CRK resale value. Good. And Bad.

J

jceckrosh

Joined
Mar 2, 2016
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1,177
So, I have posted previously that I got my wife a Sm. Sebenza and overall was impressed with the quality and simplicity, in spite of the fact I found it hard to open and I normally don't care for full Ti knives (and yes, I know there are versions with a CF top scale and inlays/onlays).

So, I traded something and got a Sm. Inkosi and I find the handle shape more to my liking.

Now, I am looking to get a Lrg. Inkosi and an Umnumzaan.

So the jist. Been looking at the exchange for either of these. The Umnumzaans go fast generally, and I have seen a few Inkosis (although often in the Insingo which is not for me). And here's the but - everyone asks $415, $430, $435 etc. for a "lightly used" knife, or a new knife they have decided they are getting rid of.

That's the part I don't get. For $415 I can spend another $35 and get a brand new one, at $435 I can spend $15 and get a new one. And it seems for micarta versions the price scales down to around the same area, so preowned seems like a better deal on those.

So, it's great that people can get so close to retail on their used/not used CRK's, I just don't see buying a pre-owned one when the price difference is so small. Even more so considering buying from KnifeCenter where I can get and use points to lower retail price.

Dunno. Thoughts?
 
Prices will vary over time and from individual to individual. Sometimes the prices will be very strong sometimes weak. This is over months or years not weeks. You can look for a deal, but at those prices I would buy new, unless you are looking for a feature only available on the secondary market. When buying used I want to save the cost of a trip to the spa plus some cash. Buying used even BNIB is riskier than buying from a dealer and needs to be compensated IMO.
With that said, I do buy most my knives on the exchanges, so reasonable deals are there to be found-I look for heavily carried, little used, where a spa treatment will bring them right back.
No papers or box can also get you a decent reduction, if you don't need them.
 
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jceckrosh said:
So, I have posted previously that I got my wife a Sm. Sebenza and overall was impressed with the quality and simplicity, in spite of the fact I found it hard to open and I normally don't care for full Ti knives (and yes, I know there are versions with a CF top scale and inlays/onlays).

So, I traded something and got a Sm. Inkosi and I find the handle shape more to my liking.

Now, I am looking to get a Lrg. Inkosi and an Umnumzaan.

So the jist. Been looking at the exchange for either of these. The Umnumzaans go fast generally, and I have seen a few Inkosis (although often in the Insingo which is not for me). And here's the but - everyone asks $415, $430, $435 etc. for a "lightly used" knife, or a new knife they have decided they are getting rid of.

That's the part I don't get. For $415 I can spend another $35 and get a brand new one, at $435 I can spend $15 and get a new one. And it seems for micarta versions the price scales down to around the same area, so preowned seems like a better deal on those.

So, it's great that people can get so close to retail on their used/not used CRK's, I just don't see buying a pre-owned one when the price difference is so small. Even more so considering buying from KnifeCenter where I can get and use points to lower retail price.

Dunno. Thoughts?
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Sometimes a well broken in crk can be a very nice thing. To buy a new one and spend time waiting for it to break in can be a very long process. I have had my small 21 since 2012 and it is still breaking in and getting better with use.
 
Don't forget prices now reflect total fees, so it is going to appear to be higher. Subtract 15/20 bucks from the listed price and that's the real number. The no more "net to me" will take a little while to get adjusted to.
 
I’ve been watching the CRK Exchange like a hawk--many times daily--for months. Some great deals on small CRKs have popped up and disappeared in minutes flat. If memory serves me, there have been extremely few great deals on large CRKs. It’s been a long, drawn out watch with only a very few “near misses” and no red-hot results to date. On the other hand, it’s good to know that I should be able to get a good price for mine if I ever choose to resell.
 
If I am looking at a particular used model, if it’s close to what a new one will cost, I will pay the extra $25 or so to just buy new. Other than that, I look for bargains nowadays.
 
Yeah, I'm not looking for a steal. It just comes down to the fact that for the difference of $15 to $50 I'd rather just pay the extra and get a new one. But, the secondary market is brisk so I may be in the minority. It's great that they sell for so close to retail.

And to use the KnifeCenter reference again, I have points enough for $50 off, and a Umnumzaan will generate another 4500 points, which is over half of another $20 off, etc.
 
Hmm... I recently sold my LNIB Zaan (except for small snail trail on clip) for $365 shipped. Seemed to be about the going rate. Most of the time I’m looking at used CRK’s they seem to be about $75-100 below retail.
 
7east said:
Hmm... I recently sold my LNIB Zaan (except for small snail trail on clip) for $365 shipped. Seemed to be about the going rate. Most of the time I’m looking at used CRK’s they seem to be about $75-100 below retail.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well, depending on the condition and any unique features of certain configurations (21s with silver lugs, double lugs, etc).

Usually if you're getting something for around $100 below retail with some snail trails or other minor wear, that's a damn good price in my book.
 
jceckrosh said:
So, I have posted previously that I got my wife a Sm. Sebenza and overall was impressed with the quality and simplicity, in spite of the fact I found it hard to open and I normally don't care for full Ti knives (and yes, I know there are versions with a CF top scale and inlays/onlays).

So, I traded something and got a Sm. Inkosi and I find the handle shape more to my liking.

Now, I am looking to get a Lrg. Inkosi and an Umnumzaan.

So the jist. Been looking at the exchange for either of these. The Umnumzaans go fast generally, and I have seen a few Inkosis (although often in the Insingo which is not for me). And here's the but - everyone asks $415, $430, $435 etc. for a "lightly used" knife, or a new knife they have decided they are getting rid of.

That's the part I don't get. For $415 I can spend another $35 and get a brand new one, at $435 I can spend $15 and get a new one. And it seems for micarta versions the price scales down to around the same area, so preowned seems like a better deal on those.

So, it's great that people can get so close to retail on their used/not used CRK's, I just don't see buying a pre-owned one when the price difference is so small. Even more so considering buying from KnifeCenter where I can get and use points to lower retail price.

Dunno. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

That's why I bought a new one. Waited until I was driving across country, about a year, and picked my "cherry" at GP knives. Too many flakes tell you its NIB, but in earlier threads they discuss disassembly, cleaning and "sandpapering" the washers and using a "better" lube. That ain't NIB.
 
I don't know....I have been looking at large Inkosi with micarta and have seen quite a few either like new or back from spa for $120 to $140 less than retail. Maybe smalls are a different story
 
I’m with you OP.

Even if one is accepting of a few snail trails, there’s still an “unknown” factor when buying from an anonymous avitar.

At a certain point, the risk of the unknown has to be worth the difference in price. As the value of the knife climbs, my risk tolerance goes down. I need greater savings to tolerate greater risk—otherwise the services of a dealer win out.

That said, I’ve been pleased with the CRK’s I’ve bought via the exchange.
 
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