This is why

hso · Jul 25, 2020

You should keep a speadsheet on your collections. That way your collector buddy doesn't have to lay things out and research values for your family, AND try to liquidate it for them like I'm doing for my friend that owned this collection.

NIGHTLORD40K · Jul 25, 2020

Some nice stuff there! Think I see a Gras bayonet in the bottom pic?

hso · Jul 25, 2020

edwardware · Jul 25, 2020

Well on the other hand, if you keep a spreadsheet of what you paid, your widow will never sell any of it. She'll believe everyone is trying to rip her off telling her it's worth 60-70% of retail.

Best to designate a friend you trust.

dh1633pm · Jul 25, 2020

Hso, you have a wonderful collection.

rust collector · Jul 25, 2020

Someone has a keen eye for good quality timeless classics. It's a good thing they have a friend like you to catalog them and perhaps put in a bid or two.

Shanghai McCoy · Jul 25, 2020

Wow, that is quite the collection. Is that a Ruana that I see in the lower foreground of the second photo?

climbnjump · Jul 25, 2020

I don't get it. I see an exercise ball, an elliptical machine and a piano.

Was there something I missed? :rofl:

1976B.L.Johns. · Jul 25, 2020

climbnjump said:
Was there something I missed?

Waldo...

hso said:
You should keep a speadsheet on your collections.

I gotta do that too. And a will and...
Today I have surpassed my Dad's final age by five days.......Lots to do in the fourth quarter!

hso · Jul 26, 2020

rust collector said:
perhaps put in a bid or two.

My responsibility is to make as much money as possible for the family. That will probably preclude putting in any bids.

hso · Jul 26, 2020

Shanghai McCoy said:
Is that a Ruana

Theater knife made during WWII. Cast aluminum butt cap, aircraft plexiglass scales, photo and signature under the scales of the guy in uniform or the stacked plexiglass made off a Quartermaster.

hso · Jul 26, 2020

rust collector said:
good quality timeless classics

He was an avid collector, but had been selling off pieces in the past couple of years. There's a half dozen Randalls just in that top left corner (including a Smithsonian Bowie and an Arkansas Toothpick!). There are 5 RMJ Tactical 'hawks and a Krudo, plus 2 other hand forged 'hawks. Breeds, Wheelers, REKATs, ...

lemaymiami · Jul 26, 2020

Once you have it all cataloged I'll bet the folks here would like to see the listing... If in fact those pieces don't go to auction and are available for individual purchase...

Having a reliable friend to assist the family with specialty items like a knife collection.... priceless.

Boattale · Jul 26, 2020

hso said:
My friend died suddenly on the 4th of July two days after I last visited with him. He was a year younger than I am. What's so wonderful about having to work to sort, clean, research, price and then find an auction house to liquidate his collection so his family gets the money they need? I'd rather my buddy were still here.

Sorry for your loss. Can you list things here in the appropriate place?

sgt127 · Jul 26, 2020

I had a friend of mine that had a large badge collection. I sold off the last few pieces for his widow.

There were a couple I really liked. I listed them on eBay with an enormous reserve that they didn’t meet.

And then paid her the highest bid. Easiest way I could determine fair market value.

Jimfern · Jul 26, 2020

I'm sorry about your friend. Both my fathers-in-law have been selling their collections of stuff and giving cash to family members (not me, but I'm not in need) while they are alive. I'm glad to see them doing that and I think they are happy to see their family members benefit. This is the second post I've seen about someone having to liquidate stuff for people. Thanks for the reminder to thin my collection down to what I really enjoy and minimize the burden on our survivors..

hso · Jul 26, 2020

Boattale said:
Can you list things here in the appropriate place?

I'll run the collection through Buy/Sell/Trade for NFW at THR. Members can check there.

hso · Jul 26, 2020

Some pics of the Randalls. Half of them date from the late '70s and '80s.

Boattale · Jul 26, 2020

Jimfern said:
I'm sorry about your friend. Both my fathers-in-law have been selling their collections of stuff and giving cash to family members (not me, but I'm not in need) while they are alive. I'm glad to see them doing that and I think they are happy to see their family members benefit. This is the second post I've seen about someone having to liquidate stuff for people. Thanks for the reminder to thin my collection down to what I really enjoy and minimize the burden on our survivors..

I've got a trust that takes care of those burdens.

danez71 · Jul 28, 2020

Sorry about your friend. Best wishes to those he left behind.

I would think knives would be harder to identify and price because of less markings than guns but I'm not well versed with them.

Seems like the best person is on the job. It's an honorable burden you have.

Yo Mama · Jul 28, 2020

@hso I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Smoke and prayers for you and their family for healing and comfort. The days ahead will be that of support for you I hope.

hso · Jul 28, 2020

Thanks all.

I have a couple of pieces sold already and that will help the family. I also contacted Randall Made Knives and spoke with the fellow that does all the repairs/refurbs and he said he'd be happy to look over the Smithsonian . When I mentioned a guess on cost he chuckled and said it wouldn't be near that bad.

Yo Mama · Jul 28, 2020

If my family sells my stuff when I'm gone I promise I'll haunt them for the rest of their lives.

All kidding aside, I paid good money for knives that are able to last the test of time and should be able to go through to great great grandkids that I won't have for a long time. I engraved a few to make it even harder for them to leave the family. I plan to give them to the kids way before I'm old. That way there is no arguing and I know who liked and wanted what. I want to see them used and enjoyed while im still around.

Best tracking system I've used is Microsoft Access. Much easier vs Excell to me, and sorts quickly depending on what you are trying to organize. I mainly do this for insurance reasons to track what I have in case anything happened. Guns and knives in separate tables. This way I have a mobile version for the police includes the serial numbers.

Make, model, color, current value, purchase price, steel type, knife type (folder, fixed, auto), occasion (who got it for me and why), and date cleaned are all included. Once I get a new blade, goes right to the Access table.

The Evangelist Cowboy · Jul 31, 2020

@hso if I had half your collection... my most expensive knife is a Benchmade Crooked River. Maybe one day I'll be able to splurge on a real custom .

hso · Jul 31, 2020

The Evangelist Cowboy said:
Maybe one day I'll be able to splurge on a real custom

You'll be surprised, but for what you paid for that Crooked River you could have had a real custom fixed blade. There are a lot of unknown/less known knifemakers out there in the $250 and under range that you can find.

This is why

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