Case Prototype, a good investment?

[binghaje]

Are Case Prototype knives typically a good investment? For example, a mammoth ivory 1 of 1 in the world with prototype mark of a particular pattern. What would be a "good buy" as a rule of thumb, double, triple the going market rate of the knife? Currently production mammoth knives are going for about $160 on the bay, not retail. Thanks for your advice. Jeff

[Mr Rick]

To me, investment means buy it now and sell later at a profit. I only buy to keep, or give away later. I'm too new at this to know if knives can be a good investment.

By the way.........

[deanmm56]

Can you be specific as to a model and year ? Typically the older the knife the more the worth, especially with Case knives in "Mint" condition.

If you are referring to NEW Case knives, I wasn't aware they were/are selling any prototypes ...... of course I've been wrong before.

[4ever3]

Sounds like a Case Classic description. Is it a Case Classic or a Case?

How bout pics?

[binghaje]

They are Case, not Case Classic.

[TripleF]

Keep in mind.......traditional style knives are a dying breed...
The industry is now 80% tactical style. Once some of us who were allowed to carry knives to school begin to become piles of dirt, the knives may not be as collectible as they are right now....

[4ever3]

We're they from the collectors reunion or something?

How bout pics or a link to pics?

[binghaje]

I am a collector and do not buy/sell knives for a living. Realize as with most hobbies you never get your money back. I was just wondering if it was foolish to pay double or more for a documented prototype. I hesitate to post pictures or exact desc because I have not yet purchased them - some of you might beat me to the punch!. The prototypes were made in the 1990s and are produced and sold today. I believe they were first released about 4 years ago. They are not mammoth ivory but are a natural material, not composite. They are not vintage and not club knives.

[buck16]

TripleF I think you are right on the money in your assessment of traditional knives as an investment. I've been a member here for 3 years and they have been going down ever since with a few exceptions.

[4ever3]

Well, based on the info given I would give you a a solid maybe

I it were my money I would say no, newer (Parker era to current) Case knives with the exception of the Bose knives just don't hold. There are a few instances where you can buy old knives to flip for a quick gain, you know the stuff movies are made of, but very very few. The older Case knives will hold value or gain over time (provided you didn't over pay to start with) but the new ones you can't get your money back out of. Ask me, I know, been there done that, got the tshirt and I ain't going back.

All that being said, buy the knife if you like it, if you don't? Don't! Don't go into it with the idea of making money because unless you can buy it really really cheap, it just not going to happen.

Hope I've been of some help.

I understand, but I wouldn't buy it if I knew where it was.

p.s. this isn't moderated buy Case employees is it ? Whew! I'm thinking I can speak my mind without my post being deted

Triple F is partly correct however there will always be traditional slip joints sold, the cream will rise to the top the others? Well, they won't.

[binghaje]

Thanks Sowbelly. Figured that was the case with the newer knives. I thought collectors might pay more for a 1 of 1 Case documented prototype. They are not direct buy from Case. No Bose patterns either. They are the typical stockman, peanut and trapper styles. Speaking of the Bose knives though, l have a red stag sway back jack NIB, a Tony Bose signed box. Hoping his signature is worth something someday! Sorry to get off subject. Jeff

[Colonel666]

Got photo?

[4ever3]

Another thing to think about is the 1 of 1, there is a such a thing as being to "rare." Something can be so rare that no one has ever heard of it, and react just like you did... "Is it worth it?" Instead of "I've read about those and I know that's a good price!"

No worries about off subject, that just makes a thread more of a conversation, besides its your thread, you can hijack it as many times as you want! I was speaking of the Case Bose collaborations, not the Bose designs, like the Swayback, Sowbelly, or Backpocket. If that was my Stag Swayback I would drop it in my pocket, it'll make you feel about 3' taller. It is a pocket knife after all

[binghaje]

I agree with your point about being too rare. At least in this case these knives are produced today and there's no mistaking them. I think it's odd the prototypes were made some 15 years before they were sold to the main stream public. Like in my mammoth ivory example. Every collector knows what they are. If you could get your hands on the very first and only mammoth ivory Barlow, you would have something. That is if what I'm being told about case prototypes is true.

[4ever3]

That is if what I'm being told about case prototypes is true.

That is one reason why I asked if they were Classics, there are waaaay to many prototypes.

These knifes you are looking at, where is the prototype marked? That will tell if they are frome Case or not...

[binghaje]

These are marked on the blades. However others I've seen are marked inside the brass inner liners.

[1967redrider]

Another thing to think about is the 1 of 1, there is a such a thing as being to "rare." Something can be so rare that no one has ever heard of it, and react just like you did... "Is it worth it?" Instead of "I've read about those and I know that's a good price!"

4ever3, you hit the nail on the head for me with the whole "prototype" thing. I have a Bulldog 3 blade trapper with a "prototype" etch but would that really make the knife more valuable to collectors and how much more valuable? What would someone use for reference?


Welcome to AAPK, binghaje!

[4ever3]

Jeff... Run, don't walk!

If its a Case prototype it will be marked on the inside of the brass liner, with very few exceptions. Anyone can buy a knife, rescale it and have prototype engraved on the blade.