All About Pocket Knives

I purchase quite a few knives from EBay. But I have to tell you the characters who price their knives ridiculously make me laugh.
I see the same junk knives for weeks, months and years being listed for prices that no-one in their right mind would pay. And who the heck is Rhett Stidham and why should I pay hundreds of dollars for a “knife” with two broken blades and no handles just because it was part of his estate?
The problem with EBay is that they keep giving people free listings so it encourages them to price their junk ridiculously.
The other side of the coin is that people bid stupidly for every junk knife out there because they believe that there’s some rarity factor that makes total crap worth money.
I accept it as part of the Ebay deal but I laugh my ass off each time Im on there!

Ebay is great theatre; I enjoy it immensely. BTW, almost none of those knives that are advertised as part of Rhett Stidham's estate were indeed his. Most of them would be an embarrassment to him. That jerk had some of Rhett's knives a few years ago and he just ran with it. I just watched two fools bid up a $600 knife to over $2000. Either one of them could have had it for the $600 if they had used a sniping service. If I want a knife I bid exactly once, in the last seconds of the 'auction,' and I might be miles away from my computer at the time. I love to see those "derlin" knives advertised as WWI antiques. Of course, I am just as ignorant on many many (most?) subjects.

Most who have been involved in the knife collecting hobby for very long know of Rhett Stidham. Ìt's not at all difficult to learn about Rhett - just do an internet search. Here's just one search result https://blademag.com/blog/rhett-stidham-passes.

As for the shameful exploitation of his legacy by some persons, and one eBay seller in particular, it takes all kinds I guess.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:Most who have been involved in the knife collecting hobby for very long know of Rhett Stidham. Ìt's not at all difficult to learn about Rhett - just do an internet search. Here's just one search result https://blademag.com/blog/rhett-stidham-passes.

As for the shameful exploitation of his legacy by some persons, and one eBay seller in particular, it takes all kinds I guess.

Ken

My question “who was Rhett Stidham” was a rhetorical one. Sorry if you think I’m ignorant for not knowing who he is or if I somehow wasted your time by not doing an internet search.

Here's another one ... a $40 Case plastic sided medium stockman for $108. I've seen this guy around eBay - he's a knife guy & should know better. Some pretty unscrupulous sellers out there just hoping for a sucker... https://www.ebay.com/itm/CASE-XX-USA-WH ... SwygJXhC3D

Shame on the unscrupulous sellers.
Shame on the buyer who doesn't do his/her research.

Ebay has its ups and downs and I try to go with the flow. What I would like to see is the percentile of returns a seller has had. You would think some of these sellers offering "genuine" counterfeit knives or those selling $49 retail knives as BIN for $99 would get many more returns after the buyer had did a little research than the reputable sellers. Then again I've heard there is bliss in ignorance so maybe they just keep up. What % of knives that you've bought on Ebay have you returned? I would say I'm way less than 1% as a buyer and as a seller have also received far less than 1% in returns.

I've bought and sold on eBay since 1998. The site has changed much in 20 years. Changed from what used to be a real online auction site to a site that is full of greed and ignorance. There are still some very good knives for sale and some bargains to be had but the days of prevalent low initial starting prices and letting the market decide the value are pretty much gone.

Some things have not changed. Unfortunately seller feedback has never been a true indication of good business. Sellers still list bad knives and buyers still pay good money for them. Bad pictures of good knives. Good pictures of bad knives. Descriptions that are comical.

Just look at all these bargains. Most of which are offered at an amazing 40% discount.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sofind ... 0&_fosrp=1

Rhett was well respected member of the community. Especially the Randall knife collectors. The exploitation of his name is sickening.

I agree eBay makes me laugh too. I used to be able to find bargains missed spelled or poorly worded titles. But haven’t found any in a long time.

Jeffinn wrote:

Mumbleypeg wrote:Most who have been involved in the knife collecting hobby for very long know of Rhett Stidham. Ìt's not at all difficult to learn about Rhett - just do an internet search. Here's just one search result https://blademag.com/blog/rhett-stidham-passes.

As for the shameful exploitation of his legacy by some persons, and one eBay seller in particular, it takes all kinds I guess.

Ken

My question “who was Rhett Stidham” was a rhetorical one. Sorry if you think I’m ignorant for not knowing who he is or if I somehow wasted your time by not doing an internet search.

When you said you didn't know, I thought you didn't know. "Rhetorical" doesn't transmit on my screen. Sorry my clumsily worded reply offended you.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:

Jeffinn wrote:

Mumbleypeg wrote:Most who have been involved in the knife collecting hobby for very long know of Rhett Stidham. Ìt's not at all difficult to learn about Rhett - just do an internet search. Here's just one search result https://blademag.com/blog/rhett-stidham-passes.

As for the shameful exploitation of his legacy by some persons, and one eBay seller in particular, it takes all kinds I guess.

Ken

My question “who was Rhett Stidham” was a rhetorical one. Sorry if you think I’m ignorant for not knowing who he is or if I somehow wasted your time by not doing an internet search.

When you said you didn't know, I thought you didn't know. "Rhetorical" doesn't transmit on my screen. Sorry my clumsily worded reply offended you.

Ken

No worries Ken, I was in a “pissy” mood last night and should have stayed offline. My apologies to you sir.

Yes, Ebay is a strange place. Sometimes you get a knife for a OK price in my opinion.
Sometimes the final bid is much more than what it should be in my opinion. The one
thing about Ebay is you can really broaden your search across USA very easily and
purchase things you normally would never get unless you traveled extensively.

The "Stidham Knife Collection" phrase has been around now for quite some time.
I would not pay more money for a knife because someone had it in their collection.
Others obviously do........

Bob

I will Never buy from E Bay too many dishonest people!

The vast majority of my vintage collection came from eBay back in the day. But it’s a different place today.

Weird stuff happens on Ebay, that is for sure. I made my first forays onto Ebay about twenty years ago. It was a much different platform then: more folks selling used stuff than retailers. Even then sometimes I would see fishing or camping equipment selling at auction on Ebay for more than then price at the local store. Maybe those folks did not have a sporting goods store in town.

With all it faults Ebay has become the gold standard place to learn the value of an item. Basically, unless it is unique and never been sold, an item is worth what it has sold for on Ebay. More than once I have had to readjust my opinion on a knife's value when it actually sold for what I thought was an impossible price.

You guys are blaming and trashing ebay when they are not even the culprit here. Get it straight, it's SOME unethical SELLERS who use ebay to deceive, and try to gouge people who can't get the stuff anywhere else. ebay doesn't set the prices or lie in the listings about rarity, fictional condition, or book prices. The sellers are to blame and guess what? I've been burned about as many times on AAPK from sellers right here who lie about the conditions or hide flaws in their picture angles and ask way more than they would ever get on the open market. Buyer beware everywhere. I've seen countless sellers claim the knife was mint or new when it's so obviously used it's a shame and a sham. Don't blame the platform or the market for the dishonest people/sellers who will sell you $#!+! on a stick and call it a pudding pop. Ebay is so cool they allow you a money back guarantee. Why? Because they know so many sellers are dishonest and will take your money and send you something not as described, or completely different, or damaged and expect you to eat it while they keep your money and won't back up the product. I love the sellers who state they don't take returns. Another lie. Yes they do, the Ebay resolution center MAKES them take a return because they know sellers commonly will rip the rest of us off if allowed, and then not take their junk back. Ebay is great just for that. And some of the people who use them are con artists, scammers, bold face liars and full on thieves. Ebay has never ripped me off. Sellers have tried too many times to count. Buyer beware everywhere and thank the Lord for eBay's satisfaction guarantee, because sellers would not always do that for you. Ebay will. I've paid for dozens of knives and then find out they were compromised. Ebay made them take their garbage back and dispose of it themselves instead of making me eat it.

I can't comment on aapk sellers for I've not bought from them, but I agree with I-man whole heartily, ever time I've been burned by a seller, Ebay took care of the problem. I don't know how I could expect more . In my mine I can see no way for Ebay to police the sellers but to give your money back. I have no idea how many transactions are going on at any given time but it must be astronomical, just my 2 cents worth ,ymmv.

Thanks BHomer, always got my back. You better tell the boss she don't know how good she has it with you around. Well, maybe she does, but tell her for me anyway.

bighomer wrote:I can't comment on aapk sellers for I've not bought from them, but I agree with I-man whole heartily, ever time I've been burned by a seller, Ebay took care of the problem. I don't know how I could expect more . In my mine I can see no way for Ebay to police the sellers but to give your money back. I have no idea how many transactions are going on at any given time but it must be astronomical, just my 2 cents worth ,ymmv.

Agree ... I have over 950 transactions since 1998, and I've only been burned 2x by sellers and eBay took care of the issue with little drama each time. eBay stands behind it's buyers - I have no issue with eBay

Ivoryman wrote:You guys are blaming and trashing ebay when they are not even the culprit here. Get it straight, it's SOME unethical SELLERS who use ebay to deceive, and try to gouge people who can't get the stuff anywhere else. ebay doesn't set the prices or lie in the listings about rarity, fictional condition, or book prices. The sellers are to blame and guess what? I've been burned about as many times on AAPK from sellers right here who lie about the conditions or hide flaws in their picture angles and ask way more than they would ever get on the open market. Buyer beware everywhere. I've seen countless sellers claim the knife was mint or new when it's so obviously used it's a shame and a sham. Don't blame the platform or the market for the dishonest people/sellers who will sell you $#!+! on a stick and call it a pudding pop. Ebay is so cool they allow you a money back guarantee. Why? Because they know so many sellers are dishonest and will take your money and send you something not as described, or completely different, or damaged and expect you to eat it while they keep your money and won't back up the product. I love the sellers who state they don't take returns. Another lie. Yes they do, the Ebay resolution center MAKES them take a return because they know sellers commonly will rip the rest of us off if allowed, and then not take their junk back. Ebay is great just for that. And some of the people who use them are con artists, scammers, bold face liars and full on thieves. Ebay has never ripped me off. Sellers have tried too many times to count. Buyer beware everywhere and thank the Lord for eBay's satisfaction guarantee, because sellers would not always do that for you. Ebay will. I've paid for dozens of knives and then find out they were compromised. Ebay made them take their garbage back and dispose of it themselves instead of making me eat it.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes sir. Preach it brother!! ebay is the best game in town, nothing holds a candle to it!! The sellers are the culprit, no matter how you look at it! Great post bro!

Biggest flea market in the world. If you can't find it on eBay, you're going to have a heck of a time finding it. Only time I got ripped off, I did it to myself by consummating the sale outside of eBay. I'm with you Biggie H.

You guys have nailed it completely! Every transaction I've ever had (not to many, but enough) have turned out great. All the people I've dealt with are super honest. Like any place in life, buyer beware. My dad, who has purchased many valuable/beautiful Bulldog's/Fight'N Roosters has never been burnt. One guy was kind of tough to deal with, sale didn't work out. Other then that, never have had a issue with Ebay. And we have purchased so much stuff on there over the years. I even bought a really valuable Schatt & Morgan that the seller sold me cheap (his idea... ) and gave me free shipping to boot! My big issue with ebay is that I spend way to much money on knives...

I USED to buy knives on Ebay with no problems. Then I got ripped off on 2 knives. Stretched photography and misquoted dimensions. It wasn't worth the trouble they wanted me to do. Erased all links to Ebay.

Ivoryman wrote:You guys are blaming and trashing ebay when they are not even the culprit here. Get it straight, it's SOME unethical SELLERS who use ebay to deceive, and try to gouge people who can't get the stuff anywhere else. ebay doesn't set the prices or lie in the listings about rarity, fictional condition, or book prices. The sellers are to blame and guess what? I've been burned about as many times on AAPK from sellers right here who lie about the conditions or hide flaws in their picture angles and ask way more than they would ever get on the open market. Buyer beware everywhere. I've seen countless sellers claim the knife was mint or new when it's so obviously used it's a shame and a sham. Don't blame the platform or the market for the dishonest people/sellers who will sell you $#!+! on a stick and call it a pudding pop. Ebay is so cool they allow you a money back guarantee. Why? Because they know so many sellers are dishonest and will take your money and send you something not as described, or completely different, or damaged and expect you to eat it while they keep your money and won't back up the product. I love the sellers who state they don't take returns. Another lie. Yes they do, the Ebay resolution center MAKES them take a return because they know sellers commonly will rip the rest of us off if allowed, and then not take their junk back. Ebay is great just for that. And some of the people who use them are con artists, scammers, bold face liars and full on thieves. Ebay has never ripped me off. Sellers have tried too many times to count. Buyer beware everywhere and thank the Lord for eBay's satisfaction guarantee, because sellers would not always do that for you. eBay will. I've paid for dozens of knives and then find out they were compromised. Ebay made them take their garbage back and dispose of it themselves instead of making me eat it.

I've read through the postings and really don't see anyone blaming eBay. eBay is only selling their service like any auctioneer or auction company. Although I do not like paying their selling fees they are substantially less than most alternatives.

I just received a $135 refund for a bass guitar pedal that didn't work at all. In all my dealings I was only cheated once when eBay didn't back me up. After much complaining I did get a partial refund from eBay, not the seller, but that happened over 10 years ago and their return policy has improved since then.

Ivoryman wrote:Thanks BHomer, always got my back. You better tell the boss she don't know how good she has it with you around. Well, maybe she does, but tell her for me anyway.

I tell her all the time i-man but instead of this I get this or this::censored:: go figure.