Counterfeit Concerns?

[NRTHNR]

Typically, I buy new from the well known distributors and only recently considered the used market. The main concern I have is the risk of counterfeit seems too high to gamble. I don’t shop for multi-hundred dollar knives but still, with the abundance of counterfeits in every price range, I’m still not keen on losing $150ish or any other amount of money for an item misrepresented.

Any guidance on this? How are you protected? What resources do you use to verify?
…tyia

 

[Peter Hartwig]

The exchange is a good place to buy. The vast majority are honest to start with, many eyes on the sales to detect problems, and the forum will do all it can if there is a problem
You can also ask if you think a problem might exist.

 

[scoobtay]

This here is a wonderful place to track down used/previously owned LNIB stuff. I think a gold membership is $20 bucks, then you can use the exchange. Knowing that people aren’t selling fakes here is likely worth the price alone

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Many don't take Pay Pal G&S goods and services, but if they do that gives you protection, use of a credit card in payment also gives a another level.
But hopefully these protections will not come into play

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

This here is a wonderful place to track down used/previously owned LNIB stuff. I think a gold membership is $20 bucks, then you can use the exchange. Knowing that people aren’t selling fakes here is likely worth the price alone

It costs nothing to buy on the exchange. A gold membership is required for selling, and only costs $30 a year, but anyone can buy here.

 

[NRTHNR]

The exchange is a good place to buy. The vast majority are honest to start with, many eyes on the sales to detect problems, and the forum will do all it can if there is a problem
You can also ask if you think a problem might exist.

This here is a wonderful place to track down used/previously owned LNIB stuff. I think a gold membership is $20 bucks, then you can use the exchange. Knowing that people aren’t selling fakes here is likely worth the price alone

This is reassuring news. Thank you!
Do either of you use any references to cross check serial numbers should the occasion to purchase a high value knife come along? Or, is it as simple as contacting the manufacturer/website for verification?
Part of the motivation for this inquiry is from the fantasy of finding my stolen Benchmade design by Emerson CQC-7 led me to eBay and all the questionable items for sale on there.

 

[Tsujigiri]

Best way to determine if something is fake is to try to find a fake of the model you're looking for and closely compare photos. Sometimes they use stock photos from real ones, though, so that doesn't always work. As you get more experienced and handle more knives, fakes are a little bit less of an issue. Remember, they'll only fake something if they can make it significantly cheaper, and there is no such thing as a free lunch. So if you've handled a bunch of CRK's, for instance, and are familiar with their tight tolerances and precise feel, a visually identical fake will still feel a little off in person because they won't be using the same pricey manufacturing techniques.

 

[hhmoore]

Remember, they'll only fake something if they can make it significantly cheaper

This is not true. There are copies of inexpensive knives, as well.

 

[eveled]

My fear is getting a fake from a reputable dealer. People will buy a fake put it in the real box and return it to the dealer and it gets put back into stock.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

My fear is getting a fake from a reputable dealer. People will buy a fake put it in the real box and return it to the dealer and it gets put back into stock.

If the dealer is doing things correctly they will have someone inspecting all returned items carefully to mitigate this issue.

 

[r8shell]

If the dealer is doing things correctly they will have someone inspecting all returned items carefully to mitigate this issue.

And that is one more reason I'd rather buy from you than amazon.

 

[miltmaldo]

I recently received a counterfeit Benchmade from the exchange. At first look everything looked good but later on I noticed the number didn’t match the color of the knife and the inside was not the typical Benchmade foam and the bag was totally different . So be aware specially when they sell you a knife that doesn’t come with the package because these are very good clones when it comes to the knife it’s self .

 

[ooitzoo]

If the dealer is doing things correctly they will have someone inspecting all returned items carefully to mitigate this issue.

If you don't mind me asking, how often do you get a fake knife back?

I feel like, while I am sure counterfeiting happens, its unlikely that too many knives are being sold as real. We'd probably hear about it on the GBU more then we are now.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

If you don't mind me asking, how often do you get a fake knife back?

I feel like, while I am sure counterfeiting happens, its unlikely that too many knives are being sold as real. We'd probably hear about it on the GBU more then we are now.

Its actually quite rare - I only have record of 4 attempts in the 7 years I've had this job. More often when people are trying to pull something they just send back a bag of screws or a random knife thats not intended to fool us, just have the approximate shipping weight to try and win a chargeback.

 

[Sid Post]

My fear is getting a fake from a reputable dealer. People will buy a fake put it in the real box and return it to the dealer and it gets put back into stock.

I have this happen on Amazon with flashlights and various soft goods (cargo straps and similar stuff) and almost all aquarium gear that isn't brand new from a respected dealer. Buy "like new" items from Amazon at your own risk!!!

 

[ooitzoo]

Its actually quite rare - I only have record of 4 attempts in the 7 years I've had this job. More often when people are trying to pull something they just send back a bag of screws or a random knife thats not intended to fool us, just have the approximate shipping weight to try and win a chargeback.

Thanks. That tracks with my expectation / assumption. I think knives aren't that valuable that it'd be worthwhile to invest the time & money to make passable fakes. It's cost-prohibitive at present.