Yeah, it may sound wierd if you haven't tried it. Might still sound wierd after you do. But I like to use the search in Ebay to find all kinds of interesting old knives, swords, etc. just for the experience of seeing them. Right now there's a ceremonial rain axe (Aztec?), several paleolithic stone implements, a sword with a solid silver handle and guard that looks like it came from a jewelry shop, several interesting items from Africa, and tons more. Sometimes things like bugs in amber, or a lifesize cast of a real T-Rex skull mysteriously appear in a search. This is almost like a museum that changes every day or so.
All you need to do is use the advanced search. Type in "blade" or "knife" and then a country or region. Check the little box to look for the terms in the header and the message. If you just type in "knife", you will end up with thousands of items that you really don't want. That other long box that tells the system what to leave out of the search can really help. Folks that want to search for the antique sterling fish knives are probably not terribly pleased to muddle through all the ads pleading for them to buy a "Pocket Fisherman", NIB or not. If they simply enter "pocket" in that box all of the listings with "pocket" in them won't show up. If you want to look at something from Russia, you can search for "russi*". That will look for Russia and Russian. The * doesn't work in the box that leaves suff out, though. Anyway, I'm about through rambling for now. This is probably old news to some folks, but maybe it will be interesting to somebody. Oh yeah, there are some key words used in Ebay listings that you might want to know about. Here are a few:
UNIQUE - I only saw 40 other listings for this useless thing today.
ONE OF A KIND - I only have 6 left. Go ahead and laugh! This week I saw a guy advertise a "one of a kind BlackJack knife". He had two identical and simultaneous postings spaced two days apart.
COLLECTABLE - If they don't sell this week they'll go when they collect the trash.
AWESOME - I'm getting 5 times what I paid for this thing.
ULTIMATE - What do you expect for $9.99?
UNUSUAL SHAPE - Might make a decent paperweight.
MUST SEE - Don't even bother. Click and Scroll.
L@@K - It's your own fault if you do.
OLD - Has been held up at the dock for more than a week by customs officials.
RARE - The little spinning cardboard display at the 7-11 where I got these is empty now.
DISCONTINUED - K-Mart is out of them, too.
EXOTIC - Instructions are not in English.
MINT - Only mild structural damage.
MINTY - Some of the original surface remains.
EXCELLENT - With some imagination, it can be identified.
NIB - I'll order it from the factory after I cash your check.
CREDIT CARDS ONLY! NO CHECKS OR M.O.'S! - I'll send you a post card from Belize!
Actually, I've had only good experiences buying knives from folks on Ebay. The come-ons in the headers are't really all that misleading once you know the game. Most of the time when you read the ads the people make it quite clear just what it is that they are selling. They're just fighting for our attention. Makes you feel kind of sad for them doesn't it?
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Dave
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Attention: Some assembly may be required. Batteries not included.
All you need to do is use the advanced search. Type in "blade" or "knife" and then a country or region. Check the little box to look for the terms in the header and the message. If you just type in "knife", you will end up with thousands of items that you really don't want. That other long box that tells the system what to leave out of the search can really help. Folks that want to search for the antique sterling fish knives are probably not terribly pleased to muddle through all the ads pleading for them to buy a "Pocket Fisherman", NIB or not. If they simply enter "pocket" in that box all of the listings with "pocket" in them won't show up. If you want to look at something from Russia, you can search for "russi*". That will look for Russia and Russian. The * doesn't work in the box that leaves suff out, though. Anyway, I'm about through rambling for now. This is probably old news to some folks, but maybe it will be interesting to somebody. Oh yeah, there are some key words used in Ebay listings that you might want to know about. Here are a few:
UNIQUE - I only saw 40 other listings for this useless thing today.
ONE OF A KIND - I only have 6 left. Go ahead and laugh! This week I saw a guy advertise a "one of a kind BlackJack knife". He had two identical and simultaneous postings spaced two days apart.
COLLECTABLE - If they don't sell this week they'll go when they collect the trash.
AWESOME - I'm getting 5 times what I paid for this thing.
ULTIMATE - What do you expect for $9.99?
UNUSUAL SHAPE - Might make a decent paperweight.
MUST SEE - Don't even bother. Click and Scroll.
L@@K - It's your own fault if you do.
OLD - Has been held up at the dock for more than a week by customs officials.
RARE - The little spinning cardboard display at the 7-11 where I got these is empty now.
DISCONTINUED - K-Mart is out of them, too.
EXOTIC - Instructions are not in English.
MINT - Only mild structural damage.
MINTY - Some of the original surface remains.
EXCELLENT - With some imagination, it can be identified.
NIB - I'll order it from the factory after I cash your check.
CREDIT CARDS ONLY! NO CHECKS OR M.O.'S! - I'll send you a post card from Belize!
Actually, I've had only good experiences buying knives from folks on Ebay. The come-ons in the headers are't really all that misleading once you know the game. Most of the time when you read the ads the people make it quite clear just what it is that they are selling. They're just fighting for our attention. Makes you feel kind of sad for them doesn't it?
------------------
Dave
------------------------
Attention: Some assembly may be required. Batteries not included.