Desire for original box on resale

[jmh33]

I'm with you. But if someone is asking to buy boxes? Original boxes.

A Spyderco box? That'll be a minimum of $20 bucks for something common. If you wanted a box for a rare model. You're going to pay up.

I agree!!
John

 

[Knives&Lint]

I typically have always saved the box, but I find myself more recently having an aversion to the idea, so I may purge them all at some point. I pretty much destroy collectability right out of the gate on just about every knife I purchase by customizing it some way anyway.

When I moved across the country 6 years ago, I brought all of my knives but left the boxes in storage at my other house. As I sold the knives here and there, I was forced to do so without the boxes, and then was left with bankers boxes full of empty boxes for knives I no longer own. Since then I find myself preferring good storage space to saving a bunch of cardboard, and though I still save many of my boxes, I'm beginning to find the practice a bit silly.

That being said, when I buy a used knife, I do think the seller still having the box is a nice touch

 

[mitchnola]

I keep the original packaging of ALL my knives for at least one year or the warranty period. In addition to this, I buy a padded storage bag for all my knives.

Nice, where do ya buy ya storage bags from?

 

[Grasshopperglock]

And that nice touch is why you spend the money.

We can observe the prices of knives without a box and those with it.

 

[UncleBoots]

I use my pile of Spyderco boxes as a reminder that I do not need any more knives.

It is not working so far, but I have hope.

 

[mitchnola]

I think there's an unsaid thought that a person who kept a box and knew where to find it when selling the knife has a better chance of also being meticulous and taking care of the knife.

There will of course be a lot of exceptions to this. In the world of collectors things like packaging, instruction manuals or anything else that came with will increase the item's desirability.

I don’t read to much into keeping the box/care for the knife. But completely agree it’s a collector’s thing. Never ever kept any packaging till I started collecting watches and knives and only keep them cause I know they’re going to be wanted if I ever sell.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Nice, where do ya buy ya storage bags from?

Usually from the same place where I buy the knife. Most my pocket knife pouches are Spyderco pouches because they are slightly better (cough........... Made in USA) than the unbranded Chinese ones.

 

[hangmanshammer]

I have kept most of the boxes simply for my family if something happens to me, at least they shouldn't have to identify them. I store my knives in their boxes, inside AMMO cans, works nicely for sorting and protecting.

 

[jmh33]

I have kept the box’s of every knife I have purchased!! New and if the pre-owned came with a box. Also if the knife was blister packed I kept the info sheet too!!
I learned a long time ago boxes and info added value!!
John

 

[mph57]

I don’t have a slipjoint worth more than $50 or $60. I carry, use, and sharpen them all…no boxes

 

[Landshark99]

I think there's an unsaid thought that a person who kept a box and knew where to find it when selling the knife has a better chance of also being meticulous and taking care of the knife.

There will of course be a lot of exceptions to this. In the world of collectors things like packaging, instruction manuals or anything else that came with will increase the item's desirability.

A lot of good points, but i have to disagree with the idea just because one kept the box ,that somehow shows knife is well cared for, all my knives no matter their cost are kept safe, secure and well taken care of in my knife display/storage Gerstner toolbox. I guess my thought was I do not see most of my sub $200 knives as collectables but more as commodities to use with care, unless for some reason they happen to be some rare piece.

 

[bdmicarta]

I keep most boxes out of habit, and knife boxes are fairly small so it is easy to do. I think there is some perceived value in selling a new knife with the box, or maybe even an older knife that is in demand. When I buy a knife to use, I don't care if I get the box and papers and all that stuff, I almost would rather not get that stuff because then I don't have to keep up with it.

I think if a person is buying a nice knife, an expensive knife maybe, they should keep the box because it probably does add some value if they are going to resell the knife someday. Knife enthusiasts are a fickle bunch and buy a knife but then change their minds and sell it. I see times when someone buys a knife, immediately switches the clip, then puts it in their safe and never uses it. If you aren't going to use the knife then keep the boxes, don't change the clips, etc. If you decide to use the knife then feel free to move the clip and throw away the boxes.

 

[JBoone]

My wife already has too much stuff in this house. Only boxes kept are the couple of knives that I own that are still new in box due to duplicates etc.

 

[Leo Greer]

I keep the boxes to hold the cloth, little plastic bits and stickers that people like if I ever sell. Which I usually do eventually.

And, honestly, I prefer buying a knife in a box. It feels like I'm getting more... even when I'm not.

 

[tony281sc2]

I keep a good portion of my collection nib…. I’m not rich by any means, so I look at it like having money in the bank… lol steel currency
But my users get used to the point of being almost unsellable, so for them it doesn’t matter

It’s only new once and it’s not really new if it doesn’t have the box…
Same goes for anything collectible

 

[XJ-linux]

Keeping the box is "free money" to me in that it can make it more valuable if resold. No mystery, just the market. I just bought a used knife without the box, so I'm no purist. But, given a choice I'll buy the one with all the factory stuff over the "just the knife" option if the prices are close, all else being equal. YMMV

 

[sgt1372]

Collectors "prefer" to have the boxes (and any inserts & other swag included in them) for any knives that they buy.

I'm a "collector" and have every box (or pouch or whatever kind of container it came in) for every knife that I've ever purchased (regardless of price) that included one. People who don't keep boxes generally are NOT collectors and buy their knives to use them & don't care about the f*cking boxes.

Collectors also prefer to buy knives that are "new in box" or "like new in box." If you use the knife (which is your privilege) & throw the box away, you'll get much less for it on resale. That's the way it is. If you don't care about that, then just use the knife and throw away the box.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Triple_D]

I toss the boxes in the garbage.

I think having the box will help a used pre-owned knife sell faster, but I'm not sure it will necessarily increase the value. If the knife has been used, and trashed, I don't care if it has the original box. Having the box doesn't offset the knife having a worn out blade. It's the condition of the knife that counts.

 

[HexY3co]

I mostly buy used and most don't come with box but those that do I keep.

 

[tony281sc2]

I toss the boxes in the garbage.

I think having the box will help a used pre-owned knife sell faster, but I'm not sure it will necessarily increase the value. If the knife has been used, and trashed, I don't care if it has the original box. Having the box doesn't offset the knife having a worn out blade. It's the condition of the knife that counts.

I think it matters more for a knife in new condition. If you want to get the most money back on your sale, people generally like to feel like they are truly getting a new product from the past.
Depends on the knife of course, but generally it seems like the more valuable & rare a knife is, the more desirable the box is also