So, before you start having your first collectible knife, know why you are collecting knives.  It must be clear to you that there are millions who want to collect knives not because they would use it primarily as a weapon.  The advocacies of groups of knife collectors are common: to appreciate the craft of cutlery and to use knife as a TOOL. 

Here are knife categories to guide beginners

A lot of collectors would often choose to focus on one category of knives.  This is might as well be the case for starters like you.  There are a thousand kinds of collectible knives ad swords out there and it would not really be possible that you would collect every single knife in the market.

Some collectors would prefer to collect by handles.  So, does it sound rather odd to you?
Well not really because it is through the handle that you feel the grip and the fit of a knife to your hand.

 

While it is true that to see is to believe, to appreciate something, you would also have to touch it!  The texture and the material of the collectible knife handle would matter, more so, its design that is right to its use. 

 

For example, knives primarily for chopping and cutting will have to have a bigger blade than its handle.  Most importantly, it is the handle that protects the user from the possible hazard of the knife.   In the more visual and aesthetic sense, some collectors like the knife handles as mother of pearl, green bone, celluloid, or stag.

Other knife aficionados would judge their collection according to brand.  More established brands like Case knives and Gerber hunting knives are most likely to offer the best quality of collectible knives and in dealing with them, you are guaranteed that you are not dealing with scams. 

 

For instance, Remington Cutlery are said to be the best with pocketknives.  Master Cutlery is a pioneer in the knife making industry and they have innovative designs.  Queen Cutlery is an award-winning firm for pocket knives as well.

Aside from handles and brands, there are collectors who prefer collecting by patterns.  There are variety of them online and in knife stores and manufacturers!  The canoe knives have two blades and are stout.  On the other hand, whittler’s knives are those with big handles and small blades.  There are also different type of automatic knives to choose from.

 

Lastly, there are a huge number of people who would want to collect souvenir or specialty knives.  Knife collecting for beginners can start here because these are usually the fun knives. Souvenir and specialty knives look more artistic and not necessarily made for utility.  Collectible swords and fantasy knives will belong to this category.

 

One of the most popular collectible knives is the Rambo survival knife with compass, the legendary knife of the equally legendary man John Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone).  On the other hand, Mortal Kombat knives and Lord of the Rings swords are sure hit collectible items as well. 

 

What’s good about these knives is that they add some excitement and artistry to the collection.  They have detailed and well crafted handles such as dragon or snake handles and beautifully made blades.  There are many large survival knives that look good though.

 

It is best that when you already have items for your collection, you take good care of them.  Clean them once in a while so that they will last long beautifully.  Dust and dirty fingers would look ugly and would deteriorate the value of your collectible knives, so better keep it in a place safe from others’ hands.  A dry storage or display area would be the best home for your knife.  A well protected and cared item would increase value through time, so, it might be an ideal investment as well.

 

Knowing these, the novice knife collector would have to realize that this is merely a part of the process.  As you go along the journey of starting this hobby, there are a lot more things you have to bear in mind.  This kind of hobby is not advised to minors and that purchasing knives can have legal requirements. Be sure that in transacting about a collectible knife, you are dealing with credible entities and people.  Beware of those who only want to benefit from your innocence.

 

And of course, you do have to keep learning about knives while you are a collector to know how to maintain them, know their value, and updates of new designs and trends in the knife industry. There are even knife shows that you can attend where no less than experts would tell you what to do. Read books, browse the internet and find people who share the same enthusiasm towards collectible knives and exchange ideas and tips!  You don’t only earn a hobby, you also gain new friends whom you can relate with knife stuff.