Do you continue using a discontinued knife?

[ToddM]

I've never worried about it, all my knives are slotted to be users, even if they don't make it into the rotation much. There are a couple though that are getting heavy use that I wish I'd have bought a backup for down the road.

It used to be there was no real money to be made in discontinued blades, but over the last couple years the secondary market prices for limited edition production models has gotten so ridiculous that I'd bet a lot of guys are buying them to flip them, just look at the number of new unused hinderers that hit the for sale boards. I know a couple of guys using that tactic to fund their custom habit and doing quite well at it. Even the fact that people are now paying over MSRP for the first couple runs of general production knives is pretty crazy ala the 0770cf selling on ebay for over MSRP and ridiculous prices for limited edition ZT's and Spydercos.

 

[CJZ]

From knives like old Waterville or Ulster jacks from many decades ago, to more recent knives like the Kershaw RAM or Benchmade Ti framelocks, yup, I use my discontinued knives.

 

[grownstar]

You bet I do. What's the point of having it if you don't use it?

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

Only if I have a backup for it.

Me also. I have a few NIB in storage from Camillus that have increased in value

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

this is why i like to buy backups of models i really like.

Yep me too.

 

[toker]

Me also. I have a few NIB in storage from Camillus that have increased in value

I'm not familiar with the value of Camillus knives. Realistically, how much would it go up in value?

 

[22-rimfire]

When my Weatherby Mark XXII (22 rifle) was discontinued, I immediately purchased a replacement 22 rifle thinking this Weatherby might be worth "something" some day. Well, it is. But, I probably would have been much better off putting that same dollar amount into the stock market even with the severe ups and downs. So, about 5 years ago, I said..... I don't care IF it becomes a collectors item because I will be long dead. So, I shoot it whenever I feel like it. The same reasoning goes with knives. What do I care if somebody can make an extra $50 on something I owned because I never was willing to use it for its designed purpose?

 

[Bob W]

I've been collecting for so long that nearly all of my knives are discontinued now.

If they're designated User knives, I keep using them. If they're cataloged in the collection, I don't.

Don't mistakenly think a production knife can not be replaced. On the secondary market, almost every production knife can be replaced.

Finding replacements may not be as easy or affordable as you think especially knives made in low production numbers, knives made by less-popular or short-lived companies, or dealer exclusives.

I once had a small number of knives stolen, about a dozen. They were, at least when purchased, ordinary common factory knives purchased from major dealers. It took about 13 years to find identical replacements, or about one year per knife average.

I'm not familiar with the value of Camillus knives. Realistically, how much would it go up in value?

I'm not familiar with Camillus knife values either. But look at other mass-produced knives that are no longer available, the two most common knife brands on the planet are Victorinox and Schrade Old Timers. Original Old Timers have sky-rocketed in value, even some of the most common models quadrupling in secondary market values, while some uncommon/rare/older models have reached astronomical levels. No one today produces more knives than Victorinox, and their discontinued/rare/vintage models sell for easily 10X the original retail prices.

I have a few Wenger models purchased on super-duper closeouts because they weren't popular and the factory couldn't give them away. Now they commonly sell for 5X those closeout prices.

I wouldn't mind having a truckload of those old marginal-quality Spyderco Q knives to sell...

 

[addylo]

Anyone familiar with traditional slip joints knows that short-runs of a particular pattern are common. That doesn't necessarily mean the maker won't do a similar run again at some point in the future but you could still consider them "discontinued".

 

[midnight flyer]

When my Weatherby Mark XXII (22 rifle) was discontinued, I immediately purchased a replacement 22 rifle thinking this Weatherby might be worth "something" some day. Well, it is. But, I probably would have been much better off putting that same dollar amount into the stock market even with the severe ups and downs. So, about 5 years ago, I said..... I don't care IF it becomes a collectors item because I will be long dead. So, I shoot it whenever I feel like it. The same reasoning goes with knives. What do I care if somebody can make an extra $50 on something I owned because I never was willing to use it for its designed purpose?

That's a perfect example of my experience. I buy what I like, use what I like, and the more rare firearms I bought have increased in value. BUT... I took the time to have a couple of my father's guns appraised a couple of years back and was really surprised at how much they were now worth compared to when he bought them. Wow! Great investments!

But these particular guns he bought were rarely fired, in fact rarely out of the cabinet. He liked owning them, but then in his last years they never saw the light of day. When he passed and it became an estate evaluation matter, we learned the real truth of the matter. When adjusted for inflation and then balanced against the sure return of a low interest CD, he lost money on all but one.

We also learned about the importance of being able to sell the collection items at the time we wanted for their "value". To get the great price on the rarest rifle, it sat in a gun store consignment area for almost nine months, sold for about 75% of its appraised value, and then the consignment shop took 40% of that. It went to consignment as we family members had tried to sell it ourselves at different venues for several months but had no luck. To get the collector's price, you have to be in the right place at the right time.

So lesson learned. If you can buy an object that you know is vastly under priced up front, you have a chance of making a profit when selling. Otherwise, use it or sell it.

Robert

 

[bdmicarta]

I've had a few that I bought to use but decided that they might end up being worth more as collectibles than they were worth to me as a user, meaning I could sell that discontinued knife and take that money to buy an even nicer knife to use.

 

[Hateman]

If the knife is one of those blades that I find to be among the best ever made, I may get another as replacement.

Otherwise, I'll use a disco'd knife 'til it dies.

 

[salmonkiller]

I use them and the problem is replacing the knife if you ever loose it.This particularly true if you have carried the knife for along time and want to replace it.

 

[Franciscomv]

I'm a user, that's how I enjoy my knives. Keeping them pristine gives me no pleasure, and I haven't sold a knife in ages (and those I've sold were either cheap ones from ages ago or knives I didn't warm up to and got rid off immediately after receiving them).

A couple of my favourite folders are no longer made but that doesn't keep me from using them. Same goes for customs.

 

[Redmasta]

If I like the knife I usually have a backup or 2. This way I can use the one with peace of mind knowing I have a brand new in in the safe.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I never worry about it. I've never bought a knife for investment or as a safe queen. Unless it's just some weird blade I picked up on an impulse that I really have no use for, like some sort of dedicated fighter, then it gets used.

I have several HI knives that were made by a master bladesmith by the name of Bura. Bura can't work anymore, so that are definite collectors items. I try to be careful when I use them. If not, they might not outlast my great-great grandchildren

Most of my folders are pretty ubiquitous common designs that aren't going anywhere: Buck 110/112, SAKs, Multi-tools. I have a couple of Kershaw and Spydercos that are in the rotation that aren't made anymore, but I doubt I wear them out. If I lose them, I won't be any more upset than I would losing ANY 50-75 dollar knife.

 

[BBW]

Don't hold back. You could be discontinued at any moment.

^^^best reply!

 

[fishiker]

Don't hold back. You could be discontinued at any moment.

I buy them to use, I'm sure some members here would be appalled at some of the, now discontinued, knives that I have used and abused. But for me, that's why I get them.

I have a very few knives that I do not use. They are not really for "investment" (I have never sold a knife and only traded one) but some are more for looking at than using.........So, no. Being discontinued does not really play into how I use my knives.

Life is about experiences. Have some with your blades.

You only live once and should enjoy all of the things you can afford to. I don't see the point in a safe queen..............

You bet I do. What's the point of having it if you don't use it?

All points I agree with strongly, well said guys:thumbup:

 

[upnorth]

This is almost analogous to avoiding sex out of fear of wearing out your unit. I have had knives that are considered collectors pieces. They were used then I traded them off, like any other outdoor cutting tool that I no longer desired.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Except for SOME Beckers, Bucks and Kabars still in production, every user I use is discontinued, in some sense of the word - I EDC twin Kabar 1232s, still in production today by ALCAS Kabar via Taiwan, but my users are either Brown family 1232s from before the family sold the company to Cole Intl., or Cole Kabar 1232s made when the company was HQd in Ohio or "post ALCAS acquisition/still Japan contract" versions. I use Camillus Beckers on a weekly basis. I have some Kabar and Western knives from 1920s/30s/40s that I don't use out of concern for damaging celluloid, cracked ice plastic, horn/bone handles, but if I had to use them, I would.

Discontinued knives were made to be used at the time they were made. If you like a knife, you oughta be using it. Most of my NIBs or NNBs that I have sitting around are backups in case I loose/break/ have stolen, my preferred user for a given task. I just can't pass up a good deal. If I see a fair/good/excellent condition Kabar or Becker or Western fixed blade at what I consider a good deal, I'll take it in a heart beat. Why pay a new price for a new knife when you can get a used user that is just as good as a new one for a cheaper price? I'd rather pay $15 - $50 for a 40-50 y.o. knife than $80-200 for a new one. besides, you can never have too many good knives, IMO.

Special commemorative knives fall into another category. But then I only have 1 of those - a Coleman Western W49 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial bowie. Also doesn't mean I don't buy some knives for "looks". Some just look damn good hanging on a wall. A lot better than some of the weird art my siblings & in-Laws, misc relatives & friends buy and hang on their walls. I'd rather look up at a well composed offering of WW2 knives and/or bayonets and Bowies, than at a piece of canvas with some flowers on it.