Cold Steel Rajah I: Collector's Item?

C

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Sep 5, 2005
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It's just plain gorgeous. I opened it to take photos of it and then I put it back in the box.

What now? I got one when the Rajah Is were discontinued; now I don't know what to do with it! I love the Rajah II and find it an outstanding self defense knife. But the Rajah I...what do I do with it? It had a price tag of $300 when it was new, and I wasn't going to pay that much. Well, after I looked at it, handled it and saw how beautiful it was, I probably would have paid $300 for it!

What are these knives worth in MINT condition? Should I keep it in my top drawer as a collector's piece or open it and use it? I already have a Rajah II that I carry and I tend to be protective of the Rajah I.


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The blade is polished, the fit and finish beautiful. I can understand why Lynn Thompson compared it to a custom knife. But Lynn's been known to, on occasion (rare though it may be) to overstate things. After all, I bought a Rajah II because I wanted to be "a power!" And Chairman Lynn said if I got the Rajah II that I'd be "a power!" (Was it, like, a world power? Do I...ummm...get voting rights in the United Nations?) I paid good money for my Rajah II and I don't feel like a POWER! My wife continues to push me around and the cat never listens to me..... :grumpy:

So here I am, a POWER! with a Rajah 1. Do I keep it, open it, carry it, or should I save it for collector value. And if I carry the Rajah I, am I still A POWER! Lynn never specifically said owners of the Rajah I were powers. I don't want to lose my POWER! status, but the knives are in many ways the same. .... :cool:

Seriously, though, should I keep my Rajah I or just go ahead and use it? I don't know whether such knives acquire a collector's value. In a few years, will it be worth enough that I should keep it?

Thanks!

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Alright. First of all, asking what it's worth is inappropriate for this forum.

Secondly, virtually no knives are worth what they cost new. It's like buying a new car. They depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot.

That said, sure, use it. Why not? That's what it was made for.
 
I sold mine for a boatload of cash considering I only paid $99.

I wish I'd have kept it but it was like a white elephant in my collection. I've thought about a R II but there's no comparison to the build quality. It's said they're just as strong but I'm not so sure.

And btw, you're not supposed to query knife values.
 
Like cziv says, sell it for good money and buy yourself a user you know you want. :)

The rule on asking values is, you need at least a Gold membership, because asking values is often the first step or a stealth step to saying "I'm willing to sell" so that's why you need that membership.
 
Sorry about asking the worth...I have NO intention of selling it and wouldn't sell it even at the $300 it originally sold for.

One reason I'm keeping it is the craftsmanship. You can turn it on its side and the fit and finish is indeed gorgeous. Samael answered my question by saying, "virtually no knives are worth what they cost new. It's like buying a new car. They depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot." Certainly some knives acquire value over the years, but I don't think this one is one of them. I think what I'm going to do is carry it and not worry about it. The grips are beautiful and the blade is beautifully polished. CS is getting away from polished blades, alas, because it's just too expensive. That said, many inexpensive knives tend to be polished, so go figure.

CS made a lot of beautiful knives in its time and they do know how to fit and grind knives. Certainly some knives acquire collector's status, but it just has to do with time and the reputation of the company.

I was misguided by eBay where I've seen people trying to ditch old Voyagers with AUS8 blades at premium prices! I just couldn't believe it. What's worse, some get hits! Again, since I can't replace this knife, I'm keeping it. That's a rule I have with both knives and guns. I've spent too much time kicking myself for getting rid of something I can't ever replace. It's also a rule I strongly encourage others to adopt! It's just not worth it agonizing over an item you sold for a couple of hundred $$$. But...to each their own!

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I doubt that it will ever become a collectors item. I suggest keeping and using it. It's a very solid knife.
 
I would use it. Cold Steel knives are strong, and made for use.
Even for woods or EDC. They may have been made for self defense, but they can handle abuse.
So yeah. IN YOUR POCKET SHE GOES!
:D
 
Say Heah Boys and Girls, I have a Rajah 1, I also have the Black Rhino, But my Fav's are my Taiwan and Black Sable, bot in the San Mai 3 in a Titanium frame and Linen McCarty, talking about Simply TiT's, their Beautiful. But as far as carrying and using your Khukuris Folder, I dunno, It's too big for me, I don't know how you can conceal it in your pants. To me anyone carrying a Kukuri Folder is ready to use it. Then, what a Dummy taking a knife to a gun fight ?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
I'd carry it. But I'm not a collector, investor, or flipper. If I sold it the 300 would get pissed away anyhow.
 
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