea Dragon, Burnt Moss, Deep Canyon, Kentucky Blue Grass,....