How to Start Collecting Knives

Collecting knives can be a rewarding and enriching hobby that can be beneficial to your other interests. Thousands of antique and collector’s knives are sold around the world each year. If you’ve never collected before, it can be intimidating to get involved. Here are a few tips to harness your current hobbies and discover what knives interest you so you can start collecting.

Choose a Niche to Collect

Choosing a specific niche of knives to collect will narrow your search efforts and help you become an expert in one area, making it easier to find and notice great buys. Most collectors choose a niche that fits their interests. For instance, if you’re a history buff, you may be interested in historical era swords, while an avid hunter might collect hunting or survival knives.

Study Up

To be good at collecting, you need to know the specifics of antique and collector’s knives. What makes a collector’s knife special? What does a great antique look like? “The Official Price Guide to Collectors Knives” is an excellent source of information to jumpstart your knife education. You can also gather good information through knife websites or from experts at trade shows. As you start collecting, you’ll come up with more questions that experts will be able to answer.

Find the Knives

Great antique or collector’s knives can be difficult to locate. Your best bet for a good find is at a knife trade show, where hundreds of collectors and dealers gather to buy, sell, and trade knives. If no trade shows are coming to your area, pawnshops tend to have antique knives. Finally, you can always browse online for antique knives. TheKnifeAuction.com is a reliable seller with a huge selection of knives. eBay is also a good site to check out, but be careful about counterfeit knives. Remember: if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.  

Make a Deal

When you find your first knife, you’ll quickly discover that collector’s knives typically do not have a fixed price. Like in an open market setting, you will have to bargain for the knife. There are a few bargaining techniques that will give you a good deal. Know the maximum amount you are willing to pay before you begin bargaining and do not exceed it. Be polite; no one will want to give a good deal to a rude person. Logically explain why you believe the knife should be sold at a lower price. Also, remember you can always walk away and come back later for the knife; this gives the seller time to reconsider your lower price offer.

Terry Carter is a purveyor of Damascus Steel Knives. His favorite knife maker is Suchat Jangtanong.