Biggest Gamble vs Biggest Payoff

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Aug 11, 2010
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What is the biggest gamble anyone has taken when buying a used knife and what was the biggest payoff?


For example: I got a Buck knife off ebay that just said "single blade Buck Knife" only to find out it was a 1985 704 Maverick.


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I purchased an inverted 2 liner with poor photos that showed heavily patina'd
I was just hoping it would be spa-able. Forget what I paid but believe it was
around $30(not a huge gamble) When I got it and just used Never Dull on the brass and soap and hot water, I got this.

110inverted2liner004.jpg

110inverted2liner003.jpg

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mint condition 3rd version, 6th variation
 
I purchased an inverted 2 liner with poor photos that showed heavily patina'd
I was just hoping it would be spa-able. Forget what I paid but believe it was
around $30(not a huge gamble) When I got it and just used Never Dull on the brass and soap and hot water, I got this.
mint condition 3rd version, 6th variation

Nice one fritz. Great condition for an old user like that.
 
I purchased a Buck 184 from an online pawn shop. The picture of the knife that was provided was 25x25 pixels so I could not tell much about condition or whether it was genuine. The picture might have even been a stock picture. I had no idea what I was going to get but for $18 shipped I took a chance.

It turned out to be an like new, early version complete with both screw in spikes and original compass. It also had the original sheath with pouch and sharpener, along with another OEM pouch that I believe was purchased as an accessory.

I always wanted a 184 as a kid even though they may not be the most practical things in the world. I enjoyed it for a while and then passed it along to a collector at a price that probably made us both very happy.
 
Won an ebay auction for a Buck 188. Poorly written up and bad pics. Got a deal on it, plus it had a 110 (w/broken tip) in the mag pouch on the sheath.

Best part for me though was that it was a 1987 bayonet! I wanted that year in particlular since it was the year I entered the Army. Had been looking for a long time now but with no luck. It had become a bit of a grail search for me. Got lucky and really stumbled into this one!

It cleaned up really nice and I'm thrilled with it.

Recently got an std Phrobis that I will use if I ever have the need to use one. Reminds me, need to research that one more.
 
I bought a 650 black handle,tanto point,serrations, a sheath, with a factory edge but used for $3.25 plus 4.00 shipping...A LOT of Buck for few bucks!
 
Ohen, Those Phrobis are alot of knife . Worth reading about .
I walked into one of my honey hole pawn shops and the proprietor said, yes we just got a Buck knife in . He pulls it out of the inbox and lays it in from of me . I look it over and ask without looking up, you have the sheath ? Nope . Well, got any others ? Nope . Ok, I said and was about to ask the price when he must have thought I was walking out . He moves to block my exit route and says in his low, special deal voice . I'll let you have it today for 20$ . So, I shrugged and said ok, in my I don't care voice . I could hardly keep the charade going while hastily making my exit because I had just purchased a model 120 stamped Buck* in good shape !!! It now rests in my display case . I only have two which are older but it can happen when you least expect it . A day I still remember ! DM
 
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