First Busse on the way! Will outsourcing custom work hurt the value?

R

rincon_11

Joined
Jun 24, 2008
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After spending a lot of time searching, I finally decided on a satin finished BATACLE with linen micartin, tiger slabs. This is my first really high end fixed knife, aside from a Tops that I got at a swap meet for $20:). I can't wait to get it in my hands. Another member here, IAmGatMan, took a lot of time to help me out looking for what I wanted and provided me with a ton of information. He was a huge help and am amazed at the lengths he went to in order to help a new collector get started.

Here is my question. Can I send this knife off for some custom work without affecting the value? Primarly, I am looking at smoothing and contouring the slabs as wells as possibly getting a really high polish put on it. The polishing is my biggest concern as it will probably remove the "Busse" markings. Any input?
 
Would you pay more for any knife after someone else grinded/buffed it out, possibly even removed the factory/maker's markings from?

I know I wouldn't.

That said, if you're buying this knife for your own use, then modify it to suit your own tastes without regret.


edit---this kind of reminds me of those people that sink $500 customizing a $900 gun and later try to sell it for $1400. (You see this on alot on AR-15s, 1911s, etc sale threads)
The only person who'd pay more than factory prices is someone who was going to do those exact same mods and trusts you did them correctly. To anyone else, the item is now worth much less than the original price as it is no longer in original condition.
 
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Tony_A said:
Would you pay more for any knife after someone else grinded/buffed it out, possibly even removed the factory/maker's markings from?

I know I wouldn't.

That said, if you're buying this knife for your own use, then modify it to suit your own tastes without regret.


edit---this kind of reminds me of those people that sink $500 customizing a $900 gun and later try to sell it for $1400. (You see this on alot on AR-15s, 1911s, etc sale threads)
The only person who'd pay more than factory prices is someone who was going to do those exact same mods and trusts you did them correctly. To anyone else, the item is now worth much less than the original price as it is no longer in original condition.
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That is my concern. I want to keep this knife, but at the same time, I do not want to devalue it. I would like to make it more to my liking, i.e., high polish finish and contoured slabs. However, I do not want to do it all at once. If I could afford to drop $800-$900 at one time, I would. For now though, I am willing to pay $450 for the knife and maybe upgrade later. If that is going to hurt the value, I will wait until I have enough to invest in a custom direcly from their shop.
 
I think that is the best course, personally. Rather wait and get a 'custom' when you can afford it. They are often up for grabs on the Exchange.

The LE's from Busse are pretty awesome as standard. I can understand putting a higher polish on the blade, but I wouldn't mess with the scales - Busse scales are really fantastic just as they are.

That said, there is a guy called Soupmonger who does the most amazing custom work on Busse knives. I'm not sure if he does it for other people though.
 
It will hurt the value. But that doesn't mean you couldn't ever sell it at a notable profit. And it may also remove the warranty, if the changes are significant enough - modding with powered tools may cause heat build-up that could affect the heat treat. If I were you, I'd leave it well enough alone.

But, if you really have to get mods done on it, there are guys like Ban at the Busse forum that really do some great work.
 
Once a busse is convexed. And satin u wont get rid of it. I would sell all of my unmodded busse's before my banned blades
 
If you are talking about much material removal I would be concerned about affecting the heat treatment as well. It will of course lower the value and probably make it very hard to sell if you decide to trade up later.
 
Good choice on a first Busse. I'd leave it in original condition...the satin blade is already somewhat polished. The handles will probably be a little dull...but nothing some mineral oil won't cure. Good luck!
 
I don't know who your going to have do it....But if you have Ban do it you'll be all good as far as resale here in the Busse forum ...Hog on :thumbup:
 
Horton_Knives said:
Once a busse is convexed. And satin u wont get rid of it. I would sell all of my unmodded busse's before my banned blades
Click to expand...

Damn, just when I thought I had been talked out of modifications. Your post was a little confusing though. I will not be able to get a good polish with the satin finish?

I appreciate the feedback so far from everyone.
 
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