Cold Steel 2020 remakes devalue Discontinued knives & swords - What do you think ?

[Man with no name]

Speaking of one of a kind knives there is one particular Cold Steel blade that I had the chance to purchase but passed it up. The Imperial Tai Pan. It was pricey but now that I think about it, was worth every penny! If I could go back in time I would have bought that knife.

 

[JOE NOWICKI]

Does anybody know if CS is going to remake the Small Espada with the silver back end?

 

[nephron]

I have not seen a big drop(looking almost everyday for the last 5 years or so), just the normal fluctuations. OP(and myself) prefer the Japan Models and I don't see that changing. No problem with the Taiwan and will probably pick up a 3v in the near future.
Colt is remaking the Python, curious to see how it will affect the original's astronomical prices.

 

[DocJD]

Cold Steel seems most focused on providing the best possible performance at reasonable prices .

I appreciate that they don't usually play the games other brands do to artificially limit supply and create demand from collectors .

Let CS remain "user friendly " !

 

[dogstar]

Cold Steel seems most focused on providing the best possible performance at reasonable prices .

I appreciate that they don't usually play the games other brands do to artificially limit supply and create demand from collectors .

Let CS remain "user friendly " !

+100

 

[Smiling]

What I love about Cold Steel is the fact that I can confidently say they're one of best buy knives out there.
Outstanding quality for the price.

Short runs and majority of blades in hands of collectors would ruin that. And ultimativley collectors would be making money CS would make otherwise.

I support CS remaking discontinued models.

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

There is a ton going on here and I can't address all of it or get into my opinion of the secondary market and such.

We are not discontinuing and later bringing things back intentionally, especially not for any type of benefit nor malicious intent.

I will get with our sword designer Luke to get an accurate answer about what exactly is different about these models or how to differentiate them from originals. Looking at the spec sheets, they're either identical or very close in weight, length, etc. If anything, they're of better fit and finish now, as we've really ramped up this aspect of the business.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Interesting, I had not read/heard that the Taiwan version is a bit nicer (of course, your opinion. NOT saying it is wrong).

"These are inexpensive factory knives, so I don't really care about the secondary market."

One person's inexpensive is another's out of reach price point. I know when I buy a home, I only buy homes I collect that are over $100 M. Otherwise they are inexpensive shacks : )

Thank you for your reply and if you voted !

I think the grinds seem to be better, although I bet the performance is the same.

Yeah, price is very relative.

 

[hardheart]

We are not discontinuing and later bringing things back intentionally, especially not for any type of benefit nor malicious intent.

There's probably not anyone who thinks that is happening. Discontinuations would be from poor sales, cost increases, loss of manufacturing capability, etc. And re-releases would then come from changes in market preferences, reduced costs, new manufacturing capability or management, etc.

If CS were to rely on small orders of materials with little access to supply channels or had severely constrained manufacturing lines, then they might have to rely on short runs to inflate demand, keep margins sufficient, and avoid inventory pulling up, also creating a vociferous secondary market that cleans out inventory before users even get to think about them.

But that's not the case, and the knives get to be carried and used.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

I have not seen a big drop(looking almost everyday for the last 5 years or so), just the normal fluctuations.

I am in No way disputing your answer. And thank you very much for responding. As I am really curious about this information (and you have been checking for awhile now), I just want to double check with you. You are saying you have not seen a big drop in the prices of the - Original magnum tantos ?

Could you clarify a little more (if that is allowed) - for example: on average, Sale price - a $50 to $100 price drop for the Original Japan Magnum Tanto XII ? Or less of a price drop ?

Thank you for your reply and if you voted !

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

There is a ton going on here and I can't address all of it or get into my opinion of the secondary market and such.

We are not discontinuing and later bringing things back intentionally, especially not for any type of benefit nor malicious intent.

I will get with our sword designer Luke to get an accurate answer about what exactly is different about these models or how to differentiate them from originals. Looking at the spec sheets, they're either identical or very close in weight, length, etc. If anything, they're of better fit and finish now, as we've really ramped up this aspect of the business.

Cold Steel - awesome that you have responded here - thank you.

I just want to be clear - I am in no way saying CS is doing anything, ever, to be malicious.

And to just restate - my concern also is, I want CS to succeed as a company. Love their product, and attitude, and everyone I have met at the company are just great people. I just feel the remakes have the potential to hurt the company sales (although most likely in a minor way) and their Collector customers (maybe in a large way if potentially every Original sword they own is eventually remade with no difference detectable).

I do feel, as I have said - if the 2020 remakes are indistinguishable from the Original versions - there is a devaluation of the Originals - and when collectors, or anyone at anytime in the future, goes to sale their Original - they will receive less money because of the introduction of the 2020 (and 2021, etc ?) remakes.

I think this has the potential to make buyers hesitate before purchasing a $200/$300 sword. Hurting CS sales and their relationship with their customers (unintentionally).

Again, CS thank you for your answer and I look forward to the update.

 

[jux t]

So long story short, you want to know if Cold Steel will be marking or differing new blades so that they are easily distinguishable from previous offerings.

I’d like that as well, and agree that it would be better for everyone.

 

[nephron]

I am in No way disputing your answer. And thank you very much for responding. As I am really curious about this information (and you have been checking for awhile now), I just want to double check with you. You are saying you have not seen a big drop in the prices of the - Original magnum tantos ?

Could you clarify a little more (if that is allowed) - for example: on average, Sale price - a $50 to $100 price drop for the Original Japan Magnum Tanto XII ? Or less of a price drop ?

Thank you for your reply and if you voted !

No I have not noticed a drop in prices for the vintage stuff(Japan). There are so many variables(and I don't pretend to be an expert)I cannot quantify any perceived changes to any extent. Condition, box, papers, time of year, feeding frenzies etc.can all affect the price, I am just talking about any generalized trends that might occur and my observations of such.

 

[nephron]

Speaking of one of a kind knives there is one particular Cold Steel blade that I had the chance to purchase but passed it up. The Imperial Tai Pan. It was pricey but now that I think about it, was worth every penny! If I could go back in time I would have bought that knife.

They seem to go for $1500-$1800, more than an Emperor Collection. And the Imperial Tanto ain't far behind the Taipan. I recently picked up an Imperial Tai Pan and it is the most awesome CS Knife I have ever owned/touched, I can kinda understand why it sells for more now.

 

[Man with no name]

Those were numbered weren't they? I think only 500 made?

 

[jlauffer]

Those were numbered weren't they? I think only 500 made?

Yeah I think there were 500 of those, and 1000 of the Imperial Tanto

 

[nephron]

Yes 500.

 

[Motega]

A few things to add-
First of all Cold Steel re-releasing old models at the same- or I presume higher- MSRP's than the originals. What you paid on the secondary market EXCEPT for maybe the ultra high end pieces (Imperial blah blah blah or whatever) probably wasn't higher than the original MSRP. My pieces were mainly the Black Bear Classics, the Outdoorsman, the Recon Tanto, and the Trailmasters. These high end but not "limited editions" were all purchased cheaper than the original MSRP. So introducing a new run would only be good for people that already have one- no one is going to get a new one for what you paid for the vintage one. It should hold its value.
Look at the sale prices from the Black Bear Classic for the last 3 months- they were all between around $250-305. I would think that a new one would go for around $350 and have a kydex instead of leather sheath. If anything, that should solidify the value of the older pieces as most people would opt for an older one in decent condition with a leather sheath and save $50 (around 20% off!).

I gave away my Trailmaster to my brother in law because he didn't have a good large fixed blade, and it made me feel good to know that my sister had a pretty vital piece of kit in their outdoors supply inventory.

I had a recon tanto that was literally one of the first hundred off the line and it held its value just fine.

The BIGGEST issue I have had is that I have an awesome Black Bear Classic that doesn't have a sheath and now that part should theoretically be available. I was disappointed that when I called Cold Steel they said that they didn't have any parts (sheaths and such) or any discontinued models, so now maybe they will. That's a bonus! Especially because the old sheath I think had a manufacturing defect because its literally the only sheath that ever broke on me.

When I think of "collector's knife" value I think more or what Chris Reeves does with their special designs like the "Tanked" model Sebenza which they promise they will never repeat specifically to add to the collector value of the item. IMO re-releasing the Cold Steel knives can only help in that more people will be aware of them and on the hunt and you can offer a vintage one for less than a new one which most people are happy to buy. In the case of the Black Bear Classic, the leather sheath with sharpening stone becomes more valuable since the new ones probably won't have one.

I understand your concern, but I think that you have it backwards- the vintage ones become MORE desirable for all the reasons mentioned above!

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

I enjoyed reading this thread. It had a ton of valuable info, and great insight from collectors, and users. Personally, I buy my knives to keep. But buy multiples of some models [e.g., Scout]. In all sincerity, there is nothing; quite-like buying a bonafide 'classic'. Re-issues are a great-chance, for those who missed-the-classic-buy, the first-time around. I never had a chance to get the original Cold Steel Hatamoto, and would love to see-it re-imagined with Andrew's "triad lock", and S35VN steel. There are times, when a re-issue may be; better-than-an-original. So having both-versions, would definitely rock! A lot has to do with personal preference, and resale intent. The Seki City knives from Japan are impeccably-made. My Al Mar SERE-folder exemplifies this point to the nth-degree. The blades [e.g, AD-10] made in Taiwan are great-value for the money too. I'm not sure, who Cold Steel contracts with, to make the Italian 4 Maxes, but the build-quality is awesome! Dare I say it: classic? Peace out!

 

[Man with no name]