Opinion: patina or no patina when selling a used GEC

rschuch

rschuch

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Apr 18, 2014
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I have a GEC with a patina (but no scratches) I'm trying to sell and I'm trying to decide whether to Flitz it off, which may remove the Northfield etch on the blade, or leave it on. I haven't had a lot of interest so I'm thinking a bright shiny blade might be more appealing to a potential buyer (shiny = new / patina = used).

Thoughts or opinions?

[URL=http://s149.photobucket.com/user/rschuch/media/gec%2023.jpg.html][/URL]
 
rschuch said:
I have a GEC with a patina (but no scratches) I'm trying to sell and I'm trying to decide whether to Flitz it off, which may remove the Northfield etch on the blade, or leave it on. I haven't had a lot of interest so I'm thinking a bright shiny blade might be more appealing to a potential buyer (shiny = new / patina = used).

Thoughts or opinions?
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We were typing at the same time. I just sent you a PM.
 
Railsplitter said:
I think most folks would agree. The 14 day "waiting period" has expired. Relist the knife as is and get it back on page 1.
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Agreed. It's been kind of slow on the exchange lately. Not my style, but a fine looking knife none the less.
 
I'd rather buy it as is, with the patina. If a buyer is particular enough to want it bright and shiny again, I would think they would rather do it themselves than trust someone else to, but maybe that's just me. (I wouldn't want it bright and shiny anyways; if I'm buying a knife that is a user/isn't NIT, my only plan for it would be to keep using it. I bought a single clip #15 off the exchange that had been polished, and the first thing I did was force a patina back on it. :rolleyes:)

I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. I will say that, assuming you're honest and forthcoming in your ad (not saying you wouldn't be, I mean, you're asking the question here for all to see), no one would/should really think shiny = new and patina = used. For me, it would be more like patina = used, shiny = used and then unnecessarily messed with. :)
 
Yup, with patina.

When I dedicate a knife to be a user it builds up a patina over time (I cut up a lot of apples at work with my pocket knives). After a while that patina becomes a consistent grey that I like. any patina on a used knife is just that much closer to the solid patina that knives eventually end up with.
 
Agreed, leave patina. I just bought a Dixie Stockman and it came with patina. I did my thing (as I do with every knife I buy) and made it mine. I put my own edge on all blades. Decided to remove the patina and create my own history.
 
Agreed, leave patina. I just bought a Dixie Stockman and it came with patina. I did my thing (as I do with every knife I buy) and made it mine. I put my own edge on all blades. Decided to remove the patina and create my own history. But I'd rather it come with the patina.
 
Unless you do a superfluous job flitzing, there will still be some traces of patina, probably near the plunge, which is actually kind of a cool look, too. I usually clean as much patina off the blade as I can before selling. I don't think it matters one way or another, but if I think about it like a car that I'm selling, I'm going to clean it as much as I can first.
 
Although i like my knives with patina, i prefer to buy them clean, even without the etch. I think they present better that way when listed for sale.


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Very difficult question to answer. It does depend on the patina, if it's even and nice tone like your knife has it's OK. Blotchy, striped, or spotted uneven patina is a WIP and I think best polished off. Then you have to consider polishing the backspring and liners as well.

Some schools of thought say no cleaning! But I think that best applies to very old knives, others like a moderate clean-up (no power tools obviously ) If I get a knife second hand that is quite new, like yours and has superficial patina, I would probably polish it myself on arrival and start with my own patina canvas.

I don't think it's the patina or the polish on your knife that makes it a tricky sell, rather it's just that the 23 is a big knife and with that lock arrangement it's a niche/enthusiast's pattern. Good luck with it though as it's a quality job.

Regards, Will
 
It depends, to some extent, on the patina. Some people force some funky stuff that may not be to everybody's taste...and, even knowing it can be removed, many people wouldn't buy (or would expect a significant price reduction).
For the most part - I'd rather have the patina left intact...I'll do what I want with it when I get the knife. I guess my thinking is which is worse - the patina, or what is left behind when it is removed?
The patina on your knife wouldn't phase me if I was interested in buying.
 
Will Power said:
I don't think it's the patina or the polish on your knife that makes it a tricky sell, rather it's just that the 23 is a big knife and with that lock arrangement it's a niche/enthusiast's pattern. Good luck with it though as it's a quality job.
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Will makes a great point. I have found that when selling a knife, the further away from the 3.5" range, the more difficult it is to sell. It is a great pattern but some do not find it as easy to carry.
 
Assuming your goal is to sell it for a good price in a reasonable time, you should clean it up to look close to new, as long as you disclose that it has been carried and used.
 
I know what you mean about the size... I traded for this one because I like large blades personally, but I've switched to more modern knives because of the pocket clip which leaves you access to most of your pocket, as opposed to pocketing a large hunter that's 5 1/2" closed. People tend to prefer smaller traditional knives and larger modern knives I've found, when they're allowed to carry them. The 23 is great and I'll keep it if I have to, I just already have a 23 beaver tail in natural bone (no patina). I prefer the drop point blade on the bull lock, but I wasn't sure about the bull lock itself and have come to the realization I prefer just a plain slip joint.
The patina isn't really dark or mottled and I've gotten a mix of reactions and opinions on this thread. I'll repost it and leave the patina on one more time and, if it doesn't move, I'll remove it and see what happens then.
 
i suppose that depends if I want a user or a collection piece. Not gonna lie, some knives sit in the tubes and get coon figured. There are also the rare knife that I missed, for example the 2014 blade forums knife. BNIT or NIT was not really an option unless premium paid. I did buy a few examples, one was pretty NIT. The other was no tube, and the other came with a tube. However there are very few knives id go through the trouble tracking down so many. Maybe a TC 15, clip single blade :rolleyes: but boy the premium on those are more than the bladeforums stag jack
 
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