Used knife values

dkb45

dkb45

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Dec 16, 2012
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I have an odd question. What is the value of a knife when it is used (meaning what is the generally accepted discount for wear)? I cannot find a straight answer.

What I mean by used is minor wear, purely cosmetic. Stuff like minor scuffs, clip paint wear, etc.

Best I can guess is that the value goes down by about 5-10% for every 10% off of condition, assuming said knife is not collectable.

If this is not an appropriate question, please let me know. I am not asking the value of anything specific, I am just asking for the outlines of valuation (considering that I prefer to buy and trade for used knives, it just kills me to mar a brand new knife).
 
Good question. I've often wondered the same thing, but from a purchasing angle as well (no harm in asking the question). I don't think there is a general consensus. I've noticed that some discontinued models, (example is the Benchmade 806-1101) will hold the original value when sold as "gently or slightly used". My gut instinct is that if a knife is lightly used, then the price would be a little less than if the knife is NIB (on the forums here that is), maybe by a margin of 5-10% less? Hard to say really.
 
Of course it varies by knife type and the relative cult following of that particular brand/model. It seems to me that for most current production knives, used is going to automatically be in the 50%-75% range of the starting price. From there, condition comes into play and moves it quite rapidly down the curve. Again, the biggest factor is going to be the starting point for the knife and the overall market.
 
Looks like this is a much more complex question than I had anticipated.
 
It just depends. Some knives are so rare that they still increase in value. Others are so common that you have to practically give them away if used. On average, a 50% drop in value seems realistic. Heck, some knives drop significantly in value if you're simply missing the original box!

Myself, I wouldn't pay more than five bucks for a used knife. ;)
 
Bob W said:
It just depends. Some knives are so rare that they still increase in value. Others are so common that you have to practically give them away if used. On average, a 50% drop in value seems realistic. Heck, some knives drop significantly in value if you're simply missing the original box!

Myself, I wouldn't pay more than five bucks for a used knife. ;)
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You also selling those used knives for $5? If so, I might take a few of them!:p
 
I was thinking about the same thing.I have noticed that some sellers sell LNIB for the same price and sometimes more than you could buy them new. It makes me wonder if they are anticipating some haggling of price. Knives seem to hold their value pretty well.Most other things seem to drop in value about 50% as soon as you walk out of the store with it.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
He has previously loved knives.
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I have emotionally compromised knives... ;)

One of the reasons I like dealing with old traditional knives, most of the older knives, 30-40 years old were bought used for a few $,(1-10 typically) most I could probably sell for what I paid for them and some probably at a little profit.

A quality Queen Cutlery Co knife from the 70s-80s was not unheard of around here a couple of bucks, I've bought a few but when ya get into more modern knives, tactical folders and such they're like a new car, the second rolls off the show room floor it loses 30%, that old Queen, don't owe me nothing even used, sharpened and scratched is still worth what I paid for it.

And every once in a while you get lucky and ya find a gem like my very early 1900s Union Knifeworks I bought for less than $10 and I'm sure I could get a decent profit for it, if ever sell it that is. ;)
 
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