Farmers markets, flea markets and yard sales

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
20,039
I've bought most of my knives at farmers and flea markets and yard sales. I've gotten great deals, paid a little too much twice, but that was my own fault, I had a case of the have it nows :). In PA, along Rte 30 between Hanover and York, I've found some great pieces. I have started buying old style folders, but I am mainly into tacticals, and have found good deals on name brands. If you can excercise restraint, you'll find a good deal.
 
HI!

Being your in my favorite State, keep an eye open for those older PA knives for me. I woul be glad to help with identification and value also. I have yet to find an old YORK PA folder. Best of luck to you.
 
I've tried, but it's rare to see unused knives at those places, unless the box is marked "Fury." :)

-Bob
 
There used to be a great farmers market near me. They shut it down, leveled it and put in a shopping center. There went my favorite way to kill a Saturday.
 
Hey, silenthunterstudios, have you ever tried 272 between Ephrata & Denver? There are a LOT of antique stores through there and you can find some good deals on older knives. I personaly buy users and recondition them (I can't resist using and sharpening knives), but I've seen a few NIB, mint and near-mint too. I've even seen some tacticals. They aren't my cup of tea, so I never look too closely at them. Anyway, if you ever get over that way, take a look.

Leo
 
HEY!

I am not looking so much for mint condtion as I am looking to complete my collection of knifes with Pa related tang stamps. A Case MFG Co Warren or Smithport PA in Poor condition would be great with me. Of course I would like it to be better but given the rarity I would take anything. Unusally rare stamps in any condition are of interest to me. Keep your eyes open. I wish we had a place to post a wanted list with contact addresses. I for one come acrossed items that I am sure you guys would be interested in. Just my thoughts
 
but never been to any of the antique shops. I'll have to check it out, if nothing else, I would have a good time looking at some old stuff!
 
You know what would really be useful? We've slipjointers and traditionalists from all over. Maybe a sticky thread where people can post their great sources?

Example. I'm from Ohio, and know 5 or 6 really good antique malls here, and a few good ones in WVa and MI. However, I'm going out to Cali this summer, and don't know any out there. Maybe you do. :)
 
Sword & Shield:
I found a couple of antique malls along Redlands Blvd., in Redlands, CA, a couple of years ago (and there are probably more down there). Can't attest to how "good" they are. I was still solely into newer Italian autos at the time, so I may have been looking at good prices on folders and didn't know it. I did see a few cases with knives in them. Redlands is in Southern Kahleefornia (as our governator says it) kinda northeast of LA, near Riverside and San Bernardino.
Good luck,
Barry
 
I had a bad experience at an antique mall, up north of Gettysburg, near Chambersburg, on Rte 30. I was going to buy several Gerbers (glad now I didn't, my one Gerber is a POS), and laid down my AMEX. They told me they couldn't take it, no problem, I realize that AMEX charges some high fees, and that they couldn't afford those fees. So, I only bought one. Well, the guy selling the knives starts screaming and hollering, telling me to use all of my cash for the knives, to go out and get my friend I had ridden up with and borrow money from him etc. I had about 500.00 in my pocket, but I wasn't going to throw cash all on folders right then and there. I politely told him no, bought the knife (a Gerber EZ Out Jr, POS) and walked out, and the guy followed me out, and was hollering as we pulled away. I might've come back and bought those pieces, if the guy hadn't have been such an a$$hole. On the other hand, I have walked into farmers markets, and met market dealers I knew at other stands, and they said, sure, we know you're good for the money, it's a used piece, take it home and test it out. I did, and paid full in cash. Some people overextend themselves and get a sale, others just don't give a damn.
 
I can top that, I think.

Last June, I went down South to my Great-aunt's funeral. Rented a newish Lincoln, as my old Taurus wouldn't make the trip well, and Mom insisted on something uber-safe.

Went to the graveside service, started back North, and stopped at a decent-sized antique mall on US-250 (Any OH/WV forumites can email me, I know a bunch of good ones in that strip). There was a good Case 6231 there, Tested, great bone, but someone had taken the edge off with a grinder. No big deal, as he only wanted $100 for it. Looked in my LG4 when I went back the car, it was worth about double.

I figure, buy it. I bring the knife up, and do the usual "Take $90?" for it. Guy dang near strokes out on me. :mad: "$90? You're driving a new Lincoln, wearing a BMW hat so you likely own one of those, and you can't give me a measly $10? Not a chance. I'll let it sit before I deal it for $90." I light into the guy a bit, as I've had a rough day- first off, I said, I didn't own the car. Second, I didn't own a BMW at the time, third, he could shove the dang knife, I wouldn't even take it for free. His attitude had spoiled what I thought was a pleasant find.

Guy who ran the booth came up, saw the whole thing, my side and the owner's, and pulled me aside. He told me $80, as that was what he was going to get from the mall as it was- owner guy just wouldn't get his cut. We shook on it, I slipped knife in pocket, smiled at the fuming owner-guy, and walked out. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top