All About Pocket Knives

If a knife has a factory error, such as the shield on the wrong end, or upside down, or tang stamp or etch in the wrong place - oversights like that - does that make the knife more sought after or more valuable?

Would that in effect make the knife "1 of 1"?

Thanks in advance.

~ Edge

It has been my experience that this only makes the knife more valuable to a person who collects that particular brand and style and wants to accumulate one of every variation they can find . Otherwise , errors are less desirable to discriminating collectors who want their knives to be as near to "factory fresh" and original as possible .

Bob R. (RIDGEWOOD CUTLERY)

i personally would think an error knife would unlike coins or stamps would take value away,it would put an almost impossible task for the owner to prove it was real,except in where manufactorers would acknowledge it like in known factory errors like the case swing guards with the extra 1 in model # which i have been looking for for a long time the 611111/2

Well, as far as "being 1 of 1", I think that would only apply to certain circumstances.
Recently there were many BULL & BEAR or BEAR & BULL (I don't know which is correct) knives
imported with the two names switched around.

A friend of mine recently bought one and it came in a silk lined box with the name printed correctly
on the inside of the top of the box, and sure enough, the stamp on the knife was opposite.
The guys on "the knife show" talked this "hard core Case collector" into buying a Chinese import!!
I guess if your still up at 2 am, your mind probably isn't functioning right.....

Anyhow, there's no telling how many thousands of these cheap knives were imported with the misprint.

Personally I DO like to have something no one else has. I don't search for "mistakes", but when I see one,
you bet I'm going to try and get it! I keep them separate from my other knives in my collection!

...... Joe

Well honestly.......I think its like an apple with a bite already taken out of it......no thank you.

This Case knife is a factory error (knife and picture belongs to AAPK member just in case) with an upside down shield placement. This isn't odd on the Case knives with glue on shields but, this is a pinned on shield. I think factory error knives have a following and some collectors buy them up when they find them. I really don't know if the following is enough to effect the prices of the error knives.

Aimus

Some pretty varied answers so far ...

Lookin like it's a case of "One's man's ceiling is another man's floor" ...

~ Edge

This is a tough one for me, I expect true American quality in a knife, no issues at all.
Yet, I can see why someone would like a few knives that have their own little quirks.

I won't pay more for a knife that has an issue, so I don't think they're more valuable than a perfect knife.

For clarification - I am asking about errors that have NO functional impact - strictly cosmetic, not necessarily taking away from the look, and not what you would call a "second", just not exactly the same as the others ...

Thanks again,
Edge

How old are the knives you are asking about?

New. Straight from factory. Authenticity is as close to absolute as it can be.

~ Edge

Personally I think it detracts from the price.
Having a choice I would buy the correct version.

If they are New knives I doubt it has any affect on the value of the knife.

As others have said it probably detract from the value.

On the other hand if it were an old vintage knife, it might add some value.

I have a yellow handled Case stockman with NO TANG STAMP .

Knife is in new unused condition. First $500 gets it.

Anyone really like factory errors ?


Phil

Thanks Aimus Moses for posting that picture of my knife.when I started reading the thread I was thinking of putting up that pic and as I scrolled down there it was .That was cool.I dont think it adds value but it does add a little character like a conversation peice. I actually didnt realize the shield was upside down till I got it in the mail.Some body said it was made to put on a display board. And then some one else called it a Monday morning knife. I love it has an upside down shield.Is a vintage knife but a common pattern so the upside down shield kinda makes it a little special to me. It is an interesting theme for a collection though.

Thanks folks, appreciate the feedback..

~ Edge

quite honestly the stockman with the flesh only etches it makes more sense to have etch on the side yours is because its on the nail nik side

Het Troy.. well mebee yer right... however Genos' XX has...
nic on rear of spey.... etch on front..

I have only seen the etch on the mark side of the knife...