Dressing For Success

There are some people who love to collect military items that were used in different battles. Military knives are often a great option to start with because they are often somewhat small in size so that they are not overly difficult to store properly. When shopping for military knives, there are a few things to know before making a purchase though. The guide below walks you through a few tips to use when you go to buy your first military knife.

Choose a Knife that Has a Certificate of Authenticity with It

Before purchasing a knife, it is important to make sure that it is real. Anyone can say that a knife was used in a particular war, but that does not mean that it really was. A knife that has been thoroughly authenticated will have a Certificate of Authenticity with it. This certificate allows you to rest assured that the knife really was used when the person claims that it was used. The certificate is also important to have when you insure the item and if you ever want to sell it in the future.

Store the Knife Instead of Carrying It

When you purchase a military knife, you need to store it in your home rather than carry it around with you. The knives that are used in combat often have much larger blades than people are allowed to carry around with them on a daily basis. You can use a shadow box to display the knife proudly on your bookshelf or mantle. You want to be sure that it is not simply sitting on a display base out in the open if you have children that come to your home on a regular basis because they could get injured by it.

Insure the Knife

When you purchase a military knife, you need to take it to an appraiser so you know how much it is worth. After you have it appraised, it is important to let your insurance agency know about the knife that you purchased. They may need you to fax or mail in a copy of the Certification of Authenticity to them and the appraisal amount for the knife. Insuring it will ensure that you can be repaid for the value of the knife if it is ruined in a fire or stolen during a robbery.

Once you have insured the knife, you can display it with pride in your home. It will take up very little space, so that you have plenty of room to add to the collection over time. For more information, contact local professionals like Bargain Center.