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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Bonehead (shipper) of the day - Post your encounter
- Thread starter austexjg
- Start date
Once I receive funds for a knife I sold, the knife is not really mine anymore, so I treat it as such. knives wrapped in envelopes, wrapped in paper/bubbles, in a box smothered in tape. Really, if I shake the box and it makes noise, I usually add more stuffing. I treat my sold knives like I'd want the knives I buy to be treated, with enough care to get the knife safely to its destination. It comes out of my pocket if the knife gets lost, might as well try to not have that happen ever.
Luckily I work in a shipping dept. so I get access to plenty of free packing materials.
Luckily I work in a shipping dept. so I get access to plenty of free packing materials.
Once I receive funds for a knife I sold, the knife is not really mine anymore, so I treat it as such. knives wrapped in envelopes, wrapped in paper/bubbles, in a box smothered in tape. Really, if I shake the box and it makes noise, I usually add more stuffing. I treat my sold knives like I'd want the knives I buy to be treated, with enough care to get the knife safely to its destination. It comes out of my pocket if the knife gets lost, might as well try to not have that happen ever.
Luckily I work in a shipping dept. so I get access to plenty of free packing materials.
That is how I treat it - shame not everyone feels the same.
Just a friendly reminder to tape packages closed - just received a box from USPS that was not taped. No packaging also meant the box almost opened from compression during transit. I am so grateful that no one opened the package, or that the box didn't bust open causing contents to fall out. If you sell, please be thoughtful when shipping.
KnifeCollectorPB
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2014
- Messages
- 2,761
I've gotten my fair share of packages that were basically: 1) toss in said package 2) seal with provided seal 3) mail. Its very annoying.
I bomb-proof my packages. I literally add 4x more than I need to...the 35 cents is worth the extra insurance. If anyone has received a knife from me...I don't make them easy to open
I bomb-proof my packages. I literally add 4x more than I need to...the 35 cents is worth the extra insurance. If anyone has received a knife from me...I don't make them easy to open
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
- Messages
- 13,967
I've gotten my fair share of packages that were basically: 1) toss in said package 2) seal with provided seal 3) mail. Its very annoying.
I bomb-proof my packages. I literally add 4x more than I need to...the 35 cents is worth the extra insurance. If anyone has received a knife from me...I don't make them easy to open
Anyone getting a knife from me had better already own one. Or else they're going to want to kill me!
I tape the living snot out of any box I am shipping, ALWAYS.
I have been grieving the death of common sense for many years now.
I bought/traded a watch, and they did not seal the box; I was very LUCKY that it arrived. And they didn't put ANY padding in the box either.
I have been grieving the death of common sense for many years now.
I bought/traded a watch, and they did not seal the box; I was very LUCKY that it arrived. And they didn't put ANY padding in the box either.
PeteyTwoPointOne
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2014
- Messages
- 8,063
A LOT of stolen collectibles get swiped by USPS postal workers...this coming from a former neighbor who was retired military & USPS...
He told me the majority of this type of theft happens at the distribution hubs by dishonest package handlers...
The bad guys look for packages that:
1. Have been previously damaged before getting to them <or are easily damaged by "accident" at that moment> and are compromised with bulging seams, holes, no tape, etc.
2. Are poorly packed in padded envelopes only and are easy to make a quick covert access slit with a box cutter.
and perhaps, most shocking:
3. Are highly insured-- with the value amt. of the shipping readily visible on the label.
To combat these 3 main areas of theft, I personally :
For #1, As many have previously stated, only ship in rectangular cardboard boxes with solid faces, edges. and corners that are taped over at every seam with high quality packing tape. Pack the box with styrofoam <the best>, or packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or even newspaper is better than nothing. He said it even MAY deter a dishonest handler if the package has some "unique" tape at critical junctures...it's pretty easy for a handler to tape over CLEAR packing tape if they have occasion to covertly open a box. But it CAN shut them down if they're looking at opening something wrapped in unusually colored or decorated tape <but not too flashy>-- since it's harder for them to make look like it hasn't been compromised with that type of tape. And, if what you're shipping is extra valuable consider "double boxing" the item.
For #2, See #1, a slick USPS thief can slit open the bottom seam of a padded envelope in fractions of a second in so expert a way, it barely looks tampered with...I speak from experience here, I've had 2 empty padded envelopes delivered to me this way.
Now #3 is more difficult, because I believe USPS has to have an insured package labeled "INSURED" in some fashion...I personally just don't pick the label printing option at home that displays the shipping cost on the label itself, YMMV.
Remember these bad guys at USPS are working on tight timelines sometimes with pretty heavy supervision & oversight-- so anything you can do to make it take more time & effort to open your parcel, the better....good luck!
He told me the majority of this type of theft happens at the distribution hubs by dishonest package handlers...
The bad guys look for packages that:
1. Have been previously damaged before getting to them <or are easily damaged by "accident" at that moment> and are compromised with bulging seams, holes, no tape, etc.
2. Are poorly packed in padded envelopes only and are easy to make a quick covert access slit with a box cutter.
and perhaps, most shocking:
3. Are highly insured-- with the value amt. of the shipping readily visible on the label.
To combat these 3 main areas of theft, I personally :
For #1, As many have previously stated, only ship in rectangular cardboard boxes with solid faces, edges. and corners that are taped over at every seam with high quality packing tape. Pack the box with styrofoam <the best>, or packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or even newspaper is better than nothing. He said it even MAY deter a dishonest handler if the package has some "unique" tape at critical junctures...it's pretty easy for a handler to tape over CLEAR packing tape if they have occasion to covertly open a box. But it CAN shut them down if they're looking at opening something wrapped in unusually colored or decorated tape <but not too flashy>-- since it's harder for them to make look like it hasn't been compromised with that type of tape. And, if what you're shipping is extra valuable consider "double boxing" the item.
For #2, See #1, a slick USPS thief can slit open the bottom seam of a padded envelope in fractions of a second in so expert a way, it barely looks tampered with...I speak from experience here, I've had 2 empty padded envelopes delivered to me this way.
Now #3 is more difficult, because I believe USPS has to have an insured package labeled "INSURED" in some fashion...I personally just don't pick the label printing option at home that displays the shipping cost on the label itself, YMMV.
Remember these bad guys at USPS are working on tight timelines sometimes with pretty heavy supervision & oversight-- so anything you can do to make it take more time & effort to open your parcel, the better....good luck!
braillediver
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 3,059
Small Priority Mail Flat Rate Box- Tape the securely wrapped knife to the inside of the box before you assemble the box. It ain't falling out and has to be dug out of the box.
I have shipped a few boxes up in the 30 lb range. I prefer the brown reinforced kraft paper tape. You know the stuff that comes on amazon boxes? That stuff. I literally surround the box in it adding extra to the corners if need be and at least 3 strips in each direction across the top and bottom if it is large enough.
No way for anybody to reach in or cut it open without it being very obvious and it is nigh impossible to split open accidentally due to the fiberglass reinforcement and alternating directions of tape application.
No way for anybody to reach in or cut it open without it being very obvious and it is nigh impossible to split open accidentally due to the fiberglass reinforcement and alternating directions of tape application.
PeteyTwoPointOne
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2014
- Messages
- 8,063
Yup!
And if I'm thinking of the same kind of stuff as what you posted about, it's so tough I have to cut it down to proper length with a hacksaw!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 544
I knew there would have to be a thread like this on BF.
Besides non-knife mailing mishaps (like an Ebay seller shipping me a very rare poster in a tube with literally the structural integrity of a toilet paper roll; you only have to use your imagination as to what the poster looked like after it arrived to me from the opposite side of the U.S.) two events stand out.
First was a folding knife sent in the original box, in a bubble mailer; box was worn, knife slid out and poked through the mailer. Scotch Tape, at the very least, would have solved that one.
The other incident made my head spin; the maker, a guy who allegedly worked at a major aerospace contractor as an R & D specialist, sent me a custom, full-tang tomahawk in a Tyvek mail envelope; as if that was bad enough, he put it in as is,no padding, no poly peanuts, nothing! It arrived with the edge, spike and pommel having poked right through the bag. I was damn lucky I got it! I very politely told him about it, and suggested he put things in boxes and wrap items and tape said boxes in a more secure manner. Never heard from him again.
Besides non-knife mailing mishaps (like an Ebay seller shipping me a very rare poster in a tube with literally the structural integrity of a toilet paper roll; you only have to use your imagination as to what the poster looked like after it arrived to me from the opposite side of the U.S.) two events stand out.
First was a folding knife sent in the original box, in a bubble mailer; box was worn, knife slid out and poked through the mailer. Scotch Tape, at the very least, would have solved that one.
The other incident made my head spin; the maker, a guy who allegedly worked at a major aerospace contractor as an R & D specialist, sent me a custom, full-tang tomahawk in a Tyvek mail envelope; as if that was bad enough, he put it in as is,no padding, no poly peanuts, nothing! It arrived with the edge, spike and pommel having poked right through the bag. I was damn lucky I got it! I very politely told him about it, and suggested he put things in boxes and wrap items and tape said boxes in a more secure manner. Never heard from him again.
I recently received a replacement investigator pen clip from Hinderer. They shipped in in a double ziplock bag inside a box filled with peanuts. I had a giggle at the overkill, but we certainly didn't have to worry about it getting damaged/lost!
How people can ship knives in envelopes escapes me.
I one received a ESEE 4 shipped form the US to Switzerland in an envelope. The knife was poking out (surprise) and had some rust from being exposed. Very surprised it survived the trip.
How people can ship knives in envelopes escapes me.
I one received a ESEE 4 shipped form the US to Switzerland in an envelope. The knife was poking out (surprise) and had some rust from being exposed. Very surprised it survived the trip.
NJBillK
Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
- Messages
- 9,594
Just received a Northwoods Forest Jack in the mail, and it was not wrapped securely.
- Non-padded yellow pouch mailer with one strip of tape over the flap.
- One paper towel wrapped around the knife with one 2" piece of scotch tape holding the rolled paper closed.
- Loose to bounce and slide around in the pouch.
- I ripped the pouch in half when the knife arrived to see if it was reinforced, it was not.
- One quick 1" snip with scissors would have me singing a not so elated tune. Especially since this was a trade and my knife is also already out for shipping to his mail box.
- Thankfully it has arrived safely.
I do not use a pouch to ship, but if I wanted to, I would tape the knife in between two layers of cardboard that fit fairly tightly inside the pouch and double the pouch.
I normally:
- Use a flat rate with the knife wrapped tightly in bubble wrap so it will not slide around in the box, with bubble wrap rolled up framing the knife in the center of the box.
- Tape every seam and corner, even the one that has their own adhesive on it.
- The flaps that lock in on the sides get a layer of blue painters tape covered with clear packing tape when I do not have tamper evident tape available.
I am now going to start taping the knife down to the box. It is wrapped in bubble wrap, so the box itself will be safe from damage from the tape being removed by the buyer.
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This is the package that I received earlier today.
- Non-padded yellow pouch mailer with one strip of tape over the flap.
- One paper towel wrapped around the knife with one 2" piece of scotch tape holding the rolled paper closed.
- Loose to bounce and slide around in the pouch.
- I ripped the pouch in half when the knife arrived to see if it was reinforced, it was not.
- One quick 1" snip with scissors would have me singing a not so elated tune. Especially since this was a trade and my knife is also already out for shipping to his mail box.
- Thankfully it has arrived safely.
I do not use a pouch to ship, but if I wanted to, I would tape the knife in between two layers of cardboard that fit fairly tightly inside the pouch and double the pouch.
I normally:
- Use a flat rate with the knife wrapped tightly in bubble wrap so it will not slide around in the box, with bubble wrap rolled up framing the knife in the center of the box.
- Tape every seam and corner, even the one that has their own adhesive on it.
- The flaps that lock in on the sides get a layer of blue painters tape covered with clear packing tape when I do not have tamper evident tape available.
I am now going to start taping the knife down to the box. It is wrapped in bubble wrap, so the box itself will be safe from damage from the tape being removed by the buyer.
-------
This is the package that I received earlier today.
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
- Messages
- 13,967
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Three times in the last month, Amazon packages (one delivered by Amazon and two delivered by USPS) have been left in a large black plastic bag by the side of our rural mail box - on the side of the road! Amazon confirmed that was the "delivery." 500+ feet from the house.
Twice, I got home to find the bag sitting there opened. Once it was just gone.
Net? Two MSR stoves and three fuel bottles missing. Once, whoever opened the bag wasn't interested in the contents and left the Amazon box and two other boxes in the opened bag - in the rain.
Yes, Amazon resent, but how long will they do that - and I didn't get he goods on time.
They used to leave them on our porch, which cannot be seen from the road.
I am told Amazon is the future pattern for most retail. Good grief!
Twice, I got home to find the bag sitting there opened. Once it was just gone.
Net? Two MSR stoves and three fuel bottles missing. Once, whoever opened the bag wasn't interested in the contents and left the Amazon box and two other boxes in the opened bag - in the rain.
Yes, Amazon resent, but how long will they do that - and I didn't get he goods on time.
They used to leave them on our porch, which cannot be seen from the road.
I am told Amazon is the future pattern for most retail. Good grief!
I once shipped a couple of knives to a PO box in Pohnpei, Micronesia. Cardboard? Pffft. I cut a foot-long length of 4" PVC pipe, attached threaded connectors to both ends, wrapped the knives in many, many layers of bubble wrap, torqued the end caps down nice and tight, and finished it off with entirely too much waterproof packing tape. Slapped a priority mail label on it and mailed it off. The first time I used packaging like that it was for a couple of fishing poles, so I figured, better safe than sorry. Packing like that would probably survive and be recoverable even if the plane crashes.
