Knife Condition Standard - ON topic

[fulloflead]

[Mods: This is going to seem to be off topic, but keep reading, I'll bring it home. I promise.]

I once stumbled upon this NRA Firearm Condition Standard document...

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NRA Firearm Condition Standard:

Factory New - all original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.

Excellent - all original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.

Fine - all original parts; 30% to 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood, good bore.

Very Good - all original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.

Good - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

Fair - some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or reblued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.

Poor - major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated; wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collectors firearm.
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Wouldn't it be nice if we, as a knife community, could come up with a standard like this for dealing in used knives to use in the Knife Exchange?

From my experience, there's some things people really care about:
-Finish wear on handle
-Scratches/scuffs on blade
-Factory edge or sharpened
-Box or no box
-Clip wear
-Upgrades or modifications

Probably more. That's just off the top of my head.

I suspect that there MAY be something like this for REALLY collectible knives like old knives with REAL collector's value.

But, it seems to me, that we could really use something like this to standardize the trading/buying/selling community.

After all, this forum is really a leader in the knife community.
Opinions? Any interest from the hosts of this forum?

 

[blastjv]

I've always used the NRA standards when dealing on this forum, only I'm much stricter on myself. My rules of thumb are these:

NIB= New, in Box, basically the same as you would receive the knife from a dealer, with maybe some wear on the box.

Excellent=Looks like new, but upon very close inspection some very minor scratches. also a knife which is pretty much new, but has been properly sharpened.

Very Good=has been used some, still in great shape, probably looks new at first glance.

User=Functionally perfect, asthetically not so great.

 

[VampyreWolf]

Collector's: Still factory condition, not even cycled for checking it out once in a while.

NIB: factory condition, may have wear marks from cycling lock, otherwise perfect.

Good: wear marks, may be resharpened, light scratches.

User: not pretty, but mechanically sound.

and then special notes as to mods, factory work, clip condition, edge condition, finish condition, box, sheath...

 

[Mike G]

This has been discussed at great length.

The problem with having a standard in place is trying to get everyone to use it each and every time, and remain consistent each and every time.

For the most part, describing the condition of knives being sold or traded here at BFC has gone extremely well, with very few complaints.

With the above in mind, we chose not to have any hard, fast rules listed for describing the condition of knives, and it has worked very well to date. So, no, we won't be adopting any new rules related to such.

If it 'aint broke, don't fix it.

 

[fulloflead]

Originally posted by CODE 3
This has been discussed at great length.

If it 'aint broke, don't fix it.

I can go along with that.

I haven't had any problems either.

It was just an idea.

 

[blastjv]

I'd have to agree. I prefer to have an actual description of the actual knife and it's actual condition, rather than just say "Oh, OK, it's Very Good Plus, I'll take it!!!"

I use the guidelines I stated above for myself and for listings on various forums as a 'short description' in 'For Sale' or 'For Trade' listings. Rather than have two pages of text when trying to sell a couple of knives. When someone contacts me about a knife I am trying to sell they get a COMPLETE rundown of everything I can tell them about the knife and a few pics as well.

I don't need the hasle of a dissapointed (and probably angry) buyer. I have talked people out of buying knives I was selling because It didn't sound like it was what they wanted.

-John

 

[Gollnick]

The National Knife Collector's Association has standards similar to the NRAs. They are. unfortunately, quite specific to traditional folding pocket knives.

They're also very demanding, which I don't mind. But, sellers always want to have a higher grade for their knife.

I've tweaked them for balisong knives as follows:

NIB = New In Box: Exactly as it came from the manufacturer including the original box and all paperwork. The knife is in Mint condition.

PR = Pristine: Knife is in absolutely mint condition and is outstanding!

MT = Mint: Knife is the same as it was when produced allowing for normal aging. Minor scratches on the tang due to gentle rotation of the handles and minor scratches on the handles due to latching are acceptable. Blade must have absolutely no evidence of use, sharpening, polishing, or any cleaning more aggressive than a gentle wipe with a soft cloth. Absolutely no evidence of manipulation (chips on the blade, damage to the latch, scratches on the handles, etc.). Tang stamps, etching, and inking are 100% perfect.

NM = Near Mint: Knife is nearly in mint condition. Any deviation from mint is very minor. If the knife has been expertly cleaned, it must appear as mint. Blade must have no evidence of use or sharpening. Handle inserts must not have any cracking or chips. Absolutely no evidence of manipulation. Tang stamps and etching are perfect. Inking is at least 95%.

EX = Excellent: Knife is in excellent condition. Minor cracking of handle inserts is acceptable as long the material is still in one piece. Blade may show minor wear but must still have original profile (i.e. not sharpened aggressively). Some discoloration of the blade and even one or two tiny rust freckles is acceptable as are minor signs of manipulation though the blade must not be chipped. Tang stamps and etching are perfect. Inking is at least 85%.

VG = Very Good: Knife is in very good condition. Blade and handles are original. Cracks in handle inserts are acceptable as long as no pieces are missing or glued or otherwise repaired. Blades may show up to 10% wear and discoloration including minor rust freckles. Tang stamps and etching are clear. Inking is at least 75%.

GD = Good: Knife is in good condition. Blade and handles are original. One or two small pieces of handle insert material may be missing. Blade may show up to 25% wear. Tang stamps and etching are legible. Inking is at least 65%.