All About Pocket Knives

O.K....Here's my question, guys. I'm new to this forum, and I'm also new to "collecting" and appreciating what I may have accumulated over the years. I feel as though most people on this forum are far ahead of me in terms of knife knowledge, etc., but I'm making a commitment to learn and read as much as I can about this new hobby.

My question is this... I have a small collection or accumulation of knives, that I'd never really given much thought to...I've accumulated over the years (last night's count) 57 knives...consisting of older USA Schrades, Cases', Kabars, Kershaws, Craftsman (Schrades?), Camillus...some from my childhood...literally knives my dad bought me!

Now that I've come to appreciate this as a hobby, what direction should I go into, in terms of collecting??? I really like Case knives, especially for their quality of construction, collectibility, etc. I also have quite a few Schrades that I may be able to add to...I guess they're not being made in the USA anymore...!

Is there a certain area of knives that is "good" to get into now...??

Or should I just collect whatever I find attractive, interesting, etc.?

I'm not worried or concerned with what the value of my collection may be...I'd just like to collect for the fun of it...

What direction would you guys suggest?...Case models? (I like trappers),
older Schrades? (I have quite a few old hardware stores in my area that still have old Scrade display cabinets and knives!!) Or should I look to the "newer manufacturers", like Kershaw, Spyderco, etc...???

I like the older style "pocket knives"...trappers, stockmen, pens, etc...should I stay in this area?? Thanks for any ideas, guiding thoughts, etc....!!!

I believe you have already answered your question:

I'm not worried or concerned with what the value of my collection may be...I'd just like to collect for the fun of it...

That's the key for me, is it fun....I like a more traditional folder which narrows it down to certain knife makers, but I also found that I wanted to be just a little different and not have to fight the majority of collectors vowing for the nice Case knives of the world. Also affordability comes into play at least in my world and then redefines what direction I am heading toward.

Just collect what makes you happy and what you find interesting and you will see that after a while your collecting tends to form into a direction without even trying...

That's just an opinion and we all know what those are worth...

Good luck in your collecting and thanks for sharing...


Sunburst

Welcome to the forum Jabberwocky.
Sunburst's answer about says it all. Keep it fun and go for what you like.
If you're looking at the investment side of it I think Case is probably the way to go, they make alot of limited editions and SFOs(special factory orders). But there are alot of others out there that are just as collectable and as good.
I went in alot of different directions in my collecting. First with Buck 110's, then modern folders like Spyderco, Benchmade, SOG & Kershaw, then fixed blades, now I'm getting into the traditional pocket knives.
Some people are pattern collectors, some collect certain handle materials some are brand collectors. Really it's just what ever you want to do, there's no rules to knife collecting.
Like Sunburst, these are just my opinions. All I can really say is have fun.

Nicely put gentlemen, have fun, that's what it is all about.

Thanks, guys for the opinions, guiding thoughts...etc.

I guess I'll just enjoy what I have, and add to it as my ability and means allows. I really enjoy just looking at my collection every now and again,
(sounds silly, but I get a lot of enjoyment just cleaning them, arranging them in my "collection" case, etc,.)

I really like the "older" styles...pocketknives, etc....so I think my efforts will be directed in that area...I appreciate the newer "tactical" knives, also, and I have a few of those... but there's just something about the old style pocketknives that attracts me! The craftsmanship, etc....you just don't see that in the newer knives...plus..they're the knives I grew up carrying around in my pocket. (Is it just me, or do you guys remember having a pocket knife on you at all times while you were growing up?)
I always had some sort of pocket knife with me...just in case I had to whittle something, or just show it off!)

Anyway... thanks for the comments and advice...I think I'll just continue to collect what I like, and not put too much mental energy into the "value"
side of the equation. I think what's "cool" about this hobby is that some of the knives I have are only "valuable" because someone gave them to me as a gift...etc. In my case, the "history" of some of these knives is more important than their actual value.

I guess you can't put a price on that.

I agree with the others. Although I have some general ideas, I often just buy what strikes me as interesting and I don't really know sometimes until I see it. A bit impulsive I admit as this takes me all over the place. One thing for sure, it is a lot more fun sharing and learning from everyone here. Welcome! s-k

Welcome Jabberwocky,

Hope you'll enjoy this place. There are many, many very well informed folks on this site.Please don't ever hesitate to ask any questions on things such as knife patterns, handles, types of metals used in the blades, heck, even the history of certain knife types as well as the factories they were or are still made in. This is the best of the best on the net. Thanks for finding us and don't be a stranger. It's exciting to get new folks on board and exchange thoughts and ideas. Now, I gotta go for now and bury my face in a couple of new books I just fot today. Welcome again....

later, wt3L

These folk's will tell ya straight up
just the way it is.
If ya don't collect what makes ya happy
Ya won't be happy !!!

Welcome Jabberwocky,
Thats what is all about, you having fun with collecting knives! I will tell you it becomes an addiction once you start collecting you cannot stop! I found out with case knife collecting people collect them for the investment in which you cannot lose because they hold their value and you can resale them for a higher price! I piddle around with Rough Riders, bokers, spyderco etc. I like this site because their are a lot of folks that are more knowledgable than me, and with knife collecting you are always learning!!!

jabberwocky wrote:O.K....Here's my question, guys. I'm new to this forum, and I'm also new to "collecting" and appreciating what I may have accumulated over the years. I feel as though most people on this forum are far ahead of me in terms of knife knowledge, etc., but I'm making a commitment to learn and read as much as I can about this new hobby.

My question is this... I have a small collection or accumulation of knives, that I'd never really given much thought to...I've accumulated over the years (last night's count) 57 knives...consisting of older USA Schrades, Cases', Kabars, Kershaws, Craftsman (Schrades?), Camillus...some from my childhood...literally knives my dad bought me!

Now that I've come to appreciate this as a hobby, what direction should I go into, in terms of collecting??? I really like Case knives, especially for their quality of construction, collectibility, etc. I also have quite a few Schrades that I may be able to add to...I guess they're not being made in the USA anymore...!

Is there a certain area of knives that is "good" to get into now...??

Or should I just collect whatever I find attractive, interesting, etc.?

I'm not worried or concerned with what the value of my collection may be...I'd just like to collect for the fun of it...

What direction would you guys suggest?...Case models? (I like trappers),
older Schrades? (I have quite a few old hardware stores in my area that still have old Scrade display cabinets and knives!!) Or should I look to the "newer manufacturers", like Kershaw, Spyderco, etc...???

I like the older style "pocket knives"...trappers, stockmen, pens, etc...should I stay in this area?? Thanks for any ideas, guiding thoughts, etc....!!!

welcome!!

Let me say this first, sounds like you have a great collection
of "pocket knives" started. If I were you I wouldnt mess
around with Spyderco or knives like that, because in my book
a pocket knife doesnt have a pocket clip.

And you did answer your own question, collect what YOU like.
I have always liked congress pattern knives, so that what I looked
for and "hunted" Then I went to the canoe pattern.

You can also collect knives in just one paticular handle material.
For instance lets say you really like green bone or stag, you can
get all kinds of patterns with that same handle material and have
a sweet "stag" collection.

The biggest thing is just have fun. I love finding knives at yard sales.
Here is a yard sale tip I dont share with many people. Guys I hang
around with say they NEVER see good knives at yard sales. You dont
look on the tables and in the baskets for them. You look at the old man
sitting there with his wife. He has a face about him that says "why
am I here...its sunny I could be fishing" Ask him where all the good
stuff is with a wink. He will love the change of conversation. Ask him if
he has any old pocket knives to get rid of. about half the time you will be amazed. I have a Catt "king of the woods" that cost me $5.00, I have a Case 5488 that I got in a group of knives for $20.00 I have a Browning Sweet 16 shotgun that a man "Had to have $100.00 for it"

Just have fun and hunt a good deal.