want expensive knife but can't touch it first - what do you do?

Start up a passaround in the Passaround forum.

10 guys throw in $50 apiece, grab a piece from Whitty over at USA Made Blade, try it for a couple weeks-ish each, raffle it off at the end.

Everybody gets to test drive it, one lucky bastid gets to own it, and a BFC paying dealer makes a sale. Win, Win, Win.
 
Try to look out for a knife group in fb/instagram. I myself is member with a local knife enthusiasts group I found in fb and have since meet up once in a while to talk on knives and stuff. Someone will bring along their knive which we could all handle/fondle etc. Indeed buying an item based just on paper is risky in the sense that the item may not be up to expectations thus loss of investment.
 
I don't think of it as taking a loss. Its a rental fee. Sure it feels like nickle and dime losses, but its just perspective. Think of it as money already spent. And hey, from a community standpoint, you might be helping someone who's just a few bucks short of a new one get their hands on a knife. Or put up a WTB for a user, get it, see how it fairs, and then if you decide you want a clean one, then sell that one, and order your own. Kinda like ordering your own car after driving the dealer road-tester.

It also depends on if there is a wait for the knife you are looking for. If you are putting your cash on the line to play out a waiting list, then you might be rewarded by someone else who doesn't want to wait. Alternately, the longer you are willing to wait, the easier to find that deal that suits. But I guess it depends on what "expensive" is. If we are talking half-paycheck knives, then yeah, I can understand being hesitant to fork over the cash. In that case it really is a case of see what the secondary market is and demands (NIB, never fondled, or if a few carry marks don't matter) and decide if that is a fee you are willing to pay.
 
I’m in the uk,my poison is USA made knives.Never had a problem buying without seeing the knives.
 
I would buy from an reputable dealer first and foremost even if you can save a tad from some unknown. I sort of have a sense of whether I will like a particular knife based on the pictures, dimensions, materials, brand, and so forth. It depends on the knife of course, but generally I make reasonably good guesses sight unseen on knives. Things like CRK and other ones, I have handled at knife shows, including Blade. I sort of know what to expect if I choose to buy.

On knives less than $100, I pretty much don't send them back to a dealer regardless if for some reason I am not pleased with it. That includes manufacturing defects, but it depends on the problem.

I make periodic runs to the big knife store in Sevierville TN, (usually if I am cruising up I-40 anyway). Went about a week ago. I always tend to show up late in the day (basically after finishing a job), so I have to pay attention to their store hours. I spend hours there looking at various brands. Things like Benchmade and similar knives I can look at locally at various sporting goods stores, but usually a limited selection of the brand.

I have never once returned a knife to a dealer although I have considered it if that gives you any perspective.
 
Velitrius said:
Start up a passaround in the Passaround forum.

10 guys throw in $50 apiece, grab a piece from Whitty over at USA Made Blade, try it for a couple weeks-ish each, raffle it off at the end.

Everybody gets to test drive it, one lucky bastid gets to own it, and a BFC paying dealer makes a sale. Win, Win, Win.
Click to expand...
That is a good idea. But I personally "just guess" or follow my intuition and experience on choosing something. I don't want to spend $50 to try out a knife.
 
Most dealers are happy to do it to make a nice sale like that. It is a nice gesture to call them first and let them know but their basic return policy usually allows you to return the knife without any problem. You could reward the dealer by becoming a regular customer. I'm sure that the dealers that are affiliated with BF would be happy to do it, Just mention to them that you are a member of BladeForums so that they can see that being a vendor on BF really helps. I hope you like it and get to enjoy it.
 
I just checked The big A and they have them, maybe if you get it from them you won't feel uncomfortable because you are dealing with a faceless vendor. I occasionally do that but I normally keep about 80% of the stuff I buy
 
If a knife company sells you a knife and you return it because you don't like it they still have a used knife on their hands. They better not sell it to me afterward as anything but used. If they do they have lied to me and I'll treat it as if they intentionally damaged me financially with a deliberately false transaction. This includes legal action when possible. BTW, I sold knives for many years as a business. I would never have allowed that and accepted returns only for defects. I'd make sure at the very least the knife dealer you want to do business with knows what you intend before they agree to the sale.

Joe
 
"Why exactly is the returned knife "used" if it never was used to cut anything or sharpened?"

Once sold it becomes a used knife. This is no different from anything else. Some stores will accept returns for no reason but they are taking chances. If they sell used knives as new they put their reputations on the line. I wouldn't hesitate to take action. If they told me about the knife being a return then that is fine and dandy. It's then my choice. If not then it's a crime as far as I'm concerned. I have a bunch of unused knives here at the house. Can I sell them as new? No. "Like new", yes. "As new in box", sure." New", No.
 
I don't agree with that whether I'm buying or selling. You could say that if I purchased a knife purely for resale, that it is now used and I don't agree. I apply the same logic with firearms as in NIB and so forth. If it (knife or gun) has been shot or cut something and still looks new, it's ANIB.
 
I've never returned a knife unless there was something actually wrong with it and even then I almost always deal with the manufacture. Sorry, but people who return knives just because they don't like them bug me. Yes, a knife is a tool but at the same time it is personal (like a watch), if I buy a new knife I want one that hasn't been in someones pocket for a day before they decided they didn't like it, and i've had this happen before, I imagine it's hard on the retailers too. Buying sight unseen is a risk but in this hobby it's just part of the fun in the never ending search for the perfect blade.
 
Seneca18 said:
Sorry, but people who return knives just because they don't like them bug me.
Click to expand...
I tend to feel this way as well. You make your choices and live with them..... Don't like it? Toss it in the back of your sock drawer, sell it and buy another.

THIS is one of the reasons I seldom buy footwear mail order unless I know precisely the correct size for me. For the most part, if I make a mistake, I eat it. Yes, I have pairs of boots that don't fit right and are brand new. They'll never be used unless someone wears the right size visits me and the topic comes up.
 
The Mastiff said:
"Why exactly is the returned knife "used" if it never was used to cut anything or sharpened?"

Once sold it becomes a used knife. This is no different from anything else. Some stores will accept returns for no reason but they are taking chances. If they sell used knives as new they put their reputations on the line. I wouldn't hesitate to take action. If they told me about the knife being a return then that is fine and dandy. It's then my choice. If not then it's a crime as far as I'm concerned. I have a bunch of unused knives here at the house. Can I sell them as new? No. "Like new", yes. "As new in box", sure." New", No.
Click to expand...

Your logic may work in a perfect world but in this world people have to stay in business. Returns are an evil of doing business, if it was returned because the person did not like it and it is inspected to be in new condition then I think it is OK to sell as new. If the vendor is super honest he can sell it as open box with a small discount.

Please correct me if I am wrong but from what I understand if I buy a knife new then take it out of the box and put it my display case and decide to sell it I can no longer call it new, it would be LNIB or used . If in fact that is what you are saying then I don't agree. If I happen to get one that is returned and is in pristine condition I have no problem buying it as new.
 
"Please correct me if I am wrong but from what I understand if I buy a knife new then take it out of the box and put it my display case and decide to sell it I can no longer call it new, it would be LNIB or used . If in fact that is what you are saying then I don't agree. If I happen to get one that is returned and is in pristine condition I have no problem buying it as new."

I don't think yours or my opinion changes laws but yes, that is correct. Another instance that may not seem correct but is how it is in the auto sales industry. A car can be test driven for a hundred fifty miles and be sold as new. The purchaser drives off the lot and it is now a used car. Say he wrecks it 50 foot down the road. Less even. Say pulling out of the lot. Is it new or used? Used according to the law once the transaction is complete. ( some state laws may differ naturally, I don't know). This actually happened to a relative. It sucked but that's how it is.

I wouldn't buy a knife from someone who described his knife as new unless they are the maker. Why? Because that person is uninformed or lying. Neither of which makes for good business. If he described it as "LNIB - perfect" I would have no problem, provided it was perfect. No knife is new after it has been sold no matter our opinion on the matter.

Joe
 
Last edited:
I'm in the same position as the OP the closest knife shop is 4 hrs away but I took the time for a day trip there one time. I looked and handled a lot of knives it was an education that was worth the time and effort. Take the time to visit a brick and mortar store just for the education.

If you have doubts about a knife don't buy it.
If you commit your credit card to a knife you own it.
If you don't like it sell it on the exchange or on the bay.
If you are old enough to buy it you are old enough to own your mistake if you don't like it.

Every time a dealer sells a knife it has to be picked, packed and shipped. That cost is factored into doing business. Returns have to be inspected and re stocked, then when resold, picked, packed and shipped again. Unnecessary returns raise the cost of doing business and that cost is passed on to the next customer.
 
The Mastiff said:
"Please correct me if I am wrong but from what I understand if I buy a knife new then take it out of the box and put it my display case and decide to sell it I can no longer call it new, it would be LNIB or used . If in fact that is what you are saying then I don't agree. If I happen to get one that is returned and is in pristine condition I have no problem buying it as new."

I don't think yours or my opinion changes laws but yes, that is correct. Another instance that may not seem correct but is how it is in the auto sales industry. A car can be test driven for a hundred fifty miles and be sold as new. The purchaser drives off the lot and it is now a used car. Say he wrecks it 50 foot down the road. Less even. Say pulling out of the lot. Is it new or used? Used according to the law once the transaction is complete. ( some state laws may differ naturally, I don't know). This actually happened to a relative. It sucked but that's how it is.

I wouldn't buy a knife from someone who described his knife as new unless they are the maker. Why? Because that person is uninformed or lying. Neither of which makes for good business. If he described it as "LNIB - perfect" I would have no problem, provided it was perfect. No knife is new after it has been sold no matter our opinion on the matter.

Joe
Click to expand...
I've always had a little problem with the test driven auto in terms of newness (pet peeve). I agree with the statement about 50 ft driven outside the dealer and it's wrecked.... it's used and from an insurance perspective, a depreciated value. So, when you buy that 2017 model about now (so called dealer close out as 2018 models roll in) or in 2018, you have for all practical purposes a vehicle that is worth less than "new" and the price you paid for it. But unless you buy and sell frequently, it probably makes little difference in the real world as I am looking for a car that will last years and hopefully trouble free and being a 2017 model after the 2018 models are released doesn't mean a lot to me.

I can't imagine somebody anal enough to take a dealer to court over selling a knife as new that has been returned unused, un-sharpened, and resold. I suppose people like that exist. The practical scale is a bit different when comparing a car to a knife and the sale of such.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top