How do you price knives for sale?

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pathfinder74

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Wasn't sure where to ask this question...

If you have custom or semi-production knives you're looking to sell, how do you establish a price for them or figure out their value?

I have a few I'm starting to think I could part with. Not sure what they're really worth. Obviously I don't want to get hosed and take less than I paid but if they've appreciated I'd like to make a profit like anyone else I'm sure would.
 
Depends on the condition and rarity of the knife. My opinion is that a knife should never be worth less than 75% of retail price, even in the worst usable condition. Better condition just brings it up from there. Certain knives go up in value on the secondary market, like PM2s, sprint runs, Hinderers, etc. Unless you've got something quite rare, you should be able to search the appropriate sale forum for that model and see what they've been going for.
 
Your best bet is to go on feebay and look up solds for your knives. Now take a look at the 2nd highest bid, that should be the approximate value. The reason why you look at the 2nd highest is because the guy who won the bidding probably won't be wanting a second one, so value is based on what the next guy is willing to pay for it.

Generally, if the knives are common (even if custom), you should be able to see a value trend by doing this.
 
Whoops... thanks 9Blades. I didn't see that. Obviously I've been away for a while and either forgot that rule or never read it when I was "active".
I'll edit that last post to avoid any issues.
 
CWL said:
Your best bet is to go on feebay and look up solds for your knives. Now take a look at the 2nd highest bid, that should be the approximate value. The reason why you look at the 2nd highest is because the guy who won the bidding probably won't be wanting a second one, so value is based on what the next guy is willing to pay for it.

Generally, if the knives are common (even if custom), you should be able to see a value trend by doing this.
Click to expand...


I beg to differ. After people see a knife go for one value, they now take that as fair market value it seems. Why do I say that? Done it for months since I hit hard times and I have seen several knives SKY ROCKET in value lately.
 
pathfinder74 said:
Whoops... thanks 9Blades. I didn't see that. Obviously I've been away for a while and either forgot that rule or never read it when I was "active".
I'll edit that last post to avoid any issues.
Click to expand...

Cool! Just didn't want ya to get and infraction:)
 
I go through old exchange threads, search completed listings on the bay, check how much it initially sold for, and most importantly... how much is it worth to me?
 
Grease said:
My opinion is that a knife should never be worth less than 75% of retail price, even in the worst usable condition.
Click to expand...
What did you really mean to say? This can't be.

My experience is the moment it SELLS for retail, it's worth now only 75%, and it plummets from there. Yes, there are exceptions.

Jim
 
I kind of figured for custom makers where they don't have a steady production flow and it's an item they no longer make... that those factors should all push it toward an increased value.

The knives I'm looking to sell aren't common, they come from a reputable maker, and they're awesome.

I'd say another major factor is where you sell them. I'm sure if I tried to sell them on a gun forum or feeBay (I love that)... you're not going to get the same level of exposure from someone who would appreciate what you're selling as you would on a knife forum. I just need to convince myself that 1.) I really want to sell them and 2.) that I'll get a good return on investment to where dropping $25 for the membership will be worth it in the end. These are the last of the knives I have, so it wouldn't do me much good to be a gold member after they're sold.
 
pathfinder74 said:
I kind of figured for custom makers where they don't have a steady production flow and it's an item they no longer make... that those factors should all push it toward an increased value.

The knives I'm looking to sell aren't common, they come from a reputable maker, and they're awesome.

I'd say another major factor is where you sell them. I'm sure if I tried to sell them on a gun forum or feeBay (I love that)... you're not going to get the same level of exposure from someone who would appreciate what you're selling as you would on a knife forum. I just need to convince myself that 1.) I really want to sell them and 2.) that I'll get a good return on investment to where dropping $25 for the membership will be worth it in the end. These are the last of the knives I have, so it wouldn't do me much good to be a gold member after they're sold.
Click to expand...

eBay has loads of exposure, that's just a fact. The fees are pretty high, but often desirable knives will fetch much more there than they ever will on any knife or gun related forum exchange. Anything that's in high demand sold there tends to bring a premium. Of course it costs you on every sell there and paypal gets some of your money too. But, I've seen certain knives bring some impressive prices there.
 
Reignman said:
I beg to differ. After people see a knife go for one value, they now take that as fair market value it seems. Why do I say that? Done it for months since I hit hard times and I have seen several knives SKY ROCKET in value lately.
Click to expand...

If you can claim that every knife you have has skyrocketed in value, AND that you sold them, then that is good.

I sincerely doubt it though.

I'm just helping to provide a method from which people can determine a "value trend" for their knives.
 
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