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The online community of knife collectors

Beginner Collectors

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Just started collecting? Want a place to learn and ask questions about our hobby? No dumb questions here. Seasoned iKC collectors provide direction and help with basic questions

Members: 146
Latest Activity: May 5

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Collecting is one of the most enjoyable hobbies. It brings years of satisfaction and provides for great friendships.

If you are relatively new to knife collecting- you are faced with thousands of choices. There are more knives out there than we have the money to buy, so which way do you go?

There are a number of factors and decisions that go into building a collection and our goal with this iKC Group is to help you sort though those choices.

Almost every collector started out by grabbing whatever we liked, almost without rhyme or reason. While this is one way to start off, it can be extremely expensive. Most collectors eventually settle-in at some point and focus on a type of knife, a maker, a pattern or particular use.

It's OK to buy what you like, but determining WHY you like knives and your goal for your collection are the most important questions you can answer for yourself as early as possible. And before we go much further here.

Our group here is to help you think this through.

Discussion Forum

Featured

Definition of a "slip joint knife"?

Started by Charles Sample. Last reply by Craig Henry Feb 12. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Until recently I had never heard the term "slip joint knife". At first I thought it must be a type of knife that opened differently than a standard pocket knife. From my own research I think I have…Continue

Deciding on a type of knife to collect

Started by Mel Jones. Last reply by Jay Sack Feb 21. 9 Replies 2 Likes

I have collected knives, not seriously, for many years, but now I would like to create a collection that can be added to on a regular basis and that has some semblance of meaning to me. I am…Continue

Moderator

what is the difference between a Copperhead and a trapper?

Started by Ron"TUNA"Dumeah. Last reply by Jan Carter Oct 15, 2012. 7 Replies 1 Like

This driving me nuts. Looking at the Trapper I see it has two blades one is clipped. Looking at the Copperhead I see two blades both are pointed. I see many different shapes of handles. Some look…Continue

Why is this knife worth $2500

Started by Ira Landsman. Last reply by Sue OldsWidow Oct 16, 2012. 12 Replies 1 Like

I am a new collector. I follow ebay to gain an understanding of the cost of knives. I was blown away by this one.…Continue

new to knife collecting; no idea what this is...

Started by Michael Forbes. Last reply by Michael Forbes Nov 22, 2011. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Found this at my grandfathers old house and it seems to have some sort of value. Older with what appears to be some form of middle-eastern writing. thanks for the help. …Continue

How Do I Label my Knives?

Started by Jim Child. Last reply by Jim Child Sep 29, 2011. 3 Replies 0 Likes

Okay! Trying to be organized I've set up a database in HanDBase (synchs between my laptop and my Droid smartphone) and every knife has been assigned "a number."That's all good and well but now I need…Continue

Knife Steels

Started by Patrick Tetangco. Last reply by Patrick Tetangco Sep 13, 2010. 2 Replies 1 Like

What is the best all around knife steel? Something robust but also stainless. How good is ZDP 189 & M4?How is the rust resistance of D2?Continue

Tags: steel, 189, ZDP, D2, M4

Knife Maintenance Gear

Started by kage. Last reply by Mel Jones Jan 2, 2012. 14 Replies 0 Likes

At some point in time as your collection grows, you may find the need to maintain your knives, in order to keep them sharp, functioning and to preserve their potential value. As a beginning…Continue

Tags: User, Maintenance, Knives, Gear, Collector

Figural knife Of Fish

Started by Lauraetta Burpee Apr 27, 2010. 0 Replies 0 Likes

Hi,I have a figural knife of a fish and it is marked stainless steel Japan on the tang and I was wondering if you could give me any information on it and what it might be worth.Thank you,LauraettaContinue

Old Jackknivies

Started by Lauraetta Burpee. Last reply by Craig T. (max) McGruder Mar 21, 2010. 6 Replies 0 Likes

Hi,I have some old jackknives and was wondering if some one could point me in the right direction to find out what they are and what they might be worth? I have included some pictures and also the…Continue

Plastic or antler/bone? Can you tell by sight?

Started by Andrew P. Last reply by Smiling-Knife Feb 11. 6 Replies 0 Likes

I have a Solingen "big n little" set (I'll have to figure out the picture thing here shortly) that I have been told has Sambar Stag scales.I know the hot needle trick to discern plastic handgun…Continue

Counterfeit Knives ( What you need to know)

Started by Alan Stevens. Last reply by Alan Stevens Dec 27, 2009. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Ok all knife collectors have purchased a fake or counterfeit knife at one time or another it simply goes with the territory. Unfortunately most Counterfeits are purchased by beginner collectors who…Continue

Tags: knives, counterfeit

Slip Joint Knives

Started by wildjim. Last reply by falah gumilar Oct 26, 2010. 2 Replies 0 Likes

I need some advice and suggestions since I recently purchased a few Rough Rider slip joint knives, there are some photos on my profile page.My first impression of Rough Rider knives is that the Slip…Continue

Ever cut yourself playing with your knife - while it is still in your pocket?

Started by Scott King. Last reply by Ricky Messerle Feb 25, 2010. 11 Replies 0 Likes

I don't know about you but lately I have found myself playing with my knife- while it's still in my pocket. I'll be talking to someone and find myself opening and closing the blade..I like the…Continue

Undefined Area's of collecting:

Started by James Sosa. Last reply by Chris Pittman Dec 5, 2010. 3 Replies 0 Likes

Ok, I'm looking for some info on what makes knives tick. Our collection depends on:1 - Looks, (is it pretty, does it have nice lines, is the style up to date or antique?), you can add more to this…Continue

Tell us where you find your knives

Started by Scott King. Last reply by Lee Smith May 5. 19 Replies 2 Likes

When we're first getting started into buying knives, whether to use or collect, it can be a trial and error kind of thing. Let's help each other out here and save us all some heart-ache and $$ by…Continue

Tags: buy, purchase

Gotta keep things sharp!

Started by Frazer. Last reply by kage Sep 2, 2010. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Guys in the know, what is your method of sharpening? A sharp knife is a safe knife!!!I like and am adopting the convex grind on all my knives and Kyley's method is flawless and inexpensive.Check it…Continue

Tags: newbies, for, Sharpening, knivesandstuff, Kyley

best knife for the dollar

Started by duncan lemp. Last reply by björn thompson Mar 5, 2012. 13 Replies 0 Likes

Personaly ( im a kid and a beginer so ask sesoned people for the best answer) i like the byrd line ( yes B Y R D) from spyderco. I havent seen one but ive heard that the spyderco tenacius is good.I…Continue

What quality knives did you get when you first started collecting

Started by Michael B. Last reply by Sue OldsWidow Oct 15, 2012. 15 Replies 0 Likes

What quality knives did you get when you first started collecting did you keep buying the cheap ones o did you jump right to the expensive ones

Tags: quality, beginners, price

Resources and References for newer collectors

Started by Scott King. Last reply by Frank Evans Jan 20, 2010. 8 Replies 0 Likes

I'm not going to say you have to become a bookworm (or video-holic) if you are going to be a serious collector, BUT resources and references are an important tool.For collectors of Antique knives, we…Continue

Tags: references, resources

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Comment by Frank yanez on January 23, 2013 at 16:17: Hello fellow collectors I have been collecting for 18 years and when I was new at collecting I started with knives that i like and it has been a great decision and I love my collection.The thing is if you dont like the knives in your collection collecting will not be as fullfiling a hoby as it could be just collect what you like and your collection will bring you alots of joy (at least it does with me) aslong you have it.Good luck new collectors.Here is some of my collection

Comment by Jan Carter on December 29, 2012 at 20:56: Some great ideas for what to look for in your quest for what to collect (or not)

KnifeMaker Comment by Blazing Blade on September 27, 2012 at 13:43: Thank you my Friend stephen ,

1082 or 1095 Steel for Damascus I use to make my blades for durability of the blade..

Comment by stephen tungate on September 27, 2012 at 12:03: this is a knife that a good friend donnie carter made for me.it is made with 440c steel and buffalo handle it fits the hand great and looks great to....

Comment by stephen tungate on September 27, 2012 at 11:59

Comment by stephen tungate on September 27, 2012 at 11:54: nice job blazing what kind of steel is used in the damascus you use..

KnifeMaker Comment by Blazing Blade on September 27, 2012 at 9:45

Moderator Comment by Ron"TUNA"Dumeah on September 28, 2011 at 20:30: Well seems I should have started here lol.

Comment by Jan Carter on September 26, 2011 at 18:15: That is why older stag has such a mellow and rich color to it. My safe queens have done the same thing Shlomo

Comment by Shlomo ben Maved on September 25, 2011 at 1:33: Stag, antler will overtime darken (yellow) just like ivory does just from the pollutants in the air.

I have walrus, Narwhal and elephant handled knifes that after fifty, sixty years of being safe queens (due to CITES restriction) are now a lovely deep, golden yellow...They were seldom handled except for the yearly oiling and polish.