I've been Accumulating knives since I was ten years old, over thirty years ago. Except for a handful of knives that were used, lost, or both over the years, I still have almost every knife I've ever owned. And with their original factory edges.
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Knives that hold or increase in value
- Thread starter fishblade2
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I've been Accumulating knives since I was ten years old, over thirty years ago. Except for a handful of knives that were used, lost, or both over the years, I still have almost every knife I've ever owned. And with their original factory edges.
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You can earn money in knives.....it's just not any easier than earning money any other way. If you want to make money in knives....buy low sell high. You have to do a LOT of research and need quite a bit of capital to start out with. And with production knives it's often even more difficult because the ones that tend to gain value are the companies that go under.....and it's kind of hard to predict that way in advance.
A semi famous quote by A.G. Russell (quite a bit of experience in the knife world that man) is that the best way to end up with a dollars because of investing in knives is to start out with two million.
A semi famous quote by A.G. Russell (quite a bit of experience in the knife world that man) is that the best way to end up with a dollars because of investing in knives is to start out with two million.
The Logical One
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Knives that hold their value or go up in value:
1) Have been discontinued.
2) Only have a limited number made.
3) Production is slow and demands for them are high.
As somebody said, it takes a lot of research to find those knives at retail because sometimes they're gone within minutes of being in stock from certain dealers. Most of the time you will still have to pay a premium because sellers will ask for an astronomical amount, you just have to try to negotiate to have them go as low as possible. If you're planning on buying $30-100 knives in hopes that their value will go up.... forget about it. Most of the knives that I know of that retain their value or goes up in value start out at $450+.
1) Have been discontinued.
2) Only have a limited number made.
3) Production is slow and demands for them are high.
As somebody said, it takes a lot of research to find those knives at retail because sometimes they're gone within minutes of being in stock from certain dealers. Most of the time you will still have to pay a premium because sellers will ask for an astronomical amount, you just have to try to negotiate to have them go as low as possible. If you're planning on buying $30-100 knives in hopes that their value will go up.... forget about it. Most of the knives that I know of that retain their value or goes up in value start out at $450+.
You might be surprised at some of the knives that have increased in value significantly over the past ten years. Once Schrade went bankrupt, the aftermarket prices of Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and other Schrade products skyrocketed. It's not uncommon for Old Timer models to have increased 400% from 2004 closeout prices to today's collector values. And Old Timers were produced by the millions! Not at all rare, just famous. Even some of the lowest-end Imperial knives might only be worth $5 today, but that's an incredible increase in value since they sold for only $1.39 when new (closeout pricing).
Bark River knives is another good example. Some increase in aftermarket value is undoubtedly due to the increase in new knife prices, but some low production models have doubled or tripled in value, based on recent auction sales. These weren't common knives sold at every ACE Hardware in the country like Old Timers, but they certainly never cost $450 either.
Guess what an Effingham Ek is worth today? Wish I could have bought a whole truckload when they were closed out for $30 each.
Spyderco Q. Camillus Terzuola CUDA. Discontinued models from Buck, like the 120 General. Check the difference between recent Boye Basic ebay auctions and their original catalog prices. Etc., etc., etc.
Naturally, I could name just as many low-priced and high-priced knives that have stagnant values or no collector interest what-so-ever. Take the Camillus Becker knives for example. They were extremely popular and in short supply even before Camillus went out of business, but they haven't increased in value at all since then. I could also name a custom maker or two who put out a decent product but are now shunned by collectors and knife enthusiasts because of a collapse in their personal or business reputation. Or interesting well-made knives that are passed over by collectors in favor of new production knives that use higher-grade materials.
That's my point, future values are impossible to predict, and are dependent on many factors, each of which is equally impossible to predict. I'm certainly no expert at collecting either, but it's ridiculous to say that only upscale knives increase in value, or that buying super-expensive knives is a guarantee of increased value.
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The Logical One
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You might be surprised at some of the knives that have increased in value significantly over the past ten years. Once Schrade went bankrupt, the aftermarket prices of Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and other Schrade products skyrocketed. It's not uncommon for Old Timer models to have increased 400% from 2004 closeout prices to today's collector values. And Old Timers were produced by the millions! Not at all rare, just famous. Even some of the lowest-end Imperial knives might only be worth $5 today, but that's an incredible increase in value since they sold for only $1.39 when new (closeout pricing).
Bark River knives is another good example. Some increase in aftermarket value is undoubtedly due to the increase in new knife prices, but some low production models have doubled or tripled in value, based on recent auction sales. These weren't common knives sold at every ACE Hardware in the country like Old Timers, but they certainly never cost $450 either.
Guess what an Effingham Ek is worth today? Wish I could have bought a whole truckload when they were closed out for $30 each.
Spyderco Q. Camillus Terzuola CUDA. Discontinued models from Buck, like the 120 General. Check the difference between recent Boye Basic ebay auctions and their original catalog prices. Etc., etc., etc.
Naturally, I could name just as many low-priced and high-priced knives that have stagnant values or no collector interest what-so-ever. Take the Camillus Becker knives for example. They were extremely popular and in short supply even before Camillus went out of business, but they haven't increased in value at all since then. I could also name a custom maker or two who put out a decent product but are now shunned by collectors and knife enthusiasts because of a collapse in their personal or business reputation. Or interesting well-made knives that are passed over by collectors in favor of new production knives that use higher-grade materials.
That's my point, future values are impossible to predict, and are dependent on many factors, each of which is equally impossible to predict. I'm certainly no expert at collecting either, but it's ridiculous to say that only upscale knives increase in value, or that buying super-expensive knives is a guarantee of increased value.
You're right, but speaking of short term from my little bit of experience, it seems like the more expensive knives are the ones where the value is either retained or goes up. You could buy a Spyderco Tenacious for $30 and wait 10+ years for the value to go up.
On the contrary I've seen some mid-tech/custom knives that are made in a very limited run double or triple their value in a matter of weeks. If only 20 were ever made in that configuration/model, you can bet the value will go up significantly in a very short amount of time. Now if you have a knife where 500,000 has been sold in a span of 7-8 years.... the chances of it going up in value would take a LOT longer and it would most likely require it to be in brand new condition.
Sprint runs seem to go up in value but it depends on demand. Prices fluctuate with demand. Knives aren't a good investment in most cases because demand fluctuates with whatever is popular. Short term gain is much easier than long term gain. For instance spyderco sprint runs usually sell for a lot more than asking price once they sell out.
I'll just 4th what CWL said.
Here's an interesting exercise, buy a stack of Blade magazines from 20 - 30 years back and look at what was popular then.
Next look up those knives now, and price them using Ebay, the Forums, etc......
Next run the original cost from 20 - 30 years ago through an inflation calculator, and figure in storage, up keep, deprecation due to wear, etc.......
You'll see that on most knives you'll be lucky to break even, and on most you'd have lost money.
-------------------------------
Buy what you like at the end of the day, atleast you'll be happy. Gain or loss.
Here's an interesting exercise, buy a stack of Blade magazines from 20 - 30 years back and look at what was popular then.
Next look up those knives now, and price them using Ebay, the Forums, etc......
Next run the original cost from 20 - 30 years ago through an inflation calculator, and figure in storage, up keep, deprecation due to wear, etc.......
You'll see that on most knives you'll be lucky to break even, and on most you'd have lost money.
-------------------------------
Buy what you like at the end of the day, atleast you'll be happy. Gain or loss.
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Not quite right, Alex.
What I said was "If you want to make a million dollars in the knife business, you need to start with two million."
My advice on collecting has ALWAYS been: Collect the knives you like, the pleasure you have in owning them is the return on your investment. If your taste is good then your knives will retain all or most of their value.
I said this before the internet made it so much easier for many to move in and out of knives so easily. Today, if you have a great deal of knowledge about the knife market then you might be able to invest, DO NOT PUT YOUR LIFE SAVINGS INTO ANY THING YOU DO NOT KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT. I did, lost 90% of it over 10 years and it has taken me another 25 to make it back.
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Sorry about the misquote A.G. glad I got the gist of it though.
Locutus D'Borg
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I won't get much on resale because:
1) I actually use my knives, even damascus blades.
2) I have no intention on selling them. I'm being pretty selective on buying.
3) Buying art, knives, watches as an investment is not the best way to make money. Buy for enjoyment, and then enjoy them.
1) I actually use my knives, even damascus blades.
2) I have no intention on selling them. I'm being pretty selective on buying.
3) Buying art, knives, watches as an investment is not the best way to make money. Buy for enjoyment, and then enjoy them.
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Sounds quite harsh but if you buy from custom makers who are, how do say I this?......, in the latter years of their life, when they move on to the great sky forge to make blades in Valhalla their earthly craftsmanship will be far more valuable ;-)
a collector who hopes to see his investment grow in value needs to look for a knife brand with an existing large acceptance base.
it must be first and foremost, popular from the day it was first sold.
a collector must also consider that any future buyers are of the same age group or had started out collecting from around the same period in which a particular sought after knife was made.
this would mean that styling or design taste would play a future role in determining the life span of a knife's appreciation in the market.
some brands just don't see it's value increase because it's overall poor in production quality and manufacture.
so pay attention to things that are well built.
it must be first and foremost, popular from the day it was first sold.
a collector must also consider that any future buyers are of the same age group or had started out collecting from around the same period in which a particular sought after knife was made.
this would mean that styling or design taste would play a future role in determining the life span of a knife's appreciation in the market.
some brands just don't see it's value increase because it's overall poor in production quality and manufacture.
so pay attention to things that are well built.
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You might be surprised at some of the knives that have increased in value significantly over the past ten years. Once Schrade went bankrupt, the aftermarket prices of Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and other Schrade products skyrocketed. It's not uncommon for Old Timer models to have increased 400% from 2004 closeout prices to today's collector values. And Old Timers were produced by the millions! Not at all rare, just famous. Even some of the lowest-end Imperial knives might only be worth $5 today, but that's an incredible increase in value since they sold for only $1.39 when new (closeout pricing).
Bark River knives is another good example. Some increase in aftermarket value is undoubtedly due to the increase in new knife prices, but some low production models have doubled or tripled in value, based on recent auction sales. These weren't common knives sold at every ACE Hardware in the country like Old Timers, but they certainly never cost $450 either.
Guess what an Effingham Ek is worth today? Wish I could have bought a whole truckload when they were closed out for $30 each.
Spyderco Q. Camillus Terzuola CUDA. Discontinued models from Buck, like the 120 General. Check the difference between recent Boye Basic ebay auctions and their original catalog prices. Etc., etc., etc.
Naturally, I could name just as many low-priced and high-priced knives that have stagnant values or no collector interest what-so-ever. Take the Camillus Becker knives for example. They were extremely popular and in short supply even before Camillus went out of business, but they haven't increased in value at all since then. I could also name a custom maker or two who put out a decent product but are now shunned by collectors and knife enthusiasts because of a collapse in their personal or business reputation. Or interesting well-made knives that are passed over by collectors in favor of new production knives that use higher-grade materials.
That's my point, future values are impossible to predict, and are dependent on many factors, each of which is equally impossible to predict. I'm certainly no expert at collecting either, but it's ridiculous to say that only upscale knives increase in value, or that buying super-expensive knives is a guarantee of increased value.
As an Ek collector...the Effingham knives aren''t worth what they sell for...a lot of mis-guided buyers out there...the ones that pull down the money are the original Richmond Ek Knives and of those...the rarer ones...white micarta etc. Obviously the Miami knives and WW issue knives will pull down extravagant money. I do understand your point, however, buy at $30 and sell for $100-$250. I intend no disrespect, but I did want to clarify a little.
Of course the Effingham will never be as valuable as the original Richmond knives. But I never saw those Richmond knives with white Micarta on closeout for $30 either.
Buy at $30, sell at $100. Good enough for me. Naturally though $30 was a fortune back in the 1990s (at least to me) so I could only afford a single Ek.
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Of course the Effingham will never be as valuable as the original Richmond knives. But I never saw those Richmond knives with white Micarta on closeout for $30 either.
Buy at $30, sell at $100. Good enough for me. Naturally though $30 was a fortune back in the 1990s (at least to me) so I could only afford a single Ek.
I completely understand that sentiment...from the first time I saw an Ek I knew I had to have one. When I spotted what I thought was an Ek copy for $60 at a gun shop 10 years ago I jumped at the chance to at least get a copy...when I realized that it was an authentic Ek I snatched it up before the guy pricing it could realize his mistake. I started emailing the owner (of Ek Knives) with questions after that and I can now call Bob my friend. He has since customized some of my Ek knives and made me a one of one model 5. If you are interested in picking up another Ek, drop me a line and I'll get you in touch with Bob.:thumbup:
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Nothing to add except another voice to the chorus. Speculating in knives is as tricky as any other commodity, and not particularly lucrative under the best of circumstances. I've made good money on some knives, but taken a bath on probably an equal number. Most of the time I've about broken even. I don't speculate any more, now I just buy what I like. When I do sell knives now I don't think about whether I made money or not.
The best rule of thumb is probably, buy quality knives that genuinely appeal to you and you'll most likely do okay.
The best rule of thumb is probably, buy quality knives that genuinely appeal to you and you'll most likely do okay.
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Read the crowd and play the fads. When S90V P2's were going for big bucks, hopefully you had a couple tucked away to sell making the last one free. Likewise with a few other things like M390, CTS XHP. Some are able to grab Hinderers, or other knives in demand and sell those with markup at the now going rate. I never had the connections or luck to get one for cost so what I have to pay makes a profit not likely. If I can get one, I'll keep it and enjoy, paying the same markup as everybody else.*Note: I do not own one, just used as an example.
If you can grab three Caly jr. ZDP ( a few years ago maybe?) , sell two, keep one. If there is any profit keep a second "pre need replacement".
Mostly though I let the dealers handle the selling. (I used to be one selling at gunshows). Now I just want to pay a decent price for a knife, not get free stuff taking knives from others who want one but can't get there in time, nor taking the profit from real dealers trying to feed their family. Besides, how many knives do I really need to accumulate. I have too many already including unsold stock, and, the knives I like aren't the ones in high demand ( Cruwear, Super Blue, O-1, W2, 52100. etc. )
I'm out of the selling game though it's still easy to recognize which knives are going to make people lose all reason.
Joe
If you can grab three Caly jr. ZDP ( a few years ago maybe?) , sell two, keep one. If there is any profit keep a second "pre need replacement".
Mostly though I let the dealers handle the selling. (I used to be one selling at gunshows). Now I just want to pay a decent price for a knife, not get free stuff taking knives from others who want one but can't get there in time, nor taking the profit from real dealers trying to feed their family. Besides, how many knives do I really need to accumulate. I have too many already including unsold stock, and, the knives I like aren't the ones in high demand ( Cruwear, Super Blue, O-1, W2, 52100. etc. )
I'm out of the selling game though it's still easy to recognize which knives are going to make people lose all reason.
Joe
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houses can be a bust too. gold silver is better. knives are art work and can make life easy. Houses always need repairs. remember the housing bubble. i guess art housing are cool. i really hate new houses. they always look the same. just imagine a tornado come and trapsyou in your house. a knife can save.