What does Like New in Box Mean?

[brownshoe]

For myself, I say LNIB, and then go into full detail to prevent any issues. For example, I clean and lube my knives. I use high quality tools that most often leave zero markings, in which case I would still call it LNIB.

I would do this because, except in extreme scenarios, cleaning and lubing does not detract from the knife’s condition.

If a knife has any mark, scratch, wear, or other item that DETRACTS from original condition I would cease to call it LNIB.

I would also refrain from call modded items “like new.”

There's nothing "like new" about a knife that you'ved used so much you had to clean and lubricate it. Calling it LNIB is a lie.

 

[Leo Greer]

There's nothing "like new" about a knife that you'ved used so much you had to clean and lubricate it. Calling it LNIB is a lie.

I clean and lube brand new knives before and during the break in process. Doesn’t matter how new.

Also, even if there was absolutely zero reason to do so, cleaning and lubing a knife does not mean it was dirty or used.

 

[hhmoore]

I clean and lube brand new knives before and during the break in process. Doesn’t matter how new.

Also, even if there was absolutely zero reason to do so, cleaning and lubing a knife does not mean it was dirty or used.

What is your process for cleaning a new knife?

 

[madcap_magician]

There's nothing "like new" about a knife that you'ved used so much you had to clean and lubricate it. Calling it LNIB is a lie.

I think it's fine as long as he elaborates on what he means by that. He said he will call it LNIB meaning that it hasn't been used or carried but as long as he would disclose that it had been disassembled and lubricated that it would be fine.

 

[Quiet]

I think it's fine as long as he elaborates on what he means by that. He said he will call it LNIB meaning that it hasn't been used or carried but as long as he would disclose that it had been disassembled and lubricated that it would be fine.

Gotta be honest. Anyone who thinks that a disassembled knife could in any way be described as "LNIB" are on some seriously weapons-grade drugs.

 

[bikerector]

This has been interesting to see the wide range of what LNIB means to various people.

 

[Leo Greer]

What is your process for cleaning a new knife?

Typically, with a brand new knife, I’ll fidget a bit, lube the pivot and detent ball with a fairly generous bit of KPL, fidget some more, maybe for a day or two to break in the action, and then I’ll disassemble with high quality torx bits, wipe everything with a WE microfiber cloth (cause that’s what I use), and then carefully reassemble, lubing each part lightly as I go.

I lube both sets of bearings or whatever, and I also lube the pivot cylinder itself, which I’ve found solves a lot of gritty action issues.

And the detent. But usually the detent lube doesn’t matter as much. In my experience.

I do this because when knives wear in, those worn metal shavings go somewhere, and that somewhere is your pivot lube, if you have any, and it just makes things grittier and nastier.

I’ll toss in a pic of Shirogorov bearings before and after cleaning to show the level of crud that can accumulate (after a couple days of basic fidgeting it was enough that the lockup was compromised due to crud spreading to the lock face).

 

[Leo Greer]

Gotta be honest. Anyone who thinks that a disassembled knife could in any way be described as "LNIB" are on some seriously weapons-grade drugs.

That’s why I put them back together.

Anyone are not reading this thread; I make sure to clarify exactly what I mean in order to erase issues.

My sale threads should be easy to look up for good examples.

 

[Jsega51]

That’s why I put them back together.

Anyone are not reading this thread; I make sure to clarify exactly what I mean in order to erase issues.

My sale threads should be easy to look up for good examples.

You‘re making the clearest example possible of why people should just leave “LNIB” out of the sale threads altogether and just give a clear description of what’s been done, or not done, to the knife.

To many here, there’s nothing “like new” about any knife that touches your hands.

Can we circle back to the member who thought “LNIB” wouldn't even include the box?

 

[Quiet]

That’s why I put them back together.

Anyone are not reading this thread; I make sure to clarify exactly what I mean in order to erase issues.

My sale threads should be easy to look up for good examples.

Well, I hope you aren't listing things "LNIB", as well as clearly stating that you dissassemble each knife. If you aren't, while still calling the knife "LNIB", that's being disingenuous, and someone would probably have to make sure your buyers were aware that they were purchasing a previously disassembled knife. Simple fact is, I don't know you, and I don't have any reason to trust or believe that you're as good at putting knives back together as you think you are. So, I'd stick to other language that's not an outright falsehood.

 

[K.O.D.]

LNIB, only sharpened once on a boulder in the national park. Small dent in the spine from batoning. Otherwise like new, in box, with all paperwork and taco pouch.

 

[madcap_magician]

Gotta be honest. Anyone who thinks that a disassembled knife could in any way be described as "LNIB" are on some seriously weapons-grade drugs.

The important thing isn't whether he calls it LNIB or not, but that he discloses what he's done with it. If he says he's disassembled, lubed, and sharpened it as well as carried it and cut some fruit with it, even if he calls it LNIB, he has told us the important information as opposed to someone who simply called their knife LNIB.

 

[Quiet]

The important thing isn't whether he calls it LNIB or not, but that he discloses what he's done with it. If he says he's disassembled, lubed, and sharpened it as well as carried it and cut some fruit with it, even if he calls it LNIB, he has told us the important information as opposed to someone who simply called their knife LNIB.

I suppose. At which point, it will be on those interested parties to make that critical thinking check and realize how untrue his claim of "LNIB" is. Fair enough!

 

[unwisefool]

For myself, I say LNIB, and then go into full detail to prevent any issues. For example, I clean and lube my knives. I use high quality tools that most often leave zero markings, in which case I would still call it LNIB.

I would do this because, except in extreme scenarios, cleaning and lubing does not detract from the knife’s condition.

If a knife has any mark, scratch, wear, or other item that DETRACTS from original condition I would cease to call it LNIB.

I would also refrain from call modded items “like new.”

Why are you using tools on a brand new knife?

 

[K.O.D.]

I suppose. At which point, it will be on those interested parties to make that critical thinking check and realize how untrue his claim of "LNIB" is. Fair enough!

Critical thinking? In 2022? What are you some kind of nutjob?!!! Groupthink is where its at.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I figure LNIB is a term we should avoid. It's just asking for problems.
Too vague and up for interpretation. At best it's an honest evaluation that the box has been opened. At worst it's an overly generous term that glosses over handling that would otherwise make a knife straight up "used".

 

[Blues]

Only taken out of the box once...

...for pictures.

 

[Leo Greer]

Why are you using tools on a brand new knife?

I’m that guy who likes to tune his knives to as smooth as possible, and that involves lots of fidgeting, followed by cleaning and lubrication.

In my experience, it’s done wonders for knives that are brand new, or even lightly carried.

I can’t say whether or not it’s really the best way to do it, but when knives break in, it’s a fact that the lube gets dirty, and turns black (metal shavings, dirt, etc, etc). More particles in the oil, the more friction!

Maybe I’m crazy, but I think my method is fairly scientific. I don’t collect data. I can’t prove it to any of you, so all you have to go on is my anecdotes, but whether you want to believe me or not isn’t related to my opinions.

In some cases, I’ve found that very slightly dirty lube actually helps create that buttery feeling, but only when the knife is already perfectly drop shut. Otherwise you just get friction. (And by drop shut, I mean gravity only. No shaking)

Some people like slower actions, but that’s usually not me.

I wrote a more detailed post farther back in the thread, complete with pictures of some week old knife bearings.

Actually, I did take both videos and pictures the entire time during my disassembly, cleaning, and lubing of the Shirogorov Quantum I used to own.

Maybe I’ll post a thread in tinkering and tuning…

 

[91bravo]

I’m that guy who likes to tune his knives to as smooth as possible, and that involves lots of fidgeting, followed by cleaning and lubrication.

In my experience, it’s done wonders for knives that are brand new, or even lightly carried.

I can’t say whether or not it’s really the best way to do it, but when knives break in, it’s a fact that the lube gets dirty, and turns black (metal shavings, dirt, etc, etc). More particles in the oil, the more friction!

Maybe I’m crazy, but I think my method is fairly scientific. I don’t collect data. I can’t prove it to any of you, so all you have to go on is my anecdotes, but whether you want to believe me or not isn’t related to my opinions.

In some cases, I’ve found that very slightly dirty lube actually helps create that buttery feeling, but only when the knife is already perfectly drop shut. Otherwise you just get friction. (And by drop shut, I mean gravity only. No shaking)

Some people like slower actions, but that’s usually not me.

I wrote a more detailed post farther back in the thread, complete with pictures of some week old knife bearings.

Actually, I did take both videos and pictures the entire time during my disassembly, cleaning, and lubing of the Shirogorov Quantum I used to own.

Maybe I’ll post a thread in tinkering and tuning…

When you take knives apart, they are no longer "like new in the box". You change the factory screw torque, which affects blade action, blade play, etc.

 

[nautiquess]

I never understood these guys that get something new and immediately tear it apart then explain they did it, and list it as LNIB. Why tear apart something that works? NEW IN THE box means the way the manufacturer shipped it. Flaws or no flaws. If its an apparent flaw list it. Otherwise leave it alone if you want to sell it or list it as used.
And I'd also question who opens a new knife and grabs for a piece of paper to immediately cut?