textoothpk
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- Sep 24, 2003
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A topic here, comes up ever once in a while. Face it, for many of us, 'Ebay price' is the benchmark. And ebay is the place to find collectible knives (Schrades, in our case).
I was at two knife buying locales today, the first an auction, and what they were offering was well advertised in the paper for a couple days in advance. This is in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, but not a really large city at all.
Second was a private sale of collectible knives, by invitation only. There were about three dozen of us there, several guys from out of town.
The auction: The Buck Acouna in the well worn box went for 150. It was not a rare model, and I just checked the 'Bay, and found that the locals got no bargain. The Buck Kalinga went for just under that, again, the 'winnng' bidder could have gotten a better deal on a better specimen at ebay. A note here: For three hours, from opening of the sign in, until the item went up on the block, these boxes, knives, sheaths were pawed at, man-handled, tossed around and misused by the grubbiest bunch of greasy fingered yay-hoos I've ever seen. These were not knife collectors as I know them. I noted the little booklet that came with the Schrade boxed 'Kachina' set ended up on the floor, lost forever. The boxed set 'Bear Cult' fared even worse. I never did bid on either of them... and the final prices were $125 and $110 respectively. The more or less desirable knives up for auction went high-- very high, in my opinion. a pair of USMC utility combats- one by Ka-Bar and one from Camillus (these were not WW2 vintage- but used realively recent made blades) went for more than the local knife shop sells them brand new.
The one honestly valuable piece up on the block was an old Remington switchblade in the style of a Schrade 'airborne' knife. No, not the shroud cutter model. It went for $795. I have not enough knowledge to know if that was a good deal or not.
To tell the truth, I saw nothing at this auction that I have not seen at past ones. Very high prices, seriously mishandled items, and the suspected shill in the bidding crowd.
The later, private affair was more civilized.. It ran for three hours, refreshments were served, all orderly and nice. Good grade of merchandize, all carefully-- reverently-- handled by the potential buyers. Still, the marked prices were high. I think I could have beat most of them on ebay, although it would have taken a while. The lone Schrade Walden of any value, a 171UH birdshead pommel, Mint in the box, was priced at $300. Again, I didn't buy anything.
I stopped by the local knife shop on the way home. There were no old Schrades waiting for me, held by the owner until I could have first refusal, but I did buy a CRKT (very high tech) M-16 liner lock. I find it to be to my benefit havng such a great shop here in town, that I buy a knife there often, retail price, (although I do get a discount).
Just my little report and opinion on ebay and knife prices all in all. The thing is, I enjoyed getting out of the house today, enjoyed talking to other knife people, was entertained as well. It's easy to sit at a keyboard and add to one's collection, but it is much, much more fun to get down and dirty in the trenches... old hardware stores, flea markets, gun and knife shows.. except auctions. I am done with them. Until next time.
Have a great weekend
Phil
I was at two knife buying locales today, the first an auction, and what they were offering was well advertised in the paper for a couple days in advance. This is in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, but not a really large city at all.
Second was a private sale of collectible knives, by invitation only. There were about three dozen of us there, several guys from out of town.
The auction: The Buck Acouna in the well worn box went for 150. It was not a rare model, and I just checked the 'Bay, and found that the locals got no bargain. The Buck Kalinga went for just under that, again, the 'winnng' bidder could have gotten a better deal on a better specimen at ebay. A note here: For three hours, from opening of the sign in, until the item went up on the block, these boxes, knives, sheaths were pawed at, man-handled, tossed around and misused by the grubbiest bunch of greasy fingered yay-hoos I've ever seen. These were not knife collectors as I know them. I noted the little booklet that came with the Schrade boxed 'Kachina' set ended up on the floor, lost forever. The boxed set 'Bear Cult' fared even worse. I never did bid on either of them... and the final prices were $125 and $110 respectively. The more or less desirable knives up for auction went high-- very high, in my opinion. a pair of USMC utility combats- one by Ka-Bar and one from Camillus (these were not WW2 vintage- but used realively recent made blades) went for more than the local knife shop sells them brand new.
The one honestly valuable piece up on the block was an old Remington switchblade in the style of a Schrade 'airborne' knife. No, not the shroud cutter model. It went for $795. I have not enough knowledge to know if that was a good deal or not.
To tell the truth, I saw nothing at this auction that I have not seen at past ones. Very high prices, seriously mishandled items, and the suspected shill in the bidding crowd.
The later, private affair was more civilized.. It ran for three hours, refreshments were served, all orderly and nice. Good grade of merchandize, all carefully-- reverently-- handled by the potential buyers. Still, the marked prices were high. I think I could have beat most of them on ebay, although it would have taken a while. The lone Schrade Walden of any value, a 171UH birdshead pommel, Mint in the box, was priced at $300. Again, I didn't buy anything.
I stopped by the local knife shop on the way home. There were no old Schrades waiting for me, held by the owner until I could have first refusal, but I did buy a CRKT (very high tech) M-16 liner lock. I find it to be to my benefit havng such a great shop here in town, that I buy a knife there often, retail price, (although I do get a discount).
Just my little report and opinion on ebay and knife prices all in all. The thing is, I enjoyed getting out of the house today, enjoyed talking to other knife people, was entertained as well. It's easy to sit at a keyboard and add to one's collection, but it is much, much more fun to get down and dirty in the trenches... old hardware stores, flea markets, gun and knife shows.. except auctions. I am done with them. Until next time.
Have a great weekend
Phil
.
