selling knives

[bpern57]

i have collected a few knives but i was wondering if anyone could tell me generally how close to retail value do knives sell for. could a guy do any good buying knives at 50% off retail and resaleing them? i know case is the best selling knife but what about other brands. thanks

[SFC ADP]

I think it is a trick question!
I have watched knives that book for well over $100, and sell for $20.
I think a few factors come into play, for one is the demand, if you can find a buyer, and what is he willing to pay.
I have bought knives way under book value, and I have paid over book value on knives as well, just because I wanted them badly enough, and knew they were a pain in the ass to find.
Pretty much the general rule is, a knife is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Here is an example:
I have been watching Schrade Buffalo Bill knives on E-Bay for the past month. I have seen 4 of them sell now, and here is the price's, not including shipping:
$22.01
$36.50
$66.99
$99.00 (this one they guy had listed as a prototype, stamped 0000)

Now my price guide lists the knife at $35 in 14th edition Official Price Guide, Copwrite 2004
and it is listed at $48.00 in the Standard Knife Collector's Guide (2005)

And those prices are suggested at Mint, in the Box, with the Coin as well that came with it.
So Avg Price out of 4 knives I have watched is $56.13

And there is a 5th one I am watching that is currently at $22.03... and has 5 days of bidding left on it!

That is an example of one knife, with a wide price range. There were 15,000 knives made as well! So it is not that rare of a collectors item.

Another quick example is the Cherry Chopper Knife I bought dated 1982, books for $125, I bought it for $23.00. I also bought a Marble's cherry tree chopper for $15.55. Personally I dont think right now there is a high demand for them, because of the bids I have competed against to win them. Nice knives, but no interest means I can buy them for a nice price!

So selling a knife and getting your money back? Depends on what your selling, and what the demand is, that is the best answer I can give you.

[PA Knives]

Your reply to this post was excellent. I think you captured the true market for newer knives. I am writing a chapter in the short book I am doing on where and how to buy antique knives. Your thoughts reflect accurately the flucuation that one can experience. Most CASE knives are marked up 100% from wholesale cost. Big stores get even a better break. Like they say on TV "no one should pay retail" This isn't the case for antique or vintage cutlery. I consider vintage as per 1970. JMO

[SEVENTY]

Mr. SFC ADP has the answer. There is no definitive price. For years, I
have enjoyed buying, selling, and trading knives for my enjoyment and
pleasure. I have been asked what price would I pay for certain knives
at auction or in the market place, but it usually has to do with your own
personal preferences. Some buy for investment and profit and some buy
to enjoy and share. Yes, I have given away knives that I was very fond of owning just to share with a friend a common interest. No one decision
is correct for everybody. 70