Hi all of you. I got something in my mind i have thought about many times. Some comment's on a hunting knife is that it's to pretty or beautiful to use. How come?? Once a man looked at one of mine knives and he realy liked it After a while he said: Very nice knife and fit's my hand very nice but it's to pretty for me to take to the woods. I asked him: What car do you have?? He answered: A Mercedes -08 . Then i said to him: Ahaa, and you dont drive that car, it's only in the garage. I saw he was suprised from my answer and was thinking for a few minutes.Then He said: I take that knife and bought it from me. What i mean is that for me a knife is for using but it wont be bad if it's beautiful also Well, hope you understand my english Please comment your thought's of what you think.
/Kimmo Lilja

A $500 Randall knife, https://www.randallknives.com/index.php, would be pretty tough for me to use, but then I don't drive a Mercedes.
However, I do use a $250 Ruana, http://www.ruanaknives.com/default.asp?content=main.

Yes. I see what you mean. Ruana have also knives in 400 to 500 USD range and they are made for using. I dont mean you must have a Merecedes, it was just an example.
What i ment was that a good user can also be pretty to look at and dont must be expensive.
/Kimmo Lilja

To the collector, a used knife with a worn blade, isn't nearly as valuable. Especially if the person doesn't know how to sharpen one. I don't know how many times I've come across a really nice folder, only to find out the tip of one of the blades is broke off. Or some dummy put it to a grinding wheel

Thank's for the comment. Colectors probably buy for the looks or if the knife is different from others.

Yeah, collector knives become collectors because they are great knifes for their use. So if everyone uses theirs, finding one in unused condition is even harder and the value goes up.

So if you buy it and use it, it will never become a collector because it is used. If you buy it and don't use it, it may or may not become a collector. It depends if it has a reputation as being a good knife to use.

So if everyone buys them and no one uses them, they are not collectable because there are so many unused ones around, the value goes down. No one has established that it is a great knife by using it.

It has to be a good knife to use, but in unused condition.

For example: Randall - great knife to use, established by American soldiers as far back as WWII and Vietnam War. Mint condition knives from those eras can bring $2000-$3000.

Ruana's - great knives to use - established by hunters in Montana and northwest states. It is not as well known as the Randall, yet every bit as good. Mint early editions (1950's) will go in the $600-$1000 range. This is a knife people buy to use, once there reputation is established the early editions, in mint condition will rise considerably.

A lot of times the values do not increase until after the death of the original maker and a sibling takes over production. Kinda like old paintings.

Kimmo, if you didn't follow all of that, don't feel bad. I'm not sure I do either and I wrote it.

I have to admit I've been on both sides of this fence. When I first started making knives I thought anyone who used a pretty knife costing a couple hundred bucks was flat out insane. I mean after all it's just a hand tool right?
Now I've seen and handled knives costing $5,000 and drop dead gorgeous, and I think the person is insane for NOT using the knife. Some see them as collector pieces, but I think they are tools to be used. It's all personal choice and I understand both sides, but I hope that all my knives are used. I said in another post that my dad has two I made in display cases and it drives me CRAZY.
Now if I had a 1953 corvette with 3 miles on the odometer and in pristine condition would I drive it? Nope that thing would be sitting in a glass climate controlled garage lol. All part of the fun I suppose. Good topic Kimmo

Thank's for all great oppinions. I think there maybe is not right or wrong thing her.
/Kimmo Lilja

There is a difference between collectors and users. Personally I don't ever buy any kind of gear that won't get used. If I buy it, I will use it. I'm not opposed to something being good looking, but it must function well first and foremost. I take very good care of my stuff because I like to keep everything in good order. But I don't ever buy something with the thoughts of it being a "collectors piece" or an investment of some sort.

Some people are different, which is fine. To each their own.

I'm with jmoore on this one. If I buy it, it will be used.

Although Kimmo makes some of the best looking knives I have seen, it would be a shame to scratch or ruin one of his blades due to poor sharpening.

I used for the first time today one of Stic's knives when I skinner two hogs, and man I hated to get blood smeared all over that Birdseye maple handle.

But, that's what I bought it for.