miuamiu,
I found this one NIB at a local gun shop several months ago. It was tucked in the back of the display case with several other discontinued Benchmades. They were all marked at near MSRP, but MSRP from before they were discontinued was a bargain. Those high prices, and the fact it was a small gun shop were the probable reasons they never sold.
I took the Skirmish as well as several other discontinued Benchmades off their hands.
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Prices won't go down, and will likely rise a bit more than where they are now before finding the market's limit.
It's a fantastic knife, like a giant, exotic Sebenza on steroids. It's one of the nicest Production Benchmades ever, probably among a handful of truly exceptional production knives from any manufacturer.
I think part of the reason for its' desirability is that it strikes a chord across a broad spectrum of knife enthusiasts--those who like Titanium framelocks, those who like truly large pocketknives, those who like thick, robust construction, those who like exotic, non-traditional designs, those who like high-grade steels and even those who normally don't like Benchmades in general.
Finding the Skirmish and several other discontinued Benchmades NIB was a complete fluke--a wonderful fluke, yes, but a fluke just the same.
Your best bet for a NIB example is right here on the exchange. Have cash set aside and be the first to say, "I'll take it."
A friend of mine who is an advanced collector of Smith and Wesson revolvers once said of collectible models, "You can't pay too much for them, you can just pay it too soon."
I don't know if the Skirmish will ever reach those heights of collectability, but I do know I'm happy to have mine and won't be letting it go.
Best,
Heekma
