Is it getting hard to purchase in the 400 to 600 range for USA?

J85909266

J85909266

Joined
Jun 6, 2005
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Whenever I'm ready to buy a new knife, I run into the same issue, lately.

I mostly shop in the midtech, semicustom range with a focus on USA manufacturing when I want a new knife.

Why in the world is everything I want always sold out?

Spartan Harsey? No. CRK Umnummzaan or even Large 31s? What are those? Hinderer making literally anything appealing? Nah. Les George, maybe? Microtech Manuals? Protech manuals?Medford produces, at least, but I already have the models I want.

Like, geez. Take my money, somebody.

Anybody else struggle with this? I dont like buying on the secondary market, as an important caveat.
 
I'm good I can find what works for me on a daily basis for less


I'm not all about the flex of a high dollar knife anymore I'm more impressed on what I can use at work on a daily basis

What works for you may vary
 
J85909266 said:
Whenever I'm ready to buy a new knife, I run into the same issue, lately.

I mostly shop in the midtech, semicustom range with a focus on USA manufacturing when I want a new knife.

Why in the world is everything I want always sold out?

Spartan Harsey? No. CRK Umnummzaan or even Large 31s? What are those? Hinderer making literally anything appealing? Nah. Les George, maybe? Microtech Manuals? Protech manuals?Medford produces, at least, but I already have the models I want.

Like, geez. Take my money, somebody.

Anybody else struggle with this? I dont like buying on the secondary market, as an important caveat.
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I have purchased MANY (almost every knife I've owned) knives on the Exchange here...AFAIK, without a problem...Most of them are as NIB, and are a bunch less than retail.
There are SO VERY MANY fine manufacturers for much less than $400-$600...IMO.
 
I have been buying high end knives for over 15 years ranging from 50 bucks to over 700. Trust me.
 
I've noticed this too. I believe demand has sky rocketed and knife collecting is more popular than ever (especially in the mid tech range). In return I've noticed full customs are loosing popularity as I used to collect customs 5-7 years ago on "the Cove" via Usual suspects and now that place seems dead. Also customs for sale on here come up way less often along with reddit knife exchange being almost solely midtech and production knives.

I hope things start to balance out soon. I also think coronavirus has slowed production down for many USA manufacturers so they're just trying to catch up with the time they lost being shut down last year.

Which brands have you been trying to purchase?

EDIT: I just saw the last part naming off knives you've been trying to get o_O:D
 
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I tend to agree, USA products are smaller production batches and seem to disappear rather quickly making the market pretty hot. Anymore I mostly wait on something to show up on the secondary market as it's nigh impossible to get in on a 'drop'.

USA is all I do, I think you have to keep your options open and be ready to pounce when something pops up from one of your favorite builders.

I'm into Olamic currently and either deal directly with them or find something on the secondary market and have them re-do it how I like. I have a number of them and find them pretty decent knives, excellent company to work with. I see Koenig's pop up quite a bit on the exchange along w/CRK's, Hinderers, Olamics and smaller batch domestic makers.

Most of the knives I purchase anymore are in the $300-800 secondary market range, maybe $400-1k new. Keeps me happy.
 
I would imagine that the pandemic has something to do with a lot of your problems. I just grab CPK's when I can afford to and an occasional auto.
But my grandson is fixing to turn six. So I will be looking for a nice slip joint soon for his first knife.
 
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There's more demand than ever, people have the time to browse sites for the latest drops, and there's a little thing happening right now that's limiting manufacturer's ability to produce enough to supply the demand.

My local dealer said that due to the pandemic, even Benchmade is having issues producing enough knives to meet the demand (and my recent warranty experience bears that out, they had to hold my knife for a month until they produced more blades for a current model). I couldn't imagine what it's like for some of the smaller makers out there. Just look at what has happened to GEC knives lately. Demand has skyrocketed and the production runs are smaller, leading to a lot of ugliness in the secondary market.
 
J85909266 said:
....

Anybody else struggle with this? I dont like buying on the secondary market, as an important caveat.
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I haven’t experienced that problem; but, I also don’t like to follow the parade. The knife market is wide and plentiful. There are new producers and custom makers constantly coming in and producing great products; as well as, a lot of excellent older products from excellent makers. So why should I limit myself a handful of trendy producers? If you want to be first or best, you have to roam on your own and leave the herd behind. It is kind of silly to complain about a crowded field when you the one who has decided to stay with the pack.

n2s
 
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not2sharp said:
I haven’t experienced that problem; but, I also don’t like to follow the parade. The knife market is wide and plentiful. There are new producers and custom makers constantly coming in and producing great products; as well as, a lot of excellent older products from excellent makers. So why should I limit myself a handful of trendy makers? If you want to be first or best, you have to roam on your own and leave the herd behind.

n2s
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I wouldn't really call knives like the Umnumzaan, Large Sebenza, SnG, Socom Elite, XM 18, Spartan Harsey, etc. new, or fancy.
 
J85909266 said:
I wouldn't really call knives like the Umnumzaan, Large Sebenza, SnG, Socom Elite, XM 18, Spartan Harsey, etc. new, or fancy.
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They are all excellent knives and I have my share of them. But, it pays to be patient. Let the crowd go after the latest hottest widget and instead go after the one you have always wanted. You will pay less, find more, meet new and interesting friends, and buy the stuff that has been tested and proven to work.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
They are all excellent knives and I have my share of them. But, it pays to be patient. Let the crowd go after the latest hottest widget and instead go after the one you have always wanted. You will pay less, find more, meet new and interesting friends, and buy the stuff that has been tested and proven to work.

n2s
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I mean, I will, I have, and I am.

I was just trying to say, these classic USA folders are very difficult to come by lately. Like really hard in the brand new market.
 
I think a big advantage to buying on the exchange is most members dont beat up their higher end knives,you can save alot of money,and they give you good details about the knife like centering smoothness lockup you get none of this buying new.You can get such a detailed report and your helping out a fellow member who might have fallen on hard times .
 
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