At what point is a knife still NIB/LNIB vs outright used?

[bigmark408]

Knives change hands on the forums many times....I seen a knife sell the other day as NIB and the seller wasn't who I sold it to so who knows how much if at all it was really handled.

Make no mistake, many knife people on the forums buy, open/close countless times (use) photograph, post on forums and one day sell.

Does that mean it's not still a good knife ? is it a used knife ?

Does it really matter at the end of the day ? Personally good pics tell me if I will like a knife and I don't really put much worth in NIB or LNIB.

 

[strategy9]

To me that ain't "like new" that's used. It should be sold as "lightly used, no sign of wear, factory edge"..

Completely fair, and that's where there is a fine line somewhere in there between " like new" and "lightly used/factory edge"...

I guess for me it stems from the simple fact that I never give a seller the benefit of the doubt. Anywhere really. sellers want a sale, many will exaggerate or even lie to get it, so i never believe a sales pitch 100%. I don't buy much off the secondary market, but if I buy something listed as "LNIB" I automatically assume it's been lightly used and expect as much, (and will only pay as such). That way I'm hardly ever disappointed. if it is "like new" then sweet... If it's in great shape but lightly used, no worries, I expected as much.

I also don't do much selling, but if/when I do, it's never "like new", its lightly used or worse.

 

[utahsam]

I never really saw the term LNIB before using the exchange here. I think it's a great term, and really self-explanatory. Not new but not percievably different than new. A way to be honest about a knife in immaculate condition but not technically new.

 

[Rey HRH]

I think if you read it again LNIB in that situation you described.

I guess I reread it.

New - As it is from the manufacturer, check. Has not been fondled, check. not sharpened, disassembled, used to make sheathes, templates for scales, or cut anything, check, check, check, check, check. You are the absolute first owner, also check.

I go into a store to look at a folder that's been handled before and opened, it's still considered new, right?

Thanks for encouraging me to reread the description.

 

[brownshoe]

What is a knife's condition if you get it NIB take it out, gently lube it to prevent any future oxidation and return it to it's box. It never cut anything, was never flipped, was never carried or sharpened. I would still call it NIB, would you?
B

I would state what I did with it since it is not new in box. Why should I trust your lube job or your lube? Most knives come from that factory with sufficient lubrication for long term storage. With an OTF automatic, you could have guaranteed failure by the 100th cycle by lubing too much. With a CRK sebenza, you're supposed to use the CRK grease but you may have used 3-1 oil.

 

[Flynlow]

I always just state what I have done with the knife because I'm the worlds worst to buy a sebenza carry it a couple days never cut anything never put a spot on it then say well I'm so scared off hurting this thing I'm gonna sell it . So I just say carried a couple times no snail trails blade centers and all that other good stuff. That way it's full disclosure .

 

[the kid]

All I know my description of new in box is not the same as some other people.

I bought a new old stock strap for my G-shock watch. It was heavily scratched and colour faded, it looked like crap.
But it WAS still in it's original unopened wrapper..

In my opinion if you carried the knife or cut something with it it is not new any more. If you take it out of the box and open it a few times (perhaps to check if everything is in order) it still is new.

If I sell something new (aka not carried or cut with) I call it "like new" and also list the faults if it has any. (within reason)
some new knives and other products can have factory blemishes and such, these should be listed as well if they stand out.

 

[the kid]

I go into a store to look at a folder that's been handled before and opened, it's still considered new, right?

That's open for debate.. In some stores products are sold as showroom models at a discount because they don't consider these products to be new.
Other stores have no issues with selling these showroom products as new.

For me, it depends on the product. A TV? I certainly want a new in box one. A knife? Don't really care, in fact I prefer a showroom model because it gives me plenty of time to study it for flaws.

 

[22-rimfire]

If a knife has no marks on it and has not been sharpened, I consider it new or as-new.

 

[SURVIVAL&WEAPONS]

My definitions have evolved due to necessity. This is how i see it. And there are exceptions. The biggest of which is just because a knife came from the factory or maker with visible flaws it should be disclosed even if lnib or from the maker.

New- knife purchased direct from dealer or maker

Like new- knife sold via secondary market but in exact condition as received from dealer.

Excellent used condition - knife could have been fondled or manipulated and as such will have a broken in action but otherwise no visual signs it was used or carried. Factory edge intact

Gently Used - varying stages of use visible on close inspection. Damage and wear should be explained in detail. Factory edge may be present but touched up. Knife can be reprofiled if adequately done and shaving.

Used - same as gently used but wear and damage easily seen via naked eye. Edge can vary.

Heavily used/user - clearly shows heavy signs of use. Scratches, drops, worn through coatings all commonplace. Still useful as a tool yet low collectable value unless special circumstances. Factory edge completely gone.

For parts - broken or so heavily used it is dangerous to keep in rotation. Reduced to parts or conversation piece.

This and TravisH's post are pretty much what i wound consider the varying levels of new/usage. But for me if one sold me a knife that they never messed with just left it in box then sold it for example some sales on the bay *I* would consider it new, even if not from mfg or dealer. Also if a seller stated a knife was fondled and opened 100x i would consider the knife LNIB due to it being opened a few times.

 

[ctrsurf]

It's sure interesting to see how subjective these terms can be. I'm a spirit-of-the-law guy myself, and I think that as long as honest disclosure, not deception is the goal, a seller won't have a problem resolving an issue over simple misjudgment, an unseen blemish, or miscommunication.

I'm so grateful that life is such that I can purchase expensive knives, I can't see any transaction disagreement that can't be resolved as long as outright fraud is not involved. I haven't been a seller yet, but I've found that the majority of sellers here are far more concerned with their good reputation and my satisfaction than they are with money. The telltale sign that something might be awry is if a seller is hyper-focused on money. I've backed away from a couple of transactions that didn't pass the smell test.

 

[GatorFlash1]

I'd probably say LNIB then explain the oiling.
It's a modification made to the knife after purchase so I don't think it's still NIB at that point.

Many NIB knives are not properly stored and a year later they are rusty NLNIB. I don't think a very light wipe of a good corrosion protectant drops a knife from a NIB category. It just helps to keep it there.