numbered editions

[enuf]

Just wondering on limited run knives if the lower or higher the number is - if that will make a difference in the pricing/value of a knife. for example, let's say a USA made knife had a limited run of 1000 would the #1 be much value difference than say #8 or #106 or #733 or #1000? Is there any rhyme or reason to getting a particular range of number?

[edge213]

Not to me.
Just more gimmicks like prototype etc.

[Railsplitter]

Some collectors will pay a premium for #1 of a limited run. The lower the run quantity, the higher price they are willing to pay.

With that in mind, many runs are not serialized. For example, you might have a knife that is one of 1,000 made but it’s not necessarily number one because the run isn’t serialized. It’s simply one knife among 1,000 made.

I’ve seen people get excited about acquiring a knife that has “1 of 1,000” etched on the blade. They think it’s serial number 1 but it isn’t. Every knife in that run has the exact same etch on the blade. That etch gives some people the wrong impression.

[enuf]

Some collectors will pay a premium for #1 of a limited run. The lower the run quantity, the higher price they are willing to pay.

With that in mind, many runs are not serialized. For example, you might have a knife that is one of 1,000 made but it’s not necessarily number one because the run isn’t serialized. It’s simply one knife among 1,000 made.

I’ve seen people get excited about acquiring a knife that has “1 of 1,000” etched on the blade. They think it’s serial number 1 but it isn’t. Every knife in that run has the exact same etch on the blade. That etch gives some people the wrong impression.

Right, I have seen that also. But yes, I am referring to numbered ones. I figure if it is not in the first ten or the last ten, then it probably is affected much less - I guess, that would be my first thoughts. But I am not really sure. Maybe the middle is a big deal...

[Railsplitter]

I personally don't put too much emphasis on the serial number.

At one time, I had two GEC knives that were different patterns and both were serial number 2. A 53 Cuban in Elk and a 68 White Owl in Elk. I have to confess that I thought that was pretty cool. I wound up selling both of them eventually but not for what I would consider a high price. Then again, I set the price, not the buyer.

If you ever run across a GEC that is serial number 1, you've got something there. It's my understanding that GEC keeps all serial numer 1's for their factory display. Not sure what other manufacturers do.

[enuf]

I personally don't put too much emphasis on the serial number.

At one time, I had two GEC knives that were different patterns and both were serial number 2. A 53 Cuban in Elk and a 68 White Owl in Elk. I have to confess that I thought that was pretty cool. I wound up selling both of them eventually but not for what I would consider a high price. Then again, I set the price, not the buyer.

If you ever run across a GEC that is serial number 1, you've got something there. It's my understanding that GEC keeps all serial numer 1's for their factory display. Not sure what other manufacturers do.

good info.

[Mumbleypeg]

If you care, you might pay more. If you don’t care, well - you don’t care. In my experience most people don’t care. So if you’re selling, you need to find a buyer who cares.

It’s not rocket science.

Ken

[philco]

Hey Ken...............I don't care!

[Mumbleypeg]

Neither do I!

Ken

[Modern Slip Joints]

First, I must warn you that I've never met or read about another collector dumb enough to do the things I've done or bid on serialized knives like I did. Second, I do not give a hoot how low or high a serial number is in its series unless its serial number matches the number on knives I already own. For example, in the past SMKW sold limited run collector knives of the same pattern with different side covers and made it possible for customers to buy knives with the different side covers serialized alike. The U.S. Queen manufacturer, the National Knife Collectors' Association, Kbar Kollectors Club and others did the same thing. I used to see small groups of such matching serial number knives put up for bid on ebay as individual knives. While I never saw a seller suggest bidders bid higher to get knives that matched the numbers on ones they had already "won," I did. Not crazy high, but a little higher. The more I had with matching numbers the more I wanted another with that number.

Also, somtimes a number seems cool for irrational reasons. I bought two Queen English Jack Knives that Queen originaly sold as a serial matching set, one with a clip point master blade and the other a spear. I bought number 007. Do you hear the theme song of an old James Bond movie? I'm sure I'd be better prepared to enter her majisty's secrect servive if I owned a third knife serialized 007. Number 006 or 008? Yawn.

I know, I know. Real collectors would rather have knives that were built before manufacturers started advertising their knives as collector knives. Those are too expensive.

[Rookie]

I've witnessed guys pay quite a bit more for a low serial number. Personally I don't really care if it is #5 or #517, but everyone is different.

[enuf]

I mean, I don't care - I was just seeing if it mattered. I am not selling but looking at a couple of the same knife with different serial numbers and there is a 20% cost difference, so I was curious if that had anything to do with it. Neither of the sales referenced the numbers being of any significance so I was wondering why the swing. That is all I wondered.

[enuf]

First, I must warn you that I've never met or read about another collector dumb enough to do the things I've done or bid on serialized knives like I did. Second, I do not give a hoot how low or high a serial number is in its series unless its serial number matches the number on knives I already own. For example, in the past SMKW sold limited run collector knives of the same pattern with different side covers and made it possible for customers to buy knives with the different side covers serialized alike. The U.S. Queen manufacturer, the National Knife Collectors' Association, Kbar Kollectors Club and others did the same thing. I used to see small groups of such matching serial number knives put up for bid on ebay as individual knives. While I never saw a seller suggest bidders bid higher to get knives that matched the numbers on ones they had already "won," I did. Not crazy high, but a little higher. The more I had with matching numbers the more I wanted another with that number.

Also, somtimes a number seems cool for irrational reasons. I bought two Queen English Jack Knives that Queen originaly sold as a serial matching set, one with a clip point master blade and the other a spear. I bought number 007. Do you hear the theme song of an old James Bond movie? I'm sure I'd be better prepared to enter her majisty's secrect servive if I owned a third knife serialized 007. Number 006 or 008? Yawn.

I know, I know. Real collectors would rather have knives that were built before manufacturers started advertising their knives as collector knives. Those are too expensive.

Now, I could see me doing this too. If this is stupid, I can be stupid.

[peanut740]

The Case Classic program,they'd put any # you wanted on them.I've seen 0,00,000 so serial numbers means absolutely nothing.