Need Advice With Redirecting My Collection

[Twobit]

If I could go back and start over as a collector/investor I would have concentrated on Dalton knives. Just so many variations and models produced in small runs. But, I never bought a knife thinking about making a profit down the road. I bought because I liked a style or in most cases because I just wanted to see what made them tick. And I was always more interested in vintage knives although my pocket book never got me anything too pristine in condition.

I'm pretty much the same, Terry. Not so much about vintage, but utility, or in the case of switchblades, cool factor. I had those Rizzutos, got them for next to nothing, but had no idea that they would bring the prices they did until I joined this forum. I got them for toys and it's a miracle that they survived all those years in my possession.

[sammy the blade]

Last Italian I bought has been so long ago I don't remember. Got more into the Kershaw's. Have a Protec god father and God son, a Benchmade Stimulas, couple Bear and sons. More into guns and bikes now. That can change at anytime though. Was on a Ganzo binge a few years back but don't see much of them anymore. If you can find a Ganzo automatic on the cheap jump on it. Used to get them on Amazon under $20 and that is a bargain for a nice well made beater. Hate to buy anything from China anymore but it's just about impossible not to.

[Twobit]

Sammy, do you have an example of a Ganzo? If so, please share a picture.

[Bill DeShivs]

Ganzos are now called Firebirds.

[sammy the blade]

Firebirds are hard to find too. Thinking maybe the China man may be on strike. Amazon used to be full of them and you don't see many on the China sites last time I looked. Wish I could post pictures with this phone but I can't. There might be some on dhgate.

[button_man]

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There are so many counterfeit knives-- many of them very difficult to distinguish from the real thing -- that I have almost stopped buying. I've been astonished at the totality of fakes.... there seems to be no knife sufficiently obscure to escape notice by the counterfeiters.

Tell-tale clues for distinguishing fakes that provided guidance a year or two ago are often no longer valid; the manufacturers learn and adapt. And I have not seen any comprehensive and continually-updated collection of information on identification of fake switchblades. (I'm actually sort of surprised that nothing like that exists here.) Scattered bits of information here and there provide scant assistance.

Since these observations apply mostly to contemporary knives (and new-looking "new old stock") these are the knives I avoid the most. On the rare occasions that I find a crusty old picklock at the flea market, I feel pretty safe. And if I can buy a new knife directly from the manufacturer or a major distributor with an impeccable reputation, then okay. Ditto for buying from many longtime and knowledgeable collectors on this site. But increasingly, I am allocating my funds for collecting into areas other than spring-knives. The counterfeiters have largely ruined the hobby for me, and I am voting with my feet.
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[Bill DeShivs]

I'm always happy to verify the authenticity of Leverlettos, and most other knives.

[button_man]

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Bill, I certainly appreciate that; but much of the time I'm dickering with some guy I've never seen before at an outdoor flea market, where it's cash on the barrelhead, all sales final, and caveat emptor.

And trying to get a refund from many online stores is a complete exercise in futility.

I'm waiting for a gee-whiz app that will let me scan a knife with my phone and a vast database of knife info will be pondered by A.I., with the resulting real-or-fake verdict being delivered in a few seconds. Until then, I'm probably going to continue being extremely careful with my purchases.
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[gravknife]

johns7076

I started out to just get a Johnny Cade shell puller knife but kept getting distracted by French and Italians ,along the way .

Buying was hard here in the U.K so I ran a gauntlet with customs and condition ,but never looked back and I am happy with what I ended up with .Problem is for me is not what to go for but that I just can't buy any .
If I was you I would keep going with your gut but older knives from the 60s ,marked or not have character and are very well built IMHO.
Never bought a knife for making money on and always went with what took my fancy ,but as time went on I fancied everything with a mechanism .

Luke ,Sammy here's a pick of a Ganzo switchblade and an Enlan lock knife ,both really good quality for under 20 euros each .

[sammy the blade]

Used to edc that Ganzo but it was just a little to heavy and I had to keep pulling my pants up. It is my favorite Ganzo to carry but lately I've been carrying a ViperTec. Kinda reminded me of a smaller slimer God Father, seems like I made $95 for it out the door on the web site.