Recommended Reading
These are books that will be helpful to the new collector or even the long time professional.
Folding Knives, Starting Your Collection:By David L Roberts
"If you're new to knife collecting this is the book to start with. Written with the new collector in mind, this book will provide you with some basic knife information, history of the folding knife and things to consider as you start your collection. As you read it enjoy some pictures from my own collection."
At Amazon.com
The Cutting Edge: Man's Most Important Invention:By David L Roberts
Enjoy beautiful pictures of hundreds of fixed and folding blade knives. A great addition to any book or knife collection or as a center piece for your coffee table or office desk.
Levine's Guide to Knives & Their Values, 5th Edition:Bernard Levine
"Long regarded as the bible for knife collectors, this new, expanded edition provides everything one needs to know to successfully collect knives. Knife collecting is a rapidly growing international activity where "finds" are still plentiful. The author is regarded by many as the leading full-time writer on knives and cutlery. He has refined and corrected information, as appropriate, on brands, models and overall cutlery history, while providing fully updated prices."
At Amazon.com
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company:By Shirley Boser and John Sullivan, Foreword by John R. Osborne Jr.
"Still handcrafted in Bradford, Case knives are the most collected knives in the world. W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company contains photographs of Russ Case and his family, the factory, special knives, Case collector events, and even the Case car. Rare finds from the Case archives, employees, and family members help chronicle the company's incredible history."
At Arcadia Publishing
Knife Repair & Restoration:By Adrian A. Harris
"A 92 page Paperback. Contains black and white photos and illustrations. This book is written as a guide to the repair and restoration of knives. The knowledge contained in this book comes from several years of hard work, trial and error. With a little practice and patience one can become very proficient in cutlery work. Although problems will be encountered in the repair of a knife, this book is designed to help answer many of the questions that may arise."
At Knife Magazine
Knives of the Hudson Valley:By Richard Langston
A look at the knives produced in New York’s Hudson River Valley from approximately 1840 to 2015. By the co-founder of the the Wawarsing Historical and Knife Museum, and author of The Collector’s Guide To Switchblade Knives. 46 full color pages.
At Knife Magazine
Official Price Guide to Collector Knives 15th Edition:C. Houston Price & Mark D. Zalesky
"The Official Price Guide to Collector Knives is designed for all collectors, from novice to expert, and presents information about the hobby, its history, and value identifications. The 15th edition includes fully-updated prices, 50 pages of new listings, 100 new black-and-white photographs, and for the first time, an eight-page full-color insert."
At Amazon.com
GOINS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CUTLERY MARKINGS:John and Charlotte Goin
This book is the result of over 30 years of work by John and Charlotte Goin. This "Encyclopedia" is the compilation of all previous books and extensive research to produce one of the best collections of knife companies and markings you will find. This is a reference book that every serious collector must have in their library.
At Amazon.com
Old Knives, Xx, and More:By Tom McCandless
"Author Tom McCandless, a longtime knife collector, explores the history of Case knives from their beginning to 1920 in Old Knives, XX, and More. He also chronicles his own experiences as a collector in building knowledge, networking with dealers and vendors, and finding answers to questions of value and authentication. If you want to know more about collecting knives-including pattern numbers, handle materials, grading conditions, and pricing-this book is an essential resource."
At Amazon.com
The Standard Knife Collector's Guide 6th Edition:Ron Stewart
"This book lists literally hundreds of manufacturers of cutlery from all over the world. The easy-to-use format allows the collector to become an expert in evaluating or appraising knives by using the RBR evaluation scales. There are overviews describing the histories of major knife companies, a section on commemoratives and limited editions, clubs and organizations, numbering systems, and a section on identifying knife patterns. This book is a must for the experienced as well as the new knife collector."
At Knife Magazine
Knives Digest 1:By Ken Warner & Bruce Voyles
Ken Warner and J. Bruce Voyles between them have edited or written over 50 books on knives and guns, edited over 400 issues of magazines, and have also claimed the highest awards within the cutlery industry. Both are Cutlery Hall of Fame members, both have received the Don Hastings Award from the American Bladesmith's Society and the Nate Posner Award from the Knifemakers Guild. These two awards are the highest awards given by those two leading organizations.
At Knife Magazine