What does Like New in Box Mean?

Leo Greer said:
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…
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Yeah, you should never call that LNIB at all. Just say lightly used, disassembled, cleaned and oiled.
 
unwisefool said:
Yeah, you should never call that LNIB at all. Just say lightly used, disassembled, cleaned and oiled.
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I can see the value of getting rid of the term entirely. Especially after seeing how people have reacted.

My intent using the term has never been to be dishonest, and I didn’t realize how much stock people put in such a flimsy term!

This is why I always write an overly long description of the actual, factual condition of the knife, rather than using a letter or acronym.)

What scares me away is when guys ONLY use LNIB and then refuse requests for more info or photos…

…them and the no-pictures guys.
 
Leo Greer said:
I can see the value of getting rid of the term entirely. Especially after seeing how people have reacted.

My intent using the term has never been to be dishonest, and I didn’t realize how much stock people put in such a flimsy term!

This is why I always write an overly long description of the actual, factual condition of the knife, rather than using a letter or acronym.)

What scares me away is when guys ONLY use LNIB and then refuse requests for more info or photos…

…them and the no-pictures guys.
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I get it, your descriptions are good, but better be safe and just not use the term at all.
 
Velitrius said:
I once saw an ad that read "LNIB, sharpened to a razor edge by "XXX"....

Having it sharpened is nothing "L" "NIB" at all.

And why was it sharpened? Because it was used until the edge needed to be put back on? Then definitely not LNIB.

Not a fan of this descriptor at all... but as Bob says above, if you trust the seller they'll give you an accurate description and you'll be fine.
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If it's been sharpened it's not LNIB.

That said, it doesn't necessarily mean the factory edge was worn away. Most factory edges aren't very good. I don't sell knives, but with rare exceptions I sharpen every new knife I get before I ever carry it, and the edge will be *way* better than new.
 
sgt1372 said:
To me, LNIB means it "looks like new" with no physical "defects" that . . .
1) if they didn't tell you it was carried or lightly used, you wouldn't know that it was
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I agree with this. Of course it's used, but its condition is similar to one that is new in box but it's not 100% new. Depending on the knife you could carry it a few days, you could cut a few pieces of paper, etc. In reality if it is a quality knife then you should be able to cut a few pieces of paper and not have any affect on the edge. And if you carry it and it picks up a couple of bits of dust, that should be OK because after all it's not 100% new. A store could have a knife that is 100% new setting in the display case and it picks up a few bits of dust.
I will suggest that if a person is going to be extremely picky about condition, they should only buy a knife that is known to be 100% new and unhandled. If you're going to carry the knife then very quickly you will go beyond the conditions as you received it.
What bothers me are the people who advertise a knife as new but it's obvious from their photos that they moved the pocket clip to another position. Once you touch one of the screws it is definitely no longer new. I would rather buy a LNIB knife that someone carried a few days and cut a few pieces of paper than a knife that was never carried but someone just had to move the clip around.
 
LNIB means the box has been opened, the knife removed, it may or may have not been carried, it hasn't been sharpened, no screws have been taken out or replaced and there are no marks on the knife. Paperwork should be there too. Simple.
 
Leo Greer Leo Greer - feel free to continue to disassemble, lubricate, and clean knives you purchased from dealers. They are your knives and I for one will not question why you do that. As long as you describe clearly what you did to your knives when selling them, it is all good. I would avoid calling them LNIB, though.
 
I don't believe I've ever sold a LNIB knife.. If I immediately don't like it, I send it back to the distributor.
 
K.O.D. said:
I don't believe I've ever sold a LNIB knife.. If I immediately don't like it, I send it back to the distributor.
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Yeah, that's pretty much all LNIB can be. Got the knife, opened the box, deployed the blade a couple of times, didn't like it, and decided some money can be made selling (flipping) it instead of returning it to the retail seller.

Any other conditions or modifications or tweaks or anything is not LNIB and would require additional condition descriptors which begs the question, why even use LNIB? Clearly it's to lure a potential buyer.
 
To me plain and simple it means it’s been carried a few times and maybe opened a envelope or two.
But the key definition is it shows no signs of use of any kind and could be sold as new in the box but the seller is being completely honest .
Others mileage may very and abuse that term of LNIB but that would be my description and my 100% positive feedback represents and reflects that and I’m very proud of it .
 
nautiquess said:
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?
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It’s my personal opinion that a smoother knife is better. To give an example I feel is relevant;

“Why make a knife out of titanium and S90V? Plain old plastic and surgical stainless works. Why fix what ain’t broke? It costs WHAT NOW??”

Like new is by definition used. The use is what separates it from brand new. Like new, by definition, resembles new but is not.

I like to know how sharp my cutlery is. Nothing more, nothing less. It also helps when listing flaws to know if the edge is okay.
 
Quiet said:
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.
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Hey, I wanted to apologize to you real quick for what I posted in post #68. I took it about a step and a half too far with the grammar jab, and it just wasn’t cool of me.

I respect your opinions, and I’m happy to defend my own, but it was out of line for me to act like that.
 
TheFactor said:
To me plain and simple it means it’s been carried a few times and maybe opened a envelope or two.
But the key definition is it shows no signs of use of any kind and could be sold as new in the box but the seller is being completely honest .
Others mileage may very and abuse that term of LNIB but that would be my description and my 100% positive feedback represents and reflects that and I’m very proud of it .
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Um, if you carry and use it, the damn thing cannot be described as like new in box.

Seems people need to drop the terms and describe what they have done with the knife. Just because of this thread we have outed a guy breaking in and taking apart the knife but thinking it is LNIB. Now this guy carrying and using the knife and calling it LNIB. Are people taking crazy pills?
 
Leo Greer said:
Hey, I wanted to apologize to you real quick for what I posted in post #68. I took it about a step and a half too far with the grammar jab, and it just wasn’t cool of me.

I respect your opinions, and I’m happy to defend my own, but it was out of line for me to act like that.
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I didn't take it as such, and wasn't offended, though I appreciate your response. What I would recommend going forward, is using different language in order to describe knives, or better yet, just say "This knife is in fantastic shape/excellent condition, I have carefully disassembled, cleaned out all factory gunk, and then put it back together and it's running better than new!" and then do a "walkaround" video showing the entire knife and the action. People will still buy your knife, no problem.

The major takeaway from this thread for all involved should be that folks will have different ideas about what a knife's condition is, and what has been done with, or to it, that is either acceptable or not acceptable. We're splitting fine hairs here, because of course some "use" will be fairly indistinguishable, and sure, some/most people won't care. But when you use terms like "LNIB" to describe a knife that may have been carried, or may have cut things, some people are going to have an issue with it if they find out after the fact because use and carry technically means NOT "LNIB".

And by the way, I'm speaking to everyone in this thread as though they're intelligent, rational people unlike some of the knucklehead sellers you see dragged in Feedback where the buyer got a knife that was described as LNIB, and buyer gets it, and the damn thing looks like it was dragged behind a car, the blade has gone through a bunch of cardboard (and the idiot seller thought that a stonewash finish could hide it, or he just didn't notice), fluff under the pocket clip, or even minor carry marks like a snailtracks on the pivot pin where the knife was in and out of a pocket several times and barked off that little rivet on the watch pocket of most jeans.

"Like new" should be flawless.
 
craytab said:
Um, if you carry and use it, the damn thing cannot be described as like new in box.

Seems people need to drop the terms and describe what they have done with the knife. Just because of this thread we have outed a guy breaking in and taking apart the knife but thinking it is LNIB. Now this guy carrying and using the knife and calling it LNIB. Are people taking crazy pills?
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Exactly. Straight up lies. Cut and Carried isn't "like new" LOL. This cannot be this hard, but apparently it is. Lots of "things" can happen when a knife is carried. None of which would be happening to a "like new" knife. Good grief folks. IBTL
 
KVT said:
Exactly. Straight up lies. Cut and Carried isn't "like new" LOL. This cannot be this hard, but apparently it is. Lots of "things" can happen when a knife is carried. None of which would be happening to a "like new" knife. Good grief folks. IBTL
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Some people come up with amazing excuses to legitimize doing what they want without consequences.

Look, if you are going to take apart, carry, and or use the knife, take the hit and don't use a term that will get you more money when it is time to sell. Accept responsibility for your actions. The rest of us are telling you it is wrong.
 
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