Maybe you remember asking your father or grandfather if you could hold his pocket knife. Maybe as a child you looked longingly into the glass cases that housed the many different knives of all shapes and sizes. Now, you want to start collecting those fascinating objects, and you can. Pocket knife collecting opens the door to many history lessons and provides a wonderful and relatively inexpensive hobby for the knife enthusiast.
Just as coin collectors have books on coin values that they refer to repeatedly, knife collectors have knife collecting books to help them determine the value of knives they are considering or have already purchased. One of the first wise decisions you can make is to invest in a good knife collectors’ book that you can keep handy and refer to or take along on knife buying trips. Just remember that value is relative. What might seem to be a great bargain is only as good as that knife’s demand. If more people want that particular knife, then the more its value rises.
Because there is such a wide variety of sizes and types of knives, it might be a good idea for you to decide what type knife you want to begin collecting. Do you like knives with themes engraved on them such as fishing, hunting, World War II, or commemorative knives? Do you like knives made with marble, ivory, or carved wood? You might want to consider collecting your knives that are grouped by type or color. Maybe the knife you are buying has a particularly interesting story behind it. The choices are endless.
You will definitely want to make sure that the knife is in good shape. Pull the blades out and see how easily they swing back into the knife. Is the handle tight and not cracked? Do the blades look mismatched? You should examine the knife thoroughly before buying.
Still not sure how to buy? Attend a local pocket knife sale. You will encounter many other collectors at these sales, and you can gather a host of information just by listening to collectors and observing what knives are selling and for how much. Age is not the only option you should consider when buying a knife. Condition is very important.
The value of a knife can also be linked to the maker. Is it a popular knife by a well-known maker? That can raise the price over a lesser known knife manufacturer. Look at other knives that are similar in style and size. Are they selling for about the same price as the knife you are considering? Are they popular among collectors?
There are so many different prices for knives that you can choose to spend a lot of money or just invest a little. Yes, it will be an investment for the future, though many times only time will tell how good an investment it will be. That is why it is important that you collect knives because you enjoy it, not to make a lot of money. In fact, don’t spend more on a knife than you are willing to lose, because depending on that knives popularity, it can rise and fall in value.
Once you have purchased your knife, it doesn’t stop there. You will need to take steps to preserve that special piece of history. Check your knives for trouble spots. Store them in a clean, dry area. Make sure you keep the blades dry and moisture free. If the blade starts to tarnish, use a few drops of good quality oil and rub with a soft cloth. You can also buy a good metal polisher to use.
It is better to store your knives separately from their leather sheaths. The leather absorbs moisture and will make it more difficult to keep your knife dry. You can also add a few drops of oil on the folding joint to keep it moving easily. Be careful when carrying your knife in your pocket. Coins and keys, among other things, can scratch the surface of your knife. Protect your knives, and they will continue to offer you a lifetime of pleasure.
