All About Pocket Knives

Most folks I know have a Parker price guide in their hand when they look, deal or want another Case knife. The prie guide number 9 is getting some age. Anyone know of when a update may come?

Just take the prices in Vol. 9 and multiply them by 80 - 85 % and that should be fairly close for today's market .
Bob

I use Steve Pfeiffer's book since it was written during the same economy we now currently "enjoy". Plus it also is a full color guide to the Case patterns and gives a lot of the history behind Case's production changes and other tidbits about the individual models.

I like PfeifferS book and have one near me always but I would like to buy by his prices rather than sell by them.

Steve Pfeiffer's book is GREAT!! That being said, I would not use it as a price guide. Parkers or Sargents books are what I prefer.

npeters3 wrote:Steve Pfeiffer's book is GREAT!! That being said, I would not use it as a price guide. Parkers or Sargents books are what I prefer.

I don't even use my own book as a price guide myself...I use Parkers or Sargents. But realistically no price guide means much any more.

Then what am I missing about price guides?

To be honest, I find price guides somewhat laughable. Anyone can say knife "A" is worth $100 and knife "B" is worth $200. But does that have any merit on what someone would pay for either knife? Jim Parker, Bruce Voyles, and others barnstormed the country back in the late 60's and early 70's buying "old" inventory from ma and pa hardware stores only to turn around and print some of the first price guides that were set to maximize their new found inventory.
I have attended hundreds of auctions over the past 40 years and auction prices are completely different then book price.
Just my 2 cents worth!

Paul

I know 1 thing for sure, if you attend a knife show and buy a table and set up your knives, expect to get offers of about 40% of the value listed in Sargent's 7th book, especially for pre 70's Case and Queen folders in very good condition. That's what I've seen. For those prices, it's better just to hold them and hope the market comes back in another 10 years or so (although I have my doubts.)

You must keep in mid the definition of the word GUIDE. It is not law. The price is always what the market will bear. If you are turning a reasonable profit then sell, if not then don't. NEVER PAY BOOK VALUE! is my motto.

I do an advanced eBay search checking the box for "Completed Listings";

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=kn ... e&_sacat=0

In the above link I just searched on "case knife." Ones with the dollar amount in green sold, the red dollar amounts did not. So then I can get a good feel for what today's market might bring. At least eBay is good for something.

I have seen this topic of the price guides come up previously. I personally agree with Robinten.
Everyone does it different and I respect that. So if book value means nothing than it stands to reason that some knives may command more dollars than book value, correct?

So what about rare knives? I have a few rare ones that are not for sale but know I would have no problem selling for well over book.

There have been recent posts about never paying amount "X" for one knife. But, the same members (which again, I respect their descision to do so) will buy 2, 3 or 4 knives that equal amount "X". We both just spent the same money but I have 1 knife and you have more. ??????