Buying & selling, just to see them?

[Clem Kadiddlehopper]

I was reading a post on here by a member, that said he buys lots of knives from the same maker just to look at them, then resells them.

Not just a couple - - like more than 20?

So it got me thinking, how many folks buy lots of knives just to see them, and then resell them?

How many knives from a maker do you need to see, to get to know that makers work?

 

[spketch]

Its more than just looking at them for me. I can't fully decide if I like a knife until I've carried and used it a bit.

By buying secondhand I can use a knife some and really get a feel for it, then resell it without losing too much money if I don't love it. Sort of like a knife rental. Went through quite a few knives this way before settling on an edc setup.

I'm not a collector, I've got about a dozen knives and keep it that way. I'm a curious guy though and want to sample everything I can. For the most part, if a new knife comes in an old one goes out.

Its not about getting a feel for a makers or company's work for me so much as giving specific models a test drive.

 

[matilda]

I don't think I have bought more than two knives from the same maker. My interest in knives is pretty much across the board, from miniatures to swords. Way to many interesting knife makers out there for me to do that.

 

[braillediver]

Some people like the journey and want to handle lots of different knives looking for the right one. Others just want a knife.

I've probably had 1/2 dozen Nick Wheelers I've bought and sold. A dozen Doziers as I work through his offerings. I've even had a dozen Scott Cooks over the years. I currently own none of these makers knives.

I've probably owned 100 or more knives in the years here and currently only have 2 inexpensive ones for EDC.

The goal isn't to make money but to lose as little as possible as I gain knowledge handling the knives.

Mitch

 

[EricV]

I usually buy used and sell used. Sometimes at a profit but sometimes at a loss so its pretty break even (which is a great thing for a hobby IMO)

Doing that I've had probably just under 200 knives over the years, but rarely with more than 30 at a time. Usually I get a general idea of the makers quality after a few knives from them. Its hard with some brands though, like CRKT, SOG, and EKI where I've had a few that were excellently made and a few that were really shoddy (CRKT and EKI both have great CS though which also speaks volumes about the company). As far as customs I don't know since its not my thing...yet...I'd probably buy a few used to check out, resell those and pickup a new one from the maker.

 

[Clem Kadiddlehopper]

I know this is a stupid kind of poll, but I was curious how some others go about finding out about knives.

So have a little fun and humor me....

Thanks for the replies guys.

For me I buy what looks good to me (and from feed back from others) then hang on to it for quite awhile, even though it may not be perfect.
If I want something that is closer to perfect, I go with one of my custom knives.
I don't to keep checking same makers knives, trying to find the right one.

 

[Ernie1980]

I will usually judge a maker after one knife. If I like what I see though, I almost always end up with at least one more from the same maker.

 

[craytab]

I think we need some clarification on what you mean. You use the word "maker", to me that means custom. Or are you talking about companies or lines of knives from a given company? What are we talking about?

I think spkech's answer is where I'm at. I buy stuff I think I will like based on looks and what I have had from a given company in the past. If when I get it and I dont like it, on the exchange it will go. Buying used on the exchange is a great way to try knives out.

I could never quantify it in a poll.

 

[Sonnydaze]

If I want to judge BenchMade or Spyderco, it would take me three or four to determine how much I like that manufacturer. I love the Spyderco Sage 2 and PM2, but am not so hot on the Manix2 in super-steel S110V. It's how it feels in my hand.
However, I can examine a Jim Burke, a Todd Begg, Hinderer, Strider, CRK, Hoover...and know by just one knife whether that is the quality that I'm lookiing for.

 

[The_Knife_Man]

I've never bought a knife with the intentions to see them or for resale. If I sale a knife it wasn't for me; or I haven't used it in quite some time, possibly both.

For me I buy based on past knife experience, it could be the brand, blade shape, lock mechanisms, etc
And the occasional; lets try something new.

 

[Clem Kadiddlehopper]

I think we need some clarification on what you mean. You use the word "maker", to me that means custom. Or are you talking about companies or lines of knives from a given company? What are we talking about?

I think spkech's answer is where I'm at. I buy stuff I think I will like based on looks and what I have had from a given company in the past. If when I get it and I dont like it, on the exchange it will go. Buying used on the exchange is a great way to try knives out.

I could never quantify it in a poll.

I did mean companies, but also didn't want to leave out custom makers. (If that's your game)

When I think of companies, a lot of them came about from a maker(s), knife enthusiast ..... like Buck Knives, Randall, AG Russell and how many more?

Great replies guys - thanks!

 

[bronyblacksmith]

99% of the knives that I care about are custom. when I hold a knife and look at it real close I can usually tell, that and looking for reviews.

 

[AntDog]

I have been guilty of this many times. I've done it with more folders than I care to remember actually.

These days I have a pretty good eye for pics, specs, dimensions, etc. so usually I can tell if it's something I would like without actually seeing it in person.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Well, NOW i can tell by a single photo, that was not the case ten years ago

 

[RevDevil]

I have bought knives and turned around and sold them. See, I have no knife stores where I live. The only one we had closed down a few months ago, and even then they did not carry a lot of folders that I tend to like. I find it strangely insane that the second largest city in AZ has no knife stores. Sad, but I digress.

The reason I sold the knives was because they were either not to my liking once in hand and needed time to appreciate them, or because I found another knife that I actually wanted more.