A Knife Collectors Basic Guide
Most of us can get by with scissors and a box cutter while we’re doing our day to day stuff. Let’s be realistic when we say that knife collecting is a hobby. As always, safety first. Choose a knife with good grip in a size that fits your hand, with designs that promote good handling characteristics like jimping and flaring in the appropriate areas.
Having said that, knife collecting and those of us who are collectors, are very particular about our knives. We avidly discuss the metal composition, the blade shape, the handle materials, to name a few things. What works for you may not work for me. My style isn’t your style and that’s okay. Preference is okay. You may like the way that SpiderCo knives open as compared to how Benchmade Knives open or not, this is a huge topic of debate. There are many topics of debate.
No matter what you like, these are just a few of the top categories to consider.
The Beater-Kershaw Zing
This is the knife that you throw around. It’s cheap so you’re not afraid to ding, scuff or otherwise risk this blade or its edge. For the price, it’ll still cut through your basic cardboard packages, open your mail and otherwise do a decent job in a pinch. It’s in fact so many times more affordable than our premium option, that you could possibly buy several of these, maybe even a dozen, without breaking the bank. It’s still razor sharp though, make no mistake as Kershaw is among the best in the business in the sub 50 dollar category. Alternative wood handle option, Civivi Mini Praxis.
The Fixed Blade-Vosteed Mink
Your fixed blade should be chunky. It has to be strong and full tang. More than the beater knife, this knife will be your camp knife, your bushcraft knife, going through the mud and the muck with you on your adventures. You might consider what it’ll feel like being used while wearing gloves in the cold, or how you’ll holster this knife to best serve your needs. Unlike the other blades in this list, the fixed blade, not being a folding knife, has fewer parts and is therefore much easier to clean. Make sure it’s rated to resist corrosion in the metal of your choice (say Nitro V) and that it comes with a sheath. Affordable alternative- Kizer Cabox
The premium-Benchmade Mini Freek
The pretty one, some might say. The expensive one others might suggest. Made out of materials that resist corrosion, or hold an edge really well, and maybe even has great durability, these blades are usually tops in at least 2 of the 3 aforementioned categories. While no knife is going to score 10/10 on all of the knife ratings charts, some get awfully close in a few categories. Affordable Alternative- Vosteed Mini Psyops 299.
The Rescue-Victorinox Rescue Tool
A specific subset of the multi-tool category, the Rescue Tool category is for saving lives. Famously used for it’s seat belt cutter and glass breaker, this tool also includes a glass saw and as well as a more standard array of tools like a bottle opener, screwdriver, and a very sharp blade. Leave this in your car with the hope that you never ever need to use it but be grateful that the one time you do, you have it so save yourself from the watery depths. As for an alternative, there are very few that come up with the spec that this tool provides. In many cases, you’d need multiple tools that does everything this tool does but recommendations are welcome.
The Wilderness- Leatherman Signal
Beloved the world over, Leatherman tools have had a great reputation for generations. The Leatherman Signal is your true outdoors man tool. Need to start a fire? The Signal can help with that via the wood saw for kindling and the Ferro Rod for sparking a flame. Need some pliers or a small hammer? The Signal can help with that too. Counting the bit driver, there are some 19 tools plus additions you can add like the driver set that round out this tool’s usefulness outdoors. Whether car camping or hiking Everest, this tool will get you through a lot. Costs being what they are, a more affordable alternative would be the Gerber Stakeout. Fewer tools yes, but if the Ferro Rod/Striker combo and a wood saw are a priority, then this will do in a pinch.
Bonus
The Heirloom- Shot Show exclusives or a Herman Knives Tesseract
Not necessarily a specific type of knife, these are the ones you save, that you hand down. The rare limited editions that are available first at the SHOT show, and then if you’re lucky, also available at select retailers as well. These are the knives that come in special colors or other materials that can be eye-catching or controversial. As an example, the 2025 Benchmade Mini Freek was made with an Ultem handle material and there has been much debate made of that choice. For the Heirloom pick that will only appreciate in value, the Herman Knives Tesseract is one such knife on many collectors’ grail lists.
The act of choosing a knife is something of a mystical process. It’s part art and part science. Yes, you might choose a knife based on the blade materials, blade type, size or other physical factor but to choose based solely on this criteria is a mistake. The art part of choosing a knife is handling it in person and seeing if it jives with you. A knife can meet all your requirements and yet when you have it in hand, doesn’t do it for you. The true test of a knife is how it feels in hand. Regardless of shape or materials, in-hand feel is what it always comes down to in the end so choose wisely.
Sincerely,
The PNH
The Patently Nerdy Human 