Packaging&Presentation - How important is it to you?

[Wolverine777]

I like a nice presentation. I'm happy with Spyderco slide-type boxes and the knife in a little bag inside. It's neat and looks good. CRK has a nice presentation imo. But if I were to drop a grand or more on a knife then I'd want a superb presentation box (hard plastic or wood) of some kind.

The only presentation I was not thrilled with my TOPS SXB which came in just a clear plastic bag with no box. But all of the Spydercos , ZT's , BM's , CRK's , Bucks I've owned have all had decent cardboard presentation boxes.

 

[Seneca18]

I appreciate just a solid box that is easily stackable, like Spyderco or Benchmade without being huge. CRK has a very nice presentation in their new boxes but they are huge and take up way too much space. On the other end of the spectrum my Shiro came in a tiny flimsy box that I wish was just a bit more substantial but it did come with a cloth. I think Benchmade has the best compromise in their newer boxes between a nice presentation without being over the top large or adding much cost to the buyer. Boker has very nice boxes as well, especially the German made line, just a little large. I think while good intentions, Kizer has unnecessarily large and a bit over the top boxes that most certainly add to the cost of their knives, at $100-$250 I don't need the large pouches they come with, just the little Benchmade stlye baggies are fine.

 

[evltcat]

All I care about is the packaging does it's job of protecting the knife until it gets to me. I only keep packaging for a short time to decide if I'm keeping the blade or not.
The fancy cases, cloths, pocket sheaths, etc. only add cost to the knife, increasing its price, without improving the product itself.

 

[tltt]

I don't really care, but I do hate the clamshell though. My favorite is the Spyderco boxes. Easy open, easy close, and it doesn't get beat looking if you use them for storage. For fixed blades, a nice two piece is great.

 

[Mr.SATism]

*For production knives only* As long as it is unique, I will be satisfied with it. If I am not picking one up in store, or buying one straight from another person, I might be somewhat happy with just some bubble wrap, but I am a straight-from-factory snob (that's a whole other issue).

Companies- opinion about box- can it improve?

Lionsteel (specifically the Roundhead)- It is too simple, but its saving grace is the Lionsteel markings all around- Yes it can
CRKT- Similar to Lionsteel, if it wasn't green, I wouldn't be as happy with it- You could, but I don't see how
Kershaw (Black box for Shuffler II)- Don't like the colors, but I am 100% down with the design- No
Cold Steel (Old Design)- If it was a darker blue I would be happy with it, I like how you get what you see with it- Doesn't need to (I miss you old design xoxo)
*Favorite* Cold Steel (New Design)- It has everything you need to know on the box, gives off a more professional attitude than the company is known for- Please don't get rid of this one

Edit: Clamshell packaging I can live with, but that packaging is getting thrown out as soon as the knife is free
Second Edit: I really felt that there was a personal touch that Mike (CollectorKnives) put in when he shipped me my Lionsteel Roundhead. I will upload a picture of it as soon as I get home

 

[SpySmasher]

I like getting spare parts. I don't like getting other stuff. It's just more crap to throw away. I just want the packaging sturdy enough to survive the mail without marring the knife (that's my job). I can see how a nice padded case could be appreciated by certain people but for me they are superflous. Other than that, fancy packaging actually annoys me. I'm paying for the knife, not the atmosphere.

 

[Mr.SATism]

My personal opinion is, a knife above a certain price point should come in a nicer packaging, either with a pouch or just a baggy at least, spare parts are nice but not a requirement. To me a cheapening out on the packaging looks a bit bad, just in the sense that there seems to be less pride in their creation, which might sound pretentious, but if I were to built something, I wouldn't want it to just ship in a "blah" cardboard box. Although it doesn't make or break a knife purchase, as evident by me not minding ZT's packaging

I definitely do want more TLC with my high-end purchase, I am more than positive that an expensive knife would be amazing, but as long as the packaging is unique to the brand/maker it adds to the overall experience.

My most expensive knife was a folder from Andrew Demko and it came in the huge nylon\canvas zip pouch which I guess is nice but I don't really use it for anything. That was wrapped in paper in a box. So not super fancy but it didn't matter because the knife is awesome. Fancy packaging is just something to keep and take up space.

What is the standard for most custom knife makers to package their knives in?

 

[b00n]

I like getting spare parts. I don't like getting other stuff. It's just more crap to throw away. I just want the packaging sturdy enough to survive the mail without marring the knife (that's my job). I can see how a nice padded case could be appreciated by certain people but for me they are superflous. Other than that, fancy packaging actually annoys me. I'm paying for the knife, not the atmosphere.

I feel like Olamic did a nice job with the way I got my Wayfarer. It's a sturdy padded case the pivot tool and birth card and good additions, no need for an outer box. Very little clutter, but a nice overall package. Kizer seems to overdo it with the sleeve, the box and the pouch. I kept it all but still a bit much. Reate would be my second, a nice not gigantic zipper pouch as well, and the spare parts are a good idea, the (kinda unusable due to "wrong" velcro) patch is not something I really have any use for, I put a ZT Patch on my work bag, just because it was a free goodie from my dealer and it's simple and worked.
Spyderco has the best "budget" packaging, slim, easy to open/close. ZT should follow suit I think, their boxes are kinda...meh, especially for knives that are that as nice as they are. Maybe some branded baggy like Benchmade. Can't speak about Benchmade or WE (since I only have the Zeta and that has some special box unlike the regular boxes I think?)
I do agree that zippered pouches serve questionable real world use, I used my Reate Pouch once when I transported an extra knife to work for some night shift maintenance, and didn't feel like throwing the knife into my backpack all loose with all the junk, crumbs and other bits in my work backpack.

 

[b00n]

I definitely do want more TLC with my high-end purchase, I am more than positive that an expensive knife would be amazing, but as long as the packaging is unique to the brand/maker it adds to the overall experience.

What is the standard for most custom knife makers to package their knives in?

It really varies. Pelican Hardcases, Wooden Boxes, Zippered Pouches and Zip Loc Bags and anything inbetween, Makers choice/preference really. (At least that's what I could tell from videos/reviews)

 

[jceckrosh]

I realize for a lot of low/mid priced or straight to user knives the packaging is getting tossed. I do that. But I think for higher end collector pieces, even if they do get used by the original owner, it helps with "value" later if you are selling to another collector. I had to buy a velcro pouch for an expensive MSC knife so that I could have a more attractive package if I want to sell. I shouldn't need to buy a pouch for a 2K+ knife.

Anyway, guess I'm just saying if I am paying premium prices I want premium packaging. This mostly applies to bigger makers/manufacturers, I think every custom knife I have bought has come with a zip pouch (well, except one).

 

[Mr.SATism]

I realize for a lot of low/mid priced or straight to user knives the packaging is getting tossed. I do that.

Oh, I keep them ALL. If anything is a safe queen in my house it's the knife cases. I still don't understand how to safely send my knife in for sharpening without the factory packaging. (I assume it's just bubble wrap + your choice of mail service box)

 

[HST]

I only voted that I care, because of CRK. If I’m paying a premium for a lifetime knife, I want it packaged well.

Microtech has nice simple boxing.

I love Busse’s approach.

I love GEC’s tubes.

It really depends on the knife.

 

[GermanyChris]

Nice packaging shows you give a crap and I'm not so broke that I'm unwilling to pay the extra couple bucks for decent presentation

 

[basmca]

the price of the knife should be reflected in the packaging.
unboxing is part of the joy of a knife.

for most knives a simply box like you get with ZT, spyderco, BM ect is enough, but getting something a little more is always good.
i think kizer does a very good job, a hard box with a pouch is just a nice thing.
i really like what CRK does with the birthday card too, it works both to combat counterfitting but is also a very nice touch to unboxing and ownership of a knife.

when your knife sells for 500 euro or dollar and over you really should have something more than just a simpe box.


Samsung does this really well, when you open the box for a samsung flagship phone you know there's a quaility item inside.
it's not big a flashy, but a well done simply box which shows quality, and a magnetic folding cover, which gives you the sensation of opening a present on your birthday even though you know full well what it is.

 

[BladeScout]

But how important is packaging and presentation of a new knife to you?

Do you have a favorite? Do you think certain knives should come with nice packaging or should the company just focus on the knife itself?

Packaging/presentation matters not an iota to me.

What matters is, how the knife performs.

Ive gotten knives in big wooden boxes.
I have no use for this.

Stickers, promotion or other extras, I neither need nor want.

Dont get me started on the idiotic chase of the right 'birthday card.'

Ye gods.

Im not a collector; this stuff leaves me cold YMMV.

The knife industry is how ever not the worst in regards to ostentatious and superflous packaging - the watch industry is way worse.

 

[uniemaia]

i vote "The more premium the knife, the more premium I want packaging."

 

[MSchott]

Another thinking the packaging should reflect the price paid. I can live with Kershaw’s simple packaging but nice quality box but I think ZT wrapping their knives in bubble wrap is beneath their quality and price. At least Chris Reeve gives you a disassembly tool and embossed cloth.

 

[popedandy]

For my purposes, fancy packaging is a waste. Just more extra stuff to take up space. If I were a collector, I would probably feel differently, but I am just a user.

 

[Mr.SATism]

for most knives a simply box like you get with ZT, spyderco, BM ect is enough, but getting something a little more is always good.
i think kizer does a very good job, a hard box with a pouch is just a nice thing.

packaging should reflect the price paid. I can live with Kershaw’s simple packaging but nice quality box but I think ZT wrapping their knives in bubble wrap is beneath their quality and price. At least Chris Reeve gives you a disassembly tool and embossed cloth.

I think that we should start seeing nicer packages at 150$+, and definitely at 200$+. I know this isn’t the case, but considering my hard upper limit is 200$, I kind of want to feel special. I would image there are people who think the same thing at lower/higher prices as well. That doesn’t mean I need a singing box made out of magical wood, but there are ways to even make cardboard boxes look high quality

 

[jceckrosh]

The knife industry is how ever not the worst in regards to ostentatious and superflous packaging - the watch industry is way worse.

Like you said, thats a YMWV area. I pay 9K for a watch, I'll take all the goodies I can get. It would be nice if for that price they made the packaging a winder though...