Find out how author, knife collector, BLADE® Magazine field editor and antique knife authority Richard D. White ranked his favorite price and information guides to collectible knives.

White says he asks a series of questions, such as, “Does the book accurately document a brand history, its years of production, and have enough sidebar histories, distinctive specimens and interesting stories that provide ‘meat to the bone?'” Or, “Is the book a ‘quality publication’? Are the photographs professionally done? Are the line drawings clear, accurately scaled and detailed? Is the book well printed? What about the book’s organization? Does it have a glossary of commonly used terms? Does it include a value guide? Does it have widespread appeal?”

Using such guidelines, White names Levine’s Guide To Knives And Their Values, 4th Edition (click here for the newest, 7th Edition of BLADE’s Guide To Knives & Their Values) and American Premium Guide To Knives and Razors, 6th Edition (click here for the eBook version of the newest 7th Edition of American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors) by Jim Sargent as two of his Top Five Best Antique Knife Books.

See the August 2015 issue of BLADE for the other titles he names, as well as for the complete, detailed and fascinating story of how he finally came up with a final five.