Speculation on the current straight handle market

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X-Head

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Nov 8, 1999
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I can't remember the last time I saw so many straight handle safe queens turn up for sale lately, and at very low prices to boot, and even then they stay up for sale for days and days, price drop after price drop...does no one else find this remarkable? I mean, even the old Bird Beaks are popping up for sale, at yesterday's SH-SH2 prices, after having been kept in some oinker's safe for YEARS. It begs the question 'what has caused this?'

It seems the bottom has really fallen out of the straight handle Busse market, I believe due to the anticipated arrival of the Fusion models, which everyone seems to like better than any other Busse handle design so far. Before the Fusion handles were revealed, I would've jumped on all these straight handles for sale--especially at these prices!! A like-new SHBM for $525?!? Are you kidding? Remember a year or two back when they were going for $700-$800, IF you could find one for sale at all? But it's hard to justify paying $500 for an older SHBM--even like new--at this point, when you can soon get a FBM--with a bigger blade and custom colors and micarta patterns--for $450. It's even hard to justify paying $500-$600 for a BBSH when the FSH has a cooler CNC machined handle, with a near Bird Beak pattern on the pommel, and a blade profile like the original SH, for around $400. I think anticipation of the new Fusion models is what has slowed the market on the straight handles, just as the Ergo models drove them up. At least that's my take on the Busse market these days.
 
I agree completely, except the pricing is 50 bucks less for the fusions than what you stated according to earlier posts. That is why all these Straights are popping up. All these guys know that the value of the straights will drop when the fusions come out so they are trying to get what they can now. Also, they need all the money for the fusions. I have straights but am keeping them. I hve one rule in Knives. I do not sell Busse knives, I only buy them. I sold one once and I still regret it. I have never made that mistake again. But then again I do not have massive colections like so many on this forum who can afford to sell some and still have many left.
Simple economics.
 
I think there are two primary reasons for the depreciation in straight handled prices.

1) As you mentioned the fusion release has everyone holding onto their money, as would be expected. I too have money put aside that won't be touched except for the new line. However the new line will only be "new" for so long. After people have their fill, many will return to get those missing links in their vintage collection.

2) Jerry's return to the custom shop. Remember that even though if feels like he's been doing custom work forever, Jerry only made his big return the late part of 2001. I think we are just starting to see the swing from vintage collecting to more modern releases by Jerry. In my opinion the custom shop is just getting started, and isn't going to have the same fall off as the fusion series. Thus, having a perm draw off those who were only collecting the more refined vintage Busse pieces.
 
They might drop for a little while but they'll go back up
again cause they don't make um no more! So if you got
some Straighties that you want to blow out please send
em my way I'll take them off your hands!!! :)
 
I totally disagree. It's the economy that's causing this. Yes, I have a SHBM up for sale. I'm selling it for what I paid, which is a very low price. This is for Christmas bills, nothing more. If it doesn't sell, I'll keep it. I'm not going to sell for less. Most if not all of my straight handles are from .270 or 5/16 stock. The new line so far is .220 stock. Why would I be in a rush to get rid of my meaty, beaty, big and bouncy blades? I'm not. If I have the bucks when the new line comes out, good. If not, I guess my SH's will work. They've worked well so far, and I'll bet, will continue to do so. I'm not even all that excited about the folder since I carry a fixed blade EDC. What can I say? The straight handles are my favorite and not much will change that.

Rob
 
Originally posted by wetdog1911
I totally disagree. It's the economy that's causing this. Yes, I have a SHBM up for sale. I'm selling it for what I paid, which is a very low price. This is for Christmas bills, nothing more. If it doesn't sell, I'll keep it. I'm not going to sell for less. Most if not all of my straight handles are from .270 or 5/16 stock. The new line so far is .220 stock. Why would I be in a rush to get rid of my meaty, beaty, big and bouncy blades? I'm not. If I have the bucks when the new line comes out, good. If not, I guess my SH's will work. They've worked well so far, and I'll bet, will continue to do so. I'm not even all that excited about the folder since I carry a fixed blade EDC. What can I say? The straight handles are my favorite and not much will change that.

Rob
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I don't know how much I'd place on the economy. There are a few unemployment sales, but not many.
 
Originally posted by Bravado
They might drop for a little while but they'll go back up
again cause they don't make um no more! So if you got
some Straighties that you want to blow out please send
em my way I'll take them off your hands!!! :)
Click to expand...

Bravado, there are a bunch up for sale right now at low prices, grab them:D
You won't because you are also saving up for the new line. I agree with Nemmy in that as soon as the fusions sell out the market prices for the straights should go back up. If I didn't have money saved up for the fusions I would be buying up all these straights right now, that is fact. In fact I have bought a bunch just not all of them.
 
Originally posted by Dark Nemesis
I don't know how much I'd place on the economy. There are a few unemployment sales, but not many.
Click to expand...

20 hrs OT less/week than this time last year. That's what I meant. For me it has nothing to do with the fusions. If I had the bucks I'd be buying SH's like crazy. Like DN and Bravado said, the new line will only be new for awhile, and they don't make straighties no mo.

BTW, interesting thread.

Rob
 
Same thing happened when the ergos came out. Straights were very cheap then they bounced right back up and even higher. The ergos will do the same thing and they to will be very collectable.
Like bravado said, get them while they are down, it's a good investment when you own a busse!:cool:
 
I want to pick some up for about $300.00 shipped since
they aint worth nothing anyway! I'll use them as doorstops
until the Fusion line comes out which should be uh in about
two weeks!! :rolleyes: Oh and by the way for those of you
that are speculating on this how many of you have actually
played with the new Fusion line???? I'll hang onto my SHSH1
and guess what there aint nothing that feels or handles
like it!!:p
 
wets right, the economy sucks, it's a buyers market, good deals and they will go back up in price.
 
Originally posted by Cobalt
I agree completely, except the pricing is 50 bucks less for the fusions than what you stated according to earlier posts. That is why all these Straights are popping up. All these guys know that the value of the straights will drop when the fusions come out so they are trying to get what they can now. Also, they need all the money for the fusions. I have straights but am keeping them. I have one rule in Knives. I do not sell Busse knives, I only buy them. I sold one once and I still regret it. I have never made that mistake again. But then again I do not have massive collection like so many on this forum who can afford to sell some and still have many left.
Simple economics.
Click to expand...
damned straight! i'm only selling dups and some of the triplicates i got on jerrys special offers. my collection remains intact!
also the ones i have now for sale have been weeded out of many before i bought them and they are the cream of the crop!!
 
Originally posted by Dark Nemesis
I think there are two primary reasons for the depreciation in straight handled prices.

1) blah. .. blah. . blah. ..

2) Jerry's return to the custom shop. Remember that even though it feels like he's been doing custom work forever, Jerry only made his big return the late part of 2001. . . . .blah. . . blah. . .blah. . .
Click to expand...


Dear "Dark Crack Pipe Smoking Nemesis",

What are you talking about? How did you you get a 400 lb. crack boulder into that pipe? What did you use to light it, an oxy-acetylene powered Zippo? I have NEVER left the custom shop! Someone needs to inform my lungs that I gave them that much time off! :eek:

Your post can only be seen as a rather transparent ploy to lower the secondary market even further so that you can slip your way into the trough without being detected.
 
Originally posted by Jerry Busse
Dear "Dark Crack Pipe Smoking Nemesis",

What are you talking about? How did you you get a 400 lb. crack boulder into that pipe? What did you use to light it, an oxy-acetylene powered Zippo? I have NEVER left the custom shop! Someone needs to inform my lungs that I gave them that much time off! :eek:

Your post can only be seen as a rather transparent ploy to lower the secondary market even further so that you can slip your way into the trough without being detected.
Click to expand...



ROTFLMAO

He saw right through the ploy, hehe.
 
The answer to this should be obvious:

It's Eric's fault.

I BLAME PORKERSON!

--Mike

[Edited: Oops! Seconds too late. :) ]
 
LOL!

I have my sights set on a couple things lately but the green stuff only flows so fast:grumpy:
 
Originally posted by Evolute
The answer to this should be obvious:

It's Eric's fault.

I BLAME PORKERSON!

--Mike

[Edited: Oops! Seconds too late. :) ]
Click to expand...

Mike,

It's NEVER too late to blame Porkerson!!! ;)
 
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