Materials - Do they go together well?

Blade to Handle Ratio - Is the blade proportional to the handle?

Blade heat-treat: This is an area that a maker’s reputation comes into play. You will learn more about this as you learn more about the various makers. Heat treatment is what gives the blade its strength.

Where Does A Person Find Knives To Collect?

Check out your local flea markets and yard sales. Often people have old knives stuck in a box full of, well, more old knives. Most of them are the kitchen variety, but many people aren’t aware of the value of knives.

Estate sales and auctions are a good source - just get there early so you can root through things. The greatest place to buy knives is at a knife show, or a gun show. Buy a copy of Blade Magazine and check out the section titled “Show Calendar.” They have a good listing of knife shows listed by date, with the location and contact information listed also.

At these shows you meet the makers, collectors, purveyors, factory reps, book vendors and anyone else you can imagine that is connected to the knife world. Your local gun shows often have “knife tables” set up. If you go to an out of state knife show, be sure to check the laws of the states you may be passing through. You could inadvertently break the law by transporting the “collectibles.”

Beware, like any other hobby, knife collecting can become addictive! Check out a few of the knife-collector’s mailing lists and Web sites on the Internet if you don’t believe me!

good tip thanks!

Heres some interesting tips to those with kids.....

Check that the oven and other cooking appliances are turned off before you leave the kitchen.

Keep electrical appliances away from water to avoid shocks. Stay away from electrical sockets, especially if your hands are wet.