Advice on Starting a Benchmade Collection

S1m2osck

S1m2osck

Joined
Dec 19, 2011
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Lately, i've been considering collecting knives as a semi-investment. It seems like safe queens don't really loose value, and might even gain some as the years go by. I figure it would be a good thing to put my money into, since I enjoy knives. In particular, I really love Benchmade knives. I'd like to start collecting there.

To get to my point, i'm wondering if a collection of benchmades would retain enough value that i could sell them later if i really needed for the same value or more. If so, where is a good place to start? They seem to come out with a lot of numbered limited editions, such as the most recent 275 Adamas. Are these worth any more than a normal model? Are the pre-production models better to collect? In addition, should I stay away or look for blue, black, or gold models?

At the moment, college has me on a limited budget. What would be a good place to start? Any information would be appreciated. This community is great, and I'd like your opinions.

Chris
 
If you plan to hold onto them for a while I would suggest starting with some of the recently discontinued models that are still available. The 960 series comes to mind. Not the current production Harley Davidson models but the older, discontinued ones.

921 Switchbacks can still be found but they are beginning to get scarce. That might be a good one to start with if you have the funds.
 
Advice on starting a knife collection? Don't.

:)

Good luck with buying a gold class and not carrying it. Seriously, if you want to make money off them, don't carry, sharpen or fondle them. Check them for defects, maybe wipe a little oil on the blade, and put it back in the packaging. Store them somewhere dark and dry.
Many here will tell you knives aren't good investments, but a discontinued knife almost always sells for more than retail here, provided it's in good condition.
 
Honestly knives are not the best investment. But you could try to shark some deals on benchmade knives from knifeworks as they have some dealer exclusives that are highly desirable from time to time.
 
The best advice I could give would be to go back in time about 8-10 years and start then.
 
Some of their Butterfly knives are very collectable but Planterz probably has the best advice. Collecting knives may noy be the best investment but at least you will have something to show for your money unlike gambling, drinking or drugs.
 
Incorrect. I recently gambled 10$ on the roulette and got 600$ (It's true :D)
Guess how many knives will come from that?

Also I actually bought one with this money and it was a Benchmade I recommend: The 806 AFCK in D2 Coated in BK.


But yeah. Don't gamble, though collecting knives is not that much more sane to me I guess it depends on self control and choice(of great knives).
 
To be honest, Im looking at this more as a way to save money than make it. I think it would be unreasonable to expect values to to raise all that much in even a decade. But it seems like they don't drop in value as long as you don't use them.

What are dealer exclusives? Are they just knives gotten at lower prices by a certain dealer, or are they different knives?

Chris
 
S1m2osck said:
To be honest, Im looking at this more as a way to save money than make it. I think it would be unreasonable to expect values to to raise all that much in even a decade. But it seems like they don't drop in value as long as you don't use them.

What are dealer exclusives? Are they just knives gotten at lower prices by a certain dealer, or are they different knives?

Chris
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A dealer excusive is a knife that a dealer has exclusively ordered for production in a specific configuration of handle material and steel. Think of it as a limited edition. If you want to invest money in knives, start buying Randall Made Knives, otherwise buy a 401K. ;)
 
The best advice I've ever heard about collecting is to collect what you like. There is no guarantee about collecting for investment purposes. I've been collecting for about 30 years, and over that time my collection has grown, shrunk, grown again, etc., and has changed direction as my knowledge and interests have evolved over the years. While I've sold some knives for significantly more that I bought them years ago, overall I'd have to say that mebbe I've broken even overall.

One thing to consider about collecting, is that the "new" value of a knife may not be what you pay for it. For instance, I used to be a dealer for a respected line of knives. I was a relative small dealer, and my dealer "discount" was 50%. Other dealers who bought in more volume could buy for 40% of suggested manufactuer's price, or even lower. So, a knife that listed for, let's say, $150.00, actually cost me $75.00. If someone bought it off me of $150.00 for investment purposes, then they started out "upside down on the note".

I recently sold two vintage benchmades, one an automatic, for about the same price they sold new 10 years ago. As I got them at a good deal originally I sold them for more than I paid, but considering inflation I came out about even. Now, don't get me wrong. Part of the reason I collect is to "bank" money -- if I put cash in a savining account, odds are that I'll raid it, but I'll keep my knives for a rainy day.

So . . . collect what you like, as the satisfaction of collecting is more rewarding than collecting just for investment; you probably won't make a lot of money with a knife collection, but with a little care you won't lose money.
 
Knives are a terrible investment. Yeah some go up in value, but many don't. I have some very desirable knives that I can probably double my money on. If I sold my entire collection I would be lucky to break even. There are also paypal and eBay fees and shipping to eat up profits.

Your best bet is to get an investor and save money. That or save money and then buy precious metals when you have enough. Or buy a CD at the bank. You do have to show some self control and not spend it. I like to think of it as collecting money. I try to make.a game of it and see how much I can save up. I have come to the.conclusion that most people aren't capable of that though. If they have their rent money in their pocket they will go spend it on something. Anything.

If you want to buy some knives do it because you want the knife. Once you get some knives you can trade out the ones you don't like and into ones you want to try. Then you aren't constantly buying more but you get to try out more. My 2 cents worth.
 
Another "knives are a terrible investment."

They are. Collect away, but don't expect to break even. Particularly with a manufacturer like Benchmade. Their "limited editions" are not terribly "limited" (like a custom or semi-production maker) and their discontinued models were made in large numbers before being discontinued.
 
Knives for investment. If Benchmade I would say Dealer Exclusive's and Gold Class. You say you like knives, Benchmades in particular, since I enjoy knives. In particular, I really love Benchmade knives., but are ready to do as stated above, and that is, if you want to make money off them, don't carry, sharpen or fondle them. Check them for defects, maybe wipe a little oil on the blade, and put it back in the packaging. For me that would be impossible to do!!:D If you can do that, then you might just break even on your investment years down the road.

But to collect for the pure enjoyment is something else. Then if you sell one down the road, below, at, or above your cost for it, just think of the enjoyment it gave you. Isn't that worth something?:thumbup::)
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. Makes me think about it in a different way. I'm gonna scrap the whole collecting idea, and just keep getting knives i like. I guess it's kinda silly to buy a knife you like if you gotta keep it locked up :D. Think ill go find a 710 i've been wanting. Thanks again!
 
S1m2osck said:
Thanks for all the advice guys. Makes me think about it in a different way. I'm gonna scrap the whole collecting idea, and just keep getting knives i like. I guess it's kinda silly to buy a knife you like if you gotta keep it locked up :D. Think ill go find a 710 i've been wanting. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

I think you missed my point. Collect 'em. Trade 'em. Make them safe queens. Use them. Whatever. It's a blast. We all do it.

I'm saying don't collect them expecting to make money off them. Knives are a terrible investment. Knives are a great collectible.
 
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