What do NIB and LNIB really mean?

[Architect]

NIB: I totally agree
LNIB: this term should be dumped, in my opinion. "Mint" is ok, that was maybe carried once or twice, a test cut on paper, that's about all. "Mint with papers." etc. Like New in Box is sort of like saying "almost a real Randall." If it ain't, it ain't.

"MINT", IMO should be an inference to "as minted" - like a coin. In fact, mint might rightly mean that it has never be touched, once it was packed up by the maker.

"NIB" thus would mean, "taken out of the original package, looked at, maybe opened and returned to package". In the case of custom knives in particular, this whole verbage is pretty meaningless since any knife bought at a show has most likely been "handled" many, many times, albeit in a controlled circumstance.

I would agree that "LNIB" is not terribly specific.

In all cases, it is often more helpful to provide a brief description of what handling has or hasn't occured - much better than three or four initials.

 

[trane fan]

trane fan, can you tell us the condition of the knife that the other party said was LNIB? Did it have some scratches or pocket lint? Just wondering....

Kurt

The knife, which had a price tag of nearly $300.00, was purported to be "NIB" and “never carried“. However, it came to me with several scratches on the blade including on that ran the entire width of the blade. It also had two or three noticeable scuff marks on the scales. To top it off I could only get it to travel halfway on it's arc while opening it one-handed. I then had to finish the process with two hands. I am giving the seller the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he purchased the knife from someone who advertised it as being “NIB”. When the knife came he simply put it away without inspecting it thoroughly. He never carried or used it so he, I assume, considered it to still be in “NIB” condition when he chose to sell it. The story turns out fine because we have reversed the deal with, what I hope, are no hard feelings.

 

[GarageBoy]

Then you have my CRKT M16 which came NIB with a scuff on the blade

 

[trane fan]

Then you have my CRKT M16 which came NIB with a scuff on the blade

A CRKT in the $300.00 neighborhood? I don't think so.

 

[allyourblood]

A CRKT in the $300.00 neighborhood? I don't think so.

of course! haven't you seen the M16-18k? it's 420 steel in the blade, but the liners are 18k gold plated, and it has tiny diamonds in the flipper.

abe m.

 

[Gollnick]

Mint means "NIB but without the box."

NIB means mint with the box and such.

By the way, I don't make these things up. These terms are defined by the National Knife Collectors Association. Some of their definitions are highly-specific to classic folding knives and need to be updated. But the basic conditions still apply.

Mint means absolutely as it originally came from the manufacturer.

NIB is "New, in box," which means mint plus it includes the original box and accessories, etc.

There is no official definition for LNIB.

There is an officially-defined term "near mint," NM, which is probably close to what people mean by LNIB.

I know the previous owner reprofiled the edge a little, which he said was dull (a first for Microtech), but he did a factory job and I would never have been able to tell, so I advertised it as "LNIB" and explained what I meant.

Wow! Any "reprofiling" immediately disqualifies the knife from NIB, Mint, or Near Mint. Without looking up the official definitions, as I recall the best you could call that knife would be EX for excellent. Truth be known, that knife is really no longer collectible. It's a great user.

In any such situation, it's best to give a verbal explaination just as Mr. Chiro75 did and simply avoid using any other label.

 

[allyourblood]

and yet, somehow, i understand what people mean when they say LNIB. i guess it's like "irregardless". not a word, but i know your meaning.

abe m.