To Leave Knife out on Display? Or Keep Them More Secure?

[GSPTOPDOG]

I just had a break in at my house when I had gone away for two days. I arrived at my house in the afternoon to find my house had been burglarized. Last night I heard a noise about 9 PM and I went out to my back yard and (it turned out to be a homeless man "living in the desert by my house) I saw him pushing a wheel barrel up to the gate on my fence and start to climb over the fence. When he saw me, he turned and ran away.

I lost so many good knives and a lot of money from this disaster!

[Railsplitter]

I am sorry this happened to you. It’s something that we all fear. Myself included.

Do you think the homeless guy was involved in the theft?

I hope you have insurance but either way, the bright side is that you and/or your family members weren’t hurt.

As for displaying or locking them up, a secure safe would be a practical option as long as it’s set up so that the thieves can’t pick the whole safe up and walk out with it.

I personally don’t believe in displaying knives or anything of value. I had a Ruger GP100 stolen from a break in. The thief went straight to the place where I stored it. Didn’t mess up anything else in the house. I know who it was but I can’t prove it. I showed it to the wrong guy. Fortunately, it was covered by my NRA insurance that came with my membership at the time.

My point is that he was a long time friend from my childhood that I trusted implicitly. But I just had to show him my gun. Big mistake.

[philco]

I’m sorry for what you are experiencing. I’d love to display my collection but can’t be at peace doing so. My knives are locked away in a safe.

[glennbad]

Thieves suck. I'm sorry you had to go through this.

I love to display my knives, but things like that would make me think harder about doing it,

[ken98k]

I just had a break in at my house when I had gone away for two days. I arrived at my house in the afternoon to find my house had been burglarized. Last night I heard a noise about 9 PM and I went out to my back yard and (it turned out to be a homeless man "living in the desert by my house) I saw him pushing a wheel barrel up to the gate on my fence and start to climb over the fence. When he saw me, he turned and ran away.

I lost so many good knives and a lot of money from this disaster!

Personally, I would quietly search out the desert dweller and at an opportune time, get satisfaction.

[bestgear]

I lost so many good knives and a lot of money from this disaster!

Unimaginable but very real and very heartbreaking, we join you in solidarity as you regroup from this loss. Maybe the answer to your question is a hybrid; keep most of them secure and some of the out on display thereby limiting your exposure to theft, damage, etc. I know we've all built these collections to enjoy and they can't fully appreciated when locked in a safe but they certainly can't be appreciated if they are stolen. I hope the authorities can assist you but that's unlikely.....sorry for your loss GSTOPDOG

[Paladin]

I lost so many good knives and a lot of money from this disaster!

Unimaginable but very real and very heartbreaking, we join you in solidarity as you regroup from this loss. Maybe the answer to your question is a hybrid; keep most of them secure and some of the out on display thereby limiting your exposure to theft, damage, etc. I know we've all built these collections to enjoy and they can't fully appreciated when locked in a safe but they certainly can't be appreciated if they are stolen. I hope the authorities can assist you but that's unlikely.....sorry for your loss GSTOPDOG

When I was active in collecting I only displayed an inexpensive line of knives. They were a nice batch of office knives and I displayed a couple hundred of them in hanging wood-frame cases in my office (man cave). I had them all inventoried and photographed. The good stuff all went into the safe with other valuables. All the guns except those for defense purposes were also in the safe. It is, or was, a sad comment on our society of locked doors and windows.

[1967redrider]

That is terrible. Where was Zeus? Hopefully you can find what has been stolen, the guy had to be taking your things somewhere. Sorry to read this.

[bighomer]

Man I'm sure sad to read this, guess it could happen to any of us, when going out of town I put my ladies in my gun safe but a couple of strong men could probably steal it. Sure sorry for your loss top.

[QTCut5]

Man, that really sucks I feel your pain, TopDog, my home was burglarized in 2004 and my entire knife collection was stolen, so I know what that feels like and it really hurts. Even now, 21 years later, I still feel the sting whenever I think about the knives that were stolen.

One (small) consolation is that now you have the space and a good reason to rebuild your collection.

[bestgear]

....my home was burglarized in 2004 and my entire knife collection was stolen

I didn't know about this Q, how sad; it really changes your perception of your fellow man because of the violation.

I and others on the forum have found some peace-of-mind with Collectibles Insurance (https://collectinsure.com/) where if our collections are stolen, we have an avenue to turn to for some restitution. It's a much simpler process now than when my policy started and my premium (which varies from state-to-state) is about $500/year for $100,000 worth of coverage; about the cost of one very nice custom knife annually. They also cover knives in-transit up to $5,000 so if you ship a knife or you purchase a knife, you are technically the owner until the package arrives and is covered under the policy. I've never had to file a claim but all signs point to a swift and favorable outcome on behalf of the policy holder.

Might be worth checking out but I get it, who needs another annual bill, right!

[Paladin]

....my home was burglarized in 2004 and my entire knife collection was stolen

I didn't know about this Q, how sad; it really changes your perception of your fellow man because of the violation.

I and others on the forum have found some peace-of-mind with Collectibles Insurance (https://collectinsure.com/) where if our collections are stolen, we have an avenue to turn to for some restitution. It's a much simpler process now than when my policy started and my premium (which varies from state-to-state) is about $500/year for $100,000 worth of coverage; about the cost of one very nice custom knife annually. They also cover knives in-transit up to $5,000 so if you ship a knife or you purchase a knife, you are technically the owner until the package arrives and is covered under the policy. I've never had to file a claim but all signs point to a swift and favorable outcome on behalf of the policy holder.

Might be worth checking out but I get it, who needs another annual bill, right!

This is much better coverage than is provided by a standard HomeOwner's policy which covers collections in limited amounts in many (most?) states.

Ray

[Gtrclktr-351]

Sorry to hear about your break-in. That sucks! My meager collection, though not worth much to anybody but me, stays locked up

[Dinadan]

I leave my knives out where I can enjoy looking at them and fondling them. I do not have really expensive knives: that makes it easier for me to decide. If I thought that my knives were so important or valuable that I needed to keep them in a safe ... I would not buy them in the first place. I keep my guns in a safe, and over the years I do not pull them out and enjoy them like I did when they were laying around on my desk and book shelves. I want my knives where I can see them, touch them, use them.

[Quick Steel]

A break in is such a terrible violation of one's living space on top of any losses. I choose to display my knives. It is a risk. I am mostly at home and am prepared to deal with intruders. Few visitors are shown my collection.

[GSPTOPDOG]

....my home was burglarized in 2004 and my entire knife collection was stolen

I didn't know about this Q, how sad; it really changes your perception of your fellow man because of the violation.

I and others on the forum have found some peace-of-mind with Collectibles Insurance (https://collectinsure.com/) where if our collections are

This is much better coverage than is provided by a standard HomeOwner's policy which covers collections in limited amounts in many (most?) states.
Ray

Thanks Ray I have already talked to my insurance representative, and I have a very large deductible, which just makes things worse.

[GSPTOPDOG]

That is terrible. Where was Zeus? Hopefully you can find what has been stolen, the guy had to be taking your things somewhere. Sorry to read this.

Zeus was with me lazy and asleep while camping.

However, I have already recovered some of the items, unfortunately, none of the Case knives or other more expensive ones. Except that I did get back several Pal WWII fixed blades and a number of Western fixed blades as well. I Had a hunch the thief was one of the homeless BUMS camping at the end of my street in a patch of desert between a school and church. I headed over there first thing in the morning (with Zeus in tow) to see if I could find any signs of my knives, swords, spears and axes (...and a "chunk" of my mineral collection as well as other non-knife items that were taken).

I saw a dumpster behind the church and went to it looking for maybe some discarded packaging. Right on top was the empty box for my Case XX Blue jigged bone Razor, so I knew I was in the right area. I saw what looked like a wheel barrel tire track coming from a tool shed behind the church and in front of the shed was one of my handmade walking sticks (I made it), and some other of my items including a 12" cast iron skillet. I could someone inside the shed.

I had called 911 when the thief was trying to climb over the fence the night before and they never showed up, they were kid enough to send me a text over an hour after calling to tell me they weren't coming to my house. The police station is only a mile from my house, so I drove to the police station because in all the commotion, I dropped my phone with the charger in it and now the charger won't work to charge the phone, and my phone was dead (this is called Murphy's Law). I advised the police of the location of my items outside the shed and I was told no officers would be available for the time being.

I returned to the shed to watch for someone leaving with my items and after a while the police arrived. The guy in the shed was not the same guy that had come to my house, but he did know the thief and in the shed he had about 50 of my cheaper knives and swords, Pal and Western fixed blades, my African spear that I got in Kenya, years ago and two pairs of my binoculars and several of my Zippo lighters.

The police interviewed the guy in the shed but did not arrest him.

The police found an empty tent nearby with a couple of more of my cheap knives and another one of my swords. The officer knew how the suspect is and thought that they had "just missed" the suspect.

I lost some really nice WWII bayonets, a HUGE number of fixed blades and I lost all of the Case SMKW pocketknives I have been accruing/collecting over the last 2 or 3 years, along with so many others....

Thanks for all the kind words of support from my fellow AAPK members it is very much appreciated.

[SwedgeHead]

I went through this myself, had family heirlooms, firearms, valuables all stolen. Turned out to be my neighbor, he and a friend got pulled over and had all my stuff in their trunk, I got tipped off and they got raided and caught. Judge slapped their hands and they were out with a little reimbursement. Selling weapons to a drug dealer, no recovery of the weapons, and a slap on the wrist - my opinion of justice changed that day and it took a while to regain faith.

ANYWAY, I still wanted to display my stuff so I went about designing a solid oak cabinet with lexan display and hidden hinges. Basically a display safe. You could take a sledge to it and it would take some effort. Sure if someone wanted in they were getting in, but that's true of near anything.

Sorry this happened to you, you lose "things" but it takes time to recover too. Best wishes.

[Killgar]

Really sorry to hear about this.

If I were you, I would visit the local pawn shops (if there are any). The thief might be pawning the more expensive knives.

One really needs to be proactive in such situations (as you have been). Your experience clearly shows that you can't wait for the police to do anything. That's not a knock against the police, they have their own scale of priorities, and unfortunately property theft isn't high on their list.

If you do visit any pawn shops, and if you do find any of your knives there, don't let on to the pawn shop owner/employees that they have your stolen property, as that property might disappear before the cops get there, never to be seen again. Instead, my advice is to pretend to be an interested buyer, and take pictures of your knives in the display case or on their counter, saying that you want to research them more online. Then go outside and call the cops. Having pictures will prove to the cops that your knives are/were there.

Good luck.

.

[Rookie]

Wow that stinks. Sorry to hear that. Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and any local flea markets or antique shops as well. A lot of the time stolen items get resold fairly quickly, and usually locally. I'm really sad to hear how little the police cared to help you too.

[Lansky1]

I leave my knives out where I can enjoy looking at them and fondling them. I do not have really expensive knives: that makes it easier for me to decide. If I thought that my knives were so important or valuable that I needed to keep them in a safe ... I would not buy them in the first place. I keep my guns in a safe, and over the years I do not pull them out and enjoy them like I did when they were laying around on my desk and book shelves. I want my knives where I can see them, touch them, use them.

This is my take as well. Mine are accessible ... probably too accessible. But I figure they will go for my guitars before my knives ... hopfully

[Dinadan]

However, I have already recovered some of the items, unfortunately, none of the Case knives or other more expensive ones.

I am glad to read that you have recovered some of your stuff. It sounds as if the thief had some idea of the relative value of the knives, if you found the less valuable ones and not the more valuable ones. Good luck finding the remainder.

Mine are accessible ... probably too accessible. But I figure they will go for my guitars before my knives ... hopfully

It is a shame to even have to think that way.

[Jeepergeo]

GSPTOPDOG and everyone else that has experienced a loss of physical property and/or disruption of your personal space due to theft, I feel your pain.

Maybe 20 years ago now, someone slit the top of my Jeep while it was in my driveway and took my very late 1960s or very early 1970s Buck 110. That knife was my first quality knife and went on many adventures with me either on my belt or in my pack. The damage to the Jeep top was around $600; loss of the knife can't be assigned a monetary value.

Since that theft, my view on crime and punishment, mental illness, vagrants, homeless, and druggies has changed significantly. I now support incarceration to prevent these animals from committing crimes and hard time for those that slip through the cracks and commit crimes. I vote against any measure or politician proposing vagrant/homeless/druggie/mentally ill "programs" other than those aimed at removal or incarceration.

[Sasquach]

That is terrible. Where was Zeus? Hopefully you can find what has been stolen, the guy had to be taking your things somewhere. Sorry to read this.

Zeus was with me lazy and asleep while camping.

However, I have already recovered some of the items, unfortunately, none of the Case knives or other more expensive ones. Except that I did get back several Pal WWII fixed blades and a number of Western fixed blades as well. I Had a hunch the thief was one of the homeless BUMS camping at the end of my street in a patch of desert between a school and church. I headed over there first thing in the morning (with Zeus in tow) to see if I could find any signs of my knives, swords, spears and axes (...and a "chunk" of my mineral collection as well as other non-knife items that were taken).

I saw a dumpster behind the church and went to it looking for maybe some discarded packaging. Right on top was the empty box for my Case XX Blue jigged bone Razor, so I knew I was in the right area. I saw what looked like a wheel barrel tire track coming from a tool shed behind the church and in front of the shed was one of my handmade walking sticks (I made it), and some other of my items including a 12" cast iron skillet. I could someone inside the shed.

I had called 911 when the thief was trying to climb over the fence the night before and they never showed up, they were kid enough to send me a text over an hour after calling to tell me they weren't coming to my house. The police station is only a mile from my house, so I drove to the police station because in all the commotion, I dropped my phone with the charger in it and now the charger won't work to charge the phone, and my phone was dead (this is called Murphy's Law). I advised the police of the location of my items outside the shed and I was told no officers would be available for the time being.

I returned to the shed to watch for someone leaving with my items and after a while the police arrived. The guy in the shed was not the same guy that had come to my house, but he did know the thief and in the shed he had about 50 of my cheaper knives and swords, Pal and Western fixed blades, my African spear that I got in Kenya, years ago and two pairs of my binoculars and several of my Zippo lighters.

The police interviewed the guy in the shed but did not arrest him.

The police found an empty tent nearby with a couple of more of my cheap knives and another one of my swords. The officer knew how the suspect is and thought that they had "just missed" the suspect.

I lost some really nice WWII bayonets, a HUGE number of fixed blades and I lost all of the Case SMKW pocketknives I have been accruing/collecting over the last 2 or 3 years, along with so many others....

Thanks for all the kind words of support from my fellow AAPK members it is very much appreciated.

So sorry GSP! I'm just now hearing about this. Hoping you will be able to recover more of your belongings.

[KLJ77]

GSPTOPDOG...I'm so sorry this happened to you. Hopefully, your police will be active on this on your behalf. I hope they took a theft report too. But from what you've stated, it doesn't appear they're too overly diligent in helping in this matter.

Thieves are some of the worst when it comes to violating people's privacy and invading people's homes. I hope for the best for you in getting back much more of your items that were taken.