User or safe queen farmer?

G

gadgetgeek

Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
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So I won the lottery this week, and I spent the lot! Not really but what I did get is this:

Suffice to say that it was a stroke of very good luck, I got this at a steal of a price. Which leads me to the question. Do I use it, or do I bag it up and consider it an investment? Without discussing numbers, it could be worth a bit in a few years, or Vic could do a larger run, and they will be worth the same as silver ones. I'm not in it enough to worry about using it, and it really comes down to the economics.
What are your thoughts?
 
That is a fine lookin' knife you have there.

Personally, I like using knives that most people would keep in the safe.

If you think it'll be worth it to place it gently in the safe (or drawer, footlocker, closet), then put it up.
If down the road, the temptation becomes too much, just have fun with it. It's not like you'll have lost money in the deal.
Win Win
 
I would personally keep it as is for the time being and try to find another one. If you can get another for a decent price then go for it and use which ever one is in worse shape. I like to collect SAK's and use my doubles. Once you use a NIB SAK it is no longer NIB, but you can keep it NIB forever and if you decide to use it one day its there for you to do it. I'm just weird in my collecting this way. I wish I was able to use a semi rare/rare SAK without feeling like i'm doing something wrong, but it's just how my brain works. That's why I try and get doubles of anything I want to use.
 
All the rest of my SAKs are "rescues" from the calgary airport security, so I was never worried about using them, and realistically, I could just wait until a silver farmer hits the bay (its the shipping that tends to be the rough part for me here) Id call it LNIB or Grade A carried. no marks on the blades, and no sharpening (main blade has been dulled by something) but there are a few nips in the blue. But close as makes no difference. Just depends on if in ten years its worth a couple bills or lots more. seems like the very small limited runs go for quite a few hundred, but I suspect that there is a ceiling for something like this. its not like its a numbers matching corvette. I don't really collect. Its either use or loose.
 
A tool not a tool unless it has been used.

Personally I won't own knives I won't carry and use, guns I won't shoot, or watches I won't wear.
 
I personally don't find the blue that much of a collectable, especially since it's used with some chips on the scales...many were made for QVC, and unless you have that NIB run that came in a special box and included a Vic Alox flashlight, I would say go ahead and use it; of course, if you have other knives that will do what the Farmer would do, then use them, and put away the Farmer...it's really up to you.
 
I can see both sides and I have bought multiples of used models to carry. On 93mm ALOX these days, if bought new, unless they are very common, I try to keep them nice because they were probably bought to collect anyway. Case in point, my Apocalypse Green Farmer is unused because I was saving it for my grandson...one just went for about 250.00 on the bay a couple of weeks ago. I paid 80 bucks for it 2 years ago. Colored ALOX, esp special run or vintage Red, has absolutely gone through the roof.

I would buy a Silver user and come home, look at that one and enjoy it.
 
If I think a SAK is collectible and it is new in box, then I will keep it in nice shape and just use one of my other alox SAKs. Otherwise I will carry and use it every now and then.
 
gadgetgeek said:
All the rest of my SAKs are "rescues" from the calgary airport security, so I was never worried about using them, and realistically, I could just wait until a silver farmer hits the bay (its the shipping that tends to be the rough part for me here) Id call it LNIB or Grade A carried. no marks on the blades, and no sharpening (main blade has been dulled by something) but there are a few nips in the blue. But close as makes no difference. Just depends on if in ten years its worth a couple bills or lots more. seems like the very small limited runs go for quite a few hundred, but I suspect that there is a ceiling for something like this. its not like its a numbers matching corvette. I don't really collect. Its either use or loose.
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If that's the case then use that puppy. :thumbup:
 
So no one thinks they are going to keep climbing in value much past what they are now? or is it the sort of case where only the super-grade-A ones are going to get anything, and even slight flaws really tank it? I have no idea what collectors look for, I suspect anyone going for a farmer rainbow is really only going to interested in very nice examples. I know I'm walking the tightrope here on the "whats it worth" rules, and that is not my intention at all. Just trying to decide if I should bother investing on this one or not.
 
gadgetgeek said:
So no one thinks they are going to keep climbing in value much past what they are now? or is it the sort of case where only the super-grade-A ones are going to get anything, and even slight flaws really tank it? I have no idea what collectors look for, I suspect anyone going for a farmer rainbow is really only going to interested in very nice examples. I know I'm walking the tightrope here on the "whats it worth" rules, and that is not my intention at all. Just trying to decide if I should bother investing on this one or not.
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If the rumors come to pass and they stop ALOX Farmers/Pioneers etc....then they will all jump but I can't see them going much higher right now. But then, I didn't see them going this high either. :eek:
 
I think it's a shame NOT to use a rare SAK. Money can always be replaced...., but an Apocalypse Green Farmer may not be. I carry mine every day and actively look for things to use it for. I have dozens of other Vics., but my daughter could care less about some knife Dad had once new in the box. HOWEVER, one day, she may cherish the little metal knife that she saw Dad use and carry regularly. By the way I am basing my opinion on my own experience. My father passed several years ago, and my most precious inherited items are the things that he used and cherished. My .02$
 
gadgetgeek said:
Do I use it, or do I bag it up
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My standard response is this - do you want your wife's next husband to inherit a pristine Farmer, or one that you have used and abused, and is covered with bacon grease, squirrel blood, drywall dust and sausage pizza? I say show him who was there first.
 
Monocrom said:
An investment?? SAK farmers aren't that rare. Go ahead and use it.
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I paid about $25 each for a bunch of red and blue Farmers - which are no longer made - and I could sell them now for maybe $80 each. So yeah, sometimes it works.
 
powernoodle said:
I paid about $25 each for a bunch of red and blue Farmers - which are no longer made - and I could sell them now for maybe $80 each. So yeah, sometimes it works.
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:thumbup: Are these complete with bacon grease, squirrel blood, drywall dust and sausage pizza on 'em? :p ;) :D
 
It looks from my continued research that there has been at least one more blue farmer run, and that they have sold out very quickly. This suggests to me that further runs are likely, and in that case a NIB would still gain value to a degree, but there will be little collector value long term, and less for a less than perfect example. If there is a chance of getting a perfect one, why pay a premium for a user? At least if the guys at multitool.org are to be believed, and I suspect a couple of you hosers hang out there too;) I was originally going on the info that there had only ever been one run. Plus any sale is going to be a gamble, and while I've seen a couple on the bay for stupid prices, there are not that many. And value is only what someone is willing to pay this minute, not really what I "Might" get for it if I auction it. If I thought that holding it for a year would bring back a couple bills, then I might go for it, but its just as likely that I'll sell it for retail, and then what?

I don't see the Alox line being discontinued at this point either. They are a niche product, but one with a solid fan base. I could be reading this totally wrong, but I think there is enough demand to keep them at least in a periodic production rotation.
I'm just going to enjoy this one I think.
 
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gadgetgeek said:
It looks from my continued research that there has been at least one more blue farmer run, and that they have sold out very quickly. This suggests to me that further runs are likely, and in that case a NIB would still gain value to a degree, but there will be little collector value long term, and less for a less than perfect example. If there is a chance of getting a perfect one, why pay a premium for a user? At least if the guys at multitool.org are to be believed, and I suspect a couple of you hosers hang out there too;) I was originally going on the info that there had only ever been one run.

I don't see the Alox line being discontinued at this point either. They are a niche product, but one with a solid fan base. I could be reading this totally wrong, but I think there is enough demand to keep them at least in a periodic production rotation.
I'm just going to enjoy this one I think.
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Go for it!! :thumbup: I have about 5 that I rotate for EDC..

Here's 4 of them...

EDCSAKs_zpsdb548315.jpg
 
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