I completely agree with you. Each knife I buy seems to get more expensive than the last and I carry and use them every day. I don't plan to sell them so I don't care if someone would give me what I paid for it. I buy them because as you say, they bring me joy.
I've been asked on more than one occasion, "why are you carrying and using THAT knife here at work?" Everyday I use my knives in a utility capacity to cut zip ties, carpet fibers, cardboard, rope, surgical hose, etc. My point: I use my expensive knives because they're great at the task(s) and they ... bring me a LOT of joy.
I appreciate your kind consideration in putting up this video Nick...I feel honored. I see this video as a wise conclusion of two of my favorite video gems...."The curve of Diminishing Returns in EDC Gear" and "High-End EDC ítems and the Cost Carry Comfort Curve". Thanks again Nick.... Alfred.
Right on Nick, my only rule for collecting is "never sell or trade a knife I bought". That way I'm not freaking out about every little thing that happens to it, and I'm enjoying them as tools.
I just got a brand new Case Sodbuster today. I've been pining for one since I was 14 years old and I finally allowed myself to spend the 60 bucks to buy one. I brought it into work (it's a beautiful knife) and showed my co-worker, who warned me against sharpening the blade and keeping it very well oiled. I had been looking forward to buying this knife for over half my life and now that I had it in my hand, I felt like I shouldn't be carrying it around. Thanks, Nick. You helped me realize that I take more pleasure from carrying this knife around than I would by sitting it on my shelf.
I completely agree. I use to buy crap for future resale. But I found myself never selling it. I did sell of a huge chunk of my knife collection to fund more higher end knives but I found myself not really caring about the resale value at all. So I did all that worrying for nothing. I now buy what I like to own and I use the gear as it was intended and most importantly I have no plans to resell anything. If I do resell it'll be for an expected loss and life goes on:) Excellent video.
Every knife I buy I consider it a "knife for life", resale value never enters my mind. I know that I own way more knives than I'll ever possibly need in my lifetime but I rarely ever sell one. Mostly for me it's a sense of pride in ownership, from a $10 Opinel to a $100 Spyderco I want to take joy in what I have in my pocket and that to me is worth more than anything.
best damn thing I've heard on here in a real long time.Nick you knocked it outta the park and took my thoughts and put it into words.I hear people on here all THE time saying,im not ever going to use this,it's to nice and will kill the resale value if i do.To me,they become a slave to the goods rather than getting the joy of actually owning and using it.My dad is that way.He will buy something nice and stick it into a box and store it away thinking that it will loose its value and luster if he touches it.DRIVES ME CRAZY.People who covet material items and crawl after them never get the intended joy that it should bring out of them.Thanks Nick.
Great rant, Nick. It's something I say to myself when I let something go for half of what I payed for it, or when I just give it away: I got a lot of joy during my use, and a purpose was served during the time I had possession. I think the trouble comes when buying gear or knives becomes an obsession for people, and they end up spending much more than they should on their stuff. Those are the ones that usually try to sell off their 'buyer remorse specials' at full retail prices. Some forget that this is a hobby. At least it is for me. Thanks again for giving voice to our common issues with such grace and wit.
The problem is, there is a large percentage of people just looking for pocket jewelry to post pictures of on Instagram. They have no intentions of keeping things long term, because they have to buy the next best thing to post pictures of.
Told my friend about this video, and she pointed out that it's the action figure mentality. People who are obsessed with retail are taking functional items and treating them like action figures that you just keep in a box.
Action Figures make sense to an extent. They're highly collectible, and very quickly thin out in quantity due to their main market being children. Same goes for things like Antiques, which instead are rare/hard to obtain due to how old it is and how most of it breaks over the years, and are also collectible due to things like there being matching furniture sets, or certain makers who people follow. But modern knives/watches? They're produced in way too large batches and have way too many near clones by the manufacturers and break down way too slow to really justify one over another in the end, and as such are harder to sell for a profit. Resale Value should only matter to Pawnbrokers and House Flippers.
Buying any "production" product as an investment is a fool's errand. Buying a custom may get your money back only if you find the right buyer and there is some sort of other intrinsic value. Maybe like a "Nick Shabazz original Norseman!" I personally find people who buy products with only the intention to hold it, jack up the price and sell it to someone who really wanted it to be deplorable. I smile every time that person loses money. Buy things you want, use them and take care of them. When you no longer have use for it, sell it at a fair price or give it away. By the way, I modify any knife I get to make it better if I can. I have a Viper Fortis that had a ridiculous flipper tab. Some time on a sanding table and polishing stones, and now I have a knife that I love to carry with better action than any brand new Fortis you can buy.
I agree Nick! Same with classic cars. "Restored" vs "Survivors" a heart wrenching choice that robs some enjoyment. I had a lot more fun with my Model A before I restored it and couldn't even feel comfortable parking it unattended for an hour to grab lunch. Hey, you can always buy two and keep one pristine! Good video!
good video I make a choice on individual knives and carry and use based on what I plan to do sometime I change my mind and I always do what makes me happy with my gear which I think is key
you are spot on the money nick,I have never resold anything I had bought apart from a car,I give lots of things away to family but never sold .your things are yours to do with as you please with,are people mad rolex are tools to be used as a tool.
I think it makes sense to buy gear that you are going to use and enjoy. To me, it also makes some sense to buy a few sprint runs, that you could possibly make a profit on at some point, if you want.
My approach is pretty straightforward. Since I buy pretty much all my gear online, and thus often don't have a chance to handle it first, I will use the "white glove" treatment initially in the period where I decide whether I like it or not. If an item makes it past that initial "tryout" period, then I will relax a bit and carry it normally without worry. But if I'm not sure about it or decide that it's just not for me, then it will go on ebay for a low starting bid and I'll let the market decide. I am not wealthy enough to take huge baths on gear on a regular basis, but I'm also not out to profiteer. I think it's a fair middle ground to sell "near brand new" gear at what typically ends up being a slight discount over regular price. I used to be more of a collector/hoarder, but at this point if I don't use something, it doesn't stay in the collection.
This is why I love crk. You can use the fire out of most of their knives and have the blade replaced or the rest of the knife touched up. I emailed another maker in this price range if they have this service a little while back and still no reply.
Good points here Nick. I find that if I truly love the knife, I carry it. If I'm not sure whether or no I like the knife, i sits in the safe. Most of my safe knives eventually get sold. When you truly love a knife you stop caring so much about the resale value.
I do carry every single knife I have, but often I'll try to preserve what little of the resale I'll have left. I cycle through so many knives, because I'm very picky, that lately I've refrained from sharpening until after I know for sure it's a keeper. however, once I've determined it's gonna stay, I still try to maintain its resale, but that takes the backseat to enjoying it. I guess to summarize, before I've determined if the knife is a keeper, I try to enjoy it while maintaining its value but if it's a keeper I'll try to maintain its value while enjoying it.
The price you pay for an item of gear is the cost of entry to use it. If you happen to be able to sell it down the line to another lucky dude who's going to enjoy it, that's a beautiful thing in the modern world of mass production. If it's completely trashed and no one wants it, all that means is you initially spent your money wisely on a useful tool.
I wanted to take a moment to reply to this, as it really struck a chord with me. The resale value thing for me, and the pain I feel when I accidentally scratch or mar a knife of mine I think is a kind of disappointment. For me, I have memories of being entrusted with something of my parents (the car, a gift of some kind) and all the times I was irresponsible with that thing. Every scratch makes me face my own fallibility. "I should have been more careful" "Why can't I keep things nice?" I strongly agree with Nick's sentiment about *joy* in *use* of your tools. I have a '73 Stratocaster that I played the living crap out of through college. I dinged it, I scratched the paint, I wore the frets down, and I wouldn't trade any of the memories I made with that guitar for a shinier axe. The same goes for the knives in my collection. I bought a Spyderco Domino that I sharpened to a mirror polish at 18 degrees per side. Unfortunately, I am right handed, and apparently worked one side of the knife a few thousandths of an inch more than the other. The edge bevel isn't quite even between the two sides, and the flat of the blade got scuffed a bit. It is, however, the sharpest edge in my collection, and the first knife I was able to whittle a hair with. Money and time well spent. I have a Techno that I added a detent ball ramp to with a round diamond file (I practiced first on a RAT-1). Is it perfect? No. It's damn cool though, and the action is noticeably smoother when closing. Rather than the rent analogy, I instead think I made a conscious decision to make my little object unique. I customized it so that it was right for me, and so that I could learn something about the mechanics of a folding pocket knife. There's no greater critic of you than you; it's an important element of self awareness. Letting that voice completely dominate your decision making will make you miserable. It takes a certain amount of bravery to say "I paid money for this thing, I use it, and now it's not perfect...and the superficial flaws do not diminish its value *to me*." Bravo, Nick!
Totally agree. I love vintage items, but sometimes they don't function real well and so I don't enjoy using them - and often won't. Updating or repairing in a way that retains the original feel and look of the item, while making it work in a joyful way, is my philosophy. Because something vintage that I love using or wearing everyday is something I'll likely never sell. And I'm sure there are others out there who agree with that philosophy and would not discount the resale value, should I ever change my mind and decide to sell. I have safe queens, but get so much more joy from vintage, daily users. Bye now.
I agree 100%! I own a GEC 25 little jack (actually it's in my pocket right now), it is a ksf exclusive in blue camel bone, only 50 were made, it is covered in patina and little black specks and the handle is all scratched up. I sharpen it every time it needs it. Every pic of one that I have seen looked brand new, this may be the ONLY one in use! (makes it even MORE rare lol!)
I've always believed there's two separate camps when it come to Pocket Knives, those that are pure Collectors and those that are pure EDC Users, with some folks that cross over. That being said, perhaps it's a matter of rendering that to which that is Cesar's, personally if I buy a knife for my collection, it stays original and when I buy a knife for EDC it's for my carrying pleasure... Just like any other Consumer Product that I buy and I'm a lot happier that way .. !!
Most things we buy at retail are worth significantly less than we pay as soon as any return period ends. Most drop again when thier warranty ends. And most drop with use or customization over time. There are also maintainance costs over time. So don't buy things that don't bring you joy or utility commensurate with those costs. I use all my gear for its intended purpose. I don't abuse it and I maintain it well. If and when I sell it on I look at the delta as rent, and in most cases consider it good value.
YES!! I've been in the knife game 10+ years, these guys expecting to never lose a cent or worse expecting their knives should only ever appreciate need to take up poker imo! lol People needed to hear this Nick, cheers
i buy gear to use. the only ones i havent used but have carried so far are my zt0452cf, microtech ultratech d/e, and spyderco military. they are in the large and or murdery category, have factory edges, and other than not wanting to scare people i am still getting used to sharpening on my kme. speaking of the kme i wish i could get edges and sharpness like you and bird. im working on it. im not very worried about resale usually because i know i would rather keep or gift it or get most of my money back out of it. i dont have a nice watch yet but i do have quite a bit of money invested in firearms. all shooters, no safe queens. if i could do it over i would own a wilson combat 1911 and it would be carried and shot A LOT.
I'm a collector so im not gonna be selling hardly any gear i get so I use it all. I see what kind of quality and use i can get for the gear i got. Within the first week I snapped the very fine tip of my PM2 prying some weak thin metal, now i know its a little chippy and not to do that task with it, otherwise ive gone camping and started a fire with it, and it still kept a good edge even to today, I like to see what actual real world use i can get out of my stuff.
I think a lot of us look at resale value so we can feel like we're getting something for a lesser cost in the end and that makes our decision to put the money out for more expensive items a little bit easier because it's in the item instead of gone forever. I know that's what I do, but I still use what I've got. I just use the higher priced stuff less so it lasts me longer
Agree w you on EDC gear, I wouldn't even thinking of resale on knives, pens, and lights. On vintage Rolex I can see it both ways; collectors want originality while I myself would go for the new dial. Vintage watch fanatics have gone down the same road as the collector car people, originality over all else.
Thanks for a thought provoking 'rant', Nick! I happen to agree with your take on the resale value conundrum, but I think it has to do on the individual and the 'evolutionary stage' they are currently living in. As enthusiasts we all were new to whatever field, knives, watches, guns, whatever. As a noob we tend to be all over the map, and making purchases based on emotional responses or feedback from others, rather than personal experience. As we progress in the hobby our selections become more specific to fit the 'criteria' we have established for ourselves, usually based on increasing experience and knowledge. I would guess that as time goes on and the individual refines their interests, their selections will be similarly narrowed to those items which have value beyond the intrinsic dollar amount of the item. At that point, the resale value absolute is far less prominent-- unless the collector is strictly accumulating items as an investment. I have owned a Harsey Lone Wolf T2 for several years and was afraid to use it, but as you point out, the joy of carrying a truly nice and excellent piece of gear far exceeds the fear of value lost--for me. Great video and keep it up!
Great video Nick. Being one of them Rolex guys as you call them I own my Submariner for 20 years now and I've been wearing it daily. It has little scratches and maybe some little dents on the strap but every time it's been serviced by Rolex I get it back polished and looking brand new and I wish they didn't do that because scratches and small imperfections add character to the watch. Besides that this watch and also some of my knives have emotional value and for that reason I will never resell them. They have history and personal value and for me that's worth more than money. Although, it's good to know that my Submariner will still sell for a very good price (perhaps even a better price than what I paid for it, not taking inflation into account) being original with the original box and with all Rolex service documentation included but even if it would now be worthless on the second hand market it gave me a lot of pleasure all these years. I get your point and share your opinion on this: buy gear you like for personal reasons and use it. That's what it's made for!
Sports car community is like this too. I use all my gear. I don't have a $6k watch but I've got quite a few $800-$1000 and I wear them all the time. I heard it said that not using your car for resale value is like not sleeping with your girlfriend to save her for the next guy. It's a little bit crude but I think that's a very good analogy. You said something about a knife being worth way more to you as a user and 100% agree. I got other things that I can invest in, tools aren't it.
My system is that I consider resale value until I decide the knife's future. If after a few days or weeks I decide that yes I want this knife for life then I will sharpen, love and use the crap out of it. If I decide it's not for me then I'll baby it and not sharpen it until I can pass it on to someone who will love it. I just recently purchased a used Insingo Sebenza with a dull factory edge, and it's nice knowing I'm putting an edge on it the way I like, I get to skip the retail bath since it will be a lifelong user, and the original buyer gets some cash for a knife he didn't love. Everyone wins IMO
I'm with ya here Nick. For me, with knives in particular, the appeal is in finding mechanical excellence in what is, first and foremost, a tool. I get as much joy from the simple, clean, sturdy functionality I find in my Rat 1 as I do with the holy shit how can a knife on PB washers be this freakin glassy smooth on my Slysz Bowie. I suppose on some level I can appreciate the "pure" collector's desire to keep his jewels pristine ( pristine jewels haha). Personally, I get way more enjoyment from experiencing the manner in which a finely thought out and executed, in this case knife, can be a knife. End of mostly pointless ramble.
I always keep in mind the resale value of my most valuable possession, my body. Even kept in plastic that is going nowhere but to zero! ( hopefully not for a while). With that reality as a framework I enjoy the crap out of everything I possess and then let it go when it's job is done pleasing me. I consider it a success when I wear something out. In the end you have to let it all go. If your focus is resale value your probably better off not spending you hard earned money . It's just stuff. Thanks Nick for the reality check.
I've been actively collecting knives for only 7 months and have purchased 24 knives so far - ranging in price from $26 to $400. Never once have I considered any knife purchase to be an investment. I work in IT from home and am a very light knife user. Even so, for my cardboard cutting tasks - I use two sub $30 "beater" knives. I really enjoy disassembling and modifying knives to improve their action - like adding a detent ball ramp on the tang or even adjusting lock bar tension - with good results. Along the way I've learned a great deal about differences in construction quality. My 18 pack Spydie case is now overflowing - so I plan on giving some knives away.
I love using and carrying knives. But I suffer from this issue where I start feeling bad when I use my expensive ones, and I can't explain it. I never plan on selling them, but I still can't use them.
Desk diving marks You are a trip nick A true joy listening to rants and such. Hey nick if I send you a couple of my knives can u scratch your name on the blades ( or anywhere ) Thanks. :-). I can probably quadruple the price of resale to one of your disciples ( of which I'm one )
I tend to approach this from the other direction. I buy used, often. And I pretty much refuse to pay much more than about 50% of the price of the item when it is new. Sure, there are occasional exceptions, but it is usually the case that if I am going to pay 66% or 75% of the cost of something used, I might as well buy it new. I generally look at knives for their utility. Can it still cut things? Can it cut things just about as well as it could when it was brand new? When I buy used, the answers to the questions are usually yes, and I am usually pretty happy to get that same level of utility for half the price. Are there scuffs or scratches on the blade? Maybe. Do I care? No. Once I start using the thing, I am sure I am going to do as much or worse. I recently bought a Spyderco Temperance 2 that was missing the first 1/4 inch of its tip (snapped off by its previous owner) recently. $42. Reshaped the tip into a sort of santoku shape. Yeah, it's not ideal and a it's a little unique, and not great for stabbing things. But it's a fine cutter, and I was never going to spend $200 on that knife. So, I got my hands on a knife I was never going to buy for 1/4 of its new price. Same with watches ... as long as they still keep good time, I am game. I have gotten burned on that front more than in the knife case ... too many moving parts I guess.
I don't ever sell my gear with a couple low end exceptions so I don't worry about resale at all. If/when I'm unhappy with a knife I give it to a friend that would enjoy that knife.
I see the same issue with guitars. People buying them and so paranoid they're going to get a scratch on it, the guitar sits in the case unplayed. Me, I prefer to get what I like and use it. Once the money is spent, you're probably never going to get it back. So enjoy it while you can.
I make sure I throw my boxes and paperwork away as soon as I get a new knife... it is my way of making sure that I am viewing my knives as tools instead of investments.
I NEVER buy a knife with the intention of reselling it - actually I'm really really really bad about selling. So I'm never really concerned about resell value.
I collected 68 Randall Made Knives (Orlando, FL). Eventually I sold em all for an average 24% profit, but that was the goal. But my pocket knives, Hinderer, CRK, etc. are all used. My pleasure is in the use, and while collecting was a for profit venture, my use is more pleasureful!
I'm grateful for those collectors that buy knives and put them away in their safes for me to buy and use the hell out of them otherwise I might not have had the opportunity to acquire and the joy to use some really nice knives that are either hard to come by or no longer available. How much you want for that Norseman?Thanks Mr. S!
I don't bother trying to sell my gear because it's used and modified. Especially cutlery, I put my own hand ground edges on all my blades, this improves them (to me) but also makes them feel more like it's "mine." Beautiful edge on that kizer and me personally I'd rather have that edge and those scratches than the factory edge and no scratches.
Hi Nick, I don't thing there is doubt in your mind that this way of approaching gear (and life for that matter) is not how majority thinks (thus the reason for this rant). For me it is just another assurance that things stay consistent, majority remains unintelligent, minorities suffer because of it and find a bit of comfort in rants. Don't get me wrong. This is the right thing to do in this situation since the alternative is ugly and too expensive for therapy. So I am with you 100% on this one too. So far I used, customized or "fixed" every peace of gear I have except one knife that will stay as is for sentimental value. Resale value? Imho a real collector doesn't collect because he is a businessman. Otherwise, if that's how one looks at "collecting" he has a twisted concept of what a collector is.
I collected in the 80's. Then sold it all in early 2000. The winners were the NIB items by far. Still the whole group had an ROI over 10x. Started up again on knives after coins bifurcated into high price winner and the rest. I'll do the same approach with knives I hope. What I use for EDC I'll by used, the rest I'll store for a decade or two. Which ones to get? Well that research is half the fun.
Nick .. Great video. Let's get something straight right here .. If you're buying something in the gear world and worrying about re-sale value .. You're in the wrong place. This stuff is made to be used .. In the road racing bike world I come from, you hammer the gear. I cracked up a few bikes that were made (eventually) for that very purpose. Granted, I have a few "wall hangers", but for the most part, you got 'em to use and abuse 'em. You are doing yourself a miss service if you don't know where you're going before you leave on the trip.
I have only ever diminished the cost of my [knife] hobby by buying & selling and seldom make money on anything. I like buying folders on the secondary market that have aftermarket options on them like Benchmade Griptilians with custom grips & clips. When the components are in good shape it's possible to sell the knife with the factory FRN handles then sell the aftermarket grips & clips making a few bucks if you bought it 'right'. I've also done okay with a few fixed blades that are initial mid-tech offerings by a custom maker. Especially if they're limited runs. All in all just buying used & selling what you tire of is a reasonable way to reduce the cost of playing with sharp objects.
I completely agree... I look at it like this.. If the knife costs $400..abd there's 365 days in a year then your paying roughly just over $1 a day for "rent"
Whenever I purchased a knife if I really like it I intend to use it. No safe queens for me. I figure if I spend a large amount of money on something I should use it and enjoy it. And if I decide to sell it later then whatever loss I take on the financial end is not a big deal because I obviously don't want it anymore anyway and I've gotten a lot of use out of it.
IMO, this comes down to a single factor, aggregately speaking - why is one buying a given knife? Using myself as an example, I buy knives to carry and use. Resale is of zero consequence, as they're not purchased with an intent to sell later on. In fact, I like and appreciate the resale value cult. A sprint run Para 3 LWT, albeit with a BD1N blade, for less than $70? You bet I'm in! A sprint of a full-fat Para, though with an aftermarket edge as sharp as a razor, for a touch more than the former? Hell yeah! I love Para 3s and use them daily. My son might get them when I'm gone. OTOH, collecting seems like a different game.
Funny how this is completely opposite for balisongs. A production knife, like the HOM Basilisk-R ti sold at $420, but second hand (not perfect condition) regularly go for $500+, $600+ depending on modifications/accessories. I guess as a whole the community is more niche than regular pocket knives and EDC items but yeah. Customs are even worse. GDOK EX11's sell for about $800 from the maker and go for like $1200+ used/second hand. The only exception to this rule are benchmades. the 6x, morpho, and 87 all regularly sell for less than retail.
Completely with you on this one Nick: I'm a buy it and use it kind of guy. The vintage Rolex thing, and the vintage watch thing in general, is completely out of control. When people start rhapsodising about scratches and "patina" (which often looks straight up *terrible*) I sort of lose interest. I don't want to wear a watch that looks like it's going to infect me with a rare mould or something: I'd like to wear a classy watch that looks *nice*.
I carry a cheap EDC for cutting crap that I won’t use my good knives on. I wont use my Strider on it, or my Chris Reeve, etc. I just really admire the quality cutlery but I do use and carry it. I have a 20 year old Tag that I wear every day. It turned out to be kind of rare but I use it and I love it. I don’t think I could do the “safe queen” bit.
I have EDC knives 2 knives that R 4 special occasions I'd rather enjoy my purchase by carrying them... cars an bikes matching numbers just the rite makes and models bring big $$$ being all factory non rebuilt it's been that way for years but knives to me R users there ment to use and enjoy 4 me any way...great video👍
Yeah Nick ---all of my knives were purchased to be the useful tools that they are...not to knock the collectors but I'm way too practical to be in that frame of mind (buy a knife or a multitool and the joy comes from using it)....collecting would be a waste of time and money for a hands on guy like me...good vid buddy--enjoyable as always...
this is why you should set your cap on what youll buy so you dont overworry, for me its 300 i couldnt use a knife more expensive then that without worrying. 40-100 bucks is a little savings and you can replace it on like any budget so use your stuff as hard as you need to.
It's Ok Nick. My knives may have lost some money but I still have my ex-wifes beanie babies and longaberger baskets to retire on! By the way I really enjoy the channel and you can blame it on Toadstrk. He recommended you!
This is an interesting video, Nick. I think it's just a divide in interest, but you seem to understand that. You or I, or probably most of your viewers, like knives for utility (and of course some pride of ownership and art/beauty) more than anything...seems to me like "investing" in a knife is probably not the best investment. I have a question for you. I know you don't do fixed blades often, but what do you think of Mora as a whole? I thought about grabbing one as a camp knife since they're pretty cheap, but I started looking into them and it seems they only really call their steel "stainless." That...worries me, after watching your steel video. Thanks for your great knife videos, Nick!
You sound like more of an enthusiast than a collector. A collector wants that original, factory condition because it's an investment. And yea, I get joy out of owning Sebenzas, but I don't need to carry it to enjoy it. It's fine at home :)
Buying gear as investment is risky but I will not say it is dumb or stupid because if that is what you enjoy then who am I to judge. My personal approach to investing would be to invest in a broad market ETF or an Index fund and reinvest the dividends. Over time you will do fine. The only knives I would buy that I have knowledge of that would increase in value are any of the GEC Barlows. They are red hot right now.
O care about the resale value only during the first week, when I'm not sure if I want to keep it. Later I do whatever I want with my gem. It's important to buy things we can afford to enjoy and carry.
Notice that all of the knives have titanium in them two of them are integrals three of them are framelocks and three of them are flippers and all of the are on bearings
What pained me recently was not even getting 50% back when selling an expensive custom knife but I made 4 times what I paid on a silly fidget spinner. Go figure. Great points though Nick.
I think its funny how some People always think they know what everybody else is supposed to be doing with the items they decide to purchase... if it's your's, it's your's to use how ever you choose to, period... :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
I use my stuff, I don't even consider resale when I buy something. If I can resell it down the road and lose money on the deal, so be it. Life is too short to worry about resale value.
Nice topic. I've made money and lost money on trades and sales. I usually sell to thin the herd or to get a cooler knife. Mostly lost money I guess.lol Thanks
A watch is made to tell time, if you can't see the damn thing once it gets dark it's not a very good watch regardless of resale value, same with a knife, a knife's made to cut, if it can't cut because it's too dull it's not a good knife, period. I'm not going to say i hard use my stuff because i really don't, but i sure don't baby any of it specifically not because i want to sell it in the future, i'd much rather enjoy it while i have it and get less if i have to sell it.
I use my gear. Resale is a hassle and "investing" in edc gear sounds preposterous. Great video, Nick! I agree 100%!
Take the plastic covers off your furniture while you're at it.
Don't tell me how to live my life!
nick sweeney 🤣
How about the Nick Shabazz signed Z-Hunters? Does their value go up or down because of this customization?
+ATech Reviews The value is quintupled. Given that it starts at 0, though, that’s still 0
I completely agree with you. Each knife I buy seems to get more expensive than the last and I carry and use them every day. I don't plan to sell them so I don't care if someone would give me what I paid for it. I buy them because as you say, they bring me joy.
I've been asked on more than one occasion, "why are you carrying and using THAT knife here at work?"
Everyday I use my knives in a utility capacity to cut zip ties, carpet fibers, cardboard, rope, surgical hose, etc.
My point: I use my expensive knives because they're great at the task(s) and they ... bring me a LOT of joy.
I appreciate your kind consideration in putting up this video Nick...I feel honored.
I see this video as a wise conclusion of two of my favorite video gems...."The curve of Diminishing Returns in EDC Gear" and "High-End EDC ítems and the Cost Carry Comfort Curve". Thanks again Nick.... Alfred.
Personally, I like the scratches on the blade. Cool how the light plays off it. Gives it character.
You make some very strong arguments. It's definitely made me rethink how I use my stuff of whether I should be buying stuff I wont use. Great channel!
Right on Nick, my only rule for collecting is "never sell or trade a knife I bought". That way I'm not freaking out about every little thing that happens to it, and I'm enjoying them as tools.
I just got a brand new Case Sodbuster today. I've been pining for one since I was 14 years old and I finally allowed myself to spend the 60 bucks to buy one. I brought it into work (it's a beautiful knife) and showed my co-worker, who warned me against sharpening the blade and keeping it very well oiled. I had been looking forward to buying this knife for over half my life and now that I had it in my hand, I felt like I shouldn't be carrying it around. Thanks, Nick. You helped me realize that I take more pleasure from carrying this knife around than I would by sitting it on my shelf.
Mr. Shabazz --- You are a very wise man. Nothing is permanent. Accepting the beauty of flaws and imperfections brings joy and reduces suffering.
I completely agree. I use to buy crap for future resale. But I found myself never selling it. I did sell of a huge chunk of my knife collection to fund more higher end knives but I found myself not really caring about the resale value at all. So I did all that worrying for nothing. I now buy what I like to own and I use the gear as it was intended and most importantly I have no plans to resell anything. If I do resell it'll be for an expected loss and life goes on:) Excellent video.
if you're worried about the resale value of EDC gear, you're not gonna enjoy it anyway and would be better off not buying it.
Yep, this has a strong link to the Cost Carry Comfort Curve, too. th-cam.com/video/2Oc4Ziffb9g/w-d-xo.html
and the diminishing returns curve.
Patrick Batemare it's called EDC for a reason. Not every day never carry.
yeah and stop bottlenecking the market
Exactly,@@btac6481.
There are Those of us who would like to have an opportunity to purchase the gear, and actually use it on a regular basis.
Every knife I buy I consider it a "knife for life", resale value never enters my mind. I know that I own way more knives than I'll ever possibly need in my lifetime but I rarely ever sell one. Mostly for me it's a sense of pride in ownership, from a $10 Opinel to a $100 Spyderco I want to take joy in what I have in my pocket and that to me is worth more than anything.
best damn thing I've heard on here in a real long time.Nick you knocked it outta the park and took my thoughts and put it into words.I hear people on here all THE time saying,im not ever going to use this,it's to nice and will kill the resale value if i do.To me,they become a slave to the goods rather than getting the joy of actually owning and using it.My dad is that way.He will buy something nice and stick it into a box and store it away thinking that it will loose its value and luster if he touches it.DRIVES ME CRAZY.People who covet material items and crawl after them never get the intended joy that it should bring out of them.Thanks Nick.
Great rant, Nick. It's something I say to myself when I let something go for half of what I payed for it, or when I just give it away: I got a lot of joy during my use, and a purpose was served during the time I had possession. I think the trouble comes when buying gear or knives becomes an obsession for people, and they end up spending much more than they should on their stuff. Those are the ones that usually try to sell off their 'buyer remorse specials' at full retail prices. Some forget that this is a hobby. At least it is for me. Thanks again for giving voice to our common issues with such grace and wit.
The problem is, there is a large percentage of people just looking for pocket jewelry to post pictures of on Instagram. They have no intentions of keeping things long term, because they have to buy the next best thing to post pictures of.
+IrishDevil78 Guilty as charged. But even instagrammers gotta cut things sometimes!
Nick Shabazz nice video as usual! Btw, that is a nice pen in the video, what's the name of it?
Told my friend about this video, and she pointed out that it's the action figure mentality. People who are obsessed with retail are taking functional items and treating them like action figures that you just keep in a box.
Nice point, yeah, that's absolutely a great analogy.
nick sweeney 😂
Action Figures make sense to an extent. They're highly collectible, and very quickly thin out in quantity due to their main market being children. Same goes for things like Antiques, which instead are rare/hard to obtain due to how old it is and how most of it breaks over the years, and are also collectible due to things like there being matching furniture sets, or certain makers who people follow. But modern knives/watches? They're produced in way too large batches and have way too many near clones by the manufacturers and break down way too slow to really justify one over another in the end, and as such are harder to sell for a profit. Resale Value should only matter to Pawnbrokers and House Flippers.
Brilliant! Amen.
Buying any "production" product as an investment is a fool's errand. Buying a custom may get your money back only if you find the right buyer and there is some sort of other intrinsic value. Maybe like a "Nick Shabazz original Norseman!"
I personally find people who buy products with only the intention to hold it, jack up the price and sell it to someone who really wanted it to be deplorable. I smile every time that person loses money.
Buy things you want, use them and take care of them. When you no longer have use for it, sell it at a fair price or give it away.
By the way, I modify any knife I get to make it better if I can. I have a Viper Fortis that had a ridiculous flipper tab. Some time on a sanding table and polishing stones, and now I have a knife that I love to carry with better action than any brand new Fortis you can buy.
I agree Nick! Same with classic cars. "Restored" vs "Survivors" a heart wrenching choice that robs some enjoyment. I had a lot more fun with my Model A before I restored it and couldn't even feel comfortable parking it unattended for an hour to grab lunch. Hey, you can always buy two and keep one pristine! Good video!
good video I make a choice on individual knives and carry and use based on what I plan to do sometime I change my mind and I always do what makes me happy with my gear which I think is key
Hey Nick, love these philosophy videos, keep'em coming. Thanks for what you do, keep up the great work!
you are spot on the money nick,I have never resold anything I had bought apart from a car,I give lots of things away to family but never sold .your things are yours to do with as you please with,are people mad rolex are tools to be used as a tool.
I think it makes sense to buy gear that you are going to use and enjoy. To me, it also makes some sense to buy a few sprint runs, that you could possibly make a profit on at some point, if you want.
My approach is pretty straightforward. Since I buy pretty much all my gear online, and thus often don't have a chance to handle it first, I will use the "white glove" treatment initially in the period where I decide whether I like it or not. If an item makes it past that initial "tryout" period, then I will relax a bit and carry it normally without worry. But if I'm not sure about it or decide that it's just not for me, then it will go on ebay for a low starting bid and I'll let the market decide. I am not wealthy enough to take huge baths on gear on a regular basis, but I'm also not out to profiteer. I think it's a fair middle ground to sell "near brand new" gear at what typically ends up being a slight discount over regular price.
I used to be more of a collector/hoarder, but at this point if I don't use something, it doesn't stay in the collection.
This is why I love crk. You can use the fire out of most of their knives and have the blade replaced or the rest of the knife touched up. I emailed another maker in this price range if they have this service a little while back and still no reply.
Good points here Nick. I find that if I truly love the knife, I carry it. If I'm not sure whether or no I like the knife, i sits in the safe. Most of my safe knives eventually get sold. When you truly love a knife you stop caring so much about the resale value.
Needed this, going to put a mirror edge on my first Spyderco (Rubicon) now
I do carry every single knife I have, but often I'll try to preserve what little of the resale I'll have left. I cycle through so many knives, because I'm very picky, that lately I've refrained from sharpening until after I know for sure it's a keeper. however, once I've determined it's gonna stay, I still try to maintain its resale, but that takes the backseat to enjoying it.
I guess to summarize, before I've determined if the knife is a keeper, I try to enjoy it while maintaining its value but if it's a keeper I'll try to maintain its value while enjoying it.
The price you pay for an item of gear is the cost of entry to use it. If you happen to be able to sell it down the line to another lucky dude who's going to enjoy it, that's a beautiful thing in the modern world of mass production. If it's completely trashed and no one wants it, all that means is you initially spent your money wisely on a useful tool.
Interesting and enlightening. I agree. Thank you.
I wanted to take a moment to reply to this, as it really struck a chord with me. The resale value thing for me, and the pain I feel when I accidentally scratch or mar a knife of mine I think is a kind of disappointment. For me, I have memories of being entrusted with something of my parents (the car, a gift of some kind) and all the times I was irresponsible with that thing. Every scratch makes me face my own fallibility. "I should have been more careful" "Why can't I keep things nice?"
I strongly agree with Nick's sentiment about *joy* in *use* of your tools. I have a '73 Stratocaster that I played the living crap out of through college. I dinged it, I scratched the paint, I wore the frets down, and I wouldn't trade any of the memories I made with that guitar for a shinier axe.
The same goes for the knives in my collection. I bought a Spyderco Domino that I sharpened to a mirror polish at 18 degrees per side. Unfortunately, I am right handed, and apparently worked one side of the knife a few thousandths of an inch more than the other. The edge bevel isn't quite even between the two sides, and the flat of the blade got scuffed a bit. It is, however, the sharpest edge in my collection, and the first knife I was able to whittle a hair with. Money and time well spent.
I have a Techno that I added a detent ball ramp to with a round diamond file (I practiced first on a RAT-1). Is it perfect? No. It's damn cool though, and the action is noticeably smoother when closing. Rather than the rent analogy, I instead think I made a conscious decision to make my little object unique. I customized it so that it was right for me, and so that I could learn something about the mechanics of a folding pocket knife.
There's no greater critic of you than you; it's an important element of self awareness. Letting that voice completely dominate your decision making will make you miserable. It takes a certain amount of bravery to say "I paid money for this thing, I use it, and now it's not perfect...and the superficial flaws do not diminish its value *to me*."
Bravo, Nick!
Totally agree. I love vintage items, but sometimes they don't function real well and so I don't enjoy using them - and often won't. Updating or repairing in a way that retains the original feel and look of the item, while making it work in a joyful way, is my philosophy. Because something vintage that I love using or wearing everyday is something I'll likely never sell. And I'm sure there are others out there who agree with that philosophy and would not discount the resale value, should I ever change my mind and decide to sell. I have safe queens, but get so much more joy from vintage, daily users. Bye now.
I agree 100%! I own a GEC 25 little jack (actually it's in my pocket right now), it is a ksf exclusive in blue camel bone, only 50 were made, it is covered in patina and little black specks and the handle is all scratched up. I sharpen it every time it needs it. Every pic of one that I have seen looked brand new, this may be the ONLY one in use! (makes it even MORE rare lol!)
Can't think of any better way of putting it than Knife Tex......'nail on the head' without question.
I've always believed there's two separate camps when it come to Pocket Knives, those that are pure Collectors and those that are pure EDC Users, with some folks that cross over. That being said, perhaps it's a matter of rendering that to which that is Cesar's, personally if I buy a knife for my collection, it stays original and when I buy a knife for EDC it's for my carrying pleasure... Just like any other Consumer Product that I buy and I'm a lot happier that way .. !!
Most things we buy at retail are worth significantly less than we pay as soon as any return period ends. Most drop again when thier warranty ends. And most drop with use or customization over time. There are also maintainance costs over time. So don't buy things that don't bring you joy or utility commensurate with those costs. I use all my gear for its intended purpose. I don't abuse it and I maintain it well. If and when I sell it on I look at the delta as rent, and in most cases consider it good value.
+Jim Boutilier I agree, both with the sentiment, and the use of “delta” to mean change in a TH-cam comment.
YES!! I've been in the knife game 10+ years, these guys expecting to never lose a cent or worse expecting their knives should only ever appreciate need to take up poker imo! lol
People needed to hear this Nick, cheers
Great video, as always, Nick!
I hope my Nova is treating you well =] Looking forward to the review!
Great freakin' pen :)
did you see the rike integral that's under 3 inches? I seen it and thought of you
i buy gear to use. the only ones i havent used but have carried so far are my zt0452cf, microtech ultratech d/e, and spyderco military. they are in the large and or murdery category, have factory edges, and other than not wanting to scare people i am still getting used to sharpening on my kme.
speaking of the kme i wish i could get edges and sharpness like you and bird. im working on it.
im not very worried about resale usually because i know i would rather keep or gift it or get most of my money back out of it.
i dont have a nice watch yet but i do have quite a bit of money invested in firearms. all shooters, no safe queens. if i could do it over i would own a wilson combat 1911 and it would be carried and shot A LOT.
Interesting topic. Glad you go beyond just reviews of gear.
If I have no plans on parting days with the gear then I use and customize it to my liking.
I love the scratches.
Screw resale.
I'm a collector so im not gonna be selling hardly any gear i get so I use it all. I see what kind of quality and use i can get for the gear i got. Within the first week I snapped the very fine tip of my PM2 prying some weak thin metal, now i know its a little chippy and not to do that task with it, otherwise ive gone camping and started a fire with it, and it still kept a good edge even to today, I like to see what actual real world use i can get out of my stuff.
I think a lot of us look at resale value so we can feel like we're getting something for a lesser cost in the end and that makes our decision to put the money out for more expensive items a little bit easier because it's in the item instead of gone forever. I know that's what I do, but I still use what I've got. I just use the higher priced stuff less so it lasts me longer
Agree w you on EDC gear, I wouldn't even thinking of resale on knives, pens, and lights. On vintage Rolex I can see it both ways; collectors want originality while I myself would go for the new dial. Vintage watch fanatics have gone down the same road as the collector car people, originality over all else.
Thanks for a thought provoking 'rant', Nick! I happen to agree with your take on the resale value conundrum, but I think it has to do on the individual and the 'evolutionary stage' they are currently living in. As enthusiasts we all were new to whatever field, knives, watches, guns, whatever. As a noob we tend to be all over the map, and making purchases based on emotional responses or feedback from others, rather than personal experience. As we progress in the hobby our selections become more specific to fit the 'criteria' we have established for ourselves, usually based on increasing experience and knowledge. I would guess that as time goes on and the individual refines their interests, their selections will be similarly narrowed to those items which have value beyond the intrinsic dollar amount of the item. At that point, the resale value absolute is far less prominent-- unless the collector is strictly accumulating items as an investment. I have owned a Harsey Lone Wolf T2 for several years and was afraid to use it, but as you point out, the joy of carrying a truly nice and excellent piece of gear far exceeds the fear of value lost--for me. Great video and keep it up!
Great video Nick. Being one of them Rolex guys as you call them I own my Submariner for 20 years now and I've been wearing it daily. It has little scratches and maybe some little dents on the strap but every time it's been serviced by Rolex I get it back polished and looking brand new and I wish they didn't do that because scratches and small imperfections add character to the watch. Besides that this watch and also some of my knives have emotional value and for that reason I will never resell them. They have history and personal value and for me that's worth more than money. Although, it's good to know that my Submariner will still sell for a very good price (perhaps even a better price than what I paid for it, not taking inflation into account) being original with the original box and with all Rolex service documentation included but even if it would now be worthless on the second hand market it gave me a lot of pleasure all these years. I get your point and share your opinion on this: buy gear you like for personal reasons and use it. That's what it's made for!
Sports car community is like this too.
I use all my gear. I don't have a $6k watch but I've got quite a few $800-$1000 and I wear them all the time.
I heard it said that not using your car for resale value is like not sleeping with your girlfriend to save her for the next guy. It's a little bit crude but I think that's a very good analogy.
You said something about a knife being worth way more to you as a user and 100% agree. I got other things that I can invest in, tools aren't it.
My system is that I consider resale value until I decide the knife's future. If after a few days or weeks I decide that yes I want this knife for life then I will sharpen, love and use the crap out of it. If I decide it's not for me then I'll baby it and not sharpen it until I can pass it on to someone who will love it. I just recently purchased a used Insingo Sebenza with a dull factory edge, and it's nice knowing I'm putting an edge on it the way I like, I get to skip the retail bath since it will be a lifelong user, and the original buyer gets some cash for a knife he didn't love. Everyone wins IMO
I'm with ya here Nick. For me, with knives in particular, the appeal is in finding mechanical excellence in what is, first and foremost, a tool. I get as much joy from the simple, clean, sturdy functionality I find in my Rat 1 as I do with the holy shit how can a knife on PB washers be this freakin glassy smooth on my Slysz Bowie. I suppose on some level I can appreciate the "pure" collector's desire to keep his jewels pristine ( pristine jewels haha). Personally, I get way more enjoyment from experiencing the manner in which a finely thought out and executed, in this case knife, can be a knife.
End of mostly pointless ramble.
I got a bemchmade 940-2 as a graduation present and by God I'm gonna use that thing. All I gotta do is lock tite that pivot and I'll be good
I always keep in mind the resale value of my most valuable possession, my body. Even kept in plastic that is going nowhere but to zero! ( hopefully not for a while). With that reality as a framework I enjoy the crap out of everything I possess and then let it go when it's job is done pleasing me. I consider it a success when I wear something out. In the end you have to let it all go. If your focus is resale value your probably better off not spending you hard earned money . It's just stuff. Thanks Nick for the reality check.
Jon Allan 😂👍
I've been actively collecting knives for only 7 months and have purchased 24 knives so far - ranging in price from $26 to $400. Never once have I considered any knife purchase to be an investment. I work in IT from home and am a very light knife user. Even so, for my cardboard cutting tasks - I use two sub $30 "beater" knives. I really enjoy disassembling and modifying knives to improve their action - like adding a detent ball ramp on the tang or even adjusting lock bar tension - with good results. Along the way I've learned a great deal about differences in construction quality. My 18 pack Spydie case is now overflowing - so I plan on giving some knives away.
Sounds like you are on your way to making some folders!
I love using and carrying knives. But I suffer from this issue where I start feeling bad when I use my expensive ones, and I can't explain it. I never plan on selling them, but I still can't use them.
Desk diving marks
You are a trip nick
A true joy listening to rants and such.
Hey nick if I send you a couple of my knives can u scratch your name on the blades ( or anywhere )
Thanks. :-). I can probably quadruple the price of resale to one of your disciples ( of which I'm one )
I buy to use and keep...strictly , although a grail mantel piece isnt outta the question except $$$$ ;) lol ....thanks for another good one Mr. NICK
I tend to approach this from the other direction. I buy used, often. And I pretty much refuse to pay much more than about 50% of the price of the item when it is new. Sure, there are occasional exceptions, but it is usually the case that if I am going to pay 66% or 75% of the cost of something used, I might as well buy it new.
I generally look at knives for their utility. Can it still cut things? Can it cut things just about as well as it could when it was brand new? When I buy used, the answers to the questions are usually yes, and I am usually pretty happy to get that same level of utility for half the price. Are there scuffs or scratches on the blade? Maybe. Do I care? No. Once I start using the thing, I am sure I am going to do as much or worse.
I recently bought a Spyderco Temperance 2 that was missing the first 1/4 inch of its tip (snapped off by its previous owner) recently. $42. Reshaped the tip into a sort of santoku shape. Yeah, it's not ideal and a it's a little unique, and not great for stabbing things. But it's a fine cutter, and I was never going to spend $200 on that knife. So, I got my hands on a knife I was never going to buy for 1/4 of its new price.
Same with watches ... as long as they still keep good time, I am game. I have gotten burned on that front more than in the knife case ... too many moving parts I guess.
I don't ever sell my gear with a couple low end exceptions so I don't worry about resale at all. If/when I'm unhappy with a knife I give it to a friend that would enjoy that knife.
I see the same issue with guitars. People buying them and so paranoid they're going to get a scratch on it, the guitar sits in the case unplayed. Me, I prefer to get what I like and use it. Once the money is spent, you're probably never going to get it back. So enjoy it while you can.
I make sure I throw my boxes and paperwork away as soon as I get a new knife... it is my way of making sure that I am viewing my knives as tools instead of investments.
I NEVER buy a knife with the intention of reselling it - actually I'm really really really bad about selling. So I'm never really concerned about resell value.
I collected 68 Randall Made Knives (Orlando, FL). Eventually I sold em all for an average 24% profit, but that was the goal. But my pocket knives, Hinderer, CRK, etc. are all used. My pleasure is in the use, and while collecting was a for profit venture, my use is more pleasureful!
Randalls and Loveless etc. are sort of a special case I think.
I'm grateful for those collectors that buy knives and put them away in their safes for me to buy and use the hell out of them otherwise I might not have had the opportunity to acquire and the joy to use some really nice knives that are either hard to come by or no longer available. How much you want for that Norseman?Thanks Mr. S!
This is what I've always said... Buy your gear, use it and if you're done with it sell it. The money you loose is the cost of enjoying it
I don't bother trying to sell my gear because it's used and modified. Especially cutlery, I put my own hand ground edges on all my blades, this improves them (to me) but also makes them feel more like it's "mine." Beautiful edge on that kizer and me personally I'd rather have that edge and those scratches than the factory edge and no scratches.
Hi Nick, I don't thing there is doubt in your mind that this way of approaching gear (and life for that matter) is not how majority thinks (thus the reason for this rant). For me it is just another assurance that things stay consistent, majority remains unintelligent, minorities suffer because of it and find a bit of comfort in rants. Don't get me wrong. This is the right thing to do in this situation since the alternative is ugly and too expensive for therapy. So I am with you 100% on this one too. So far I used, customized or "fixed" every peace of gear I have except one knife that will stay as is for sentimental value. Resale value? Imho a real collector doesn't collect because he is a businessman. Otherwise, if that's how one looks at "collecting" he has a twisted concept of what a collector is.
I bought a couple of Hoback customs a few years back, but didn't end up using them...now I can't even let them go at 70% of the maker's price....
I collected in the 80's. Then sold it all in early 2000. The winners were the NIB items by far. Still the whole group had an ROI over 10x. Started up again on knives after coins bifurcated into high price winner and the rest. I'll do the same approach with knives I hope. What I use for EDC I'll by used, the rest I'll store for a decade or two. Which ones to get? Well that research is half the fun.
That's great. The stock market in the same period returned 19x.
Nick .. Great video. Let's get something straight right here .. If you're buying something in the gear world and worrying about re-sale value .. You're in the wrong place. This stuff is made to be used .. In the road racing bike world I come from, you hammer the gear. I cracked up a few bikes that were made (eventually) for that very purpose. Granted, I have a few "wall hangers", but for the most part, you got 'em to use and abuse 'em. You are doing yourself a miss service if you don't know where you're going before you leave on the trip.
I have only ever diminished the cost of my [knife] hobby by buying & selling and seldom make money on anything. I like buying folders on the secondary market that have aftermarket options on them like Benchmade Griptilians with custom grips & clips. When the components are in good shape it's possible to sell the knife with the factory FRN handles then sell the aftermarket grips & clips making a few bucks if you bought it 'right'.
I've also done okay with a few fixed blades that are initial mid-tech offerings by a custom maker. Especially if they're limited runs.
All in all just buying used & selling what you tire of is a reasonable way to reduce the cost of playing with sharp objects.
I completely agree... I look at it like this.. If the knife costs $400..abd there's 365 days in a year then your paying roughly just over $1 a day for "rent"
Whenever I purchased a knife if I really like it I intend to use it. No safe queens for me. I figure if I spend a large amount of money on something I should use it and enjoy it. And if I decide to sell it later then whatever loss I take on the financial end is not a big deal because I obviously don't want it anymore anyway and I've gotten a lot of use out of it.
IMO, this comes down to a single factor, aggregately speaking - why is one buying a given knife? Using myself as an example, I buy knives to carry and use. Resale is of zero consequence, as they're not purchased with an intent to sell later on. In fact, I like and appreciate the resale value cult. A sprint run Para 3 LWT, albeit with a BD1N blade, for less than $70? You bet I'm in! A sprint of a full-fat Para, though with an aftermarket edge as sharp as a razor, for a touch more than the former? Hell yeah! I love Para 3s and use them daily. My son might get them when I'm gone. OTOH, collecting seems like a different game.
Funny how this is completely opposite for balisongs. A production knife, like the HOM Basilisk-R ti sold at $420, but second hand (not perfect condition) regularly go for $500+, $600+ depending on modifications/accessories. I guess as a whole the community is more niche than regular pocket knives and EDC items but yeah.
Customs are even worse. GDOK EX11's sell for about $800 from the maker and go for like $1200+ used/second hand.
The only exception to this rule are benchmades. the 6x, morpho, and 87 all regularly sell for less than retail.
If you ever consider selling the Benchmade Anthem, please keep me in mind.
Completely with you on this one Nick: I'm a buy it and use it kind of guy. The vintage Rolex thing, and the vintage watch thing in general, is completely out of control. When people start rhapsodising about scratches and "patina" (which often looks straight up *terrible*) I sort of lose interest. I don't want to wear a watch that looks like it's going to infect me with a rare mould or something: I'd like to wear a classy watch that looks *nice*.
I carry a cheap EDC for cutting crap that I won’t use my good knives on. I wont use my Strider on it, or my Chris Reeve, etc.
I just really admire the quality cutlery but I do use and carry it.
I have a 20 year old Tag that I wear every day. It turned out to be kind of rare but I use it and I love it. I don’t think I could do the “safe queen” bit.
You should do a separate video on knife raffles. It seems to be the cool kid's way of selling a knife nowawadays.
+spadeknifeworks Don't even get me started. Lol
I have EDC knives 2 knives that R 4 special occasions I'd rather enjoy my purchase by carrying them...
cars an bikes matching numbers just the rite makes and models bring big $$$ being all factory non rebuilt it's been that way for years but knives to me R users there ment to use and enjoy 4 me any way...great video👍
Yeah Nick ---all of my knives were purchased to be the useful tools that they are...not to knock the collectors but I'm way too practical to be in that frame of mind (buy a knife or a multitool and the joy comes from using it)....collecting would be a waste of time and money for a hands on guy like me...good vid buddy--enjoyable as always...
this is why you should set your cap on what youll buy so you dont overworry, for me its 300 i couldnt use a knife more expensive then that without worrying. 40-100 bucks is a little savings and you can replace it on like any budget so use your stuff as hard as you need to.
Use it or lose it.
The joy of quality never goes out of style, but for crying out loud, it's the joy of using quality tools.
It's Ok Nick. My knives may have lost some money but I still have my ex-wifes beanie babies and longaberger baskets to retire on! By the way I really enjoy the channel and you can blame it on Toadstrk. He recommended you!
Id pay more for a modified knife then a dull knife if someone sharpens a knife to me it's worth more (Kult of Athena logic)
This is an interesting video, Nick. I think it's just a divide in interest, but you seem to understand that. You or I, or probably most of your viewers, like knives for utility (and of course some pride of ownership and art/beauty) more than anything...seems to me like "investing" in a knife is probably not the best investment.
I have a question for you. I know you don't do fixed blades often, but what do you think of Mora as a whole? I thought about grabbing one as a camp knife since they're pretty cheap, but I started looking into them and it seems they only really call their steel "stainless." That...worries me, after watching your steel video. Thanks for your great knife videos, Nick!
+John Littlejohn They're solid. I own one as an emergency knife in the car. Nice for the price
Hmm, I might have to consider one for that purpose, especially if I just get the itch for a new knife. Thanks!
100% correct.
You sound like more of an enthusiast than a collector. A collector wants that original, factory condition because it's an investment.
And yea, I get joy out of owning Sebenzas, but I don't need to carry it to enjoy it. It's fine at home :)
Buying gear as investment is risky but I will not say it is dumb or stupid because if that is what you enjoy then who am I to judge. My personal approach to investing would be to invest in a broad market ETF or an Index fund and reinvest the dividends. Over time you will do fine.
The only knives I would buy that I have knowledge of that would increase in value are any of the GEC Barlows. They are red hot right now.
O care about the resale value only during the first week, when I'm not sure if I want to keep it. Later I do whatever I want with my gem.
It's important to buy things we can afford to enjoy and carry.
Notice that all of the knives have titanium in them two of them are integrals three of them are framelocks and three of them are flippers and all of the are on bearings
What pained me recently was not even getting 50% back when selling an expensive custom knife but I made 4 times what I paid on a silly fidget spinner. Go figure. Great points though Nick.
I think its funny how some People always think they know what everybody else is supposed to be doing with the items they decide to purchase... if it's your's, it's your's to use how ever you choose to, period... :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
I'm not building a museum, I'm buying stuff to carry and use! Resale be damned!
I use my stuff, I don't even consider resale when I buy something. If I can resell it down the road and lose money on the deal, so be it. Life is too short to worry about resale value.
Nice topic. I've made money and lost money on trades and sales. I usually sell to thin the herd or to get a cooler knife. Mostly lost money I guess.lol Thanks
When I buy something, I count the money as spent. If I actually do sell something and get something for it, I consider the money as found money.
A watch is made to tell time, if you can't see the damn thing once it gets dark it's not a very good watch regardless of resale value, same with a knife, a knife's made to cut, if it can't cut because it's too dull it's not a good knife, period. I'm not going to say i hard use my stuff because i really don't, but i sure don't baby any of it specifically not because i want to sell it in the future, i'd much rather enjoy it while i have it and get less if i have to sell it.
Sure you'll take a hit on the Omega, but that infamous Z-hunter has gone up 100-300% I'd bet.