'Sterile' blades...why the premium?

[sambo.]

iirc, the official MoD issue Fairbairn-Sykes is a sterile blade and is the only production F-S dagger weighted for throwing.

 

[GIRLYmann]

accidentally missing markings or otherwise "normally are there features" on stamps 'n legal tender are things that command a higher price in collector circles.
only because eagle-eyed quality control inspectors rarely miss removing the slightest of defective materials from official circulation.
but to intentionally manufacture something without markings makes it an immediate and future problem of proper positive identification.
the purported use of sterile para-mil/military equipment is obviously a mission requirement for matters of a covert nature.
sure there are sensitive materials that have been physically erased of it's factory stamped manufacturer's identification or official designated serial numbers; and one can be certain of only one thing though... that such items may or may not be in a highly speculative "no comment" category!
one can expect to pay a premium for such mysterious material once it has been certified as a genuine artifact by a certified expert in the field.

 

[jill jackson]

Can you really imagine just why it would matter if some elite operator was captured/killed and had a unmarked knife? Would the people really be confused and say, oh wow we don't know where this one is from. He has an unmarked blade!
The way global trade is today, I don't think a brand on a knife would give away anything.

 

[John E Woven]

I despise blades with walls of text on them. I already know that your knife is ultra high carbon steel at 584 rc and features serrations. I don't need my blade telling me that.

Extreme ratio is particularly bad about it.

 

[jill jackson]

I despise blades with walls of text on them. I already know that your knife is ultra high carbon steel at 584 rc and features serrations. I don't need my blade telling me that.

Extreme ratio is particularly bad about it.

That stuff to me is a throw back to the early days when premium steel was the exception in blade steel. I agree no need to stamp anything on the blade like that.

 

[singularity35]

A common marketing technique is take any attribute of a product and hype it like it is a more desirable product whether the attribute is desirable or not. Often this hype can be translated to perception and perception then becomes reality. OTOH, collectors sometimes pay premiums on items which may be different for the usual run.

 

[knarfeng]

'Sterile' blades...why the premium?

To answer the title line, it costs more.

Once a production line is set up, any variation from it costs more to produce, even if the variation is leaving out a step.

Obviously, if the variation involves extra work such as removing etching or coating, the variation will cost even more.

Some folks are willing to pay extra to satisfy their sense of aesthetics.

 

[Flatlander1963]

My sterile blade. Talked to the original owner and he sent the knife in to Kershaw for a warrantly issue (asked for it to be re-edged) with the blade. They replaced it with this one. I like the clean look. :thumbup:

 

[OrangeJoe]

A common marketing technique is take any attribute of a product and hype it like it is a more desirable product whether the attribute is desirable or not. Often this hype can be translated to perception and perception then becomes reality. OTOH, collectors sometimes pay premiums on items which may be different for the usual run.

My favorite (non knife) example of this is the Hyundai commercial touting their Gap Insurance offer; what I hear is "Our cars depreciate so fast you won't be able to get financing without this".

How good a 'feature' is that?

Back to knives- If a desirable design only comes with a blade-full of writing I guess you either pay more for a 'sterile' version or pay more for an aftermarket refinish.

 

[corwise]

Be that as it may I still don't like logos splashed across subdued color or camouflaged blades I find it out of character. Not to mention the rust spots that can form in the areas where the logo is.

I despise blades with walls of text on them. I already know that your knife is ultra high carbon steel at 584 rc and features serrations. I don't need my blade telling me that.

I just think most knives look better clean. Wouldn't pay more for a knife, but if I had the choice between the two I'll always pick the sterile.

 

[Tripton]

My sterile blade. Talked to the original owner and he sent the knife in to Kershaw for a warrantly issue (asked for it to be re-edged) with the blade. They replaced it with this one. I like the clean look. :thumbup:

I wondered what the story on that was. I dont know if I would call it LNIB then...

Either way, they came tip down originally, too.

 

[Flatlander1963]

I wondered what the story on that was. I dont know if I would call it LNIB then...

Either way, they came tip down originally, too.

Seller said he moved to clip to tip up carry but never used or carried the knife. I didn't offer an opinion on it's condition but I'd personally would say it goes as "like new."

I'm very happy to have gotten it.

 

[greater]

Why the premium I don't know but there are some who are willing to pay extra not to have some companies loud gimmiky logo splashed across a knife that is marketed as having a subdued finish (ie supposed to have a subdued finish.)

It is either subdued or not period.

 

[Scott Neelan]

Any time a company uses excessive branding, logos, and/or writing on a knife, I would expect a market for a "sterile" version. Benchmade's Harley-Davidson line, for instance, with the Harley logos on the handles and the "Harley-Davidson" printed on the blade, just come across as unnecessarily OTT. For esample, I'm still disappointed I didn't get my hands on the 960's I drooled over for months before they got moved into the HD line and made ugly.

 

[antonio_luiz]

iirc, the official MoD issue Fairbairn-Sykes is a sterile blade and is the only production F-S dagger weighted for throwing.

MoD requirement is that no issue FS commando knife be stamped with any identifying marks - you can speculate on the reasons but apparently that's the way they want it. Downunder, sterile FS daggers are issued with a letter of authenticity - better than nothing I guess and an effecitive and inexpensive marketing ploy

Not sure why they're "weighted for throwing" or even what that means - that dagger with its weak tip and tang ain't built for that sort of abuse. I question the tactic of throwing a knife in actual combat - I can't see too many troops that would be able to maintain the skill and self-control necessary to throw one accurately "in anger"

The various Applegate-Fairbairn re-iterations are a vast improvement on the FS but without the romantic overtones

 

[CL01]

Interesting thread. I don't know about people making a big deal about their knife having a sterile blade so much as one wants to let people know it has a sterile blade. I've looked at a knife & not realize it had a sterile blade until I read that it does.

As to its "extra" value, again, supply & demand. If a manufacturer made a small # with sterile blades &/or a few slipped through QC, well, that makes it rare. It "may" be worth more because of that.

Now, if we're talking about a manufacturer making sterile bladed knives specifically to sell, I would think, in most cases, that this is soley for marketing purposes.

All of that aside, I can see why some prefer sterile blades purely because of its looks.