Numbered knives - worth keeping?

[Franco G]

I don't have a lot of knives, but it somehow happens that a certain number of them is numbered, e.g.
- Spyderco Centofante Jr.
- Spyderco Chinook,
- Benchmade Nimravus Cub (ATS-34).

I somehow hesitate to use them - have feeling that I must keep them new. Doesn't make much sense because I am not a collector.

Do these knives have a larger value/price (since they are numbered) or should I start enjoy using them?

Franco

 

[Johnclarke]

Good question!

I got my mitts on a large PE Wegner with a number on it and I was curious if it had any more value because of it?

 

[dialex]

Of course they worth keeping. Especially if they are spydies
As for the number thing, if I were a collector, I'd keep those with my number on them. As for the others, numbered or not, I'd use them.

 

[brownshoe]

Numbered knives are usually not worth anymore than their naked brethren. Particularly with Spydercos, who numbers a set of knives in all their models. Actually, from some manufacturers, numbered knives mean first production run which can mean unreliable quality.

Numbered knives often show up in knife shops, the proprieter tries to make you believe the number means you should pay retail. However, internet dealers sell numbered knives and you won't even know it. History on the for sale areas forum indicate numbered knives don't carry a premium. The exception of course is when it's a limited edition, then it's not the number that makes it valuable, but the sex appeal of the limited edition and the fact that there is a smaller number of blades on the market.