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Buying cutlery from a gun show

C

Charlie_K

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
4,067
The annual gun show is in town, and there's a large assortment of stuff from Kershaw, Cold Steel, Ontario, KA-BAR, Buck and other manufacturers.

Three specific items stick out to me. One is a used Ontario Spax with the digital camo MOLLE sheath, $65. The second is the Ontario Camp 10 with 65Mn steel, also $65, while the third is the Camp 14 for $75.

I've only got a budget for one of these unless the sellers are willing to haggle down. Question is which is the most useful for general cutting purposes, and which is the most durable?
 
GUN SHOW: By definition, a haggling situation. Been to hundreds for fifty yrs; all the same. The guys with the tables do NOT want to have to wrap up the knives at the end and take them home. Patience, and maybe come back on the last day of the show at two or three pm for your best deal. Works quite well; human nature. Buyer's happy; seller's happy.

I don't know your knives...sorry.
 
Good advice above, haggle.

The most important thing at gun shows is to know what you're buying in my opinion is to know what you're buying. it's really easy to over pay. Bring a phone, when you see something you like, walk off and say something like "I'm going to think about it" and look up the regular price. If he has a decent price, you have the advantage, you know the regular price and he thinks your willing to walk away. :)

Works for me, the dynamic of the shows is a bit different everywhere, so your mileage may very. good etiquette gets you a good ways as well. :thumbup:
 
I would say that you follow your instincts. You know what you like or think you do. Pricing is often subject to some reasonable haggling at shows. It is all part of the learning experience. I have bought more than a couple knives at gun shows and knife shows. For most of us, there isn't a large knife store in our area to look at knives, so you are often reduced to looking at pictures.

Relax and have fun.
 
You have the advantage of feeling the knives, balance, comfort, etc. I have the camp 10, and I am very happy with the quality given it is made in China. Kershaw customer service and warranty apply, which is very good. I am not familier with the other knives, so I cannot comment.
 
I just got back with my new haul. The Spax and an Ames brand entrenching tool from 2008 for $85 together.
 
I hope that you are happy. I don't think you can got wrong with either. An etool at 90 degrees is a formidable weapon.
 
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