It's all perspective. If an old thread was a wine or a whiskey or a cigar, we would say it has aged and that would be considered good. I don't mind aged threads
I picked up a 482 for about $20 as well. It was display model, no box, no nothing. I bought it because it was a Buck and it said USA on the blade and it was priced right. I didn't expect much from it, but I have been pleasantly surprised. It's light and strong, has a cool blade, opens one handed and has a pocket clip. It rides in the cup holder of my truck's console.