For example, Remington made 1300 different patterns. A collection with a theme or direction will be easier to sell than one that is simply a conglomeration of everything. Above all, when you reach the point where you are purchasing knives costing hundreds of dollars or more, make sure that you buy only from a reputable dealer who will stand behind the authenticity of the knife. Beware of 'too good of a bargain' as in all probability you are being taken. As in any hobby, there are always those unscrupulous few who will make a fast dollar in any way they can.
Many counterfeiters are very good and only an expert can tell.
Simply be as careful as you can and familiarize yourself with manufacturing methods and details. In any event, get your feet wet at a knife show. Look for a local or regional knife club near you and go there to find other collectors who will reinforce these ideas. The system we use for knife grading and describing a knife s condition is on our Knife Grading System Page . Know your subject.