A pattern that ALWAYS brings more than you think it should ...

[Lansky1]

... this may be more of a rant - but I've been trying to get a deal on a decent Case Grand-daddy Barlow for literally years on eBay. I've always been a sucker for larger frame single blade Case's and must be a whole lot of guys hunting that pattern and I've never been able to get a deal on one - always go for more than I'm willing to pay. Anybody else stubborn like me & have a particular pattern that you feel is overpriced and just won't pay the going rate ?

[Dinadan]

To me, it seems that a lot of Case knives are a bit over priced. The discontinued models at least. I like the 6380 whittler, but not enough to pay what they bring on Ebay. Since they do sell at high prices, I guess that means that I am cheap, not that the knives are over priced.

[FRJ]

... this may be more of a rant - but I've been trying to get a deal on a decent Case Grand-daddy Barlow for literally years on eBay. I've always been a sucker for larger frame single blade Case's and must be a whole lot of guys hunting that pattern and I've never been able to get a deal on one - always go for more than I'm willing to pay. Anybody else stubborn like me & have a particular pattern that you feel is overpriced and just won't pay the going rate ?

I have found the price of knives has gone up considerably on e-bay and at knife shows in the last few years.
I haven't been to a knife show in a while. I have found a few at flea markets for much less than I would pay at previously mentioned venues.
Choices are quite limited there. I actually have enough knives to keep me entertained.

[Fallon63]

I have that dilemma as well. I like to collect the 1970s decade. However, the condition of the ones that I can afford leave something to be desired while the knives in nice condition are usually more than I willing to pay. I just try to remember that part of the fun is the hunt itself!

[Mumbleypeg]

I agree that older Case knives (pre-1980) are overpriced, at least more than I am willing to pay. And I agree the fun is in the hunt, but the days of finding a bargain are pretty much over. The collector market is driving those prices.

But the ones that continually astound me are the single-blade modern tacticool knives, regardless of maker. I get it that they have a blade made of some modern state-of-the-art, double-thrown-down exotic steel. And that’s what the makers hype to justify their $300-$500 + price. But does anyone really need the supposed wonders of that steel? To open envelopes and boxes? Or is there a strong collector market for those?

Ke

[Dinadan]

But does anyone really need the supposed wonders of that steel?
Ke

Civilization could collapse and a man might need that steel to cut his way through ... zombies?

[cody6268]

I agree that older Case knives (pre-1980) are overpriced, at least more than I am willing to pay. And I agree the fun is in the hunt, but the days of finding a bargain are pretty much over. The collector market is driving those prices.

But the ones that continually astound me are the single-blade modern tacticool knives, regardless of maker. I get it that they have a blade made of some modern state-of-the-art, double-thrown-down exotic steel. And that’s what the makers hype to justify their $300-$500 + price. But does anyone really need the supposed wonders of that steel? To open envelopes and boxes? Or is there a strong collector market for those?

Ke

A part owner of my local knife store keeps extolling $400-500 Hinderers, while constantly claiming Camillus knives (unsure if he meant USA or Acme) are junk. Er, not so.

I only have a couple knives that cost me more than $50, and two that cost over $100-and I never use either. Most are sub-$20 US-made old knives, or lower-end US and Japan made knives.

Hawkbills and serrations beat high end steel for hard use any day. I don't like spring assists as A: they break and B: do occasionally open up in your pocket. I like lightweight lockbacks with one-hand opening, but few are really expensive--Gerbers (LST, EZ OUT, and the new LSTs), Klein (the Japan-made ones), and Bucks (old Bucklites, Bantam).

Me, I'm sticking with Camillus--while I'm a Schrade collector, Camillus knives are 2/3 of my EDCs. PS: The Camillus Cuda Quick Action (which was around $200 new way back in 1998--got a secondhand one here cheap) knocks the socks off any tactical I've even handled, and even opens faster than even autos. It's ATS-34, which is on the high-end of steels that I like in that they hold an edge, but aren't hard to resharpen. The fancier stuff--er, no. Also, because it's not an auto, it won't spring open in my pocket. The large external slider and decent amount of space on the liner lock means it works great with my gloves on too. It was always in my pocket last winter.

Need to figure out what's wrong with the clip and screws on it. Previous owner had crammed an obscene amount of super-glue in the screw holes (and pivot) to try to hold too-small screws in the clip. Probably should try a size or two up. Don't know if Jantz would have them, or Fastenal.

[cody6268]

... this may be more of a rant - but I've been trying to get a deal on a decent Case Grand-daddy Barlow for literally years on eBay. I've always been a sucker for larger frame single blade Case's and must be a whole lot of guys hunting that pattern and I've never been able to get a deal on one - always go for more than I'm willing to pay. Anybody else stubborn like me & have a particular pattern that you feel is overpriced and just won't pay the going rate ?

Same deal with regular Barlows--took me ages to find one at a price I could afford--local knife store often sells bags for 4-5 well-used (but not junk) knivers for $30-50, and it was in one of them. Well used, so I didn't mind carrying it. Case Barlows are awesome! Even as worn as mine was, the snap was excellent.

A buddy of mine traded me a new old stock Queen hawkbill for it. Kind of regret it, as the Case Barlow blows everyone but Queen out of the water. That being said, there's nothing wrong with Imperials. Cheap, and in my case, I've got like a half a dozen shell-handle Barlows. They take a wicked edge, and I'm not scared to lose one.