Keeping a "wanted list" and shopping for the lowest price/shipping on a given knife?

S

SanLuisObispo

Joined
Nov 14, 2020
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Now that I'm getting a bit deeper into knife collecting, I've come to enjoy a couple of things.

First, keeping a "wanted list" of knives I hope to own one day. I find it interesting to add a given knife and either ultimately procure it, or have it fall from the list based on further research as I shop.

My "wanted list" actually has "For Certain", "Researching" and "On Hold" categories. Yes, different models move between the different categories, although once in the "For Certain" category, they usually end up being purchased.

I'm also fairly amazed at the wide range of pricing on knives. Clones aside, there are some truly substantial differences in pricing -- including the price charged for shipping. Just the other evening I came across an excellent price on a "For Certain." It was so low that I figured shipping would be something like $19.99, or some such nonsense. In all actuality it was free. I ordered it on the spot!

I really do enjoy the research and the shopping! How abut you?
 
Yes, I have a 'wanted list' that I keep in a different tab in the same spreadsheet that I keep track of all my knives. I'm not as organized as you, I don't have categories for my want list. The only columns I have besides KNIFE are DATE ADDED and DATE ACQUIRED.

SanLuisObispo said:
Now that I'm getting a bit deeper into knife collecting, I've come to enjoy a couple of things.

First, keeping a "wanted list" of knives I hope to own one day. I find it interesting to add a given knife and either ultimately procure it, or have it fall from the list based on further research as I shop.

My "wanted list" actually has "For Certain", "Researching" and "On Hold" categories. Yes, different models move between the different categories, although once in the "For Certain" category, they usually end up being purchased.

I'm also fairly amazed at the wide range of pricing on knives. Clones aside, there are some truly substantial differences in pricing -- including the price charged for shipping. Just the other evening I came across an excellent price on a "For Certain." It was so low that I figured shipping would be something like $19.99, or some such nonsense. In all actuality it was free. I ordered it on the spot!
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SanLuisObispo said:
... I really do enjoy the research and the shopping! How abut you?
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Yes, I enjoy "window shopping". I don't buy expensive knives. One time I stumbled upon a Fallkniven F1 for about $80. so I got it. Then I got curious and followed pricing on them, as they were up and down. Some time later I stumbled on a deal - Got 5 of them for $100. delivered. The anti-counterfeit holographic stickers checked out and the quality indicates they were genuine, not to mention a somewhat reliable supplier. Just some old stock, I guess.
 
rje58 said:
Yes, I have a 'wanted list' that I keep in a different tab in the same spreadsheet that I keep track of all my knives. I'm not as organized as you, I don't have categories for my want list. The only columns I have besides KNIFE are DATE ADDED and DATE ACQUIRED.
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Excellent ideas!
 
Too each their own but something to consider is the service. There are a LOT of shady vendors out there with terrible reputations.

Whenever possible, I stick to the ones I know and for pocket/sporting knives I can find most everything from a BF supporting vendor.

CollectorKnives
DLT Trading
New Graham Knives

These are rock solid folks who not only contribute here, but have excellent reputations for taking care of people if something is ever wrong.
 
That is a good point, and definitely something to consider and take action on. I've ordered several times from one of the dealers you mentioned, with great results. I like to buy from BF-supporting dealers, if the price is at least competitive.

Sometimes, though, I see a deal that seems too good to pass up. I know "if it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is". I get that. But by doing my due diligence on the seller and paying with PayPal or credit card, I have some degree of leverage in case something does go wrong.

So I agree with those who say "support the reputable dealers" and "have fun finding the true bargains", and I pursue both paths from time to time. The vast majority of knives I have purchased have been here on the Exchange, with great results and almost no problems.

Eli Chaps said:
Too each their own but something to consider is the service. There are a LOT of shady vendors out there with terrible reputations.

Whenever possible, I stick to the ones I know and for pocket/sporting knives I can find most everything from a BF supporting vendor.

CollectorKnives
DLT Trading
New Graham Knives

These are rock solid folks who not only contribute here, but have excellent reputations for taking care of people if something is ever wrong.
Click to expand...
 
rje58 said:
That is a good point, and definitely something to consider and take action on. I've ordered several times from one of the dealers you mentioned, with great results. I like to buy from BF-supporting dealers, if the price is at least competitive.

Sometimes, though, I see a deal that seems too good to pass up. I know "if it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is". I get that. But by doing my due diligence on the seller and paying with PayPal or credit card, I have some degree of leverage in case something does go wrong.

So I agree with those who say "support the reputable dealers" and "have fun finding the true bargains", and I pursue both paths from time to time. The vast majority of knives I have purchased have been here on the Exchange, with great results and almost no problems.
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Not knowing a great deal about the knife industry/market, I have to say that I am amazed by the sometimes HUGE difference in pricing.
 
I rarely by new anymore but have a list of knives I intend to purchase when they pop up on here or a couple other sites. To me that's more fun than chasing a deal on a new knife.

The only new I buy anymore are customs or limited runs that I don't think will go secondary or will take too long to hit that market as secondary's.

I don't flip knives and have gifted enough that I don't really have a reason to buy just to buy. I don't look at vendors sites unless it's to check pricing. I used to do all that though and is the reason I'm where I'm at now :D
 
Right now, my "want" list has one "Gotta Have" item: A new factory leather sheath for my two vintage 7OT's and single 6OT (one 7OT has 1095 blade steel. The other 7OT, and the 6OT are both "Schrade +".) The original sheaths are a tad mite ... ummm ... "ragged" ....
Whichever of the three is my EDC for that week/week plus will go in the new sheath.

I found two! One is call it "$21.00" for sheath only.
The other is the exact same new sheath with a new offshore made 7OT, for call it "$19.00"!

Guess which one I'm going to order next month?
.
.
.
.
.
.
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(Hint: That $2.00 price difference will pay for two 2 liters of generic Mountain Dew, which is a necessity of "life".)
 
USMCPOP said:
Yes, I enjoy "window shopping". I don't buy expensive knives. One time I stumbled upon a Fallkniven F1 for about $80. so I got it. Then I got curious and followed pricing on them, as they were up and down. Some time later I stumbled on a deal - Got 5 of them for $100. delivered. The anti-counterfeit holographic stickers checked out and the quality indicates they were genuine, not to mention a somewhat reliable supplier. Just some old stock, I guess.
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Daaaaamn! I’ll give you double that $20 for one. :D
 
Keeping a wanted list is smart. Although there will be exceptions, a wanted list for me was the difference between collecting and accumulating.

A collection has a focus so a list of what you have and a list of what you need for a specific set is required. Then tracking prices is just smart. But it’s not just the lowest price. It’s a price/ condition/ rarely/ source/ provenance dance-off. When it’s right you pounce.

I used to keep business cards in my wallet with lists written on the backs, now I have documents in my smart phone. Same concept. If your out and about or on line and see something you can cross reference the list to see if you have it or need it.
 
Sure, I bet most knife enthusiasts constantly seeking to expand their collection would have one somewhere. On that note, I really do appreciate those websites where they have good interface to find the knife and also have flexible "wish lists".
 
I'm the exact opposite. I don't know what I want until I see it and impulse buy it.

That Magnum Tanto we were discussing for instance... wasn't looking for it.... saw it, yelled "AWESOME!" and bought it.

ProTech Godson same thing. No need for it, not even legal in this stupid state to carry it. Looked cool though, so I'll take it.

There's actually a list of knives that I do like, but still for some reason I haven't punched the 'buy' button yet.

Many are knives that when I see them, I think of somebody who would like it and I get it for a gift.

Maybe I'll brew up a list of stuff I want and see if I can get them. It'd be a fun project for 2021.
 
I have a list of bookmarks for fixed blades, and a list of bookmarks for folding knives. I either order it, or talk myself out of it. Or, the auction ends. Or the price scares me off.

I'm a little Chaotic Neutral when it comes to knife purchases.....
 
Eli Chaps said:
Too each their own but something to consider is the service. There are a LOT of shady vendors out there with terrible reputations.

Whenever possible, I stick to the ones I know and for pocket/sporting knives I can find most everything from a BF supporting vendor.

CollectorKnives
DLT Trading
New Graham Knives

These are rock solid folks who not only contribute here, but have excellent reputations for taking care of people if something is ever wrong.
Click to expand...
I agree. I stick to the same few dealers whom I trust. I enjoy giving them my business. GPK , DLT and Knives Ship Free are at the top.

And I always have a “knives I want” list in my phone. Just added a couple to the list this morning.
 
I have a wanted knives list (folder and fixed separated of course) I keep in a plain old notebook that I revised recently and at the top of the list I wrote...
“Dear Santa:”.... to drop hints I randomly leave it around the house, and it actually works.
I can always tell when she’s been looking at it because it’s the only time she asks detailed knife related questions.
 
I've got a little list on the go I keep in my wallet. I also download photos of knives I like the look of so I can scroll through them when I'm on the hunt for a new one.
 
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