How to categorize a SAK collection. Any thoughts?

[Reinier]

Reading about the OCD Squad got me rethinking my SAK Collection and how I have it sorted/categorized/displayed. I would like to properly apply for the OCD Badge, not just by fixing one tiny GAW list
Basically, my display cabinets are a mess and I would like to sort my SAKs into proper groups, sub-collections, classes, or according to a number of attributes (or dimensions). I work in Business Intelligence so defining multi dimensional models is what I do for a living

This got me wondering how my fellow MTo'ers categorize their collections: Do you group your SAKs by certain attributes like size, scale material, color? Theme? Model/tool config? Vintage versus Modern? Specific series? Bog Standard versus Super Ultra Limited Mega Rare?

Right now I have my SAKs roughly grouped by size, then scale material, then colour. But I keep a few groups separate:

• To be sold or given away: duplicates, less interesting SAKs, "nice, but nope";
• The Vintage Ones: I wish I owned more properly old SAKs. But my vintage ones (pre 1970s or so?) stay in their own group;
• Commemorative SAKs: the 1884-1984 and 1997-1997 sets, Centennial knives, 125 Years Your Companion for Life, etc.;
• Battle Series: in their display cases (they take up a lot of space though);
• Truly Neat Scales: SAKs that I simply like the looks of: translucent orange Cybertool, digital haptic 3D scales, Climber LE Gold, etc.;
• Random Limited Edition SAKs and series: So Chic Huntsmen, Explorer Swiss Spirit, Explorer set with coin, etc.

I don't group by brand since my 20 or so Wengers are not part of my collection. I'm also excluding the 10-15 SAKs I actually use. Those are all over the place (kitchen, workshop, bedroom, office, car, bathroom...).

Some random pics. Sorted by color:





Scale type (camo):



Randomized



Grouped by size (74mm):



 

[hiraethus]

1. Users

 

[Reinier]

1. Users

 

Good one!

[Frailer]

For my part, I have two major divisions, users and the collection, each of which lives in its own machinist tool box.

The latter gets further subdivided into categories by drawer. The category may be based on size, model, color, or feature. Some examples are below.

Single blade only:




Pioneers/Soldiers with bails:




Golfers and kin:




93mm modern shield silver Alox:




Orange Alox (with a slot reserved for the 2021 Pioneer X):



There are more, and sometimes a bit of re-shuffling occurs as the mood strikes me, but I think this is an adequate characterization of my collecting style, such as it is.

[jazzbass]

All my users are separated out and kept in my desk drawer. After many years I've found that I gravitate to a select few - Compact almost every day, Cybertool 34 in backpack, Pioneer Harvester for outside work. I also have a pile knives to be sold, both collectibles and not.

For the actual collection, I group them in this order:

1. By Size. 93mm, 91mm, 84mm all separate
2. By model in increasing layer count (Gourmet, Lumberkack, Golfer, Tourist, Saleman, etc)
3. By era within a model: 4 pin fiber (1890-1920ish), 3 pin fiber (1912ish-1935ish), 3 pin cellidor old can opener (1935ish-1946ish), etc

I keep the bulk of the collection in Bisley 10-drawer cabinets with custom made inserts for the drawers.

[FolderBeholder]

I also have a pile knives to be sold, both collectibles and not.

That's a pile I'd like to see. 

[petey.grizz]

I have two classes, the users and the ones I shouldn't use but do anyway. I just can't have them sitting on a shelf or drawer getting lonely. My collection is in it's infancy however and I plan on gradually upgrading to Mint/In Box where and when I can. Then I can have one for display and one for carry, and give some away as I upgrade. Only problem is my bank account doesn't like that plan, especially since I bought 8 more this weekend.

Sent from my U307AS using Tapatalk

[pipedreams]

1. Users

 

I’m with you!

[enki_ck]

I'd add another category, sentimental value, for SAKs I'd probably never sell or give away as they were gifts from friends, family or hold other value to me. I have a Director that falls into that category

[Reinier]

For my part, I have two major divisions, users and the collection, each of which lives in its own machinist tool box.

Thank you, that's interesting. And I like your collection
Anyone with a drawer dedicated to orange SAKs is OK in my book

[Reinier]

3. By era within a model: 4 pin fiber (1890-1920ish), 3 pin fiber (1912ish-1935ish), 3 pin cellidor old can opener

I too have those categories. But they are (almost) empty

[Reinier]

I have two classes, the users and the ones I shouldn't use but do anyway. I just can't have them sitting on a shelf or drawer getting lonely. My collection is in it's infancy however and I plan on gradually upgrading to Mint/In Box where and when I can. Then I can have one for display and one for carry, and give some away as I upgrade. Only problem is my bank account doesn't like that plan, especially since I bought 8 more this weekend.

I like that you have (sort of) just started and you're already buying them in bulk. I can relate!

[Reinier]

I'd add another category, sentimental value, for SAKs I'd probably never sell or give away as they were gifts from friends, family or hold other value to me. I have a Director that falls into that category

Good point Nikola. I have a few in that category as well. E.g. three SAKs with my kids' birthdays engraved in the scales and a Wenger BusinessTool my brother gifted me years ago. Also a couple of SAKs I bought on several holidays (and on our honeymoon).

That Director sounds interesting

[Sneider]

Interesting topic.

First of all: for me the most important thing about a collection should be enjoying it.
No matter if and how you organize your collection, do it so that you like it as much as possible.

I kept my (mainly alox) knives in showcases for a long time, at some point I switched to drawers. The drawers are numbered and labeled.
My sorting is by size, model, official or not (advertising, special run etc.), color and the advertising knife by alphabet.
I separate alox bicolor, soldier knife with year, modifications, souvenir knife, Wenger, not alox and my users.

Here is drawer no. 131, 84mm narrow, blue with advertising from A-E

[Nick4]

Interesting topic.

Here is drawer no. 131, 84mm narrow, blue with advertising from A-E

Incredible! 
And what is in the other 100,000 drawers?  

[enki_ck]

Incredible! 
And what is in the other 100,000 drawers?  

Only 70 drawers

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,71382.0.html

It's so worthy I have it bookmarked

[Thunderpants]

"Here is drawer no. 131"

Yeah that's how I'd do it if I had approx 1 million SAKs!

[Sneider]

Only 70 drawers

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,71382.0.html

It's so :,drool: worthy I have it bookmarked

Yes, at the time I thought the 70 small drawers would offer enough space for my collection for a long time... 
But I am busy collecting and already planning to build more drawers ...

[enki_ck]

Yes, at the time I thought the 70 small drawers would offer enough space for my collection for a long time... 
But I am busy collecting and already planning to build more drawers ...

Looking forward to seeing the updated version

Oh, and if you need some help with making the drawers, I got tools and work for SAKs

I'll bring some Tomislavs

[Sneider]

Looking forward to seeing the updated version

Oh, and if you need some help with making the drawers, I got tools and work for SAKs

I'll bring some Tomislavs

Sooner or later I'll show you some of it here. 

Oh what a coincidence, I also work for SAKs ...

Very attentive but I stopped drinking alcohol. 
Oh right now i miss croatia ... 

[Sneider]

...
Yeah that's how I'd do it if I had approx 1 million SAKs!

Take a picture when the time comes!   
I will need a few more years until I reach the 10,000 mark 

[FolderBeholder]

The main concern for me is being able to locate any given knife quickly.
Therefore I have adopted ColoSwiss' organizational strategy.
He has his knives in plastic trays that seal tight.  Each knife is lying on a custom sized piece of felt.
He has a box for the majority of knives, stored in several large boxes.  Each box has a slip of paper stating which knife belongs in the box.
He has a spreadsheet that explains each knife and other information. 
I numbered each plastic tray because I was unfamiliar with his categories.  I then added that information into his spreadsheet.
A tray example:

I added the numbers on the left:

[Echotech]

Superb collections   

Having recently obtained my OCD Squad badge ( https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,86355.msg2197772.html#msg2197772 ) and having set up a new SAK "filing" system this is right up my street.

I use perspex topped watch cases bought on eBay. Recently found the ideal small shelf to store them in.....may need another soon.

As my collection is a bit of a mixture, I've sorted by type rather than say colour. I too have a box for everyday users with more collectable ones kept separately.

Soldiers are sorted by year and variant, but they’re probably the easiest to organize because of that.

As my collection grows the system changes, but for now this is working well.

  ET

[VICMAN]

The main concern for me is being able to locate any given knife quickly.
Therefore I have adopted ColoSwiss' organizational strategy.

Nicely organized FB!

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Nice organisation solutions, Sneider, Folder Beholder and Echotech! 

[Chako]

I organize my collection in a rather simple fashion.

First, by manufacture.
Second by size.
Third by layers.

That is about it.

[Thunderpants]

One skip per colour works for me...

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Nice one, TP! 

[Reinier]

Brilliant.

[Huntsman]

And a whole skip of orange SAKs - Watch out for Reinier TP.