End of the Year Knife Buying

D

dogstar

Joined
Jan 23, 2011
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I feel like December is a bad time of the year to buy knives, because most companies will announce their new lineup in a month or two. I always wonder if I will wish I'd waited when I see an improved model than the one I just bought. Anyone else feel the same?
 
It is likely, barring any crazy sales (current zts), that the knives you are going to purchase now instead of waiting for the new line won't be any cheaper or more expensive in a month or two.

With that said, just hold off a bit and save a few more $ and use that to get an upgraded version of the knife you do want, should any others Not come out, if a new one does and you don't like it, the older one very well may drop in price.

Patience is a virtue.
 
dogstar said:
I feel like December is a bad time of the year to buy knives, because most companies will announce their new lineup in a month or two. I always wonder if I will wish I'd waited when I see an improved model than the one I just bought. Anyone else feel the same?
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Knife is a timeless piece of tool not some trendy accessories. Just because the is a new model doesn't mean it is any better. The difference between a classic blade and a modern one is so minuscule it is not worth worrying about.
 
SeismicCWave said:
The difference between a classic blade and a modern one is so minuscule it is not worth worrying about.
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That isn't necessarily the case. There is a significant difference in the capabilites of a crk sebenza or manix 2 s110v or a knapped piece of chert in terms of longevity, edge retention, toughness and durability.

I know the dichotomy is great, but it is an argument worth making. The change between what we have now and the next great thing very well may be a large one worthy of holding out for.
 
NJBillK said:
.....The change between what we have now and the next great thing very well may be a large one worthy of holding out for......
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If we all hold out the old stocks will never sell.;)

I did not word my response properly. However a Sebenza from 5 years ago and a Sebenza next year will not be very different. The great knives will always be great knives. Changing or introducing new models of cars, knives or what have you is a marketing strategy to increase sale. It really does not have a lot to do with why a certain item is great. You will notice that the truly great products change models much slower and less than some lesser products.
 
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unless you want a new steel version, sprint run, or a new blade type i dont see much difference in the prices of high end stuff dec vs feb.

sure theres a chance theyll discount the older or discontinued model to make room for the next offering, but that can be said of any industry... in the case of knives, i think theres a negligible difference between high end steel types, so i dont worry about the differences between m390 and s35vn for example.

all that said, its a waiting game if youre patient... find what you like/want and if you look long and hard enough you'll find a solid deal somewhere be it december or february
 
SeismicCWave said:
If we all hold out the old stocks will never sell.;)

I did not word my response properly. However a Sebenza from 5 years ago and a Sebenza next year will not be very different. The great knives will always be great knives. Changing or introducing new models of cars, knives or what have you is a marketing strategy to increase sale. It really does not have a lot to do with why a certain item is great. You will notice that the truly great products change models much slower and less than some lesser products.
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While the sebenza is still a sebenza, the s30v models can fetch a pretty penny, due to rarity, preference, or just the want to be different, you decide. But for a few years there were plenty of s30v around and s35v fresh in production, so you had a choice, which is my point.

The point of being in business IS to increase sales, be it through better materials (wink wink nudge nudge), passing savings onto the customer due to a savings in cost of production, there is a whole myriad of reasons. Though the bottom line remains, make money by improvement or get left behind. Especially in such a cutthroat industry, no pun intended.

If he is worried/curious if he is going to second guess himself in 2 months, wait. It's not That long, the knife he likes now Should still be available. And, Heaven forbid, he gets ran over by a truck in the mean time, he won't know what comes out anyway, so no worries. :D

All kidding aside, I think if you don't "need" a certain knife, in a figurative sense, then you can afford to wait. Considering you feel that you may be saving yourself from kicking yourself in the pants in short order...

Please re-read my first post, I already addressed the "old stock" issue.

Regarding cars: how is that "Model A" keeping up in traffic with all of these needlessly updated cars? ;)
 
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Found a deal on two discontinued Zts 0700 and 0770 and bought them both new at a dealer for under $200 today.
 
>>Regarding cars: how is that "Model A" keeping up in traffic with all of these needlessly updated cars?<<

Cars and computers are a bit more complex than a knife. They are also bordering on the disposable realm. There is also what is known as plan obsolecense. I bet many of the steel making technology from long ago still holds true today. You still has to add carbon to iron to make steel. Granted there are a larger variety of steel alloy available right now. A lot of them are trending towards the stainless area. However the carbon steel is still very much sort after. So for a knife to change model every 18 months is really not that critical. Let alone 2 months. A knife OTOH is really a durable good which can last many life times if taken care properly. A real classic knife is something that is passed on from father to son.
 
New models may be announced at SHOT, but it may be months before they hit retail. Buy when you find what you like and have the funds.
 
Never hesitate on buying a knife in December, especially ones that are on a super price reduction and are very popular. If you find that knife you bought has been discontinued, assuming that it's a very much sought after model and brand, you will make your money back at the very least, and in all likelihood make more, should you find that you must have the most current iteration of a particular model. Just look at what folks are paying for a factory orange G10 PM2 on fleaBay these days.
 
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