Why won't my knife sell?

sanddragger28 said:
Thanks! knife is sold, albeit for a lot less than it cost (almost 300 less). Ive been a collector for 10 years and enjoy collecting. I take a lot of pride in knowing whats going to go up in value and have been very good at figuring out what will be collectible and valuable long term. What I think has happen here is that we've taken semi custom fixed blade knives and mass produced them cheapening the Brand. While I think the older Busses will still retain most of their value, all of the newer knives will decrease in monetary value. Its very simple, buyers want what they cant have, and are willing to pay for it. If a buyer can find what they want easily, the demand diminishes along with the price. While I love Busses and still have affection for them, the current situation has diminished many collectors collections monetary value considerably. This will most likely make collectors question future purchases. I mean really who like to loose money? If I want to loose money, I can think of many other ways to loose it. I will end with this what drew me to Busse knives was the mystique the brand had. I use to say if the Apocalypse happen today Christ would be carrying a Busse.... Hopefully the boss can help turn this market around so that collectors like myself aren't scared to spend again....
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. O2W did not do any long term favors for the brand or its existing customers IMO. Having said that, it did obviously expand their client base to new buyers and I'm sure increased their sales. I drunk the koolaid on several occasions over a period of years and still favor Busse over other brands for a hard use fixed blade and if there is an apocalyptic event, I will be carrying a Busse of some flavor or two. What O2W did do for me was expand my mind and collection to consider truly custom made knives that I didn't before when I was Busse drunk.

I think Busse needs to reintroduce the original infi formula again instead of touting the cheapened version, m-infi as infi as its my understanding that all blades nowadays are in fact the m-infi that was originally released as a more economical version of the steel in the Basic 7 and 9....maybe I am wrong on that and someone please correct if I am but I don't believe so. The old infi formula would allow Busse to tout it as something different than current production steel and could re-release it in all the fan favorites again without having to develop a new blade style or BG versions.

I'm still a huge fan of Busse but the flood of O2W took away from the exclusiveness I once felt of being privileged to have been lucky enough to own one and the soft secondary market reflects that I am not alone in my opinion on that either.
 
on_the_edge said:
The market for true art is very, very small. If you think about an expensive Busse knives as art, there are only two possibilities: those who agree with you and those who disagree. The group of those who agree with you is probably somewhat small and highly selective. As such, a quick sale is probably the last thing likely to happen. The group of folks who do not think of Busse knives as art, but think of them as something else, say perhaps a usable tool, is much much larger, but then you have to remember that that group has many choices-- users of all different shapes and sizes from many different companies and custom makers. If they just want something that will cut, well then there are a world of choices. If they want something that will cut and endure exactly as long as a Busse knife will, their options are much more limited but are still numerous nonetheless. Again, I think it is reasonable to expect that a quick sale of a knife for more than what you paid for it is more the exception than the rule. In my opinion, this applies even if the price you paid was reasonable or even a bargain.

I understand that we all hope that whatever we collect will increase in value. The price for nearly everything goes up over time but that does not mean the value of things in existence now also continues to increase. It's actually quite the contrary. Most things end up going down in value. Just my .02.
Click to expand...

Unrelated but not, I've always wanted to say this and haven't until now.......I really, really like your avatar! It always gets my attention-
 
I think the election has some to do with it. Everybody was purchasing guns, ammo, and accessories. After the outcome, many celebrated by buying more. I heard that on Black Fri., more firearms were purchased than needed to arm the USMC. :o :D Now it's the silly season, and the holidays tighten budgets everywhere. It is what it is. Plus, most of us still have O2W payments pending as they come due. "More knives" is probably not a priority on most folks' fun/edc lists right now.

But depends on the knife. Grails probably still shake loose the money grip. I just realized I have someone's, today, could probably grinch their whole Christmas if I were feeling more scroogy...gimme about a week (kidding). :)

End of day, past everything else, the brand is quality...but that doesn't automatically guarantee a hit on each model. Personally, I've avoided the LBAA like the plague, both during the production run & by skipping the grab bag deal. Good knife, of course, but its same handle doesn't fit my hand any better than the TMAA's and the SE2007 AA I already have, nor did I like their look more than the NAA's that I've already sold. Had I been much newer to Busse, I would have ordered one to handle, but these were a definite pass for me personally based on previous knowledge of the model.
 
I guess I don't see where the heart of the Busse brand is really dedicated to 'collectors.' I realize that with the custom shop they were checking that box to a degree, and no doubt some beautiful blades were made, and purchased and resold. But that's not even a functioning part of the company now, (although it may arise again) and it's not really what Busse stands for, at least from my perspective.

It seems to me the core DNA of the brand has always been about making sure our combat military personal, first responders and other users have a truly great hard-use product, one that's made right here in the USA, and backed with an amazing warranty. To me that's what Busse really brings to market.

When it comes to knives, I'm a bit of a collector myself, but as we know, collections don't always have to revolve around high dollars. When I started my knife collection a couple years ago, I didn't care about high dollar knives simply because they cost more, and still don't. My purchase requirements were simple; I wanted hard-use knives that were made in the USA, at least 1/4 inch thick, and had micarta handles. Today, I have some great blades from multiple manufacturers, and they all have those same qualities. I'm happy with what Busse is bringing to market. :thumbup:
 
Good discussion, but some of my brothers here are complicating things....

FACT: You're not gonna take your bank account into the afterlife

FACT: It's called "disposable income" for a reason

FACT: Even if a piglet feels like he may have "overspent" on a Busse, he still OWNS the best fixed blade with the best lifetime transferable warranty in the WORLD...he didn't piss his money away

FACT: A Busse / Kin has tremendous utility and will always have value as such

FACT: Our mantra around here is: "NO REGRETS!" ... learn it, live it

so keep choppin and let the chips fall where they may
 
PeteyTwoPointOne said:
FACT: You're not gonna take your bank account into the afterlife
Click to expand...


BusseSkeleton.jpg
 
zmbhntr said:
Honestly, the grab bags didn't bring the secondary market prices down much at all because they had some different and unique knives (BT6 and custom shop pieces for instance). O2W on the other hand has definitely changed the market in many ways, including significantly reducing the secondary market prices on many knives (but not all). I used to buy a knife if I was at all on the fence about it, because if it wasn't quite right for me after receiving and holding it, I could pretty much always resell it and and break even. That is not the case nowadays, so I'm much more careful with what blades I buy. The flip side is that many new buyers can get to experience how great the brand is and not spend a huge amount of money (or at least not as much as they would have paid in years previous). As is the way with many things, there are both positive and negative aspects to the current market.
Click to expand...

well said and I agree on most points, but I think the grab bags did effect the market quite a bit, there are a heck of a lot of grab bag knives here on the forum as well as eBay. I think you are right that O2W is the main cause of the loss of value on the secondary market. I see it both ways, as a guy who is deeply invested in Busse it sucks. I bought pretty recklessly when I first got into Busse a couple years ago because I always knew I could get my money back, or most of it. I often paid too much if I wanted that instant gratification when I was searching a particular model.....so, now I am paying the price, I have at least a couple dozen knives that are worth less than I paid for them. At the same time you can't help but be happy for the guy who always wanted a Busse and is now able to afford or justify spending the money on a knife he as always wanted. The worst part for me is seeing the truly desirable and more rare knives that just set on the used market because people are just spent out of Busse money.
I also have to look at it as a business owner and if I had to guess I would say Jerry has had is most profitable couple years ever. The secondary market is really no concern of his, he makes his money first. By offering the BG knives he has opened up an entire new market of buyers. This shop credit on the last ganza will keep even more of our knife budgets and disposable incomes tied up. It is really very genius, he has built a brand over decades and now is reaping the rewards more than ever.
 
Excellent response!! However, I still think the Free Markets will supersede any plan a business owner comes up with. The business owner has to adjust to the market environment they are currently in to continue success. The pendulum always swings back the other direction which can be devastating to some. I have seen this happen to many times in business. The markets will always correct themselves at some point. As you said in your post a couple of years ago you spent foolishly because you knew you could get most of your money back. I bet you are not willing to spend heavily in this current market? I certainly am not. If buyers are not willing to spend this certainly is not good for business. With regards to Jerry should not be concerned with the secondary market I disagree. Any segment of a market that can slow sales of a brand down is bad. Meaning if your stuff is moving and your in the limelight it brings attention excitement need and want, this translates to sales on all fronts. Business is like a wheel it must roll to function properly it cant be a sqaure .

jbs121s said:
well said and I agree on most points, but I think the grab bags did effect the market quite a bit, there are a heck of a lot of grab bag knives here on the forum as well as eBay. I think you are right that O2W is the main cause of the loss of value on the secondary market. I see it both ways, as a guy who is deeply invested in Busse it sucks. I bought pretty recklessly when I first got into Busse a couple years ago because I always knew I could get my money back, or most of it. I often paid too much if I wanted that instant gratification when I was searching a particular model.....so, now I am paying the price, I have at least a couple dozen knives that are worth less than I paid for them. At the same time you can't help but be happy for the guy who always wanted a Busse and is now able to afford or justify spending the money on a knife he as always wanted. The worst part for me is seeing the truly desirable and more rare knives that just set on the used market because people are just spent out of Busse money.
I also have to look at it as a business owner and if I had to guess I would say Jerry has had is most profitable couple years ever. The secondary market is really no concern of his, he makes his money first. By offering the BG knives he has opened up an entire new market of buyers. This shop credit on the last ganza will keep even more of our knife budgets and disposable incomes tied up. It is really very genius, he has built a brand over decades and now is reaping the rewards more than ever.
Click to expand...
 
sanddragger28 said:
Excellent response!! However, I still think the Free Markets will supersede any plan a business owner comes up with. The business owner has to adjust to the market environment they are currently in to continue success. The pendulum always swings back the other direction which can be devastating to some. I have seen this happen to many times in business. The markets will always correct themselves at some point. As you said in your post a couple of years ago you spent foolishly because you knew you could get most of your money back. I bet you are not willing to spend heavily in this current market? I certainly am not. If buyers are not willing to spend this certainly is not good for business. With regards to Jerry should not be concerned with the secondary market I disagree. Any segment of a market that can slow sales of a brand down is bad. Meaning if your stuff is moving and your in the limelight it brings attention excitement need and want, this translates to sales on all fronts. Business is like a wheel it must roll to function properly it cant be a sqaure .
Click to expand...

Great point and it's not that I don't agree with you. Markets change daily, cars, guns or gold, it's all supply and demand. So yes, free market trumps all and that's the way it will always be. I was just stating that for years Busse has been off limits to a lot of people in the knife world. Whether out of principal or budget, it really didn't matter. I am sure most of us when we first saw a $400 Busse thought that no way in hell am I spending that on a knife, my ESEE, Cold Steel, Buck, Becker, etc is all I need. Then you get the balls to buy one and it's all over. With the BG knives Jerry created a gateway drug for a lot of people. A chance to have a taste. I am betting the majority will be back for more. So, while the free market will always prevail, Jerry has essentially created himself a larger market.

As for me personally, I am not that smart. I am already heavily invested and all in. I buy the knives because I like them, not just Busse, but the majority of of what I own are Busse. They get cheaper, I will just buy more. I don't go to knife shows or blade, none of my buddies are into knives and I don't personally know anyone within 100 miles that is into Busse. SO, if I don't have a model or have never touched a certain knife and I see it at a good price than I am a buyer. I also can be a little OCD, so if I take a liking to a model I may decide that I need 13 identical ones, you know, just in case.
 
Chinese implies they are going to counterfeit the knife. Logic machine broken.

Lol'ed myself.

At least it sold and someone is happy.
 
I buy most of my busse/kin knives from Ebay and you can search for 'sold listings' and see how much these knives are selling for. i just did a quick search and i found ZERO knives that sold for less than the original retail price... in fact it seems that the market is quite strong
 
Thats the problem with most of us here in the USA we have our heads buried in the sand. Lets be logical here. The average Chinese citizen makes 12 bucks a day. Most citizens in China cant afford blades such as Busse. You think a Chinese buyer using a freight forward address buying several Busse knives in a short period of time is just a coincidence? I really doubt it. Look at the market for Strider,CRK,Medford,Microtech etc there are so many Excellent knockoffs coming out of China its ridiculous. I have also seen some Chinese Busse as well on youtube. SO, As an American I believe it is our duty as Americans to help protect American Brands and manufacturing.

KnifeKnutz said:
Chinese implies they are going to counterfeit the knife. Logic machine broken.

Lol'ed myself.

At least it sold and someone is happy.
Click to expand...
 
sanddragger28 said:
Thats the problem with most of us here in the USA we have our heads buried in the sand. Lets be logical here. The average Chinese citizen makes 12 bucks a day. Most citizens in China cant afford blades such as Busse. You think a Chinese buyer using a freight forward address buying several Busse knives in a short period of time is just a coincidence? I really doubt it. Look at the market for Strider,CRK,Medford,Microtech etc there are so many Excellent knockoffs coming out of China its ridiculous. I have also seen some Chinese Busse as well on youtube. SO, As an American I believe it is our duty as Americans to help protect American Brands and manufacturing.
Click to expand...

With respect sir that it a phenomenally narrow minded view. China has the second largest number of Dollar millionaires in the world after the U.S. http://europe.newsweek.com/china-adds-one-million-new-millionaires-2014-328771?rm=eu

China is one of the biggest growing markets for high end knives on the planet and the makers and dealers who have penetrated that market have done brilliantly.

It is understandable if you don't want to ship internationally and take the associated risks involved, I certainly understand that. However simply saying that you refuse to ship there because no-one can afford your knife and therefore it is being purchased for some nefarious reasons is simply wrong.
 
I think that if they are hell bent on copying it, they will even if they dont have an original one on hand. Measurements of AA can be found on the net, as well as the pictures. Those are all they need, same appearance.
 
Last edited:
I sold an ASH-2 to bubuknife but not before talking to another seller about it. There is a lot of disposable income in China & while he appears to be aggressively buying up knives on the exchange, he might just be a collector buying while the secondary market is soft. Chinese HOGS can appreciate good steel too.
 
sanddragger28 said:
Thats the problem with most of us here in the USA we have our heads buried in the sand. Lets be logical here. The average Chinese citizen makes 12 bucks a day. Most citizens in China cant afford blades such as Busse. You think a Chinese buyer using a freight forward address buying several Busse knives in a short period of time is just a coincidence? I really doubt it. Look at the market for Strider,CRK,Medford,Microtech etc there are so many Excellent knockoffs coming out of China its ridiculous. I have also seen some Chinese Busse as well on youtube. SO, As an American I believe it is our duty as Americans to help protect American Brands and manufacturing.
Click to expand...

If your point of view has any meaning, the question is then does Busse online itself sell knives to Chinese with freight forwarding addresses that can pay?
 
congrats on selling the knife. politics and economy aside, I just assumed locals at the trough were girding their hoggy loins for OP2W part deux. Occam's razor and all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top