may I ask about knife dealers?

Sorry for Your loss.

Luckily knives are easy to sell most times. The basic marking + the word knife into google or ebay gives you a good idea. Sounds like your old man was a hoarder (hell yea ❤️😁) so he would unlikely want you to just give them away. Imo,,the safest most honest way,,post them onto ebay via auction,,start the bid out at a buck and the knife community will do the rest trust me. Just Take clear pictures and most importantly do not be lazy with the title. Putting just “Nice knife” will get people like me trying to get a deal wheras titles such as “Case Knife Tony Bose stockman westinhouse timascus mokuti zirc integral yada yada” will fetch you significantly more. Listing individually will get you more,,lots though easier less per knife. Having no stake in it ebay can even be fun and addictive when you have the courage to list it bid format opposed to buy it now. You will be surprised with how many others have interest in what dad did and what they are willing to pay for it. Dont dump it,,I dont have kids but I do have one on the way and the idea scares the shit out of me lol. I plan to leave very specifc direction’s 😁

Cheers
Eric

Eta-if you decide to sell
On your own I highly recommend going to usps and ordering multiple styles of priority boxes ( flat rates, regional a&b, triangle
Tubes if biggens and the glorious 10”3”7”s perfect for zt collectors 😜)
 
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Knife dealers are business people, and have to make a profit to stay in business. There are some dealers who buy collections of knives, to resell at a profit. However, they will likely give you *at most* half of what they expect the knives to sell for. And unless it is a rare antique, it had better be in like-new or new-in-box condition. Otherwise, it's just not worth their time or effort. That's the honorable ones. Unscrupulous ones might offer you a small fraction of their actual worth and lie to you about their actual value.

The most time consuming way, but one that would make the most money, would be to list and sell each knife individually through a big online auction site. You would have to deal with the hassles of packaging and shipping, taking lots of photos, placing the listings, dealing with the buyers, including scammers or people who will want to send them back or dispute the purchase for real or invented issues.

If you bought a Gold membership here, you could not only ask for help, but sell through the forum here. No commissions or other fees, though unlike auction sites, you have to set your prices up front. Ebay buyers will determine the pricing for you. If you list a $200 knife for $40 on Ebay, people will bid it up to market value. If you list it here for $40, someone will buy it and it will still end up on Ebay.

You'd still have to deal with photographing, describing, shipping, etc, but less chance of dealing with scammers or ne'er-do-wells. We have a feedback system here and people are a bit better behaved.

Another possible benefit is that you might make some friends here and get involved in a new hobby. :)
 
sonofaghost said:
tempting, that's near me. I may be out of town helping the Mom, but if not, is it this one?

Marlborough Knife Show, Sep 11th, 2022
Holiday Inn & Suites Marlborough
265 Lakeside Ave
Marlborough, MA 01752

Marlborough Knife Show 2023 Marlborough, MA

Marlborough Knife Show - Holiday Inn & Suites Marlborough in Marlborough, MA. For more information call the Marlborough Knife Show at (978) 249-6070 or vist us at http://www.ncca.info.
www.igunshows.com
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Yeah thats the one. Its worth it to swing through, a lot of collections on display and lots of knowledgeable people. I wont have a table this time but i'll try to be there for a couple hours.
NCCA is who runs it. http://www.ncca.info/calendar.htm
 
I don't quite understand the gun/knife show suggestion.

Is the idea that the OP box up hundreds of knives and try to bring them into the show, and then go around asking people behind tables to examine them? I don't think that would work.

For one thing, it usually costs money to enter a show.

And just like with a dealer in a shop, I doubt that dealers who are there to sell knives are going to want to ignore potential customers and spend their time looking at hundreds of knives that some random person has brought with them looking for a free valuation. And that's even if you could bring hundreds of knives into a show without paying some kind of dealers fee.

And then there is the issue people have raised of unscrupulous dealers who will lie about the value of a knife in order to try and cheat someone out of it.

Of course if the suggestion is that the OP go to a show, without the knives, to just look around and maybe get an idea of what certain knives are being offered for sale for (as opposed to actual selling prices), well that's different. No harm in just looking around.

But as I alluded to, when trying to determine the market value of a knife, the prices dealers are asking for at a show might not be a good indicator. From what I hear, show prices tend to be high, and there can be a big difference between the prices sellers ask for, and the prices buyers are willing to pay.

Some clarity might help the OP before he considers packing up all those knives and heading for the show.
 
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KenHash said:
The Gun & Knife Show that used to be held every year at the Westchester Community Center in White Plains
was banned in 2018 and has not returned. There is one gun shop (LEO oriented) in Elmsford that "might" carry
some knives, not sure. Apart from the usual Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart type plastic bubble
packaged usual brands, can;t think of anyplace left to actually go see outddor/folding knives in lower Westchester.
But as others have correctly pointed out, individual knife dealers will never be able to give you the identication accross the board
of various makers and values as BladeForums. The combined expertise here is enormous.
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Used to work the area and scoured.
Only ammo or other places that carried any knives were way overpriced or LEO sales only.
Barren out there.
 
I can recommend Arizona Custom Knives as a good reference for prices if you have one like theirs.
If you want to sell them they will collect 25% of the sale price. I have sold 6 or 7 in the last year. Very good communications at all times.
I recommend a GOLD membership if you have time. Sell the good knives and keep 100% of the profits.
 
killgar said:
I don't quite understand the gun/knife show suggestion.

Is the idea that the OP box up hundreds of knives and try to bring them into the show, and then go around asking people behind tables to examine them? I don't think that would work.

For one thing, it usually costs money to enter a show.

And just like with a dealer in a shop, I doubt that dealers who are there to sell knives are going to want to ignore potential customers and spend their time looking at hundreds of knives that some random person has brought with them looking for a free valuation. And that's even if you could bring hundreds of knives into a show without paying some kind of dealers fee.

And then there is the issue people have raised of unscrupulous dealers who will lie about the value of a knife in order to try and cheat someone out of it.

Of course if the suggestion is that the OP go to a show, without the knives, to just look around and maybe get an idea of what certain knives are being offered for sale for (as opposed to actual selling prices), well that's different. No harm in just looking around.

But as I alluded to, when trying to determine the market value of a knife, the prices dealers are asking for at a show might not be a good indicator. From what I hear, show prices tend to be high, and there can be a big difference between the prices sellers ask for, and the prices buyers are willing to pay.

Some clarity might help the OP before he considers packing up all those knives and heading for the show
Click to expand...

The idea is to attend the show to learn a bit about knife collections and knife collectors. If it were me id probably take just a couple knives that I thought were particularly interesting for show and tell. For the most part though, Its just nice to get in touch with a community that has a shared interest, ya know, beyond the internet and into the realm of real life.
 
KNIFE SHOW ETIQUETTE

lol excerpt: "DO NOT run your finger down the length of the edge, or draw the knife along some part of your body, and then be surprised if you start bleeding."

;-)

these 2 are poignant as well

7. If you have brought along knives to
trade or sell, DO obtain permission from the
Exhibitor before displaying them at, or in
front of, his or her table.

8. DO NOT interrupt or comment on any
transaction
 
FWIW - starting to think I should get 1 or 2 locking trunks, to keep any family members, who might come into the house, from taking something that hasn't been cleared by me. any suggestions?

the knives are sorted & boxed in groups, they seem to be segregated with lots of notes, like "never handled". "segregated" meaning some are over here, some are over there, split between 2 unused bedrooms, some are in 1 closet, some are in another closet, some are up on shelves & 1 which I think might be the most valuable, was with some other non-related valuables (Harvey McBurnette) it's a folder in a sheath

altho he once told me one of his knives might be worth $30K. I sort of brushed it off, maybe it was my denial of his future passing
 
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sonofaghost said:
I'm not sure if I should get the gold membership so I can ask about individual knife values or just ask for referrals of reputable knife dealers in the Boston area & lower Westchester, NY

while I have an interest in knives, it was a passion of my Dad's. at almost 95 he recently passed away & now I'm trying to help the family. I don't know if using the forum will be too time consuming, so maybe visiting a dealer in person would be better for us. we have probably 200-300 knives to deal with

any thoughts?

thank you in advance ;-)
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Arizona custom knives. Look at similar items or offer them for consignment.
 
sonofaghost said:
FWIW - starting to think I should get 1 or 2 locking trunks, to keep any family members, who might come into the house, from taking something that hasn't been cleared by me. any suggestions?

the knives are sorted & boxed in groups, they seem to be segregated with lots of notes, like "never handled". "segregated" meaning some are over here, some are over there, split between 2 unused bedrooms, some are in 1 closet, some are in another closet, some are up on shelves & 1 which I think might be the most valuable, was with some other non-related valuables (Harvey McBurnette) it's a folder in a sheath

altho he once told me one of his knives might be worth $30K. I sort of brushed it off, maybe it was my denial of his future passing
Click to expand...

Don't let go of that one.
 
sonofaghost said:
FWIW - starting to think I should get 1 or 2 locking trunks, to keep any family members, who might come into the house, from taking something that hasn't been cleared by me. any suggestions?

the knives are sorted & boxed in groups, they seem to be segregated with lots of notes, like "never handled". "segregated" meaning some are over here, some are over there, split between 2 unused bedrooms, some are in 1 closet, some are in another closet, some are up on shelves & 1 which I think might be the most valuable, was with some other non-related valuables (Harvey McBurnette) it's a folder in a sheath

altho he once told me one of his knives might be worth $30K. I sort of brushed it off, maybe it was my denial of his future passing
Click to expand...

There are lots of options for knife storage. It's just a matter of how much you want to spend, what level of air-tightness you want, and how secure you want them to be.

At the low end, without air-tightness, there are inexpensive tool boxes that you can add a padlock to.

Then there are air-tight cases like Storm, Pelican, Apache, that come in a variety of sizes. (Apache is the Harbor Freight brand and the least expensive, but they're actually very good. I have one for transporting my laptop on the back of my motorcycle. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more if I needed a case).

There are footlockers and trunks that can be locked.

There are also high-end tool chests, including heavy-duty jobsite tool chests.

And then there are actual safes.

Of course there is always the question of- if you lock your valuables up in a container, would a person be able to just pick up the entire container and walk away with it. And then you're faced with the question of- do you secure the container to something with a cable lock or chain. And then that begs the question- is a thief willing to use bolt cutters to break into the container or cut it loose.

I don't know your family situation, but I can understand your desire to want to secure any valuables from people who are not authorized to take them. Only you know what level of security is required for your particular circumstances.
 
killgar said:
There are also high-end tool chests, including heavy-duty jobsite tool chests.
Of course there is always the question of- if you lock your valuables up in a container, would a person be able to just pick up the entire container and walk away with it. And then you're faced with the question of- do you secure the container to something with a cable lock or chain. And then that begs the question- is a thief willing to use bolt cutters to break into the container or cut it loose.
Click to expand...
I worked a job years ago where each trade got their own job box, Knaacks as I recall (expensive ones). They were secured to the floor by 1/2” galv carriage bolts through 2x8 rails, up through the subfloor, washered and Nylocked inside the box. The trade foremen were issued armored padlocks that the keys didn’t interchange (they tried).

The idea wasn’t so much that no construction monkey could open the box and steal your tools, but that it’d take so much time and noise doing it, it’d be easier (but riskier) to steal them out of your belt.

I’ve lag bolted gun safes to studs, and rawl-studded them to concrete floors. Just a choice of how hard you want to make it, no guarantees.

Parker
 
Arathol said:
A dealer? No, absolutely not. They are in the business of selling knives, not identifying them. If a dealer were to identify some potentially valuable merchandise among your collection, you'll be offered pennies on the dollar if you don't have any idea what you have.
Same goes for asking on the internet. Don't entertain any offers until things are properly identified. There are unscrupulous people out there who troll the forums looking to scoop up stuff cheap before the owner knows better.
Post good, clear high resolution pictures that can be enlarged to look closer at details.
Click to expand...
This!
 
Best bet has already been suggested. Buy the membership. Take group photos. Ask for id. I would do that in the Bernard Levine sub forum here. People may also tell you what they think things are worth. Take their thoughts into account but do your own research also. Don't take any offers until you know what you have.
 
Triton said:
Best bet has already been suggested. Buy the membership. Take group photos. Ask for id. I would do that in the Bernard Levine sub forum here. People may also tell you what they think things are worth. Take their thoughts into account but do your own research also. Don't take any offers until you know what you have.
Click to expand...
OK thank you

placing this link here for my future reference

Bernard Levine's Knife Collecting & Identification

Moderated by Bernard Levine, "The Knife Expert"; author of Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, Blade Magazine Correspondent (since 1974) and Knife World Editor (since 1978).
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
sonofaghost said:
OK thank you

placing this link here for my future reference

Bernard Levine's Knife Collecting & Identification

Moderated by Bernard Levine, "The Knife Expert"; author of Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values, Blade Magazine Correspondent (since 1974) and Knife World Editor (since 1978).
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
Click to expand...
I should have mentioned Bernard Levine himself can also evaluate your collection for a fee. However I would still do my own confirmation even then.
 
timos- said:
Yeah thats the one. Its worth it to swing through, a lot of collections on display and lots of knowledgeable people. I wont have a table this time but i'll try to be there for a couple hours.
NCCA is who runs it. http://www.ncca.info/calendar.htm
Click to expand...
that was indeed interesting

someone recognised me. "said how how are you" I said OK but I don't think I ever met you before & he said "oh yes I recognized you. I sold you one of my knives". this is only one of many unexplainable occurrences since my Dad's passing. there have been many

regardless, thank you for suggesting I go. I had a brief conversation w/ a table owner about a cpl knives I had photos of. his valuation was disappointingly lower than expected. regardless, I will post photos on the forum elsewhere
 
Triton said:
Best bet has already been suggested. Buy the membership. Take group photos. Ask for id. I would do that in the Bernard Levine sub forum here. People may also tell you what they think things are worth. Take their thoughts into account but do your own research also. Don't take any offers until you know what you have.
Click to expand...
well I got shut down & told to use google instead. feels like the $30 lasted 1 day
 
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