Adding Blems to a Collection?

D

DIESEL8807

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Oct 3, 2012
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So I've been pondering buying a few Blems from KershawGuy, but I just can't pull the trigger. I'm really just looking to add to my collection, so do you all buy Blems to add to your collection, or do you prefer brand new knives for that? If I needed another knife for edc, I'd definitely buy a Blem, but it seems like nothing can kick the Knockout out of my pocket.
 
I usually buy blems to do stuff to, like polish the blade, change the shape/profile, modify the handles, etc. In the end, they all get used along with the brand new ones. Except maybe my 3500 Speedform, I don't carry that one too often but I have Speedform II's that are part of my go-to selection.
 
If it is a very rare blem yes I would (0500 mudd, Tilt, etc...), but typically as gooeytek said I buy them to use or modify then use.
 
If a blem is all that's reasonably left, then hell yes. I thought I'd never find a particular knife that was discontinued and, lo and behold, Dave's got them as blems. He scoped out a good one, and it's mine. It's a knife I'd never carry (I couldn't if I wanted to), but it sits in my collection and I enjoy playing with it.

I think I only actually have two blems, but for me, having a piece in my collection is about the model, the design, and enjoying the piece as the product of someone's thought and craftsmanship. It's why I even have a collection. Blems are a great option to just have a piece that would otherwise gone unhad. Especially since Dave scopes his out pretty well, it's a good way to add to one's collection.

My EDC is a CF154 Blur. It wasn't a blem, and it's seen some serious stuff at this point. I got three of them...so I'm fine using what was a NIB piece.
 
I will buy blems for one of 4 reasons:

(1) I am going to use the hell out of it.
(2) I am going to modify it.
(3) I can't find a non-blem.
(4) I don't have any use for the knife, but "need" it for my collection. (example, orange fixed blades)

That being said, every blem I have ever gotten is awesome. Haven't found anything more than an uneven grind or tiny tooling mark on any of them. I've seen much worse knives from other companies being sold as "firsts". Kershaw QC seems very very strict on what they let out the door.
 
I buy blems if I'm going to do a franken knife. I'm thinking of doing a composite bladed franken leek
 
I have a few blems from Dave and they are all just fine. Other than the xxxx, I can't see why they were put in the step-child box. I mod them and change grinds and such. If I like the results i'll go ahead and buy a regular one and carry it or let it sleep.
 
I have one blem, a tanto blur from Dave, its a keeper. I have no idea what could have been the blemish, I do know I will start to buy more of em. :thumbup:
 
i actually LOVE my random leek blem.... really cant find anything wrong with it, changed the grind and havent looked back. As far as a collection goes... i dunno if i could safe queen a blem, just wouldnt feel right
 
Sometimes, on very rare occasion, you may get an unmarked blem.
I have a couple and actually enjoy them the most.
 
my carry knife is a sg2 JY2 blem and a 301 blem. I have a couple other blems but as a rule would rather have non blems. I havent found any real problems with them and if you cant find a non blem why not get one
 
I would prefer to buy non-blems to add into my collection, but like some others have already said, if It's a really hard model to come by, then I wouldn't mind adding a blem to my collection. The main reason for me to buy a blem, would be to use that knife as a beater/user or hopefully mod that knife in the future. My Desert Sand Blur Blem is my main edc and user. The blem is an uneven grind. I have no reason to worry about it, but if something were to happen to it, then I'm safe in knowing that I paid a very low amount of money for it and I bought it from an awesome dealer (kershawguy).
 
Ill buy the blems if the non-blem is too hard to find or is too expensive. Id been wanting a 1670GRNCF but a non blem is hard to find and is expensive, I buy the blem and my need is fulfilled.
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with buying blemish for a collection. Think about it this way, lets say there is a limited production run where 1000 knives are made, there will be a few blend separate from that 1000. Given enough time a blem is going to have collector value.
 
solidorange said:
I will buy blems for one of 4 reasons:

(1) I am going to use the hell out of it.
(2) I am going to modify it.
(3) I can't find a non-blem.
(4) I don't have any use for the knife, but "need" it for my collection. (example, orange fixed blades)
Click to expand...

I concur with these 4 ........ I have only bought blem Leeks for my collection if I could not find a NIB non blem example of the same knife.

Everytime I have bought a blem Leek, the real deal pops up for sale and I buy it.

FTR - the blems that I have bought have all been really good quality and on most I could not find the blem.

Russ.....
 
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If you intend on keeping them in mint condition as collection pieces, I'd probably look for non-blems. If the knife was limited edition or out of production and otherwise very difficult to come by, then blems may be your only option. If you plan on using them (or modding), though, blems are great. Functionally, I've never had any problems with blems I've gotten, and only one has a noticeable cosmetic blemish.
 
I'm with these guys here for the most part. However I won't buy a blem of a knife over $125 or so. Unless of course I can't find it any where else. To me the warranty is worth it. I use my knives and if something happens to a $200+ knife I don't want to be stuck with no warranty.

Also know that you are buying a factory second. Many of you get blems that are great. I've ordered one blem (composite leek for a user) and it had quite a few issues. The blade was way off center, speed safe would not fully open the blade tip grind was a little screwy scratches on the handle and a big smudge on the kershaw logo on the side. I know many of you have basically "mint" blems but there are blems out there that are not so nice. The knife functions fine now that I've fixed it but it surely didn't come that way.
 
The 3600 Volt is the only "Blem" that I have that I would call collectible. I got it from Jason for a great price.

I couldn't fine a non Blem for a good price.

I just picked up a 0551 Blem for $140, the finish on blade is etched looking and feels rough. But other than that it is a great knife. It is way smoother opening than my 1st 0551, it requires 2 hands to open.
 
I'd buy blems on 2 occasions. It's a knife I'm actually going to use (not put in my collection) or it's a sprint run and a non-blem is extremely hard to find (such as a S60V Blur).
 
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