All About Pocket Knives

This past Saturday night - 2-24-07 - I went to an auction. They sold 3 or 4 shotguns, some arrow heads, several coins, most silver and some pocket knives...AND LET ME TELL YOU FELLOWS...don't think you paid too much....the way those knives sold at that little country auction...you could have bought knives on eBay, paid shipping and handling and then sold them at that auction and after you paid your commission...you will still have made money... There were a few used knives and they commanded a high price. The new knives were mostly Case and Boker and they seemed to be from the 90's to early 2000 and they commanded a higher price. Aren't we all glad that knife prices aren't dropping?
I did not even bid on the first knife...I would have sold many of my older knives much lower than they brough at the auction.
I used to be an auctioneer and I sold Tennessee Walking Horses, bulldozers, and land that didn't excite me as much as those knives. I have determined I am going to go through my knives and pick some to take to that auction.

Tom, where was that auction.

James

jfarmer wrote:Tom, where was that auction.

James

MORRISON, TENNESSEE - THAT'S NEAR MANCHESTER

I beleive it. I have never bought a knife at a local auction. Never. A gun either for that matter, but we're discussing knives. Worst part is how things get pawed over before the bidding starts, but the final price is still extremely steep.

I'm discussing a deal at a local antique mini-mall, where people pay a certain amount of $ per month to have a little booth/area. I just need space for one tall locked, glass front display case. The prices I have seen at auctions-- and in antique shops & such-- make me think I can sell higher than ebay at the same cost per month.

Phil

This is interesting...If every other outlet (live-auction,store,guy next door) to purchase a knife reflects a value amount that is similar to the other prices does that mean that we "devalue" our knives by selling them on Ebay?? I mean after ebay fees and paypal charges I have lost money on more than one knife.

Should we make a greater effort to sell knives only at places that will bring the true value of the knife. I understand that the price is what the market is selling for but if only one market is selling at a lower price (ebay) and every other place is selling at a higher price than we need to think of how important it is where we sell our knives..

::blah:: ::blah:: I know I'm rambling here but we all know that we can underbuy knives on ebay considerably less than we can anywhere else..I don't know but it sure does make me want to "sell" somewhere else...

Sunburst

Ebay is a funny place. Sometimes a knife sells for less than it should and other times a knife sells for way more than it should. For me, it kind of seems to balance out. I do feel kind of guilty when I sell one for a lot more than it is worth. Those ebay fees are rediculous. Especially if you think of how many items are sold per day.

James

Yes, Ebay is a strange place. Never know what a price that one thing will bring.

I also sell at one day knife/gun shows, oh, about three a year. I cannot do those two or three day events. I frequently hear this "I can get it cheaper on ebay". To which I give my stock reply: "I base my prices on ebay, including postage and you're sending it back if it ain't right. Now what can I show you? And here's a FREEBY for your kid."

The plus at the gun/knife shows, as at the auctions I think, is that there are still many, many people, above middle age, who are not computer, or at least ebay literate. They are not used to seeing thousands of knives at their fingertips. I show them quality knives they can't find anywhere else within driving distance.

Phil

I inquired today at some of the local 'antique malls'. These are places that are large, divided up into many smaller booths, which are rented/leased out to individuals. I am on a waiting list, perhaps April first, for a large glass display case. Perfect for our type of ware. These are locked, and an employee must be fetched to unlock it. And the place I have chosen has a policy that the employee must stay right there.. no chance of changing prce tages. The prices are always high at these places, and it's hard to find a bargain, I know. But I have watched other shoppers buy over priced knives (or fairly priced-- which is all I ask for).

The one day knife gun shows are $50 for a table. I am spending 60 to 75 a month on ebay and paypal. I don't like advertisiing my stuff in the paper, cause I don't want people coming here, looking at all my stuff, noting my lack of security, ect.

I'll try this out and report back to you guys. I'm obviously not the only one here who offsets the cost of his hobby by selling. A good topic that moved me into action, thanks.
Phil

I haven't sold knives anywhere other than ebay and I've found it to be very profitable for me.

I tried to avoid Paypal fees by not upgrading to the premier account but I found it impossible to stay under their limits. Plus, there are times when people want to use debit cards or whatever and you'd have to deny their payment if you didn't upgrade to a premier account.

I'd have to agree with James, though. Sometimes, a knife goes for less than I think it should but other times it goes for a lot more. I love the competition that an auction-like forum like ebay gives me. I always start the auctions low with no reserve then the peoples' competitive natures take over.

Anyway, I've never tried a knife show or anything similar . . . I'll have to give it a try sometime.

Eric

As a fourth generation auctioneer (and avid old toenail collector ), I watch different types of auctions with great interest.

My 2 cents- rarely will a high dollar vintage toenail sell for "retail" value on eBay....due to what I call the "eBay discount factor."

It is the "As Is, Where Is," "no refund, no return" auctions are the most common on eBay, for sure. The other significant factor that typically supresses the price, is the "non-disclosure seller" who is afraid to disclose the defects and takes the position of "if you don't ask, I don't tell" approach to selling. It is very common.

I have found that I also must ask just the right question to find out that specific defect, otherwise, the seller only answers the questions asked. When I send my "list" of questions most sellers answer the ones they want to. I'm not overly picky, just want to know the "bad" in addition to the good, that's all, nor am I saying that all sellers on eBay take this approach. Some sellers are excellent....and I know there is the ability of a bidder to check a sellers feedback before entering a bid...

I can't speak for any other pattern except toenails (and old ones at that), but clearly see a discount paid on ebay for them.

I also believe a "live" auction of vintage toenails bring the highest price due to- 1) the live aspect of bidding against other bidders, and 2) having the opportunity to inspect the knife in person.

I am aware that a few of the sellers on eBay allow returns, but most don't, unless the knife was grossly misrepresented.

I do buy on eBay but approach those sales very cautiously

kinda curious, bought a canal street from ebay last week, 3 blade whittler, dark amber stag. after shipping charges, paid less than $60 for it, no idea if thats a good deal or not, but it sure is a purty knife...

stupidhead wrote:I haven't sold knives anywhere other than ebay and I've found it to be very profitable for me.

I tried to avoid Paypal fees by not upgrading to the premier account but I found it impossible to stay under their limits. Plus, there are times when people want to use debit cards or whatever and you'd have to deny their payment if you didn't upgrade to a premier account.

I'd have to agree with James, though. Sometimes, a knife goes for less than I think it should but other times it goes for a lot more. I love the competition that an auction-like forum like ebay gives me. I always start the auctions low with no reserve then the peoples' competitive natures take over.

Anyway, I've never tried a knife show or anything similar . . . I'll have to give it a try sometime.

Eric

Me too; all of it!

RDH wrote:kinda curious, bought a canal street from ebay last week, 3 blade whittler, dark amber stag. after shipping charges, paid less than $60 for it, no idea if thats a good deal or not, but it sure is a purty knife...

RDH,

It's always hard to tell how good a deal we get when purchasing our knives but I have always liked to compare with the other outlets. Here is Cumberland farms site and a dark amber stag for sale, it looks like you got a great deal in comparison..

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi ... ds=&next=3

Take care and welcome to the site,

Sunburst

I've watched certain types of knives on ebay to get a feel for what they generally go for and found that there is some consistency. It's probably because others are doing the same. If a knife is still being sold new, you will most likely pay much more for one being sold by one of the ebay stores. Most of the time new knives sold by individuals will go for much less. Of course some sellers are great for making claims about rarity, etc. and it works on the naive. The best deals I've seen are when the seller mentions some negative such as no box,etc.. It seems to weed out the guys that think they're buying an investment knife, and it sells for what it is really worth. I've not seen how a person with any consistency can buy on ebay and turn around and resell there to pay for the time involved.
I troll around the bottom of the pond searching for knives at the price range limit for me and as they are closing. Sometimes when a knife has had numerous bids on it, it is forgotten about when it closes in the middle of the night. You check your email in the morning to see what Santa brought.

ok;
i will add my thoughts,on ebay,as well as knife shows,for i have done
both,buying as well as selling,i have made and lost money,on
both,i find that if you want to come out ahead,or just break even,
list your item or items,on a reserve auction,you will do a lot better
if you do,i really made more than i have lost,i went to a local knife show
back in jan,bought a few knives,and just as an experiment ,went back
to the same show,in march,tried to sell or trade,with no luck,that made me MAD,what gives,even had proof that i got them there,what a ripoff
and it was the same dealer,that sold them to me,people need to really check themselves,knifers my ass,
countrydanny;

I thought that I might add my .02 on this topic. I have been going to auctions for many years, and have noticed a few things that stand out.

1. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I have been at sportsman auctions where guys pay over retail price because they get in a whizzing match with someone else over a gun. Same thing can happen with knives. I was at an auction with a buddy who also frequents this site about 3 weeks ago. We watched as guys paid very near retail prices on Case knives, but my buddy bought a Schrade Walden in great shape for $5. Guys around here hear the name Case or Queen and they go nuts but they probably wouldn't stoop down to pick up a Rooster in the street.

2. Ebay is a temperamental horse. I have seen the market change radically in a few weeks on certain items, the best thing to do is buy what you like for what you want to spend and then let nature take its course.

Country Danny, most guys selling at shows are there to make a profit. They are not going to give you in trade what you bought a knife for off of them. Think of them as a car salesman and everything will become much clearer I have met some really neat guys at a few shows but most of them erally don't want there own stuff back.

I bring back this old thread because in it, I made a post about an alternative to ebay for selling knives. In the post, I related how there are a few 'antique malls' in our city. Large buildings, divided up into booths that people can rent by the month, and smaller showcases. As it worked out, a showcase (4 foot wide, 6 feet tall, about 18" deep, all glass shelves with a light in it, glass doors that lock) became available March 9. I rented it, $75 a month (what I pay paypal and ebay every month), stocked it with mostly things that did not sell on Ebay, along with some others. I priced knives up to 100 percent higher than what I see them go for on Ebay.

Got my first two checks today. I am happy. Some examples: Colonial multicolor cell handled fishing knife: $45. Used Schrade 108OT: $20. Camillus all steel (1984) military camp knife: $50. Imperial Hammer tin shell multi-color pen knife: $15. Plastic Handled M7 bayonet and sheath: $60. You get the idea. In less than a month, I have paid for the showcase and made a profit.

I do have to forward sales tax off to the state. No problem there, state makes it easy. I was already set up as a small business, kinda keeping a low profile until I retire.

I've got a handle somewhat on what the local market wants. The mall owner and her manager had told me that plenty of people come into the mall looking specifically for old knives.. I have myself, and I have shadowed other people examining and buying knives there to see what sells for what. The plain fact is, there are still knife collectors all over that don't ebay. That don't attend the larger out of town knife shows. That are starved for additions to their collections.

It's working for me, so far.

Phil

Well guys,for me the only type of knife I will sell on ebay,is one I have very little money in..I'm more of a ebay buyer than a seller..The knives I sell, are usually sold at swap meets or to my knifer friends.I do a lot of trading with friends and catch a few dollars in between. I enjoy the trading most of all!!