For the knife bottomfeeders among us ...

[dsutton24]

I'm definitely a bottom feeder in the OPs sense of the term. Although I do occasionally spend real money on a knife, most of my collection is the result of patience and relentless annoyance to others.

One of the problems with being a Case collector is that anyone over a certain age remembers when they were bringing absurd prices. They think the run of the mill Stockman they paid $80 for in 1992 must be worth more in 2020, when the reality is that they're selling for more like $40 these days. A lot of traditional knives are in a similar place these days.

Ebay is a mixture of good and absurd. Most of what I'm prowling for either has peculiar starting prices or really bad descriptions. "See the horrid photos for description" is my favorite. Every once in a while a reasonable deal comes along.

It's too bad in a lot of ways, but collectors are fickle. The market moves all over the place.

 

[edbeau]

Like, Old Biker, I am a $20 guy. I buy knives that I can clean up all the time. A full blade is one of my requirements.

 

[cbach8tw]

I agree with afishhunter. I'd call you a tightwad, not a bottom feeder.

I see what you are referring to now in regards to price. I originally thought that he meant he was bottom feeding for buying on eBay because of the the fakes and some unscrupulous vendors.

 

[hornetguy]

This sounds like the motive for the thread....fishing for deals.

Could very well be... no response on my having one of his "desired" items.. live and learn.

 

[Trivette100]

I wonder if this Case jack pattern has been discontinued. With blades closed it is about 3-3/8" long. I'm looking for one with Delrin handles. All the ones I've seen on eBay seem overpriced.

 

[MUFC4Benfica1]

What rules?

If he is British like me, EBay prohibits British users from buying or selling knives, even knives that are legal to carry in the U.K. It’s a pity, there are great SAK bargains to be had.

 

[hornetguy]

I wonder if this Case jack pattern has been discontinued. With blades closed it is about 3-3/8" long. I'm looking for one with Delrin handles. All the ones I've seen on eBay seem overpriced.

View attachment 1320589

That looks like the 6235 1/2 pattern... I don't believe Case is making that pattern anymore.
This is my appaloosa version...

 

[JohnDF]

Most of my hunting these days are limited to 1970's Case knives and Schrade USA Old Timers.
The Case knives from the 70's are built well and Case knives in general cut better than anything else in my meager collection.
I still buy the odd GEC knife, but their perceived value and collect-ability kind of turn me off. They do make nice show pieces though.
I can collect 2 or 3 good Case knives, or 5 or 6 Old Timers, or just ONE GEC... That's not bottom feeding, that's just smart.

Edited to remove any mention of price or purchasing.

 

[Lansky1]

I agree with afishhunter. I'd call you a tightwad, not a bottom feeder.

my wife would agree with you ... guilty as charged ! For me, it just takes all the fun out of collecting to pay full retail for anything

 

[Lansky1]

Could very well be... no response on my having one of his "desired" items.. live and learn.

I appreciate your mentioning that you have a nice 70's jack that you'd be willing to part with, but my knife funds are a bit tight right now with this COVID situation ... thx.

 

[kamagong]

my wife would agree with you ... guilty as charged ! For me, it just takes all the fun out of collecting to pay full retail for anything

Full retail is nothing. As John pointed out many GECs immediately sell for well over their initial purchase price. I've never seen anything like it with regards to slipjoints.

I still buy the odd GEC knife, but their prices and collect-ability (read fan-atic) kind of turn me off. They make nice show pieces though.
I can buy 2 or 3 good Case knives, or 5 or 6 Old Timers, or ONE GEC... That's not bottom feeding, that's just smart purchasing.

 

[tongueriver]

GECs are expensive, but they are dwarfed in $$ compared to some pre-war Beauties. And that is not even talking customs.

 

[redsparrow]

GECs are expensive, but they are dwarfed in $$ compared to some pre-war Beauties. And that is not even talking customs.

...not to mention Case/Bose!

 

[Will Power]

I'm definitely a bottom feeder in the OPs sense of the term. Although I do occasionally spend real money on a knife, most of my collection is the result of patience and relentless annoyance to others.

One of the problems with being a Case collector is that anyone over a certain age remembers when they were bringing absurd prices. They think the run of the mill Stockman they paid $80 for in 1992 must be worth more in 2020, when the reality is that they're selling for more like $40 these days. A lot of traditional knives are in a similar place these days.

Ebay is a mixture of good and absurd. Most of what I'm prowling for either has peculiar starting prices or really bad descriptions. "See the horrid photos for description" is my favorite. Every once in a while a reasonable deal comes along.

It's too bad in a lot of ways, but collectors are fickle. The market moves all over the place.

Interesting post. Quite frankly, if prices of more brands of Traditional knives collapsed or went really down, I'd be delighted as it might mean more decent knives within my grasp I've never understood this group-think approach to must have knives-witness some of the absurd prices that GEC/Northwoods knives can command at times Nor the idea that knives or collectibles could be an 'investment' a very uncertain one For as you point out collectors are fickle (unbalanced?) and the market eternally variable.

 

[Will Power]

...not to mention Case/Bose!

Possibly new yes but Collabs don't really seem to hold value that impressively. Possibly due to the fact that runs are relatively large? The recent ones don't seem to be the must have knives they were a dozen years ago.

 

[Will Power]

If he is British like me, EBay prohibits British users from buying or selling knives, even knives that are legal to carry in the U.K. It’s a pity, there are great SAK bargains to be had.

Also, CASE are restricting the sale of new knives outside the USA, so even if you live in the EU and not law besotted Britain... you can't always get what you want

 

[Corso]

What rules?

Uk members can't buy knives on ebay

 

[Corso]

Also, CASE are restricting the sale of new knives outside the USA, so even if you live in the EU and not law besotted Britain... you can't always get what you want

Realy? I thought they just limited sales through certain retailers like GEC does

 

[kamagong]

GECs are expensive, but they are dwarfed in $$ compared to some pre-war Beauties. And that is not even talking customs.

GEC is not even a decade and a half old. Yet several of their offerings have already appreciated considerably, well beyond what is considered normal. Their place in the market is unique.

...not to mention Case/Bose!

I have owned a few GECs that had I had the foresight and self-control not to sell them or use them, I could easily sell for the price of a Case/Bose. For reasons that escape me, the Case/Bose annuals do not thrive in the secondary market, while GEC causes many to lose their minds. GECs are considered more desirable, and thus sell for more money, than the Case/Boses on the secondary market, at least for the moment.

 

[Will Power]

C Corso Well the ones I've used on e-bay (all 100% satisfactory) won't now allow me to buy CASE knives, they were apologetic but said it was a CASE directive. I could try again and see if they've changed this insane decision.