Tequila Sunrise Sowbelly

[Zbnrthct]

I am not big on 1st production run knives. Not that I am against them I just do not see any extra value in them. However, I did recently get a chance to purchase a Tequila Sunrise Sowbelly first run from my local Case dealer. I was there when he received it and he just received one. Is this knife worth keeping? Just looking for opinions. I am new to collecting, 2 years, so take it easy on me. Everyone was new to this at some point themselves. Just trying to expand my knowledge of pocket knives. Thanks!

[Railsplitter]

Any knife is worth keeping if you like it. That’s all that really matters.

[Zbnrthct]

Any knife is worth keeping if you like it. That’s all that really matters.

That's a great way to look at it Rick! I would like to keep it just didn't know what they knife may do but I don't guess anyone can look in the future.

[Railsplitter]

Is this the knife in question? If so, she’s a beauty!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I am not big on 1st production run knives. Not that I am against them I just do not see any extra value in them. However, I did recently get a chance to purchase a Tequila Sunrise Sowbelly first run from my local Case dealer. I was there when he received it and he just received one. Is this knife worth keeping? Just looking for opinions. I am new to collecting, 2 years, so take it easy on me. Everyone was new to this at some point themselves. Just trying to expand my knowledge of pocket knives. Thanks!

Z, welcome to the forum. Just my two cents. I spent many years collecting modern Case knives and found out the hard way later that they weren’t worth collecting. I know I may draw heat for that remark, but I do keep an eye on the future value of my collection and try to buy knives that will hold value or increase in value. Some here will tell you that it’s not possible to do that as a collector and that every knife you buy you should expect to lose money on when you sell it later.
So the real question to ask as a new collector is what is my goal? Do I want to collect knives that hold or appreciate in value or do I just want to buy and collect what I like? The answer to that question will determine whether this is a good purchase. Modern Case knives are made in such high numbers that it is hard to find the few that will appreciate or hold value. There are some that will, but it can be hard to figure out which ones. I study the market on certain knives that I am interested in and concentrate on those. Amongst those that I study I have found some that I really like and I collect those, if I think the value for the future is there.
That is a beautiful knife and first production runs and Case Select and others made in limited quantities would be the only Case knives I would collect, if I could go back in time. Good luck with this new venture.

[Zbnrthct]

Is this the knife in question? If so, she’s a beauty!

Yes that is the knife. Here is the exact knife I am referring to.

[Zbnrthct]

I am not big on 1st production run knives. Not that I am against them I just do not see any extra value in them. However, I did recently get a chance to purchase a Tequila Sunrise Sowbelly first run from my local Case dealer. I was there when he received it and he just received one. Is this knife worth keeping? Just looking for opinions. I am new to collecting, 2 years, so take it easy on me. Everyone was new to this at some point themselves. Just trying to expand my knowledge of pocket knives. Thanks!

Z, welcome to the forum. Just my two cents. I spent many years collecting modern Case knives and found out the hard way later that they weren’t worth collecting. I know I may draw heat for that remark, but I do keep an eye on the future value of my collection and try to buy knives that will hold value or increase in value. Some here will tell you that it’s not possible to do that as a collector and that every knife you buy you should expect to lose money on when you sell it later.
So the real question to ask as a new collector is what is my goal? Do I want to collect knives that hold or appreciate in value or do I just want to buy and collect what I like? The answer to that question will determine whether this is a good purchase. Modern Case knives are made in such high numbers that it is hard to find the few that will appreciate or hold value. There are some that will, but it can be hard to figure out which ones. I study the market on certain knives that I am interested in and concentrate on those. Amongst those that I study I have found some that I really like and I collect those, if I think the value for the future is there.
That is a beautiful knife and first production runs and Case Select and others made in limited quantities would be the only Case knives I would collect, if I could go back in time. Good luck with this new venture.

Thank you for your insight I will keep that in mind when collecting and looking for knives. If only hindsight was 20/20 all the time!

Zack

[toomanyknives]

Welcome to the forum, Zack.

While everyone has their own reasons for collecting, I have always been of the mindset that if I only collect
what I like, I will never be upset to be "stuck" with one of my knives. I have never made any money on knives
mainly because I sell very few.I collect for the joy of owning them.

I collect guitars also, but I do sell some of those, but generally I only make money on the ones I hold onto long
enough for them to appreciate. I rarely buy to flip. In other words, you had better learn how to buy at a good
discount if you're going to flip knives.

That is a very nice Sowbelly you have there, BTW!

Kerry

[Mumbleypeg]

I am not big on 1st production run knives. Not that I am against them I just do not see any extra value in them. However, I did recently get a chance to purchase a Tequila Sunrise Sowbelly first run from my local Case dealer. I was there when he received it and he just received one. Is this knife worth keeping? Just looking for opinions. I am new to collecting, 2 years, so take it easy on me. Everyone was new to this at some point themselves. Just trying to expand my knowledge of pocket knives. Thanks!

Z, welcome to the forum. Just my two cents. I spent many years collecting modern Case knives and found out the hard way later that they weren’t worth collecting. I know I may draw heat for that remark, but I do keep an eye on the future value of my collection and try to buy knives that will hold value or increase in value. Some here will tell you that it’s not possible to do that as a collector and that every knife you buy you should expect to lose money on when you sell it later.
So the real question to ask as a new collector is what is my goal? Do I want to collect knives that hold or appreciate in value or do I just want to buy and collect what I like? The answer to that question will determine whether this is a good purchase. Modern Case knives are made in such high numbers that it is hard to find the few that will appreciate or hold value. There are some that will, but it can be hard to figure out which ones. I study the market on certain knives that I am interested in and concentrate on those. Amongst those that I study I have found some that I really like and I collect those, if I think the value for the future is there.
That is a beautiful knife and first production runs and Case Select and others made in limited quantities would be the only Case knives I would collect, if I could go back in time. Good luck with this new venture.

Astute observation Mark. The chances of making money (more than inflation) on modern, post-1980 Case knives is a total crapshoot IMHO. In fact in most cases their value will probably depreciate, and not even keep pace with inflation during the first 10-20 years after production. Same is true of Chicom-made knives (looking at you Rough Ryder, Steel Warrior, et al). Lots of folks collect them, and hopefully do so because they like them, not to make money. Nothing wrong with that - I’m glad that Case has a business model and customer base that keeps an American cutlery viable.

Some will say “but what about those Case Tested, Case XX, etc knives that are so highly valued? Don’t those examples show Case knives will greatly appreciate in value as they age?” Maybe, but the difference as I see it is that pre-1980 knives were made in the days before knife collecting became a popular hobby. Knives made in those days were bought as tools to be carried and used. Not to be put away in storage. I’ve read the average half-life of a pocket knife in those days was between 2 and 5 years, before it was used up, broken, lost, etc. So finding one from that era in mint to near-mint condition is rare compared to those from more recent times that were bought to be put into someone’s safe, or display. And that relative rarity is what drives collectable values.

God only knows how many millions of post-1980s mint condition Case trappers (or pick your pattern) are sitting in collections. Today’s Case company makes mainly collectables, and tries to drive “rarity” with “First Production Run”, “One of XXX”, or other similar markings, and thankfully there is a segment of collectors to which this appeals. If you’re in that group the Case Collectors Club https://www.casecollectorsclub.com/ (and its associated Forum) is a good resource, and a place to find like minded collectors.

JMO

Ken

[Gunsil]

As an old collector of many things including antique knives I believe anything that is made as a "collectible" will never be collectible. All those folks who collected Hummel figurines and plates will agree. Modern Case knives are also not the same quality as the old ones, they are made on modern machines and have laser cut blades that are ground on automated machines and glue their shields on. The older ones were hand ground and many hand operations were used. If anybody thinks having every weird color of mini trapper makes a collection that will grow in value they are mistaken. If everybody holds these modern "collectibles" there will always be many available in the future. The inane use of marking knives as "prototype" or "first production run" will not increase their value.

[Mumbleypeg]

Gene, I think we agree, but a difference perhaps in semantics. They are obviously "collectable" else so many in the hobby wouldn't be buying them. And many cutleries operating today, wouldn't be. Whether they will ever significantly appreciate in value is a different issue!

Ken

[Zbnrthct]

This reminds me of the saying, what something is worth and what someone will give is two separate things. I have seen many knives sell for more than I thought they were worth. PBJ Sod Busters are one of those. I do like the fact that Case is bringing in new colors to bring in people of my age group, 25-30 years old. I have always liked the older case models 1980 and below. However, I know people in my age group who aren't as excited about those older knives and like the newer colorful case knives. I am not making a stance on which is right or wrong in that last statement-please don't flip out. Do you think it is smart on Cases part to try and attract my age group in to realm of knife collecting so that they can replenish their customer base? My dad collected case knives when I was growing up. It was their I found a love and place for older case knives. Two years ago, I started to really get into collecting myself and received a portion of his collection. When I first started collecting, not many people in my age group was huge into collection knifes. It seems in the past two years alone the color knives has brought a lot of new people into knife collecting. Again, not making any argument here. Just starting a good discussion to help bridge and understand the gap that seems to exist between the two groups.

Zack

[Reverand]

I think that the advice you have been given is valid. Collect what you like, pay what you think you can. Think of it as a fun hobby, not an investment. Occasionally you may be pleasantly surprised when a knife increases in value, but for the most part they will not.

[toomanyknives]

I think that the advice you have been given is valid. Collect what you like, pay what you think you can. Think of it as a fun hobby, not an investment. Occasionally you may be pleasantly surprised when a knife increases in value, but for the most part they will not.

Amen Reverand..

[Modern Slip Joints]

In both guns and knives if the exact variation is available without commemorative decoration or etches intended to make them more collectable then the undecorated one is worth more, considerably more in the case of commemorative guns. However, Case has etched so many of their traditional folders that most of us ignore etches that are not gaudy. If a commemorative gun is chambered for a cartridge never offered in standard undecorated versions of the same model that can make it worth a little more than the undecorated version. The same goes for barrel length and weight to a lessor degree. Getting specific, early in the 20th century Case assembled some of what we now call their Cheetah frame as two blade slip joint jack knives. Most of us can't afford them. For us in the late 1980s Case recreated them (6211 1/2) in stainless steel with deep red filled blade etches. Later Case made them again with standard black blade etches. The ones with gaudy red filled etches sell for substantially less than the later ones. Modern two blade 62050 large coke bottle knives are very uncommon. The ones with green jigged bone without etched blades are worth a lot more than the ones with deep color filled blade etches and handle sides commemorating a famous race car driver. I'd prefer a Case not etched first production run, one of however many, etc. but if the unmarked knife was not as easily bought then I'd ignore the etch.

If you want to buy a new production knife as an investment buy from a higher priced company that goes bankrupt after you've bought yours. That worked buying Queen's knives. Good luck.

[philco]

In my not so humble opinion, first production run and prototype knives are a sales gimmick but the gimmick must work or it wouldn’t be continually employed.
I’ve watched enough live online knife auctions to know it’s a gimmick that’s t works. For whatever reason it seems to be especially effective among some Case collectors.
In the OPs situation, I’d say buy that knife if you like it, but don’t pay a big premium price if you’re viewing it as an investment.

[Modern Slip Joints]

Z's Sowbelly does have attractive bone. In the General Knife Discussion sub-forum we just had a thread on what's your favorite pattern. The majority of replies wrote a 4 inch, give or take a 1/4 inch, stockman is the most useful knife. Sowbelly Stockmans are very popular in AAPK. Their length and rounded ends make them pocket friendly.