are you open to buying used knives?

Honest Old Knives have character that a new one will only have after 40-60 years, if it lasts that long. I'll take an old one with hard earned patina over a new most any day. In fact, can you imagine what some of the GEC offerings will look like 60 years from now? Now that will be a cool picture thread. I'm not going to live long enough to get a collection of new knives to the age/character/patina level I enjoy, so I enjoy those that have it already instilled.

Cards94, I dare you to go take a l stroll through the "Old Knives" thread and see if that does not change your tune. You are fully welcome to whatever you like, but I believe you are really missing out on some beauties, especially if you are on a budget.

QueenJack003008Large_zps2662c336.jpg
 
Simple Man said:
Honest Old Knives have character that a new one will only have after 40-60 years, if it lasts that long. I'll take an old one with hard earned patina over a new most any day. In fact, can you imagine what some of the GEC offerings will look like 60 years from now? Now that will be a cool picture thread. I'm not going to live long enough to get a collection of new knives to the age/character/patina level I enjoy, so I enjoy those that have it already instilled.

Cards94, I dare you to go take a l stroll through the "Old Knives" thread and see if that does not change your tune. You are fully welcome to whatever you like, but I believe you are really missing out on some beauties, especially if you are on a budget.

QueenJack003008Large_zps2662c336.jpg
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Love them old Queen Winterbottom Bone scales, nice Serpentine Jack BTW, I've got a new one from the delrin days of the 70s.

This one was also bought used...

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Everyone's different. I recently made a trade proposal for some $105-$150 knives but the other party absolutely did not want a knife that was not NIB. I understand, but these knives were a dime a dozen and not collectors at all. Some folks just like looking at them and/or trade and sell one after the other.
 
Other than SAKs, the knives (and rifles and watches) I buy and own and use are no longer made. So used it is.
 
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I've been buying used USA Schrades. They were some of the best out there when I was a younger man (boy). Since 2004 you can't buy a USA made Schrade unless you can find new old stock (NOS). I've bought them on forums and the action site. I like ones that are lightly used, still nice with lots of life left. I do draw the line at buying NIB, NOS as they are often 2 to 3 Xs the price of nicely used just because they have the box and papers. I can't see paying that much for the box that collectors like.
But I'm more of an accumulator than a collector. I did get one poor egg on the big site. But it wasn't really worth making an issue about it.

I also collect Bark River and will snap up a nice like new Barkie if I don't have it. These are usually on the Bark River forum site and are sold as like new or can be sent back to Bark River for a $15 SPA treatment and they'll come back like new.

Tom
 
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powernoodle said:
I've brought it back to life, and have the satisfaction of know that when I die, my wife's next husband will throw it in the garbage along with everything else I have hoarded.
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Now that's funny right there Todd :D:thumbup:

And buy used knives---OH YEAH, ALL THE TIME!!!

Paul
 
T. Erdelyi said:
To each his own, just leaves a few more old/used knives for the rest of us old timers... ;)
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I agree with T. Erdelyi whole heartedly.

Cards94, I respect your choice and most of all I appreciate one less competitor for old used-ish but not abused knives:D

More than half of my collection was bought used. I try to get them in the most serviceable condition as possible. Cleaning, polishing, sharpening and oiling makes it my knife. I also wonder where that knife has been and who owned it first."if knives could talk"?
 
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am I open to buying used knives ?

Actually, I think I prefer them pre-owned, going by what my favorite users are.
 
I would guess that 60% of the knives I buy are used, so put me down in the "YES" column - used is the only way to buy USA made Imperial, Schrade, Camillus, etc., etc. OH
 
I think I would have to know what is defined as used. Some people I talk to consider a knife opened and handled, but not used as a used knife. If the knife has never cut anything or sharpened I consider it as new, unused. I see some knives used up to the blades being nubbins--small ear of corn--. Those don't really appeal to me as a used. I might want it as a good example of scales of the older great ones. I have been Blessed to have been fortunate to come across some really neat ones in good condition. If the knife was one I really wanted and in good condition--in person, or great price I would but in a minute. Sounds like I am contradicting myself a little. So I put myself in the category of yes, I would buy a good used one. I would say 95+ % of my knives are new, not used, just handled.
Harold
 
I like to buy new, but have no problem buying used. Often, that's the only way to find what I'm looking for. I've purchased a handful of knives off the exchange (some new, but mostly used) with very happy results. I don't mind purchasing a knife with a bit of wear on it, but certainly factor that into what I'm willing to pay.
 
I am a user. Used knives don't bother me. I am set up to grind, recontour, sharpen, modify, blade swap, etc. I can add pocket clips and/or thumb studs, lighten, refinish, handle swap, etc. I can repair stripped threads, broken tips, sticky pivots, and early lock ups. I can try many combinations of features that a collector could never experience. I even commission custom blades for factory handles and custom handles for factory blades. My collector friends call me the mangler, but I am having more fun.
 
Love used knives better craftsmanship, made by cutlers of the old school. Nothing at all wrong with new, but I can't afford a hand fit and finished knife made new today to the same tolerances of yesterday. So card keep buying new and when your done with it, if its good quality someone here may buy it. In another decade or two.
 
It's impossible not to sometimes... Say you want a limited production model, no dealers have any in stock, because it was five years ago in the making.... Then one pops up in the exchange...
You going to turn it down?
Just watch how fast a 2011 forum knife gets snapped up in the exchange forum.
 
Here's another gently used 60+ year old that you'd never find new, Kabar fishing knife in yellow celluloid.

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So if not used where do you get knives this old?
 
I really consider this discussion to now start talking about how far sharpened down on a main blade do you would not consider buying a used knife. But then your back to rare or unusual. So its always a catch 22. I really just cannot fathom the thought of NOT buying a used (sharpened some) knife. My first consideration is loose pivot pins then comes broken scales. Other stuff is related to rarity. As always in the end, To each his own.

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