What makes a knife go up in value?

Look for new knives, made by popular makers that are produced in limited runs and are sold by just one online retailer as an "exclusive". These will usually be some variation on a popular model (e.g. Sypderco Paramilitary 2)--like using a superior or exotic blade steel (e.g. S35, Cruwear, Elmax, etc.) and/or a different color handle, which might be made with carbon fiber or titanium versus G10. Also, knives in first production runs are frequently etched with their numbers within the run.

Obviously the limited quantity will increase the value, combined with the demand for an already popular model. If you're interested in purchasing such knives, you might need to be vigilant for their release dates, because they often sell out in just a few minutes. The best way I've found to be aware of when and from whom they will be sold is to subscribe to the online retailers' newsletters that nearly all of them have. Most retailers also make it possible to monitor the release of new knives by a certain maker by signing up for email updates.

Welcome to the obsession...
 
IMO, just like anything, the more people are willing to pay to get it, the more an item is worth. If one or more people are willing to pay $1 million for a heart shaped dog turd, then that is what it's worth, whether it took a thousand artisans 3 years to create, or one lucky soul who picked up random poop on a sidewalk. Additionally, an item can lose value just as easily when all buyers decide not to purchase the item at a certain price.
 
jill jackson said:
Spyderco Slysz Bowie was 300 and many thought it was too much. When it was discontinued it rapidly shot up to 400 and more.

ha
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I think that this Slysz Bowie is my all-time favorite Spyderco, and that takes some doing...
I've had three or four and only have one left. The CTS-XHP steel is great, and takes an excellent long-lasting edge.
 
GatorFlash1 said:
Put it on an auction site and let the winner set the price. If a custom knife check with custom knife dealers.
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I agree. But there are risks unless you simply don't care what price is established. Almost every knife I own has some sort of value and appeal. I have a handmade knife made by a fairly unknown maker (these days) that I traded for at a gun show around 1990 (~4", 440C, micarta handles). I doubt it's worth much but it signifies my early efforts of buying something "better". He was still a young man then and made knives part time. He was listed in the knife magazines but I doubt he is in the business any more. So, my value well exceeds a likely market value.
 
All of the above. Why anyone would pay an extra $100+ for different coloured scales or even more of an upcharge for a new steel is beyond me, but whatever turns yer crank.
 
This gets asked constantly. Don't invest in knives if you're a collector, and going to hold on to them for a long time. If you're running it like a small business, you'll learn soon enough what moves, but be prepared for some of the fun to be sucked out of the hobby.

An interesting thing to do is buy a stack of magazines or look at the forums from 10 - 40 years ago, and see what the top knives were then, and now what they're doing. I'd bet 90 -95% are money losers or just keeping up with inflation.

For the average collector, the best advice is buy what you like, and try to get the best deal on it :).
 
I'm aware of instances where knife collectors amassed large pocketknife collections over the years as financial investments for the future, only to later find out (or their families find out after they're gone) that their lovingly cared-for collections were essentially worthless.

For myself, the true worth of owning and/or collecting knives is the use or simply the enjoyment that I, as the owner, get from them for what they are. But their potential future monetary worth is not one of the reasons.

Jim
 
RaulDuke said:
Look for new knives, made by popular makers that are produced in limited runs and are sold by just one online retailer as an "exclusive". These will usually be some variation on a popular model (e.g. Sypderco Paramilitary 2)--like using a superior or exotic blade steel (e.g. S35, Cruwear, Elmax, etc.) and/or a different color handle, which might be made with carbon fiber or titanium versus G10. Also, knives in first production runs are frequently etched with their numbers within the run.

Obviously the limited quantity will increase the value, combined with the demand for an already popular model. If you're interested in purchasing such knives, you might need to be vigilant for their release dates, because they often sell out in just a few minutes. The best way I've found to be aware of when and from whom they will be sold is to subscribe to the online retailers' newsletters that nearly all of them have. Most retailers also make it possible to monitor the release of new knives by a certain maker by signing up for email updates.

Welcome to the obsession...
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Good reply^^ Another thing I have observed is to sell while the hype is still high. From what I've seen if you get in on the right knife and decide to flip the first week or two seems to maximize profit potential.
IMO if you want long term return you are going to have to buy the maker. It might cost you up front but your odds are better in the long run. You have to do the research though.
Regardless, as many have said and will say buy what you like because realistically you will loose money in the end.
Cheers
 
Buy the right knife and keep it unopened new in the box in an air tight vault for 50 years or so, with luck you may make a few dollars.
Of coarse figuring in inflation over 50 years in reality you're upside down.:mad:
 
Collecting Japanese swords was a reasonable thing to do back in the 80's and 90's. This is when the WWII stuff really started to appear at gun shows. You could get some fine blades very cheaply and they appreciated remarkedly. With knives, it's a crap shoot. Collect/Accumulate what you like and don't worry about what it's worth to anyone else. You're the important one.
 
Anything I decide not to buy skyrockets in value. Anything I buy and use till it's beat up increases in a moderate amount for NIB. Anything I buy and not really use a lot stays flat or depreciates.

Case in point. ZT0302 knife. Look at said knife and say pass, have too much flat dark earth stuff. Get ZT0302 instead in green for nice change.

ZT in FDE used or new value shoots up dramatically. ZT in green, flatline.
 
HiPlainsGrifter said:
Hi All,

I'm new to the forums. One thing I've noticed is that some folding / balisong knives seem to go up in value over time - even if used. I don't want to mention any specific examples so as not to run afoul of the rules, but besides being a limited production run, what makes a folder go up in value.

Thanks,
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The knives that are going to go up in value ($$,$$$) I cannot afford.

The knives that are going to go up in value to me are the knives that save my life, or are useful for a task.
 
Danke42 said:
Anything I decide not to buy skyrockets in value. Anything I buy and use till it's beat up increases in a moderate amount for NIB. Anything I buy and not really use a lot stays flat or depreciates.

Case in point. ZT0302 knife. Look at said knife and say pass, have too much flat dark earth stuff. Get ZT0302 instead in green for nice change.

ZT in FDE used or new value shoots up dramatically. ZT in green, flatline.
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You must be related to me. That was a perfect description of how my life normally goes.

Like I've said before, I don't really own much of anything of great value. However, I have been looking at all my knives and thinking about what I'd keep if I had to scale back to three or four knives (or less). The first folder that comes to mind is a budget knife made by CRKT. I just love the ergos that the knife has to offer. The second is another budget folder.

Of course, ask me in a couple of months and maybe the choices would be different.
 
USA manufactured items that have since contracted their work to China -- Schrade Old Timer and Uncle Henry come to mind, Camillus. Camillus went bankrupt and I have some US mfg Camillus. Brand name with carbon steel blades; Case and Schrade carbon steel are in my collection.

Never hurts to have the box it came packed in!

Prototype production items -- I have a Camillus prototype folder made for USMC with these initials on the stainless scales. USMC did not pick up the contract.

First run, limited production. I have some Smith & Wesson "First Run Production."

Right now I'm looking at a Buck 75th year commemorative. The first run had a 75 year medallion on the grip, then Buck discontinued the medallion but continued the 75 year blade stamp.

I have a Harley Davidson slip joint -- Benchmade (locally produced in Oregon where I live). They made 10 and then discontinued the medallion on the scales, put the "Harley Davidson" name on the blade instead.

I have an old, early production Benchmade bali-song with some sort of cast-metal handles (I'd have to look). Benchmade factory in Oregon City confirmed that it's genuine, not a knock-off. $25 from a gun show.

But "increase in value" doesn't mean much if you intend never to part with this stuff! Try to remember that it's a "collection" and not an investment. I have ONE EDC and the remainder sit in their boxes upstairs, never used, never sharpened.
 
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