ebay fixed blade prices

B

Barry E Harris

Joined
Nov 27, 2006
Messages
136
Seems to me that there is a definite uptick in prices on basic Old Timer fixed blades (152OT, 154OT, 156OT, 158OT) since Christmas. It also seems like the market is becoming more volatile and inefficient. For a while it seemed like on the more common knives you could look at the condition and pretty much know what it was going to sell for. Not many surprises. Lately, I have seen some basic knives go for some ridiculous prices. Just me or is anyone else noticing the same thing?
 
I just did a completed listing search on 158OT's. Two NIB but basic (no special editions) 158OT's went for over $60.00 each. Those knives would have brought no more than $40.00 thirty days ago.
 
To me, they have historically been underpriced. They are just now starting to catch up with some of the folding patterns. A few of those fixed blade patterns are more uncommon than most people think.
 
What I've seen on Ebay is prices are cyclical.One month there up next month there down.Believe it or not if someone asks about a knife on any one of the three knife forums prices jump.Sellers know this.Arnold
 
True Arnold. I've even caught sellers using my posted research word for word as their description. Only one have I had to spank. That seller openly claimed copyright to my work.

This is one of the reasons I don't post actual production figures for many knives when in some instances I could. I don't want to drive the market. If I posted that a certain pattern of fixed blade sold less than 5,000 pieces, what do you suppose would happen to the prices for that pattern in a short while? I prefer to let the market seek it's own level according to buyer's perceptions of scarcity and desirability. Robert's book is a fair indicator of this just based upon the number of years a pattern is cataloged. Just remember the fixed blades were always outsold, from 10-100 to one by the folder patterns.

Michael
 
Right on the money codger as far as value goes, it is cycling, just like when I found out Schrade closed. I was only looking to replace one I gave away and got hooked. I never thought Schrade made so many beautiful knives. I don't know of many other knife company's that have made such great quality and so many different varieties of knife styles or models. There are people like me that are just finding out that Schrade is no longer in in business, some are trying to replace one they don't have or just trying to have a piece of history, others are opportunist.

Scott
 
I had found out in December 2004 that Schrade had closed. I was looking for a Schrade for my son (and myself) for Christmas. I am guilty of driving prices up early in 2005, that was the early 2005 up cycle. Sorry about that,

Scott
 
It's the main reason I don't ask about a knife that is listed.Right away you'll see the bidding jump.I'm getting to where I grit my teeth when there is something on Ebay I really want and someone asks a question about it.As a sometimes seller I know that I could hedge the market by asking about a knife I have listed.Arnold
 
I've even caught sellers using my posted research word for word as their description. Only one have I had to spank. That seller openly claimed copyright to my work.
Click to expand...

I think one thing that has contributed to this is a seller that was listing this web site as a source of information in his e-bay ads. I noticed a surge in new members watching this site soon after. Rick
 
Good point Arnold.

I have asked questions because I know there are fellows on here who can answer questions, but it certainly can attention to knives. There are other ways to get the information without advertising a piece you may want to bid on.

I've seen it happen a lot.

I don't believe I've done it on one I truly wanted while it was active, but I may have done it to someone else. If so, many apologies.

Speaking to your point Scott, I fit the description to a T. I had an Old Timer stolen at a governenment security, wanted to replace it and wandered into Schrades on Ebay, found out about the bankruptcy, and eventually this forum, which appear to be a natural progression.
 
I think prices are going up due to the fact if you don't get the knife now, when available, when will you get it? It's better to pat the price now for a knife you need for your collection.
 
.......with these vintage Schrade Walden's made in USA last week and you have to open the package to find out its Everlastingly a copy made under Licence from Taylor..the waters are and will continue to get murky for potential new collectors.
How can your genuine knives appreciate when reproductions are spinning off the "production lines" en masse,and hardly intended to fill a void of user need,it is intended to cash in on the genuine knives.This is particularly directed at the USA tang stampings.Buyers in Oz are paying "genuine knife" prices for these yellow handle Schrade Waldens which they are spiriting away in their collections as mint and not opening the box to find..voila Taylor Brands Licence hidden inside in smaller writing than the rest of the blurb. It is so wrong in my opinion. Where will it end in collecting terms and why will someone buy your genuine Schrade simply because you tell them its genuine.
These knives are intended to dupe......thats my epistle for today. Hoo Roo
P.S. When I do email highest bidders from time to time on these "vintage" waldens NOT ONE has realized what they were actually bidding on and they are for collections not users.
 
...further to above I've had sellers tell me to butt out when I point out they may be under the impression they are selling a "vintage" knife and are well aware they are ripping the guts out of the collectors prices.Without the product these people cant sell and dupe.
 
Hopefully they will consider the USA blade tang stamp more sacred that the Walden name which they already use. Do you know if they use the USA tang stamp on any other Schrade knives other than those from the closed New York facility? Would there be legal ramifications if a non US manafacturer attempted to use the USA tang stamp on a Schrade copy??
Tim
 
They are (were) being produced by Camillus and Bear & Son under license for SMKW. TBLLC ownd the trademark.
 
Thanks
Whats TBLLC? If thats the case and they can still use the USA tang stamp how can the average person tell a fake from the real???
Tim
 
The collector has to become familiar with the real knives and the fakes. Ask questions before they buy if they are unsure. Ask the seller and maybe ask us. Look at as many real ones as they can and study the marks and construction.
 
It's interesting that what goes on in this forum can influence the market price of knives, vintage or not. It says a lot for the new interest in knife collecting. Myself included in that statement. I would say that the rising prices are 50% speculators and 50% are like me, just wanting a USA made product to own and collect. I just purchased a bunch of Rigid knives, figuring that since United was a US company, they must be USA made. Well it was not to be, they were all made in China. I don't regret the purchase, It cost money to go to school, and I learned a valuable lesson.
Dave
 
Larry to reply to your rant I would say that some of us on here agree with you but a while back we lost some good forum members over this and other things so we don't rant against them anymore.I wish we could agree to disagree.Arnold
 
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