'First Production Runs' as they relate to value?

Fascion

Fascion

Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
393
Howdy folks,

Still a bit new to the online buying/selling/trading scene with knives and am still learning the ins and outs of valuing knives. Going over my modest little collection here, I see a fair few knives stamped as "First Production Run." This brings me to a question or two...

Are knives with this sort of stamping sought after by collectors more than those without? ...or maybe it's the opposite and they are actually less desirable due to refinements in the manufacturing process?

If they are indeed more sought after, does it serve to increase the value at all?

Thank you.
 
Nah it doesn't. 1st Productions usually run 1000 knives - that's a lot of knives. A lot of people will have them.
Unless someone specifically collects First Productions I don't think the value will be any higher. Actually, I think a lot of people would prefer not having a 1st production because they don't want that writing on the blade.
Prototypes are more collectible though.
 
That is about what I had figured.

Unfortunately, none of mine are serialized so I don't know just how many were produced like that... but you're right, when serialized, the norm seems to be either 500 or 1000 knives produced.

...and I can certainly understand why people might not want the extra markings on the blade. One of my older EDCs was a 'First Production Run' and for a while, I kinda hated looking at that stamp on the side of the blade, both because I simultaneously wished it wasn't there and at the same time hoped I wouldn't mess it up beyond recognition.

Thanks for the input, Stormy.
 
As far as I can tell, it does nothing to affect the resale value of a knife. If you have one serialized with "#1", then maybe. I personally avoid blades marked "first production run", because it looks stupid. The less text on the blade, the better, IMO.
 
I don't like First Production runs, it will actually stop me from buying the knife unless it's a steal. If it's a Limited Edition or a variation of some sort then I'm okay with it being serialized. I like having as little wording or logos as I can get, that is one of my small problems with Kershaw, they tend to put a lot on their blades.
 
i dont think it matters on most things, i know on some, like BM, 1st pro run, prototypes, pre-productions, numbered or not, generally do not bring any premium.

microtec knives are the same way, 5 or 10 yrs ago a limited run might bring a little value but they have so many "limited" runs now it means nothing imho.

even the BM prototypes number ~ 300 to 500 pieces, just too many around.

now a spyderco proto, those ya dont see much, IIRC they make 3-5 and one rarely gets outta the shop.
 
don't listen to these guys, it may add value over a long period of time, perhaps a design change happens, the run could end early, a myriad of things could drive up the price of your knife.

I do agree about having a nice clean blade to look at.
 
Its after market value is gonna have a lot to do with how many knives were in that first production run. As said above, 1000 knives is a lot.
 
Skimo said:
don't listen to these guys, it may add value over a long period of time, perhaps a design change happens, the run could end early, a myriad of things could drive up the price of your knife.

I do agree about having a nice clean blade to look at.
Click to expand...

oh no dont listen to folks who used to collect BM protos/1st runs/etc they dont have a clue.

sure, on some limited runs which do vary a bit from std (like the BM 710 proto i have with alum alloy vs G10) it might have some collector interest, maybe, possibly, of course thats a prototype though not a 1st run, an unumbered 1st run is not gonna bring any premium except in very rare cases, kinda like the sun may come up in the north sunday morning, and it might indeed, i would wager the odds are not good though.
 
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