Using collectible knives

[CarbonStag]

Hello everyone! This is my first time creating a topic here in AAPK, usually I'm lurking around and learning new things. But I'm a very curious person and have this question burning a hole in my head. I was wondering what your guy's thoughts on using mint or near mint antique knives that are possibly very collectible or valuable, Like a certain Case from the 1900-1940's? Or a very nice pearl Sheffield made multi bladed knife. Do some of you think it's something that shouldn't be done OR it's not really a big deal since it is being used for what it's made to do despite the rarity and collectability. I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

[eveled]

It depends, but if it is significant and rare it should be preserved. We are the caretakers of history.

On the other hand if it shows signs of use already a little more wont hurt it.

[Mumbleypeg]

If it’s truly a “collectable” then you have to realize that carrying it will destroy some or most of its value. If it’s in mint condition and you put it in your pocket, sharpen or carry it just once many say that cuts its value by 50%. Then there is the aspect of preserving history.

“Collectable” means different things to different people. To some it means a 100 year old survivor, made at a time when people bought knives as tools to be used. When they wore out or broke they threw them away and bought another. Those that survived in mint or near-mint condition are rare and often valuable as collectables. Some of those less popular (at the time) patterns did not sell that many to begin with so were discontinued. Making them even harder to find today - not only did they survive there weren’t many to begin with.

Then there are the modern day made-to-be-collectable knives. For example Case has made literally thousands of trapper pattern “commemoratives” as collectables, 1-of-100, only 5 made with double-throw-down-eel-bone-handle-covers-with-engraved-serial-numbered-bolsters. And in a velvet box with a COA. To some those are rare collectables. To others they’re just another (expensive) Case Trapoer. Other companies do similar “collectables”. Then there is GEC - I seriously doubt 80-90% of GEC’s output ever see the inside of a pocket.

Which if any of those examples you believe is worth putting up and preserving, versus which you think you’d like to carry, is in the eye of the beholder. Some want to carry everything they own, even if it might be in a velvet knife slip. Some folks carry some knives but not others.

In the end it’s yours to do with as your conscience guides you - you’re the one to make that decision.

Ken

[cody6268]

If it's not been used, it won't be used. If it's been used gently, it's an occasional EDC. If it's been used like normal, I use it like normal. If it's a beater, it is a work knife.

I often buy two if I see sellers with fairly inexpensive knives with advertising and they have like a whole box of them (most of them shell handle, or Swiss Army-type). One will go into my EDC if I don't already have that model, one will go up.

The exception is family knives. I have knives that belonged to my great-granddad on both sides, my Granddad, and my Dad; as well as friends of theirs, my friends, and other family members. These usually only get carried on special occasions and family gatherings; though a near-worn out '40-64 Case 6347 that belonged to my great-Granddad's best friend is a regular EDC, as well as a rough and worn '76 Case 6488 that belonged to my great-Granddad. The edges have been worn thin, and they cut great!


The one knife I feel guilty about using is an early 2000s Stanley SL-12 Trapper made by Camillus. I wanted a Trapper with a serrated secondary blade, and the only option was the SL-12, which had very efficient scallops instead of the more typical triple-point serrations. Used ones weren't common, and many people had ruined or removed the serrations from those. It was mint when I got it, and still near-mint. A member here had priced it low as if it were one of the China-made examples that were produced a few years later ($15). I've been careful what I did with it, but it's been a regular EDC.

I can, rarely, find new ones still in the pack. They go for around $50.

[CarbonStag]

Great comments! I like and agree with preserving history part.

I follow the same rule as Cody, I like to use my knives if it's been used, and If I had a mint knife - keep it mint. as of now I don't have any special collectible knives.

As for GEC's I can see how it's so tempting to not use them lol! but the only 2 I have I love to use.

[Madmarco]

Everyone was so focused on answering your question C.S. that they overlooked welcoming you, so, to AAPK! However you use or don't use your knives, enjoy them!

[CarbonStag]

Thanks madmarco! glad to be here.

[bestgear]

From my little corner of the world, I draw a distinction between “using” and “carrying”. I’ll carry many of my collectible knives solely for the purpose of giving them some pocket time and a smile to my face. If duty called, they could be used but I generally have a backup for that purpose. What I’ve never done is be the first to carry a factory mint never carried collectible knife so all of my collectible carry’s are typically with pre-war folding knives. YMMV

…..and

[jmh58]

Tools.. Not Jewels...
Sez the man with a big pile of safe Queens..
John

[Dinadan]

Welcome, CarbonStag! I see you have been lurking around for over a year: I was a lurker for some months before I started posting.

Regarding your question, here is my opinion. If I own a knife it is completely my decision: I do not feel any obligation to preserve it for posterity. (If I owned something truly historic like George Washington's knife, it would be different.) However, if I have a knife that would be hard to replace and it is pristine, I tend not to carry it. I would rather admire it than use it. I just have so many good knives that I like to carry and are already EDC, that it seems a shame to sharpen and carry one that would hard to replace. But if I wanted too, I would. Of course, I figure that when I am gone those pristine knives will probably sell for $5 at a yard sale and be used to open cans or some such. But I enjoy them while I own them.

I drop my pocketknife sometimes, so I never carry a knife with MOP handles; new or old, the MOP stays in the display case. Personally, I prefer either wood or Delrin or bone, in that order.

[glennbad]

I like all of the previous answers given.

I will add that I don't think knives that were made 100 years ago, or even up until maybe the 70's, were necessarily intended as collectibles. They were made and sold as tools. Of course, there are always knives with fancy cover materials and bolster work/embellishments, maybe those were aimed at collectors or consumers with more dollars to spend.

Maybe someone will correct me, but I think knives being offered as and purchased strictly as collectibles really started to hit stride around the 70's.

But back to the original question. The way I might look at it, if a knife can't be easily replaced with a similar copy, then perhaps that's not a knife you may want to use. Or if it's a mint version, as others have said, it will never be back to mint once used.

I've had this discussion regarding knives (cheaper of course) that are still in the clam pack. If they are knives that are no longer produced, then opening up a new in the clampack knife makes it no longer unique or as collectible, as finding them in that condition is increasingly difficult.

All that being said, at the end of the day, it's just a knife. There's a certain joy in using a beautiful old bone or stag handled survivor from 100 years ago. I guess life is too short to not enjoy the finer things when you are able to.

[edge213]

I say, it's yours, do with it as you please.
To me it makes no sense to keep knives locked up in a safe never to be seen.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I say, it's yours, do with it as you please.
To me it makes no sense to keep knives locked up in a safe never to be seen.

This is the most logical answer, which I tend to agree with.

[keithw]

I agree with most people here, it's a personal decision. I have a handful of knives that I rotate as by EDC, and my rule is if I need a knife and it's in my pocket, it will be used/abused. So, I tend to not carry expensive unused knives. I also agree that it's a waste to just put up a beautiful new knife and never carry it, but I just can't bring myself to it.

Many times I buy a knife, leave it on my dresser a week or two to admire it, then stash it in a printers cabinet where I keep my knives. Occasionally I will go through it and I always come across a knife that I forgot that I had, which is great, unless that means...., wait what was I talking about, anyway, do what feels right for you.

[Madmarco]

I agree with most people here, it's a personal decision. I have a handful of knives that I rotate as by EDC, and my rule is if I need a knife and it's in my pocket, it will be used/abused. So, I tend to not carry expensive unused knives. I also agree that it's a waste to just put up a beautiful new knife and never carry it, but I just can't bring myself to it.

Many times I buy a knife, leave it on my dresser a week or two to admire it, then stash it in a printers cabinet where I keep my knives. Occasionally I will go through it and I always come across a knife that I forgot that I had, which is great, unless that means...., wait what was I talking about, anyway, do what feels right for you.

! Hilarious Keith! Don'tcha jus' hate those "Senior's Moments"?

[Reverand]

Welcome, Carbonstag!
You asked a great question, and have gotten some great answers. Sometimes it helps just to find out how other people think about a given subject.

I will not give an opinion, since I mainly carry repaired knives that have more value to me as a user, and pretty much none to a collector! But I have really enjoyed reading everybody else's thoughts on it.

[CarbonStag]

Thanks Reverand! "Sometimes it helps just to find out how other people think about a given subject." Thats what I love about forums, is hearing what others think.

[Kramersknife]

What gets me is high end knives with best some of the best sharpest steel out there will seldom if ever get used they could make them out of cheap steel for that sake.Like a antique or high end car that never gets driven why put a 20,000 -100,00.00 motor in it...these are the kind of questions that go through my mind at night..

[JonTerry]

I Struggle with this,

I have always wanted a Schrade LB8 since seeing one as a Kid in a Store in Oregon when I was a kid.

Finally some 30+ years later I purchased one from a Seller on this site, the trouble is that the knife was still Perfect/Brand new and boxed, so I have never taken it out of the home.

I have bought a Modern LB8 as my EDC but the USA made LB8 is too precious for me to use.

I am looking for a more battered USA made LB8 to use as my EDC but living in the UK ( I know I shouldn't Carry this here but I'm 49 years old and don't think I'll ever be stopped and searched) ........anyway still looking and hoping someone here will tuern up with a used LB8 that I can purchase and use.

So I guess I would say if it's had a life of use then use it, if not keep it for histories sake in perfect condition.

JT

[Mumbleypeg]

I Struggle with this,

I have always wanted a Schrade LB8 since seeing one as a Kid in a Store in Oregon when I was a kid.

Finally some 30+ years later I purchased one from a Seller on this site, the trouble is that the knife was still Perfect/Brand new and boxed, so I have never taken it out of the home.

I have bought a Modern LB8 as my EDC but the USA made LB8 is too precious for me to use.

I am looking for a more battered USA made LB8 to use as my EDC but living in the UK ( I know I shouldn't Carry this here but I'm 49 years old and don't think I'll ever be stopped and searched) ........anyway still looking and hoping someone here will tuern up with a used LB8 that I can purchase and use.

So I guess I would say if it's had a life of use then use it, if not keep it for histories sake in perfect condition.

JT

We are of a like mind on this. My current EDC rotation consists solely of knives that in some sense are "collectables" which I bought because they were already used. My intent when buying them is to carry and use them. If they were in mint condition I might have bought them (if affordable) but would not carry them.

Ken

[edge213]

I Struggle with this,

I have always wanted a Schrade LB8 since seeing one as a Kid in a Store in Oregon when I was a kid.

Finally some 30+ years later I purchased one from a Seller on this site, the trouble is that the knife was still Perfect/Brand new and boxed, so I have never taken it out of the home.

I have bought a Modern LB8 as my EDC but the USA made LB8 is too precious for me to use.

I am looking for a more battered USA made LB8 to use as my EDC but living in the UK ( I know I shouldn't Carry this here but I'm 49 years old and don't think I'll ever be stopped and searched) ........anyway still looking and hoping someone here will tuern up with a used LB8 that I can purchase and use.

So I guess I would say if it's had a life of use then use it, if not keep it for histories sake in perfect condition.

JT

Can you not legally carry an LB8 because of the lock or blade length or both?

[BIGHEAD]

I Struggle with this,

I have always wanted a Schrade LB8 since seeing one as a Kid in a Store in Oregon when I was a kid.

Finally some 30+ years later I purchased one from a Seller on this site, the trouble is that the knife was still Perfect/Brand new and boxed, so I have never taken it out of the home.

I have bought a Modern LB8 as my EDC but the USA made LB8 is too precious for me to use.

I am looking for a more battered USA made LB8 to use as my EDC but living in the UK ( I know I shouldn't Carry this here but I'm 49 years old and don't think I'll ever be stopped and searched) ........anyway still looking and hoping someone here will tuern up with a used LB8 that I can purchase and use.

So I guess I would say if it's had a life of use then use it, if not keep it for histories sake in perfect condition.

JT

Can you not legally carry an LB8 because of the lock or blade length or both?

I think because he lives in the UK. I think they (knives) are illegal outside the home. Could be wrong.

[Mumbleypeg]

My son lives in the UK. Knives there (legally carried) are limited by blade length (3 inches maximum) and blades cannot be locking regardless. I think there are exceptions for certain conditions, like while hunting, fishing, or en route to and from such activities.

When in Scotland recently I saw some gents in kilts having fixed blade knives (Sgian Dubh) tucked into the top of their knee length stockings, held in place by a garter. I didn’t have an opportunity to ask about it but I’m guessing there’s some kind of exemption for that. Or maybe in Scotland they don’t enforce absurd laws.

Some of our UK members can tell us for sure.

Ken

[edge213]

My son lives in the UK. Knives there (legally carried) are limited by blade length (3 inches maximum) and blades cannot be locking regardless. I think there are exceptions for certain conditions, like while hunting, fishing, or en route to and from such activities.

When in Scotland recently I saw some gents in kilts having fixed blade knives (Sgian Dubh) tucked into the top of their knee length stockings, held in place by a garter. I didn’t have an opportunity to ask about it but I’m guessing there’s some kind of exemption for that. Or maybe in Scotland they don’t enforce absurd laws.

Some of our UK members can tell us for sure.

Ken

At a recent show I saw what appeared to be a Sgian Dubh in a sheath, but it was a one piece fake not a real knife.

[JonTerry]

Yup because of both Blade length and Locking mechanism.

I always as a kid carried lockbacks here in the UK before the Law changed, but I was also always in the woods or on the river fishing, I was pretty ferral to be honest, very old school and came home when I was hungry, or got scared of the dark in the woods.

I will always carry despite the law, as I use my EDC for work everyday ( I am a tradesman) I also continue to live an outdoor life, so feel naked without a knife at hand, so I should most of the time be able to justify carrying.
These days my main outdoor recreation is rock climbing which is another of the accepted reasons to carry a knife........not really sure why but I'm happy with the fact.
So I have a Buck Redpont which I can use for rope work/cutting, and then I have a large Lockback for anything else that I may need. (it's very light and hangs on my harness well)
I also have Leuku's which we use for hacking at bushes etc at the bottom of cliffs for climbing access.
It's kinda funny but I feel that if stopped enroute to a climbing crag the police would probably be fine with the Leuku and not the Lockback, we are in a crazy state of perception on what is dangerous here in the UK.
We have rising knife crime stats in the UK but we have a rising population so it goes hand in hand that this crime with all others will rise, and what makes me laugh it the fact that I am basically a criminal now because I still carry a locking knife as my EDC, oh and most teenage knife crimes are blades from mums kitchen drawer not Outdoor Sport tools that we use and carry as responsable adults.

I'll stop there as I have just realised that a one sentance reply has turned into a rant, maybe I'm annoyed today that I got home 10 minutes late to bid on a Schrade Outdoor Scrimshaw set ?? Who knows but I'm still ranting HA!!!
Enjoy your Weekend Guys
JT