How bad did I get hurt?

[Barry E Harris]

I bought a 156OT off fleabay two days ago (#140073206258). I got it in the mail today and I don't think it is exactly as described (surprise, surprise). It was described as "Mint" & "never used". After seeing it up close and personal I am not sure that either one is true. I think this knife might have been "cleaned". I am hoping that some of you guys who would know might look at the pictures on ebay and give me your opinion. If you look at the picture with the knife by itself (not the one with the sheath and box), you can see a thin "shadow (maybe a fat 1/16th ") between the edge and rest of the blade. I assumed that this was created by reflection when the photo was taken; but, apparently it was not. The same "shadow" is on the other side of the blade; but, is significantly wider. I am hypothesizing that this area may have had sharpening marks and this was cleaned with a belt or in some other way. Does it look that way to you guys or alternatively could the larger part of the blade have been discolored from contact with the sheath thus creating the shadow. I can not tell if there is blade loss from sharpening or if the tang stamp is less defined from cleaning until I get home and I am able to compare this knife to my 156OT's that I know are unused. Also, there is one tarnish mark on the bolster (kinda of gooky brown buildup) evident in the photo. However, in person, there are two points of this gooky stuff on the bolster on each side of the blade. Looks like wherever the sheath touched the bolster. I ran an edge tester down the edge and the edge itself is smooth. If the knife has been sharpened, whoever did a good job or perhaps it was smoothed if and when it was cleaned. The sheath is considerably darker on the outside directly over where the knife is located, much more so that is evident from the ebay photo. Is this a sign that this knife was carried? The box was not in the best of shape (one little inside flap is torn off; but included, the other is hanging by a chad) and this was probably not helped by the seller sending it in a manilla envelope with no padding. His refund policy is purchase price; but, not shipping and insurance. I might be able to wrestle a price adjustment out of him if you guys think it has been cleaned and/or carried from the photos. I have been looking for a 156OT MIB and a 15OT user as my two other 156OTs are mint with sheaths; but, no boxes. If this one has been cleaned maybe it will end up being my user. Any insights that you guys might have would be much appreciated. Oh don't those "paid for" lessons stick with you!

 

[Upstream]

I think I would have bought it for that price. I haven't seen many come up with the original sheath like that one. That knife is probably more than 20 years old, that brown gooky stuff may be the dried oil from the factory, it gets like that after several years. It is hard to tell from those pictures.
Rick

 

[Codger_64]

Barry, if the seller cleaned this knife, he did not recover the cost of his efforts. I don't see a blade sleeve, so it was likely stored in the sheath all these years. "Mint never used" should always be taken with a grain of salt. Seldom do we get a carbon bladed brass bolstered knife that old which is perfect. He does not state the condition of the box, and I am guessing you did not ask. $43 for a low production knife at least twenty years old, possibly older, is not bad. Especially when that knife's last MSRP was $27.95. IMHO, you did not get hurt at all. If you are dissatisfied with the knife/sheath/box, keep your eyes open for a more perfect example and upgrade, then sell that one. No doubt you'll recover your investment, even with a "full disclosure" description with good photos of all flaws.

Michael

 

[SAM58]

Barry, I have several different Schrades having the same dul mark at the leading edge of the blade all bought from different sellers. It doesn’t bother me a bit. I personally feel that these were done at the Schrade factory by the workers with a Scotch bright wheel. Who knows, the factory worker may have been new on the job. It does not affect the edge of the blade and can be cosmetically blended in if it does bother you. Also, the seller of your knife looks to me that they don’t sell many knives to know what is Mint to you or me. Great knife, I have 2 of these, one given to me by a close friend around Christmas, the other is the 100 year Anniversary knife #006. Thanks for the post,

Scott

 

[Codger_64]

 

[Upstream]

I'll trade you. I have this one, it has been LIGHTLY used , NICE patina. Has a FEW pepper spots but would make a great user or addition to your collection.
These are getting harder and harder to find in this condition.

 

[Timstools]

Barry, Yes I had a look
I had a Schrade knife arrive the other day and it had light shading along edges but it did not look like this, I do think this one has been tampered with. If he has played with the factory finish of the blade which is usually a low gloss with straight even verticle machining marks along whole blade to give the brushed metal finish that most knives have then he may have ruined the knifes worth to a collector and i would send it back.
I doesnt really matter that you got it cheap, you should expect full disclosure and if he is not experienced enough to have known enough to give this relevant info to you, then it is still his liability not yours.

Kind Regards Tim