Knife collecting is a passion for many, and I’m sure we’ve all made some mistakes along the way. The seasoned knife collector will be able to admit that they wish they knew some things they know now before they started their collection, but that’s what the experience of others is for! So, before you get into knife collecting, consider these tips from a veteran collector/seller.

Be Objective

Knife collecting as an investment is tricky. We are attracted to certain knives because of their beauty, but don’t let aesthetics be the only factor that guides you in your collecting. Try to be as unbiased as you can be when selecting a piece, and think about the future gains above all else. If you’re collecting for investment purposes, value quality and history above beauty.

Buy Pieces That Can Stand Alone

Knife collectors should know knifemakers. You should know what makes a maker’s style successful and why they’ve become popular. You should be able to identify one maker’s knife from another pretty easily (in time, of course). If you buy from a seller who is unfamiliar to you but has a great personality in person, remember that if you go to resell that piece, the makers personality won’t be there to assist you. A great knife should be able to stand alone, separate from its maker. Don’t buy a knife that is just a copy of another maker’s style. It won’t have a high resale value. You’d be wiser to just go all in on an original- you won’t regret it.

Don’t Be Fooled on Price

Knife collectors want to buy quality pieces and understand the price tag that comes with that. A common mistake that beginner knife collectors make is not knowing when the price is too high. There’s a pretty good way to gauge price: if you’re purchasing a piece directly from the maker, the price will be higher than it would be if it was being resold. A knifemaker has to factor in a couple variables when they come up with their prices, such as their time, their level of expertise, materials and equipment, etc. A reseller didn’t put any labor into making that knife. They can only price items based on supply and demand.

We hope these 3 tips have given you some insight into what it’s like to start a knife collection. With these tips in mind, and a bit of additional research, you’ll be well on your way to starting a very valuable collection.

October 18, 2016

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