Pricing Trends

B

Bucksstophere

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
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As many of you know, I am a rookie w knives so I'm wondering what has been the price trend on "Buck Collectibles" It seems to me that prices currently are very low. I see people at times selling their Bucks NIB at way less than the current price from dealers.

I know most other collectibles are selling at 20-30% or so less than 3 years ago. Some Proof Sets (coins) are selling at all time lows, even lower than their price at issue. Then i see something like this-A Vantage Pro which looks like it is used-no box etc already at 44.95.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Buck-347-Vantag...emQQptZCollectible_Knives?hash=item2c53ca8371


Brand new ones are going for $50 so why would you pay almost as much for a pig in a poke. (Meanwhile I had a brand new one listed recently and couldnt get a $46.95 bid.) Im just so confused on all this.

Does anyone have any info or opinions on the pricing trends for knives and why if you have an opinion? Were they all selling for higher prices when the economy was good 3-4 years ago?. Do unused knives generally keep their value? If the economy picks up, do you guys expect knife prices to rise? Thanks in advance.
 
Buck, I do expect knife prices to rise as our economy picks up . I'm already seeing this at shows just from last year to this year . Everybody tries to get their best dollar and not let it go for a lesser value . DM
 
David Martin said:
Buck, I do expect knife prices to rise as our economy picks up . I'm already seeing this at shows just from last year to this year . Everybody tries to get their best dollar and not let it go for a lesser value . DM
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Ok good and thanks- I actually got into this thinking that if the economy picked up and inflation kicked in a bit, i could make a buck or two. I remember in the 70's when we had inflation-quality fishing reels were increasing 10-15% per year. Im thinking the same may happen soon with knives and other quality products.
 
The big thing I've noticed at shows is guns have increased as well as ammo. and people are not phased they are still buying at a good pace . At like a fear driven pace . DM
 
Keep in mind that if you make money off inflation you haven't really made any money.

One thing about knives is......they almost always seem to sell. It's quite amazing.

If you actually want to make a profit on knives you have to buy low and sell high......just like anything else. NIB older Bucks seem to be a good bet if you can get them reasonable. Wish I'd been buying more of them a few years back.

Stay away from the fancy etched knives, most limited editions and stuff that is made to lure collectors......the less common older working knives NIB will beat them almost every time.

I'm afraid a lot of e-Bay sellers are using shill bidders. That may account for some of the odd prices we see.

If you buy good stuff cheap you'll often come out a little bit ahead.
 
BG42EDGE said:
Keep in mind that if you make money off inflation you haven't really made any money.

One thing about knives is......they almost always seem to sell. It's quite amazing.

If you actually want to make a profit on knives you have to buy low and sell high......just like anything else. NIB older Bucks seem to be a good bet if you can get them reasonable. Wish I'd been buying more of them a few years back.

Stay away from the fancy etched knives, most limited editions and stuff that is made to lure collectors......the less common older working knives NIB will beat them almost every time.

I'm afraid a lot of e-Bay sellers are using shill bidders. That may account for some of the odd prices we see.

If you buy good stuff cheap you'll often come out a little bit ahead.
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Thank you for that -Ive always said the things everyone collects/ed (Furbies, Franklin Mint, Pokemon crap, Hoemmel) never increase, it's the stuff no one collected NIB Bucks, Sandpails, Wooden Toys that go through the roof, yet im finding Im falling for some of that stuff w the LE Bucks. Im getting emotionally involved, cause i just like the knives. All the stuff i consider 'Good' have become part of my personal collection. Ill NEVER outrrun that number if I live another 50 years. It has been fun and kept me a bit occupied in my retirement though which i really needed as I live alone.

Yeah I know about inflation but 6% inflation and 15% gains you ARE making money. Even if i lose 40%, I really shouldnt get too upset. I had stocks that I lost waaaaaaaaay more than I could ever lose on knives. I bought American Air at 36 and sold at $1.89 and it wasnt 100 shares. I cant believe im still friends with the Pilot that told me it was definitely going bankrupt and get what you can.
 
My collection will never lose anyone any money. I don't plan on selling them, so I can't lose. When I croak, my son will get them and probably sell them and it will be all pure profit for him.

Even if I had not bought all of the knives, I'd have spent the money on something else, maybe something less tangible (booze, women?) just to keep myself occupied.:D
 
So far the knives, guns, huntin and fishin, canoeing and mater growin seem to be a lot better for me than the booze or women.......or maybe its just because I'm to tired after all that other stuff to care.....ha

300
 
Well, don't pay to calculate too much anyhow.......if we have some fun at it......we're way ahead of the game in many ways.

And I do have me some fun.

;)
 
There is a bit more to this in that those who do collect high dollar knives are much less affected by the economic downturn than those buying mid range and lower price range knives.

If I put 8 hours of work into a lower cost knife with a very low cost but flawless stone so that I can put it up for auction at a $125.00 opening bid I will get less people bidding and even looking at the lower cost knife which may not even get a single bid. I would just break even with costs on a $125.00 knife plus minimum wage for the hours I worked to finish the work.

If I do one with a more expensive base knive and rare stone stone with an opening bid of $199.00 I will sell more knives and get more bids. I would make a lot more than minimum wage if the knife sells at $199.00 and most get bid much above the opening bid of $199.00.

I put three Silver Nickel Buck 110's up at $500.00 each on my website recently with stone from my ultra rare personal collection and all three sold in a week wtih no advertising at all.

So, what I think this means is your best knives to collect for future appreciation are the ones that are rare and more costly to start with. The BG-42 Buck 110's as compared to a Founder's Edition Buck 110 is probably a good example of what will sell the best in regard to return on investment in the future.
 
There is another consideration in the collecting market---esppecially knives. there are some friendships that are formed over the years that are priceless. How much money can you put on the knowledge gained visiting and observing on the forums? I do it because I like the items--especially the knives that I collect, maintain, clean polish and in general make then more desirable. It's better than watching some of the TV shows on nowdays. I hope I never go completely broke then I won.t have my 2 cents to add in here. Hope everyone has a blessed Easter. I will be with Grandkids tomorrow, after church. I plan to leave all my knives home so I don't have to skin any of the Easter Bunnies. LOL
 
Redrummd.....thanks for mentioning that true works of art done by hand will always be in demand and are a good investment.

Do you ever buy the pre-81 110s and use them in your work so you can market a 440C blade? They can often be found fairly reasonable and it strikes me that people might like to own one.
 
Quality and condition always sell.

Gets complicated after that I think though. The more common old stuff is often the most sought after since it's what someone had in the past and wants it again.

The special commemorative ones may be the least likely to appreciate since they start a bit high to begin with and will not be used so will typically remain NIB.

For rate of return I think the least expensive ones may be the best buy. Easy to make $5 on a $20 knife at times which is a good return. However, not worth my time/hassle usually.

If I really knew for sure though I wouldn't tell you since I would be busy buying up the bargains!:)
 
Plumberdv said:
My collection will never lose anyone any money. I don't plan on selling them, so I can't lose. When I croak, my son will get them and probably sell them and it will be all pure profit for him.

Even if I had not bought all of the knives, I'd have spent the money on something else, maybe something less tangible (booze, women?) just to keep myself occupied.:D
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Whoooaaa...sell them? Uhh...Will you adopt me Dave?...I'll give you $13.21 in hot laundry currency and a peanut butter sandwich.
 
Plumberdv said:
My collection will never lose anyone any money. I don't plan on selling them, so I can't lose. When I croak, my son will get them and probably sell them and it will be all pure profit for him.

Even if I had not bought all of the knives, I'd have spent the money on something else, maybe something less tangible (booze, women?) just to keep myself occupied.:D
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Good philosophy Dave. Makes more sense than a lot of others. If you enjoy having them, and don't plan on selling them, you CAN'T lose:D. Excellent!

Many people I know consider paying even $50 for a knife absurd, yet they go out regularly and spend twice that at the bar without a thought!

Peter
 
Plumberdv said:
My collection will never lose anyone any money. I don't plan on selling them, so I can't lose. When I croak, my son will get them and probably sell them and it will be all pure profit for him.

Even if I had not bought all of the knives, I'd have spent the money on something else, maybe something less tangible (booze, women?) just to keep myself occupied.:D
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dave i could not have said it better!
the enjoyment of the money spent comes back every time i walk past
the wall i hang the gold rush on ..
and at the shows when you hear some one say:
i had one like that once ...
can i buy That one?!...
nice , very nice...
and my fav from one kid to another - ""wow look at them all!"":D
 
Some things that are overpriced from the start[ modern US mint sets are a perfect example] drop in value...NIB rare, limted, quality [investment grade] Bucks still sell quick at top prices... See any of the few Custom Shop 112's made sell for less than issue???
 
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