Rare knives... a Conundrum!

Jfowl31

Jfowl31

Joined
Mar 20, 2015
Messages
592
An earlier thread discussing serial numbers and their significance revealed to me that I apparently have a much rarer knife than originally thought! I grabbed a Serial #1 knife off an auction site a while back, mainly because I loved the covers and thought the serial number was cool. Little did I know that GEC keeps that knife typically and Christine can't figure out how this one left the factory!

So now the question is this... what would you guys do with a knife like this? I'm typically the type that uses EVERYTHING I own (and this one has been lightly carried and used). I make it a point to NOT have safe queens, but this one has me in a bind... Even moreso than the few customs I own! I have no issues throwing my Davison in my pocket and opening boxes or using it occasionally on a house frame to trim splinters or the like... for some reason, this one feels different.

So what would you do? I'm not looking for values or anything like that here. Let's keep it within the rules! But if you were me, would you hold onto this one and just be excited to have a "factory mistake" that snuck out? Would you try to maximize $$ for it while GEC popularity is so high ? Would you trade/sell it back to GEC (the Rendezvous knives are hot off the presses...)? All opinions welcomed!

-Jordan



 
If it were me I would trade it back to GEC. It's probably the only #01 in circulation. I think you would get more value for your money working something out with GEC. I'm guessing they would work something out with you that would benefit both of you. If it were me I would never end up using it.
 
Agreed. If you don't want to "collect" it, which is understandable, because using a knife gives as much satisfaction or more than staring at it, and GEC is open to getting it back, then definitely work out something that would benefit both of you. Their cost of production + desire for this knife means you should be able to make a better trade than if you sold this example on the forum or eBay. It's a beautiful knife, but the pattern isn't particularly rare, or desirable compared to some others. I'd trade it back and see if I could get a couple of newer knives for it.
 
Well. If it were me, I would offer it to GEC in return for a knife I would use that I really like. Personally I wouldn't go down the route of "let's see how much I can get from them" as it is just isn't porch worthy old boy.

It's a beauty though :)


- Paul
 
I don't want to get into specifics because I would like to hear more opinions and don't want to get the thread closed, but I'll say their first offer wasn't exactly beneficial for me... in fact it was a knife that doesn't even sell new for the same price as any old 73 2-blade... much less a rare one or one with great covers etc.
 
Jfowl31 said:
I don't want to get into specifics because I would like to hear more opinions and don't want to get the thread closed, but I'll say their first offer wasn't exactly beneficial for me... in fact it was a knife that doesn't even sell new for the same price as any old 73 2-blade... much less a rare one or one with great covers etc.
Click to expand...

My thought is to offer selling it to GEC for the price you paid on the auction site, with proof of what you paid. Or perhaps they can issue you a credit (gift card) in the amount of that value at your favorite GEC reseller in exchange for it.
 
pmew said:
Well. If it were me, I would offer it to GEC in return for a knife I would use that I really like. Personally I wouldn't go down the route of "let's see how much I can get from them" as it is just isn't porch worthy old boy.

It's a beauty though :)


- Paul
Click to expand...

Agreed. It wouldn't be about "let's see how much I can get from them" as much as having something that is equally as special TO ME as this one is TO THEM.

TO ME, this knife is just a pattern I like, in SS, with cool covers that are rarely seen. The serial number was just icing on the cake.

TO THEM, this is the only serial number 1 that is out in the wild.

And if it's not that special to them, then I'll gladly keep it and use it just as I had been. I didn't buy it to put it in a safe. I bought it to use it, the same as all of my others... rare or not!

I think I may have sold my affinity for this particular knife short... This wasn't purchased because I wanted to make a buck. I had no idea it was a unicorn because of the serial number. I purchased one of the "masonic" 73s with these covers for my boss's birthday and it pained me to give it away. I then went on a hunt for the same knife with the same covers because I liked it so much and stumbled upon this one. I couldn't get out my wallet fast enough to purchase it! I couldn't believe I had found 1 of the 7 that were produced!
 
You could keep it, neat story. Or back to GEC. I think if your going to sell it, sell it to them. But you could still keep it and I wouldn't fault you for it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Since you like the knife so much as a user and aren't interested in making money, I'd just do an even trade back to GEC.
Maybe they'll do something special for you, like make you a one off.
 
I think I'd keep it and use it.*** There's really nothing to stop them from making another with "001" as the SN for their collection of "see what we made?" display only knives.

*** provided they do not try to bring theft/stolen property charges against you for having a knife that was never supposed to leave the factory.
 
Get what you want from them-if they want it they'll play ball. Just be firm and a gentleman and you should come out of this well. If it doesn't work out, sell that puppy on an auction site and get what you can. You've already done the honorable thing and contacted them. $.02 worth
Neal
 
afishhunter said:
*** provided they do not try to bring theft/stolen property charges against you for having a knife that was never supposed to leave the factory.
Click to expand...

LOL, that's pretty funny right there.

It's close to the big Rendezvous, I bet they made some rare parts knives that might be worth trading for. I wouldn't trade your knife for a run of the mill beer scout or boy's knife or anything like that. You should get something you're excited to get in a trade like this.
 
I feel if you are going to feel strange/bad for using it I would work on a trade. I had a knife that for some would be a Grail so I sold so that someone could keep it as the safe queen in their collection and I could have several very nice knives that I would use.

Instead of trying to get GEC to give you something special, ask them for what you would want. Maybe do a trade for serial number 2 of something they are going to produce sometime this year in a cover and pattern you like. If having a numbered one is too safe queen maybe a PPP of a pattern and cover of your choice this year.... You don't have to trade for something they have on hand. They make knives and will be doing lots of them this year and you can hold it for when you can get something you will really value... Its not like your knife will get any less rare over time. Put it aside and don't be in a rush. I expect you have others you can use until you can trade for your ultimate GEC
 
Kiteman72 said:
LOL, that's pretty funny right there.

It's close to the big Rendezvous, I bet they made some rare parts knives that might be worth trading for. I wouldn't trade your knife for a run of the mill beer scout or boy's knife or anything like that. You should get something you're excited to get in a trade like this.
Click to expand...

That was my precise thinking. That I would keep it unless there was something I was equally excited about offered. Christine told me the Rendezvous knives are only available for purchase at the Rendezvous and she couldn't work out a trade with them.
 
Jfowl31 said:
That was my precise thinking. That I would keep it unless there was something I was equally excited about offered. Christine told me the Rendezvous knives are only available for purchase at the Rendezvous and she couldn't work out a trade with them.
Click to expand...

I know they have "rules" but it seems to me they don't want it back that badly. I would think maybe you should start looking for an outside trade....
 
Put it up on the Exchange forum here for a hefty sum, or E-bay and see how much you can get, and use the proceeds to buy whatever you wanted.

You gave GEC first dibs. Seems fair enough.
 
Trade it back with GEC. I'd find me a model that i like and ask GEC to manufacture it with scales or shield that were not in any model, so you still have one of a kind knife and GEC will have the missing no. 1.

Mike
 
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