Worth keeping NIB?

Lee D

Lee D

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I have a BM 51 black blade that’s sat in a drawer untouched for a year or so, and now I see it’s a discontinued model.
I picked it up at a decent price and was keeping it around if I ever decided I want to play around with a bali. I recently stumbled across a video on YouTube that peaked my interest, but I don’t know if it’s worth keeping NIB or if I should just go ahead and try my hand at twirling it...opinions?
 
I'm not a fan of safe queens unless you have something really, really rare. Not sure a BM 51 qualifies but that is up to you.

If you just want something to fidget and twirl, maybe just get a Boker or Bear $40-50 bali to tide you over.
 
Go ahead and use it. If do not like it, or if you cut yourself like I would trying to twirl it, sell it.
 
TBH, very, very few (if any) knives are going to appreciate in value enough by being kept NIB to help fund anyone’s retirement. It’s your knife, so ultimately it’s your choice, but I would learn to twirl it (carefully), if that’s what would bring you enjoyment.

Jim
 
IUKE12 said:
Put me down in the twirl it column. No need to keep it pristine for the estate sale.
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James Y said:
TBH, very, very few (if any) knives are going to appreciate in value enough by being kept NIB to help fund anyone’s retirement. It’s your knife, so ultimately it’s your choice, but I would learn to twirl it (carefully), if that’s what would bring you enjoyment.

Jim
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I agree with these gentlemen.

Knives are a horrible investment, almost as bad as antique "milk glass" is for return on your dollars.

My outlook is "If I can't use it, why have it? (applies to more than knives/cutlery and firearms)
 
If it were me, I'd likely get currently available less expensive option to try my hand with. The Kershaw Lucha comes to mind. If you like flipping, you can move on to the 51 and now you have two knives to flip. If not? Sell the Kershaw for not much loss and keep the 51 for collecting purposes.
 
afishhunter said:
I agree with these gentlemen.

Knives are a horrible investment, almost as bad as antique "milk glass" is for return on your dollars.

My outlook is "If I can't use it, why have it? (applies to more than knives/cutlery and firearms)
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They are an even worse investment if you use a collector knife, find out it is not for you, then sell it for much less. I say find out if balisong flipping is something you like with a cheaper knife, then decide to keep or sell the more expensive collector.
 
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No idea why the double post.
Here's a knife pic for the trouble
be476f832853b22f0c66a752d3990aecc3add998.jpg
 
I say, use it everyday for all the cutting tasks you can to get used to the knife and then flipping and twirling will come much more naturally,
and you'll have mastered using it as a tool as well. Balisongs are usually pretty slim and comfortable to carry and I'm sure it's nice and sharp.
In other words, put that knife in your EDC rotation as a fun way to mix things up and as an opportunity as a knife enthusiast to learn a new knife.
Money is like the wind, but you can't beat the fun and experience of becoming proficient with a new blade.
 
cbach8tw said:
Go ahead and use it. If do not like it, or if you cut yourself like I would trying to twirl it, sell it.
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LMAO at this! A man after my own heart.

I decided at one point to give Balisongs a go. Never got good at it, but had a bunch of fun. Many cuts on hands and defiled hardwood flooring.

Got a BM 42, and just couldn't keep dropping it and cutting myself with it, so I gave it to a buddy of mine who really wanted one.

Now I have a Boker Magnum Trainer. It won't cut me and I don't care when it hits the floor. It's by far the better choice for me.

Do like I did. Get a trainer and have at it. If you enjoy it and get good at it, well then you have a great piece to carry.

And if you decide that the Balisong game isn't for you, you have a pristine Bali that you can sell quite readily.
 
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I was a bit shocked when I saw the prices some of BM’s other discontinued balis are bringing, but they’ve probably made a ba-gillion 51s, so I’m going to use around the house, and kill time CAREFULLY trying to learn some basic tricks. I have superglue, I’m not afraid lol
 
I have a Spyderco Slysz Bowie I got BNIB, even if I carry it once a month, I still wont hesitate to use it, only knives I have NIB are the ones I havent used (keep buying and buying) so yeah, dont care about resale value, just use it
 
I would certainly play with it, you don’t have to cut things with a butterfly knife to enjoy it. I’ve got way to many knives that have never cut a thing but I still enjoy them. It will hold value either way
 
hey OP.
if i read you right,
you're at a point where you can't
as yet quite decide on anything.
accept the fact that the knife deserves
to be in the hands of someone who
truly sppreciates it like some grail knife.
if you don't adore it and not one to
go looking for a couple more like it.
it becomes self evident that its something
you won't be missing in your treasure
chest of worldly.possessions, ever!
still want to hold on to it ??!
the trick is to convince youself
that you will miss it dearly and will
give an arm and a leg to have it back.
but that would be sadly, self-delusional
 
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