Spa Treatment Pros & Cons?

Pensacola Tiger

Pensacola Tiger

Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
339
I had always thought that sending a knife in for spa treatment was a good thing, until I recently read an "In Search Of" post that specifically excluded any knives that had a spa treatment. So I am asking for some clarification and opinions on whether or not to have a spa treatment performed.
 
I assume the buyer was looking for a LNIB CRK and didn't want a used model even if it looked new from a spa treatment?

The only con of a spa treatment to my knowledge is it can only be done so many times before your tolerances have changed. I believe Tim even referenced that in a video at one point?

I guess if the titanium looks really worn a spa treatment is cool but I like that look on my knives and one of the reasons I opp for titanium as it wears so cool.
 
Buyer may have been a collector and wanted original condition, not just looking new.
In general I would say spa treatment is a good thing, but often un-needed. At the very least your knife has been examined , often fresh edge done or re-blasted and authenticated.
The biggest negative is the cost of shipping. While the treatment is free shipping isn't(nor should be), so there is some cost to the owner.
 
I think in that case, the person is looking for a true "original condition" model (like Peter mentioned above). Spa treatment can kill resale value for some buyers, not for others.

I only use it for my personal keepers. If I am selling one, the buyer can choose to use the spa treatment if they want too.
 
NCHunter78 said:
I think in that case, the person is looking for a true "original condition" model (like Peter mentioned above). Spa treatment can kill resale value for some buyers, not for others.

I only use it for my personal keepers. If I am selling one, the buyer can choose to use the spa treatment if they want too.
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Other than relying on the honesty of the seller, how would you be able to tell if a knife has had spa treatment?
 
NCHunter78 said:
I think in that case, the person is looking for a true "original condition" model (like Peter mentioned above). Spa treatment can kill resale value for some buyers, not for others.

I only use it for my personal keepers. If I am selling one, the buyer can choose to use the spa treatment if they want too.
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Backing up this part.

I think it may depend on the knife as to whether or not this is important. I know of a brand where older versions of a specific knife are very valuable, especially if they have not been "spa'ed." No new grind to change the character of the original blade, no new scales, etc.

I know I have a knife that other people who own a version of this knife were aware of and after I bought it an owner pointed out it had been "spa'ed." I didn't care, but one of the other owners, who was selling his as well, let me know his was "mint" - so unused and no spa. So seemed to be a slight negative, at least for this knife for this person (although not sure why anyone would own a knife this brilliant and not use it to some degree.)

It may just be a particularity of that buyer - assuring he is getting BNIB, not LLBNIB (looks like bnib).
 
Generally I think of spa as a minus, unless there was a functional issue with the knife. I'd much rather have a gently used CRK than a" just back from spa" .
 
On the other hand, some do like to purchase a knife fresh back from the spa or send one they buy in immediately-gives them a fresh slate to create their own wear on.
Myself I prefer one with some wear and the price to match
 
I do think a used knife is a used knife*, regardless of if it looks new. I guess the issue may come in with folks passing off a spa'ed knife as new (as was said above).

(To clarify for me - you see a lot of knives sold as "like new" but it is then said they have been carried and never cut, carried but only cut paper, carried and only played with, etc. The issue here is the prices are sometimes very close to new. If someone has carried the knife, I consider it used. I would like the price to reflect that. If it's very close to the new price, why not buy new? Kind of like there is no "like a virgin" - it's new, or it's not)
 
I too prefer to buy a knife gently used vs. just back from spa. Spa is nice but can cover up a lot prior wear or a poor sharpening job that had to be fixed by CRK (and now the blade has less useful life). It can only be sent in so many times and I prefer to know all the times a knife has been sent and why so I'd rather do it myself.
 
blanco112 said:
I too prefer to buy a knife gently used vs. just back from spa. Spa is nice but can cover up a lot prior wear or a poor sharpening job that had to be fixed by CRK (and now the blade has less useful life). It can only be sent in so many times and I prefer to know all the times a knife has been sent and why so I'd rather do it myself.
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This is how I look at it. Just how hard was it used so it needed the spa treatment? I won't pay near new price for something that may look new but may have been extensively used.
 
jceckrosh said:
I do think a used knife is a used knife*, regardless of if it looks new. I guess the issue may come in with folks passing off a spa'ed knife as new (as was said above).

(To clarify for me - you see a lot of knives sold as "like new" but it is then said they have been carried and never cut, carried but only cut paper, carried and only played with, etc. The issue here is the prices are sometimes very close to new. If someone has carried the knife, I consider it used. I would like the price to reflect that. If it's very close to the new price, why not buy new? Kind of like there is no "like a virgin" - it's new, or it's not)
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To go off topic, what would you consider a fair discount from new price for a lightly used CRK? 10%? 20%?
 
Pensacola Tiger said:
To go off topic, what would you consider a fair discount from new price for a lightly used CRK? 10%? 20%?
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You may have to be more specific to model. Some models such as the Sebenza are in far greater numbers in the wild as well as the exchange. I would say about 15% before my interest in a used knife(still available) starts to kick in. At 20-25% I start getting interested in knives I am not even looking for :).
 
Peter Hartwig said:
You may have to be more specific to model. Some models such as the Sebenza are in far greater numbers in the wild as well as the exchange. I would say about 15% before my interest in a used knife(still available) starts to kick in.
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Thanks, I should have been more specific about what knives. I was thinking in terms of those that are readily available new from a CRK dealer, not an out of production or hard-to-find variant.
 
While I have used the spa different times under different circumstances, I will not buy one if I know it’s been to the spa. Just a personal preference. It’s a great service and CRK excels at it. One of the things I dislike about it is the feel of the Ti after. It’s rougher and if you have a knife like a Classic MM, the wording is rounded and not crisp like it was. This should be common sense btw as it removes material /changes the surface slightly through the process. I would rather be one slightly used and original...... But it’s a personal preference and I am not taking away from it in any way. Some of the ones I have sent, I emailed CRK and stated I thought I got a different knife back as the work was that well done........ As for rare collector pieces, a spa will reduce value as that rare piece is worth more in original condition, even if it’s a couple scuffs.
 
Pensacola Tiger said:
Thanks, I should have been more specific about what knives. I was thinking in terms of those that are readily available new from a CRK dealer, not an out of production or hard-to-find variant.
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I understood. My knowledge is pretty much limited to the Sebenza, but I have seen a few threads recently that Umnumzan prices are pretty tight. Not sure of the other models.
 
Also bare in mind that with the spa you can specify exactly what you want done. I’ve just sent CCG Umfaan in but I’ve only asked for the display side to be polished and the scales to be reblasted. Not to touch the blade, or the action, washers etc. I also took pictures before it went in as I’ll likely sell it upon its return. With that knife I felt it was probably worth more with a clean handle but that is debatable. I also wanted to see for myself what could be done and how it looks.
 
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