What do you expect a NIB knife to look like?

sogflash

sogflash

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If you buy a knife described as NIB, what do you expect? would you tolerate anything else than a knife that looks new when it was described as NIB?
 
i expect a knife described as NIB to be NIB.... anything less would be LNIB and less than that would be used in X condition.
 
sogflash said:
If you buy a knife described as NIB, what do you expect? would you tolerate anything else than a knife that looks new when it was described as NIB?
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Too many variables. Are you referring to fixed blades folders, customs, production? Made in the US or overseas? Price-point?
 
Everyone seems to have slightly different expectations.

NIB = handled "once" if that, cycled opened no more than twice.
Taken out for pictures only.
No adjustments, touch ups, oil, mods, etc.

Not many that fit the above.
 
agreed Claycat. NIB means been out for pictures only. Never Carried, used oiled, etc. Some blades come marked from teh factory, and cheaper ones even more so. that would not affect NIB, BUT unless the person has never opened the box, ie there is a picture of the knife in the box only, they should disclose such flaws.
 
I bot two blems NIB as users for myself. They came messed up, as I expected. They were, however, new in box. The manufacturer has the words "FACTORY BLEM" on the label attached to the box. The popular auction site vendor listed the items as being blemished and discussed blemishes in general. The purchase price was a bargain.

The scale was rough on this side only, knife operates without issue:
02022013nibblem005.jpg


The Pivot pin heads, both sides, were rough, knife operates without issue.
02022013nibblem004.jpg
 
Personally, I feel NIB is a term greatly over used, much like Mint, and is reserved for direct from the manufacturer, distributor, or maker in regards to a custom. If I am acquiring a knife from an individual, or second hand from any source other than a distributor, I discount the term NIB. I don't care if you don't even open the blades of a folder or unwrap a fixed blade. Once you disturb the packaging it is no longer NIB. Ever buy a Case for example or a Chris Reeve, the paper they wrap in cannot be put back to the same condition and appearance once unwrapped. It has been handled and is now used.

As for distributors I purchase Case and GEC etc. regularly from a well known online retailer. They have a brick and mortar presence as well and sometimes they have to unwrap new knives to show customers. They have told me several times this was the case with a knife I was ordering and asked if I still wanted it and they would knock off a bit. That boys and girls is how you roll. Just my 2 cents and how I now operate.
 
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"New" is defined in the law of many states as not previously sold at retail. That supports the argument that "new" should only be used by the initial retailer.

"New" is also commonly accepted to mean in the same condition as the goods left the maker.

"Like new" means in the same condition as "new," regardless of what has been done to or with the goods.

"Minty" means the same thing as "rare," "vintage," or "Wow!" = nothing.
 
Thomas Linton said:
"New" is defined in the law of many states as not previously sold at retail. That supports the argument that "new" should only be used by the initial retailer.

"New" is also commonly accepted to mean in the same condition as the goods left the maker.

"Like new" means in the same condition as "new," regardless of what has been done to or with the goods.

"Minty" means the same thing as "rare," "vintage," or "Wow!" = nothing.
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Thomas, I think you said what I said right above you. With a lot fewer words:D:D I frequently digress!
 
I just got a mini grip that was described BNIB . The blade was new and there was no lint inside the liner but the pocket clip showed some wear . I did not mind the pocket clip wear the knife to me was new . That being said I would have described it better some people would have given the seller a bad feed back.
 
claycat said:
Everyone seems to have slightly different expectations.

NIB = handled "once" if that, cycled opened no more than twice.
Taken out for pictures only.
No adjustments, touch ups, oil, mods, etc.

Not many that fit the above.
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This is about my definition, as well.
 
NIB and LNIB knives. All the same to me. That's the problem. No objective standard. If the package has been opened, the plastic wrapper cut open and the knife removed, opened/closed and returned to box, .... is it NIB? Obviously not as NIB as it was when it left the dealer. So, should we call it LNIB? If it's been opened and closed by 5 different friends - 48 times - but still looks factory new, - what then? If it cut paper without any visible effect on the blade - do we call it lightly used? Unmanaged expectations on the part of some buyers make me run for cover when I sell a knife. "Dear Knife Company, I was looking at my knife under a magnifying glass and there seems to be a tiny black speck on the edge of the back-spacer."
 
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"Plastic wrapper cut open" ? I've never bought a knife that was sealed in plastic. In plastic slips that are open on one end, yes. Sealed up no. I'd think it would be a concern if they were sealed up, could cause rust.
 
That's nice. Did yours come enclosed in plastic that had to be cut open or not?
 
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jill jackson said:
"Plastic wrapper cut open" ? I've never bought a knife that was sealed in plastic. In plastic slips that are open on one end, yes. Sealed up no. I'd think it would be a concern if they were sealed up, could cause rust.
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miguet said:
That's nice. Did yours come enclosed in plastic that had to be cut open or not?
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I've never bought any knife (as I stated) that was sealed in plastic.
 
Sorry, if knives come in sealed plastic bags commonly new then I've been getting used for new everytime I've bought NIB. Even my Southard wasn't in a sealed bag and it came from a stocking dealer. All my Spydercos have been in plastic open on one end sleeves.

As for a new knife, to me it's new if it appears NIB when I inspect it. Even if it's been looked at and opened, that doesn't matter to me. There are some people that can look at a new knife carefully, replace it in the box without harming it in the least. Then there's others that have to test the edge, wiggle the blade hard to test the lock, flick it open. maybe even drop it and just no telling do what to it even if it's not theirs! So yeah that's one reason I am never trying to buy these display models you sometimes see, hard to say how many people handled it while it was in the store.
 
I think the off shore models are sealed in the sleeves then transported to the states that way. When they reach Golden, and the QC process takes place, they have to cut the bags open. I've received a few Spyderco's from Taichung that were sealed up. The Sage, Tuff, and Bradley Air come to mind immediately.
 
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