Overall Length and Blade Length - Where Are They? Am I the Only One?

[celticrogues]

It never bothered me to take the time required to check the specs on a knife. Mostly I already know what I’m looking for and what the specs are. What bothers me worse is not giving details about the quality of the knife, ie centering, action, condition, etc.

This is the WAY.

This IS the way!

I'd rather do my own research about a knife anyway.

-Mike

 

[hhmoore]

For production knives, I don't care if those details are listed. For something that has been out of production for years, or is a midtech or custom, etc - where the information isn't as simple as a quick search at my preferred online seller - I appreciate seeing it.
I'm also in the I'm not contacting you for pictures and F&F is a deal breaker camps.

My biggest pet peeve is still probably the people that list multiple knives but don't clearly label the images. I don't stay on top of everybody's new models, I don't use Instagram, and I'm only willing to spend so much time with the process of elimination. If I open an ad and find myself really liking the look of one of the knives pictured, I want to be able to figure out what it is without googling each model until I find it. I still appreciate the people that post individual pictures, though...too many seem to think a group picture of 6-15 knives it's sufficient.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

If it is a common knife with standard specs, not a big deal. I can always do my own research. However some knives have models made in a variety of blade lengths or very little info on them, and specs are appreciated. I can always ask, though . The ads that seem strange to me are those with 3 paragraphs of legal and rules for the sale, and single line of description of the item . There has been a trend toward extremely brief description. Could be laziness or the less you say the less you can screw up.

 

[mickb]

I like seeing the specs personally, just as an added check the seller and myself have the model correct in mind.

 

[jc57]

From the seller's perspective, all they need is one "I'll take it!." If they get that and the deal goes through, the fact that 4 or 5 others had unanswered questions is not important.

In theory, if the seller regularly fails to sell their knives, then they will eventually learn what they need to change in their approach to make sales. Or they will just remain perplexed and stop selling knives on forums.

 

[Neener Neener]

If it’s one I’m interested in, I’ll shoot the seller a PM to ask those questions. The first thing I look at now a days is their payment method. Long before I look and drool over a knife, if the seller is asking PayPal F/F, it’s a no go for me.

It doesn't really bother me if they are a member with quite a few good reviews. I do go check that. If they are new then it's only PP G&S for me. It easy to understand the F&F because of the tax implications. However, I posted one today with the option for F&F just in case it makes someone more comfortable, especially since I have limited selling feedback.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Yes, Blade HQ is my reference source when I need more data...

 

[gooeytek]

Even if all the specs and info was posted on the sale thread, any diligent prospective buyer would still look up the knife on different knife and manufacturer sites.
Those sites however, won't have the physical condition and history of the actual knife. That's what I put in my posts.

 

[Quiet]

Maybe I am setting myself up to get my ass kicked with responses to this post? I don't know? But I am taking my chances. Am I the only one who notices how few people take the time to simply provide the overall length of the knife and the blade size/length of what they are selling? I mean this is the first and most vital piece of information I look for after the photos! And I don't want to go to other websites trying to look up the specs on the knife being sold. Am I the only one with this complaint? I certainly hope not! Let me hear back from others.

It's interesting to me that you'd expect a seller to take an extra couple seconds to list these details, yet fail to see how it could just as easily take you the same amount of time to look up the information yourself. In fact, highlighting the name of the knife, right clicking and choosing "Search Google for...." would literally take you less time than it took you to type up this complaint.

 

[VorpelSword]

Having crafted a few (very few) knives a long time ago (quite a long time ago), i came to an appreciation for blade/handle proportions. There are many (oh so many) knife makers with far more experience, but this is my 0.02 USD worth.

For a "small" knife, handle portion has to at minimum, fit the hollow of the palm . . .regardless of how short the blade is. For example, think of a box cutter.

For a larger knife, the handle pretty much ahs got to fit the span of the palm, with the hilt just beyond the web of the thumb and fore finger, and the pommel just beyond the pinkie. The length and weight of a larger blade need a more robust handle. For my hand, the clenched fist that grasps a knife handle needs 5' or 6". Someone with a beefier frame might want a larger handle.

 

[Niall88]

I think you posted this in the wrong section.

It's interesting to me that you'd expect a seller to take an extra couple seconds to list these details, yet fail to see how it could just as easily take you the same amount of time to look up the information yourself. In fact, highlighting the name of the knife, right clicking and choosing "Search Google for...." would literally take you less time than it took you to type up this complaint.

That is very helpful information. Thank you sir. I did not know you could right click and search google. However, to justify my post, I did see quite a few other people make comments related to what they would like to see included on knife sale pages, so it did appear I was not the only one with a suggestion.

 

[Wolverine666]

It seems to me that looking for said knife on a knife dealer site would solve the “problem” instantly. But that’s just me.

 

[ferider]

I agree with the OP at least for

(1) custom or obscure maker fixed blades sold by individuals.
(2) things like GEC knives which are gone by the time I’ve looked up the specs.

I’d also add steel info, if known. Generally, for any seller, more information and photos never hurt.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

From my experience, while normally the specs from dealers and in ads are correct, it is not a given. I have seen many dealers listing bad specs, and have recieved knives with blade lengths considerably different than listed. But what can you do. Just don't take all you read as fact.

 

[Hashishiin]

You're lucky to get to see a photo of the knife in the Exchange these days.

Unless it's a "custom," all the info about any commercially made knife is available online and easy enough to look up, which I'm willing to do, but I will NOT ask the seller for any pics. No pics, no interest. At least not from me.

Gotta see a pic of the knife for sale because, while the specs are standard, the condition of the knives are not and no one should have to "ask" for a pic.

More is better but the failure to post at least 1 pic of a knife someone wants to sell here is pure laziness IMO; lack of tech know-how to do so is NOT an excuse. If you can post a listing to sell a knife, you should know how to post a pic too.

And, if you are selling multiple knives, the failure to post individual pics of each knife is likewise laziness IMO. If you want to sell your sh*t, then you should be willing to put in the effort necessary to do so.

The more info available, the more likely it will sell w/o the need for potential buyers to play "20 questions" w/the seller.

These basic sale "tips" should be posted in a "sticky" at the top of each individual sales forum.

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As for the method of payment, I have been sending PPFF and cash equivalent payments for knives being sold by members w/an established sales/purchase record but will not buy from anyone else unless it's a PPGS payment.

Some new members are using their trading history on other sites to establish their credit worthiness but I haven't purchased a knife from anyone like that but if I did, I certainly investigagte their "bona fides" carefully.

I don't care if its a simple Seki lockback, it is not too hard to take multiple quality photo of both side of the knife (min to make me buy) but I also take pics of lockup, centering, gaps or lack of. This should be a rule. I had often thought how if many types of people, addicts, desperate good people, may see why people heavily trading in $100-1000 knives and find it a considerably less harsh score, as opposed to other, more damaging crimes.