Knife collecting is an extremely rewarding experience for knife enthusiasts. There truly is a knife for everyone. Many increase or hold their value throughout the years, making collecting knives something to pass on to the next generation of knife collectors.
Well-made vintage knives by legendary makers can be very attractive to collect. Lloyd Hale does the honors here in a chute knife sporting an ironwood handle with pearl and abalone inlay. (SharpByCoop.com photo)
Eventually, All Knife Collectors Hit Crossroads
You may face a crossroads, a time of decision involving the realization that interests, tastes and possibly buying power change. In such situations, you may decide to begin collecting a different genre of knives, departing from what you have collected. If and when that time comes, evaluating your situation and making informed decisions is crucial.
Some basic questions loom large, from deciding what to collect to getting the best education on what is available, selling or retaining an existing collection, and, if the choice is to sell, then maximizing the revenue generated.
Should You Reboot? Ask Yourself These Questions
Do you have a very good reason for starting over?
Do you sell or keep your existing collection?
If you sell it, how do you get the most out of it?
Are you trying to recover your initial investment or trying to make as much money as possible to assemble your new collection?
Are you comfortable with the effort and costs it will take to build a new collection?
Do you want to make money or collect, carry or use the knives?
What knives should you collect, and how do you best research them?
How available are they and are they of recent vintage?
Are they still in production or limited in distribution, both of which influence collectibility?
If antiques, where can they be found and can they be found without undue cost?
What are the prices typically asked for the knives in collectible condition?
Are you going to collect only mint or near-mint examples, and can you afford to pay premium prices for them?
Guidelines for Going Forward with a New Collection
If, after answering those questions, you decide to liquidate and start over, keep these guidelines in mind.
Collect what you like or even use.
Chasing trends is a fool’s errand. Collecting knives that are hot now means paying top dollar now as well.
Know which knives are collectible in specific geographic locations of the country.
Inexpensive, low-end knives will never appreciate to any degree.
Well-made, fine-condition knives should not lose you any money.
Don’t buy damaged/poor condition knives unless they are very old and collectible, such as antique bowies and rare military knives.
Our Knife Of The Day—make that KNIVES of the day—are these sexy little beauties by Durvyn Howard in gold-lip mother-of-pearl. For more information on these knives, contact purveyor David Hodge of Miami Nice Knife at [email protected]. Howard’s contact info: 4220 McLain St. S., Hokes Bluff, AL 35903 256-492-5720, cell 256-504-1853.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where, and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb120112#BL1SU
True counterfeit knives are those that not only copy the original in terms of every one of the knife’s features and markings, but also in every detail of the knife’s packaging as well, such as here on the CRKT M16-14. The authentic one is at left, the counterfeit at right.Counterfeiters marked their counterfeit (right) of an authentic Strider fixed blade (left) “Strider,” but from there it becomes obvious the counterfeit is not legitimate. Note the counterfeit’s incorrect dimensions, inaccurate blade grind, finish and length of clip, miniscule sawteeth and sharp corners where they should not be, as well as the shoddy workmanship of the green sheath.The Microtech knife box above with a pinkish hue is a counterfeit. The authentic box at left is outfitted with a unique serialized barcode and also a “claw” watermark to help identify the authentic packaging.The authentic Microtech packaging is black and has the unique serialized bar code.Another indication of authenticity on the Microtech product box is the special Stars ‘n Stripes “claw” watermark.
Fake knives—better known as counterfeit knives—are a worldwide problem that needs everyone concerned to pay attention, and National Fraud Awareness Week Nov. 12-18 is a good time to sit up and take notice.
Factory knife companies are especially prone to having their knives counterfeited by nefarious operations, the latter usually based overseas. The American Knife & Tool Institute has a dedicated program tailored to fight the plague of fake knives, and other cutlery companies such as Browning, CRKT, Cold Steel, Chris Reeve Knives, Knifeart and others have websites that address the scourge.
What can you do? Visit the above sites and others and familiarize yourself with the situation concerning counterfeits of those companies’ knives. While some custom knives are victims of counterfeits as well, it’s largely the factory guys that are targeted simply because their knives are recognized by many and sold on a much larger scale than custom knives, and can earn the counterfeiters much more illicit money as a result.
One thing to keep in mind is exactly what is meant here by counterfeit knife. We are not talking about design features, designs, etc., that are “knocked off” without the original maker/designer’s OK or approval. That is another matter entirely. There are some instances of where knockoffs are done and the parties involved eventually wind up in court to settle the issue. If the matter cannot be resolved otherwise, the original designer ultimately may have to prove that the design feature, design, etc., is his or hers exclusively, it has not appeared on another knife before, etc. As you can imagine, since knives have been around since the dawn of humanity, such a thing many times can be very difficult to prove. However, again, knockoffs are not the issue here.
The issue here is a counterfeit knife in which the counterfeiter has copied everything in question about the knife, from the knife’s exact features, blade stamp and even the product box in which the knife is packaged. The product box even will illegally sport the knife and company’s name, the company’s address, etc. Then, when the unsuspecting buyer purchases the fake knives and sends them to the company about a warranty issue, the company in question has the unsavory duty of telling the buyer that he or she has been duped by counterfeits, and the company cannot honor the warranty. The buyer is then stuck with worthless fake knives.
Some of the counterfeits are easy to identify because they are shoddily done. Others, however, are not as easy to spot. It’s a growing problem, one that knife companies and knife enthusiasts everywhere—including you—must continue to deal with and be vigilant about. For more information look for Daniel Jackson’s story on counterfeit knives in the January 2018 BLADE®, on newsstands Dec. 26.
When the calendar flips over to a new year, the steel is sure to follow. Here are six factory folders debuting this year.
Spyderco Hanan
Brad Southard designed this 2.9-ounce folder named after the Hebrew word for “gracious gift.”
Here’s a spec illustration from Spyderco:
Spyderco Parata
Automotive engineer Paul Alexander designed this folder with a big-bellied, VG-10 blade.
The specs:
CRKT Raikiri
“When you want a sword, but need an EDC,” is how CRKT describes this latest addition to sport Field Strip tech.
Blade Length: 3.759″ (95.48 mm)
Blade Length: 3.759″ (95.48 mm)
Blade Edge: Plain Edge
Blade Steel: 1.4116 SS
Blade Finish: Satin Finish
Blade Thickness: 0.134″ (3.4 mm)
Closed Length: 5.112″ (129.84 mm)
Weight: 5.0 oz
Handle: ADC12 Aluminium; Casting
Style: Folding Knife w/Locking Liner
Overall Length: 8.938″ (227.03 mm)
CRKT Offbeat
Originally designed in the 1970s by Pat and Wes Crawford, this creation makes its factory debut in 2018. True to its name, it sports the Crawford Lockback.
Blade Length: 3.522″ (89.46 mm)
Blade Edge: Plain Edge
Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV
Blade Finish: Satin Finish
Blade Thickness: 0.109″ (2.77 mm)
Closed Length: 4.483″ (113.87 mm)
Weight: 2.9 oz
Handle: 2Cr13; Brush Finish
Style: Folding Knife w/Lockback
Overall Length: 8.0” (203.2 mm)
Benchmade Vector
The blue-class Vector offers something for flipper fans, but with the twist of Benchmade’s AXIS® Assist tech.
Designer: Benchmade
Mechanism: AXIS® Assist flipper
Action: Assisted-opening
Blade Length: 3.60″ (9.14cm)
Blade Thickness: 0.100″ (2.540mm)
Open Length: 8.42″ (21.39cm)
Closed Length: 4.82″ (12.24cm)
Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC)
Handle Thickness: 0.60″ (15.240mm)
Weight: 4.11oz. (116.52g)
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Finish/Color: Satin
Blade Style/Shape: Spear-point
Clip Type: Standard
Clip Position: Tip-Up
Glass Breaker: No
Handle Material: Black Contoured G10
Lanyard Hole: Yes
MOLLE Compatible: No
Sheath Type: No
Benchmade Foray
On the other end of the Benchmade spectrum, the gold-class Foray uses Damasteel and a mother of pearl inlay for an art knife feel with the heart of an EDC.
DO attend as many knife shows as possible—such as here at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com)—to handle knives and meet the makers.
The do’s and don’ts of knives are many. Knowing them will make your knife experience much more rewarding and satisfying. Here are but a few:
DO use a sharpener to touch up the edge of your knife after each use or at the end of each day of use.
DON’T use your knife as a pry bar (unless it has a pry tip and is designed for such use).
DO rinse off and dry your non-stainless carbon steel knife after each extended use or at the end of day of each use (it’s probably not a bad idea to do the same no matter what the blade material is).
DON’T store your knife in a leather sheath for extended periods.
DO cut away from other people/your body when cutting rope, cardboard boxes open, etc.
DON’T show off flipping your folding knife open and closed at knife shows in crowds of people or around any area crowded with people, for that matter.
DO ask a maker’s permission to pick up a knife from his table at a knife show.
DON’T open more than one blade at a time on a multi-blade folder (it puts unnecessary pressure on the backsprings; besides, it’s a good way to get accidentally cut).
DO carry a knife whenever possible where it is legal to do so (and when the knife meets local legal requirements).
DON’T pull out a loupe/magnifying glass to closely inspect a new custom or handmade knife at a knife show (it’s just not considered good form; besides, unless you’re legally blind, if you can’t see what’s right or wrong with a knife with the naked eye, then it’s not worth worrying about).
DO attend as many knife shows as you can and view knives up close and personal and meet the makers who build them.
DON’T interrupt a conversation between a maker and someone he or she is talking to at his or her table at a knife show. It’s rude.
DO read as much as you can about knives, their history and their makers.
DON’T take everything you read about knives as gospel. Always look for at least one additional opinion on the subject.
One final DO is to check out these knife dealsBLADE‘s lined up for you at ShopBlade.com.
At an inch-long closed, the spectacular 40-blade miniature knife by Japan’s Isao Ohbuchi won the Yvon Vachon Best Miniature Knife Award in the custom knife judging competition of BLADE Show 2019.
Along with all the other knives in the competition except Gabe Mabry’s winner of the Best Kitchen Knife Award judged by Ethan Becker, a select panel of three custom knife authorities judged Ohbuchi’s award winner. Including Becker, all three judges were chosen by the BLADE® staff. Ohbuchi calls his tiny folder a “sportsman’s knife” and stated it is inspired by the legendary Joseph Rodgers & Sons of Sheffield, England, which made fantastic folders and fixed blades in the 19th century. The maker also listed the multi-blade mini as a “horseman’s knife.”
Blade lengths: all in the .8-inch range.
Blade steel: 440C stainless
Blade grinds: flat
Handle material: mother-of-pearl Weight: 1.4 ounces.
The maker’s list price for a similar knife: $15,000.
The image of the cover knife is by SharpByCoop. The inset image of the BLADE Show is by Justin King.
Editor’s note: With news of Canada ending imports of folding knives rocking the knife world, here is another important issue taking place at international borders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently seized a dozen counterfeit Microtech knives attempting to enter via Alaska. Note the difference between an authentic Microtech Trodoon (above, top) and a counterfeit of it (bottom). (Microtech image)
Knife Companies Get Proactive
As part of his duties at Buck Knives, Joe Houser clicks through e-commerce websites like eBay, searching for fake Buck knives. When he finds a listing where someone is pedaling a counterfeit Buck, Houser works with the website to take the listing down and perhaps banish the seller from the site.
A few years ago, Buck didn’t have someone doing this job. But more and more fans of Buck Knives were sending their blades to the company’s warranty department only to learn their cherished knives really weren’t Bucks at all. Someone had ripped off the designs, piggybacking off Buck’s name and reputation to sell a shell of a knife to a swindled customer.
Counterfeiting may be the most recent challenge to adversely affect the knife industry. Over the past year or two, counterfeiters have gotten smarter, mimicking knife designs better. And thanks to the rise of international e-commerce websites, it’s harder to stop shipments of illegal knives entering the country because many come through in onesies and twosies, sent direct to the buyer through FedEx, UPS and other shipping outfits.
Bad for Collectors, Bad for Business
Buck Knives took a dozen Buck knife counterfeits and gave them a Rockwell hardness test. “None of the blades, not one, were made of hardened steel,” noted Buck’s Joe Houser. “They are very cheaply made and fall apart quite easily.” A display of Buck counterfeits (above) reflects the scope of the problem. (Buck image)
Buck took a dozen of the counterfeits and gave them a Rockwell hardness test.
“None of the blades, not one, are made of hardened steel. They are very cheaply made and fall apart quite easily,” Hauser wrote by e-mail. “I know of one model of Buck’s that I see counterfeited where the producers of the knife did not even install the linerlock. The blade had nothing at all to hold it open or closed.”
Research by the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), a leading organization fighting for common-sense knife laws, indicates U.S. manufacturers lose 10 percent in sales annually to counterfeiting.
As a result, AKTI officials estimate counterfeit blades siphon about $95 million from the knife industry every year. It’s enough to erode the bottom line of knife manufacturers providing American jobs. And if the problem is to be solved, it will take the whole of the knife industry, AKTI officials say.
U.S. Government Struggles to Keep Up
U.S. Customs and Border Protection made 31,500 seizures in 2016 of products it found to have violated intellectual property rights—52 percent more in fiscal year 2016 than in 2014. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection image)
Gregory Moore, public affairs specialist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said Customs made 31,500 seizures in 2016 of products it found to have 77 violated intellectual property rights—52 percent more products in fiscal year 2016 than in 2014. The increase presents a challenge for the agency.
“With the global rise of e-commerce and online shipping, the number of small packages containing counterfeit goods continues to rise,” Moore wrote. “Ninety percent of the seizures in fiscal year 2016 were small packages shipped through express carriers or international mail. The increase of [goods infringing on intellectual property rights] in the small-package environment creates both a logistical and enforcement challenge for CBP.”
The best way to make sure the knife you order online is legitimate is to buy from retailers that specialize exclusively in knives. ShopBlade.com is one of them. Click to browse a selection of genuine knives.
Counterfeit knives make up less than 1 percent of the products Customs seizes that it considers a threat to health and safety, a category that also includes counterfeit pharmaceuticals and sporting goods. After all, poor steel can cause a blade to snap, a pivot to fail, etc., increasing the chances of injury or even death.
Besides, seeing a knife being ripped off and made with poor materials stinks.
“Well, it’s frustrating,” said Doug Ritter, executive director of the other leading organization dedicated to common-sense knife laws, Knife Rights. Ritter also has designed knives for CRKT and Benchmade.
Most honest knives are derivatives of older knives, Ritter said, where knifemakers seek to improve the designs and make a better knife.
“That’s the way stuff develops,” Ritter said.
Meanwhile, the organization spearheading the effort against counterfeit knives is AKTI.
“We encourage them in their efforts and hope they are successful because these counterfeits hurt everyone in the knife community,” Ritter wrote.
Counterfeiters Get Smaller, More Numerous
Some of the counterfeits go so far as to copy the knife right down to the blade mark and product box with literature, as here with a fake Buck 110. (Buck image)
CRKT President Rod Bremer’s interest in counterfeit knives began to grow about five years ago when he started noticing more and more counterfeits from Southeast Asia. Today, he noted, most counterfeit knives originate from China.
Bremer, who chairs AKTI’s anti-counterfeiting committee, said most counterfeiters have small operations—simply working out of a garage—making them hard to track down. Sometimes they copy manufacturers’ knives right down to the packaging and warranties that are honored for genuine models only. Often, the counterfeiters try to catch the eye of buyers looking for a deal.
Compared to legitimate knives, Bremer said, counterfeits are usually priced at 50 to 70 percent of the MSRP of the genuine article. For example, one American knife company manufactures a fixed blade for $425 of which a Chinese e-commerce site recently listed a counterfeit—complete with the company’s logos on the packaging—for about $41.
Some counterfeiters have become so sophisticated that knife companies must look at machining marks and other small details to identify the real thing, similar to identifying counterfeit currency.
These details are kept secret by the companies lest the knowledge falls into the hands of counterfeiters.
What Can be Done?
A close-up of the pocket clips of the genuine Microtech Trodoon (bottom) and a counterfeit (top) reinforces just how far counterfeiters will go to copy the genuine article. (Microtech image)
Bremer said the knife industry’s most comprehensive strategy is to play a full-court press, including being vigilant in asking e-commerce sites to remove listings of counterfeit models. If the knife industry as a whole makes it a “pain in the butt” to sell bogus knives, he said, then the bad actors may move to more lucrative products.
“Counterfeiters are not particularly selective,” Bremer observed. “They just want to knock somebody’s brand off, sell it and make a lot of money.”
Can the federal government build a virtual wall of blue-gloved U.S. Customs officers opening boxes and targeting shipments coming in from outside nations? Unfortunately, as Bremer noted, “I don’t think they have the manpower to catch all the shipments.”
Stop by any major port, such as San Francisco or Savannah, and you’ll see container yards of goods miles and miles long. But not all is doom and gloom.
“China has gotten more aggressive on intellectual property,” Bremer said. “The new president of China has gotten pretty harsh on people that are knowingly ripping off patents, but the effort is clearly not as aggressive as most of us would like. And it’s going to take time.”
