The knife not bought... did I screw up?

Mongo · May 11, 2003

Greetings all, today I went to a local gun show for a little "male" time to myself, and basically waded through the cheapo knock-off crap without seeing nary a decent knife. But... one guy had a mixed display with a rather nice looking Kabar trapper with stag scales. The match between the sides wasn't perfect, and the clip-point blade didn't have as much snap as the spey... but overall it was pretty nice. A couple things held me back from buying it... I had no idea what the steel was, though it looked and "felt" like carbon steel, and the fact that I had no idea what it should have cost. He was asking $65 and I'm quite sure that he would have jumped at $50 or maybe even lower.
So, did I screw up by not buying this one? Or was he asking too much? I'm sure that I will see this guy sometime in the future at another show, so there is always a second chance.
Thanks, Mongo

Clydetz · May 11, 2003

I can't answer that question for you, but it seems to be bothering you immensely! Next time you see him & the knife - offer the $50 & see what happens.

knifeaholic · May 11, 2003

Do you remember the tang stamping? The only way it could be stainless is if it was some type of newer limited edition - kabar never used stainless on their earlier knives. If it is an original older kabar stag trapper (circa 1920's to late 60's) then it is great 1095 carbon. fifty to sixty bucks is reasonable if the blades are full and if they both have snap.

rev_jch · May 12, 2003

I would not have payed that much if the clip did not have a decent "snap" to it. It all depends on how badly you wanted. You say the sides did not match? are you saying the scales?

mnblade · May 12, 2003

I think you did the right thing in not buying it. If a knife's not screaming "Buy me! You won't regret it!" then it's best to just save your pennies for the next one. Plus, I can't really imagine any Kabar trapper with sides that don't really match and with a lazy clip-point blade being worth $65. Other than the odd trade, I've NEVER had good luck aquiring knives at gun shows. Most of the knives I've seen at gun shows are junk and everything's overpriced.

Coonskinner · May 12, 2003

I don't know about gun shows not being good places to pick up knives...I bought a gorgeous stag Ruana at a local $40.00.

rev_jch · May 12, 2003

with the gun shows I think its just a matter of knowing (being educated on) what your looking at, being cautious.

SilverFoxKnows · May 12, 2003

only because I HAD a Ka-bar trapper many moons ago. It wasn't perfect but it was my first "real" knife (read that my first knife where I recognized the name). It was missing the tip on the clip blade and sombody had done a horrible job sharpening the spey (it started to look like a recurve) but it still had snap to it and it was mine. I lost it somewhere along the way only to find it while cleaning out a storage room at my Mom's. It's an old house and it gets damp and a decade of just sitting there had destroyed it. Of all the knives that have passed through my hands that's the one I wish I had kept track of and treated right. Live and learn. I think that old Ka-bar is the reason the last two knives I've gotten have been trappers.

Frank