The world's most collectible knives

The most collectible knives are made by craftsmen or well-known brands and have special qualities. Folding knives and fixed blade knives, which are mass-produced and made-to-order, both deserve a place in a knife collection.

Among the large choice of factory-made folding knives are
universal options—which could lie at the bottom of a woman’s handbag or the backpack of an avid traveler. There are also survival knives, penknives, and even knives for fishing and mushroom picking.

Knives made by actual knife companies stand out thanks to their
unique features. Some companies still make their knives by hand, meaning that two knives are never fully identical. However, even mass-produced knives can be quite unique, standing out from the average collection.

Mass-produced collectable knives

Knives for survival

• Ka-Bar
• Tom Brown
• Morakniv MG
• Fallkniven F1
• CRKT M16
• Buck 110
• Old timer Sharpfinger
• Finnish Puukko
• GLOCK Field knife FM 78
• GLOCK Field knife FM 81
• Spyderco Paramilitary 2C81GP2
• Chris Reeve Sebenza

Folding knives

• Folding penknife Higonocami
• Pocket knife Opinel №8
• Victorinox
• CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife
• Leatherman Wave – multi-tool

Special forces knives

• Ari B’Lilah knife
• Eickhorn Kampfmesser
• FS knife
• Emerson CQC-7
• Gerbert Mark II

A unique knife from the knife maker

• Charlie Benica
• Michael Walker
• Owen Wood
• Bob Loveless
• Noblie Collectibles
• Hattori

Mass-produced collectable knives:

Knives from a particular brand are to be chosen just like friends – very carefully. Usually, mass-produced knives are designed to be practical. The category of folding and fixed-blade knives and fixed-blade knives contains the following:

• Folding hunting knives
• Pocket knives
• Universal folding knives with an additional set of useful tools – a favorite of travelers and handymen
• Fixed-blade knives for survival
• Knives for special forces
• Stationary folding pocket knives

Knives for survival:

Examples include the knives of marines who participated in the Vietnamese war, Mexican knives, and Cowboys’ knives. Many
people remember Rambo’s special knife. Some survival knives have the same features – a container in the handle, which lets you hide and protect small items (for instance, matches or fishing hooks). The handle is wrapped in a cord. On the base of the knife are sharp saw-like teeth.

Ka-Bar

A KA-BAR knife is a professional marine knife with a telling but concerning
name, “To kill the bear.” The name of the brand is tied to a real-life situation in which a thankful hunter sent an emotional letter to the company. He managed to kill a bear with this knife. Thanks to the entrepreneurial mindset of the company’s workers, the knife gained its name.

The strong blade is able to withstand a large amount of pressure and can have variations in its shape.
Popular models of this knife are the KA-BAR Tanto Black 600 and U.S.M.C. 1217.

Tom Brown

The Tom Brown Tracker T3 has an interesting and brutal blade. The micarta linen on the handle stops the knife from slipping when held in a wet hand, and the blade can chop, cut, and stab. Specialists have said that it would be inconvenient for a trophy hunter to use this blade to skin their prize, but there are other tools for this. A hunter’s knife and survival knife have different purposes, but they are helpful and can even save lives.

Morakniv MG

The Morakniv MG Carbon is a very modern, simple, and reliable Scandinavian knife for survival, and it can be worn on a belt. It
has a rubberized plastic handle and a strong blade inside a plastic sheath. The strength and sharpness of the blade are determined by its carbon content.
Owners of this affordable model quote the aggressive cutting of the blade and the ease with which the knife is held.

Fallkniven F1

The Fallkniven F1 is a Scandinavian survival knife with a molded rubberized handle; this knife was used by Swedish and American Air Force pilots and foot soldiers. The knife’s construction is simplified as much as possible; there are no teeth or hidden containers. A reliable blade and a comfortable handle are the only features of the model that they entrust their lives to.

CRKT M16

The CRKT M16 is a folding knife from Kit Karson; it has an Auto Lawks safety mechanism that opens with only one hand. The TANTO blade is made from AUS-8 steel.

A hunting knife needs features that allow it to be an extension of the owner’s arm. For example, it needs a comfortable handle and a solid yet  flexible blade made from stainless steel; this allows the owner to carry out different actions without breaking the blade.

Buck 110

The folding hunting knife Buck 110 is notable for its simplicity, reliability, backlock mechanism, and lifetime guarantee from the company Buck Knives. The comfortable handle is made from brass or nickel. Its hard and sharp blade allows you to cut through bird bones and branches and skin animals.

Old Timer Sharpfinger

This lightweight hunting knife with an original shape has become a household name thanks to its small size and reliability.

Finnish Puukko

This hunting knife has a distinct national identity that is a great addition to an expert’s collection. The traditional steel blade is straight in shape, a characteristic unique to steel, and resistant to low temperatures. The barrel-shaped handle is made from Karelian birch. The strong and stable blade of the knife is suitable for any hunting task.

GLOCK Field knife FM 78

Classic survival (army) knife can be used for any purpose: for opening ammunition boxes, as a weapon or an outdoor knife. Blade hardness: 55 HRC.

GLOCK Field knife FM 78

Survival knife Glock FM 81 is equipped with a sturdy saw at the back of the blade.

Blade hardness: 55 HRC.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2C81GP2

The American pocket knife from the designer Bill Moran is marketed for tourism and sports, but thanks to several features, it can be more widely used. Thin, compact, and hardly noticeable in
your pocket, the knife is comfortable to hold in your hand. It is easy to open, thanks to a hole in the blade. The patented “Spyderhole” is also a design feature. The extended finger blade is made from CPM S30V steel. There is also a compression lock mechanism.

Chris Reeve Sebenza

This custom folding knife with a framelock locking mechanism became a coveted collector’s model—thanks to its elegant design and high-quality blade cutting.

Folding knives

Folding penknife Higonocami

This handmade Japanese knife has no lock and boasts an original shape. The Higonokami is made by a company with history. The knife of “The Last Samurai” resembles a straight razor and has a very sharp blade. Simple and sharp blades were so popular that even school children used them to sharpen their pencils. Thanks to the handiwork on the knife, it’s possible to see traces of forging. The value in this penknife is that it’s impossible to find two absolutely identical Higonocami knives: the design tells you where the knife came from.

A beautiful pocket knife Opinel №8

The French folding knife Opinel №8 has to take its place in any collection as an example of an elegant pocket knife. Opinel has an impressive selection of handles and functional blades: one for mushroom picking with a specialized curve, one for children with a rounded blade, one fish knife, and one with a whistle that is ideal for walking in the woods without the risk of getting lost. The Opinel №8 model is a classic version of the simple design, with handles made from beech and a blade made from XC90 steel. It’s not stainless steel, but it is durable and retains its sharpness well. A special feature is the Vibrobloc locking mechanism, patented by Opinel. Vibrobloc safely keeps the blade in one position, both while open and closed.

Universal folding knife Victorinox

The universal Swiss folding knife with a lot of additional tools is suitable for any situation. The Victorinox Huntsman model can provide tools both for a picnic and common household activities: it has a corkscrew, bottle opener, screwdriver, tweezers, and a saw. It’s a suitable knife for anyone who wants to have maximum comfort without leaving the comfort of civilization.

CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife

Most Innovative Knife Award at the 2004 Blade Show. Designed by Ed Van Hoy in Abingdon, Virginia

Innovative Opening: Unique cam action of the snap lock mechanism. Minimizes Reflectivity: Bead blast finish reduces reflection. Quick Release: Lanyard can be quickly released from tool for safety. Designed by Ed Van Hoy in Abingdon, Virginia.

Leatherman Wave

Here’s one more universal and unusual Swiss knife—from the designer Tim Leatherman. Special service knives never fail to attract the attention of a collector who focuses on the practical purpose of a knife. Simplicity, reliability, and multi-functionality are the key features of knives with a strong character:

Special forces knives

Ari B’Lilah knife

– the model used by Israeli special forces has a sharp blade with teeth, which can be used for any task.

Eickhorn Kampfmesser

— a NATO army knife with a blade made from 440A steel which can
chop, cut and even hold the weight of a soldier.

FS knife

— this model of knife has its design based on the shape of a stiletto and is
the favorite of many special forces.

Emerson CQC-7

— a folding Marines knife that can be easily opened in one movement while removing it from your pocket. This historical model is often desired by sophisticated collectors.

Gerber Mark II

— a killing combat knife that, for ethical reasons, is marketed more as a tool for survival. Its black blade with teeth is attractive not only for collectors but also for directors, and the knife is often featured in films. The American knife company has existed since 1939 and has been improving its technology and attracting collectors who prefer professional knives.

What is the most collectible knife?

Knife collectors of knives may look for various features in their collection of this definitive edged weapon. Collected knives may be iconic manufacturing brands, vintage knives, or “one of a kind” custom knives handcrafted by knife makers.
While an iconic production knife is great to have, and vintage knives have special value, nothing says “special” like a custom handmade piece from an experienced craftsman.

A custom handcrafted knife from a reputable knife maker may become the “Holy Grail” knife, that is, the knife that is studied and coveted, which, when finally obtained, will be the pinnacle of the collection.

These knives are made one at a time, and it can take up to several months for a professional craftsman to make a piece. Knife designs can be one-of-a-kind, custom-made or reproduced on request in limited quantities.

A unique knife from the knife maker

A made-to-order knife will fulfill the technical desires and practical aims of the client, and it will have a unique design. Creating some models with difficult mechanisms can take the master months. Lives depend on the knives’ special features and the skill of the craftsman. It can also take just as long for the master to create a knife with a symbolic meaning. The masters who created the folding knife showed a custom approach to micromechanics and knife design. The accomplishments of these masters allowed knives to be seen as jewelry, giving weapons a new ability. Push-button locks and springs allow the knife to become an extension of the owner’s hand.

Rare knives

If we look at the history of African knives, we can find the interesting round wrist knife, which can be used both for fighting and cutting down branches. Modern masters make these knives from precious stones. A knife with a sapphire blade doesn’t set off a metal detector. The small lipstick-shaped blade, hidden by a cap, is another custom knife variant that you can’t easily buy in a shop.
Brass knuckles, stilettos, and real masterpieces of martial arts combined with artistic design can be added to a cold weapons collection.

Why spend the money for a custom knife?

A premium custom knife is crafted by hand, one at a time, by an experienced knifemaker, an expert that has been in the industry for years and knows the product really well. A custom knife is not mass produced in a factory like other knives, it requires a huge investment of time, effort and skill. A proficient knifemaker works on each knife as on an artistic project and weighs all factors involved – design details, type of steel, heat treating, geometry, balance, ornamentation – with genuine care. Such a delicate attention to detail is quite rare in today’s mass-production world.

Also, let not yourself be misguided by the common misconception about custom knives: the word “custom” does not mean a knife is a museum exhibit or brittle. In fact, handmade custom knives are normally way tougher and more durable than mass-produced knives. They are infallible in performing their routine tasks of cutting various materials, no matter how exquisite, ornate or bizarre they may be.

Furthermore, consider the meaning of the word ‘expensive’. If a custom knife seems not affordable to you, it doesn’t mean it is not worth the price. Most knife makers have been in the industry for years and basically know what their knives are worth. All you need to establish is whether the knife is worth the money to you.

Charlie Bennica

Folding knives made by Charlie Bennica can be recognized thanks to their use of 416 steel on the handle, which houses their legendary pommel-lock. The master inlays the precious materials into the steel handles. The blades are made from Damascus and expensive RWL 34 and ATS 34 S, D-2 steel.

Bennica creates precious artistic knives that you could easily forget are weapons if not for the opening mechanism.

Michael Walker

Michael Walker’s folding knives can be identified by their Linner-lock mechanism, based on which the master created over thirty variants and jewelry. In the past, Walker was involved in jewelry making. His hand is easily recognizable by the artistic drawing, despite the differences in the shape of the blade and handle. A special feature of the locking system is the plate spring—thanks to this mechanism, the blade is locked in position but could easily be opened or closed with one hand. Walker became the first knife master to give the folding knife new features.

Owen Wood

Owen Wood creates art in the shape of folding knives and is inspired by architecture. His custom work attracts attention thanks to its unusual artistic drawings and architectural design elements.

Bob Loveless

Loveless is considered a trendsetter with his “supply” knives. The unusual shapes of his knives were the reason the special forces became interested in Loveless. The master created knife models for CIA agents. Loveless was so particular about the quality of the blades’ steel and their specific purpose that he preferred to stamp the brand name with acid rather than with stamping technology. The master created legendary knives for sixty years.

NOBLIE Knives

The company creates custom knives and art knives for collectors. The amount of time needed to create them depends on the complexity of the design. Creating a symbolic knife can be as hard as creating a practical model for a fighter. Artists, blacksmiths, and jewelry makers work on the creation of NOBLIE custom knives. One feature of NOBLIE knives is their beauty; even the simplest models have an expression of individuality. A NOBLIE knife’s uniqueness is shown in the shape, the materials used, and the manufacturing technology—while the master, putting his heart into his craft, gives the knife its character. NOBLIE collector knives have names.

Hattori knives

The Japanese small dagger – this hand made knife from Hattori is small enough in size to hide and has a durable blade.

Why are custom knives so expensive?

Many people wonder why someone would pay $1,000 or more for a knife. Custom knives are so expensive primarily because of the higher quality material, more-labor intensive processes, and great attention to detail. The fact that custom knife makers take longer to produce fewer blades makes the price higher. In custom-made knives, you will find quality steel for the blade and unique wood used for the handle, which also in turn increases the final price.

Do not forget, a custom knife is a handmade product made in strict accordance with the wishes and requests of the buyer. The more complicated the blade, the more time it takes to finish it and, accordingly, the higher the price.

The meticulous attention to incredible detail is another reason why custom-made knives are so expensive. Filing out all the little seams so that there are no gaps between the handle and the ricasso, perfecting the finish of the handle, unique design, and no pre-made fittings are just a few examples. It all takes a good set of skills and an incredible amount of time to make it perfect.

Custom handcrafted knives are great for their unique qualities. These are amazing showpieces.

Where is the right place to buy custom knives?

Noblie is a reliable knife dealer of handmade custom knives since 2015. Here you can find a huge selection of hunting knives, gift knives, tactical knives, hand engraved knives, folding knives, and collectable knives fitting a most delicate taste. We constantly offer over 650 custom knives in our stock at all times. This allows our customers to obtain the purchase right away, instead of waiting for several weeks or months while the knife is being manufactured. Note that each of our premium knives is packaged in a wooden knife box that emphasizes knife’s daintiness and beauty. We offer ready-made solutions for your glamorous presents!

You can choose a custom knife from our huge selection of handmade knives !

Knife collecting (video)

Especially for you, we have selected videos about knife collecting.