Do production folders ever gain "collectors" value??

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
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I have only been "collecting" knives for a few months now, so I was wondering about "collectors value" Since thus far I have only purchased production pieces, I was wondering if they ever gain "collectors" value. (Can will I be able to sell it for more than it's worth) The reason is, I bought a Microtech MA mini-SOCOM (green handles) over the forum, but the knife looks too nice for me to bear using. Since this model is discontinued, and there are too many green handle ones out there, I plan to keep it NIB, and hang onto it with the hope that one day it might be worth more than I bought it for.
Am I just kidding myself? What your thoughts?

Thanks,
Mitch
 
Mitch,

Here's my take on this topic:
Unless the demand exceeds the supply or it is a limited production run, special edition etc....I don't think you will see much if any appreciation on your knives.
My $0.02(plus 8.4% state tax)

------------------
The vague and tenuous hope that GOD is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the conscience of millions.

*A. W. Tozer

2 Cor 5:10
 
Production knives very often become valuable
Just hit a knife show and look around. But the question of WHICH ones will be valuable is one that we all wish we had the answer to.

[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 08 December 1999).]
 
Define valuable. It's one thing to have an article appreciate in value, it's another thing for it to do so with better performance than, for instance, a standard savings account. I don't see many production knives doing that.
 
Mitch,
With the knife you mentioned, you could probably come out ahead with a trade. Someone will have a knife they are tired of, and you will be able to trade up. Carry the knife with you to knife and gun shows. If you see something you like, you may ask the dealer, if he might be interested in a trade. If the knife is NIB, they may be interested.

Just a thought,

------------------
Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

My website
GriffithKN@aol.com


 
Lynn,
Isn't a Newbie, going to be getting the short end of the stick if he's dealling with someone that knows a lot more than he does?
What could you possibly trade for, another production knife? I mean I can see someone that just wants to rotate the knives that they own, but I can't see how I could come out ahead.
 
Production knives rearely go up in value. In fact when you sell them later, it's usually for less because there are so many out there. Even the Satin finish Emerson Commanders basically sold for the same price when you saw them. Even if a knife is discontinued there are so many around, like the Benchmade CQC7 that the price will still be below retail. Only rarely, do you get something like the Al Mar SERE or rarer Microtechs which will actaully acrue or retain value. Even if someone really wants something, they will rarely pay that much more for a rare production knife. Maybe a custom, but not production.

Jason
 
Production knives are as likely to increase in value as any custom knife. The real price driver as someone mentioned early in this thread is the current level of demand. Demand climbs when people start to talk about the knife or knife type, and likewise falls when people loose intrest or forget about the style or pattern.

Case knives were common production patterns that sold for a few dollars. It was the publication of an organized reference document and an active marketing campaign by the factory during the 60-70s that caused the price of these knives to inflate to up to several thousand dollars a copy.

The same thing has happened with 19th century Bowie knives and 19/20th century bayonets/military knives.

The converse is also true. Clearly the survival knives that were so popular during the 1980s have become far less popular now the Rambo movies have faded from memory.

Prices will continue to move with the level of available information (publicity). Most production knives are fairly well documented, and, hence perhaps more likely to increase in value than many lesser know custom makers.

Good luck with your new hobby. But, by all means enjoy your knives, if money is all you are looking for there are far better investment vehicles.
 
not2sharp,
You're right about the investment thing. I heard that the Linux stock went up like crazy today. I guess for a brief moment I lost sight of WHY I "collect" these things. If I wanted to make money there are tons of better ways. Thanks everyone for putting that fact back into perspective for me.

~Mitch
 
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