Mora collectability?

[Gerhard Gerber]

Hi Guys&Gals

Every time my Bushcraft Black sees some action I like it more, and recently I was abusing the lime green SS Companion that floats around my flat, and I realised it was my first Mora, it'd seen some action and was holding up really well.
I struggle at attach value to anything plastic, a good sheath probably being the exception, so using Moras makes more sense than collecting them.

When I realised those plastic and rubber handles would likely last a very long time things changed, and added to that I found a shop with quite a selection.....
So I bought a 611 (or 612?) as best representative of a classic Mora I could lay my hands on.
Next came a Companion heavy duty MG and just a plain black Companion to keep good-as-new.
So now I'm collecting Moras, but fortunately I don't aim to own them all, there's just 2 or 3 more I like 

But this all got me thinking - I don't buy knives as an investment, but I can't help wonder if these newer Moras will ever be collectible?

What do you think?

I couldn't help but compare it to comic books, where most 1st editions from the boom era is likely to remain relatively worthless simply because so many were printed........compared to the big $$ for comic books from back in the day.

It seems to me that even the more prolific older models of Mora are collectible, will the pink and green Companions be sought after some day in the far future?

 
Cheers
Gerhard

[Aloha]

I dont think certain items were ever meant to be collectable in terms of future value increasing.  When we see certain items that are limited runs/colors/materials etc then we can assume these will be more likely to fetch a higher price later.  I'd imagine there is always someone who will want a NIB something or other and will pay a premium once that particular item becomes scarce. 

With the newer Moras being produced en mass I just dont see it.  If at some point the design changes then sure I can see someone further down the road wanting a NIB first run even if they were produced en mass.  The question is how long will this take and how much over cost can it be sold for.   
 

[SAK Guy]

I have paid considerable ($20-$40) money for older plastic Moras made as recent as 8-10 years ago but these were the "iconic" models like 760's, 510's and other orig patterns that transitioned into Morakniv models. I like "progenitor" models with their orig stamps/colors/steels. But then, I'm crazy...


Then there are the vintage/unique/scarce ones that can command a bunch of money like the Hunters.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,59997.msg1130051.html#msg1130051

If it's an iconic model, like a red handled 510, it will resell around $50.00 on the bay. The Bushcraft folks drive the prices on certain models (like the 510). Lesser common (plastic) models will never appreciate enough to be considered an investment IMO.

[Grathr]

Thats the point thoug. You never know wich models are going to become popular after the production ends.
The 510 has become popular with bushcraters, but who could forsee that?
A mint bushcraft black might be worth a little more in a few years, IF they stop production now. But if it goes on for 20 years, then the market will be full of them. Unless they reduce the quality in newer proction runs, so connessieurs will want to pay premium for the older models.
But they might go the otherway and improve it, and then it wont even be worth the same as a new one.


Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

[gregozedobe]

"Collectability" is a strange thing.  It is very hard to accurately predict what will be valuable many years from now, as it is driven by what becomes "fashionable" and "desirable", along with limited numbers available (the usual demand vs supply equation). 

Initial production volumes come into it, but if the item is disposable and/or a bit delicate and usually thrown away, then something that was produced in relatively large volumes can become quite rare.  If it also becomes subject to the latest fad in collecting then it can rapidly increase in price (I originally typed "value" here, then realized my error  ). 

A large (sized) example of this is the early VW camper vans ("Splitties" and Bay window vans in particular) - these were made in fairly large numbers, but over the years most rusted away, crashed or were junked due to their low value.  They have now become fashionable (nostalgic baby-boomers trying to reclaim their lost youth ?) and prices have sky-rocketed.

If we are around long enough some of us may be surprised at which current MTs become collectable and fetch high prices.  I've only been around MTo for a few years and I've noticed a big increase in prices paid for the very old PSTs 

[dks]

I have some 511s bought in 2010.  I better stop using them!!   

[Corwyn]

You can't generalize:
Vic Soldiers were made in hundreds of thousands but they are quite collectable as many were lost (plus anything is more valuable if you stick a WW2 mark on it).
Spydie DF Sprint Carbon Fiber ATS-55 retailed for far more than a NIB DF ZDP-189 even if the newer one is better and the first was designed to be collectible.
Vic Swissflame was never designed to be collectable, it just sucked so hard it went fast out of production so it became rare.

I doubt most current plastic Moras will amount to anything (though I want a Black Bushcraft and a lime green) and I have a limited edition Teal Kamasa-branded one, but wooden-handled older ones, especially the fancier ones, if kept ok might age into valuableness.

[dks]

511, Triflex, 748 and same style Martiini    worth anything?

I use the Martiinis at home and have the 511s in cars.

but, I also use the Bahco/clipper version in SS, a lot more

[Gerhard Gerber]

Thanks for the replies and insights.....

I found it funny that most equate "collectability" to future value because I dread ever having to sell anything in my collection........I only buy what I like, Mora included.

On reflection, 100% correct in a money-driven society.

If we are around long enough some of us may be surprised at which current MTs become collectable and fetch high prices.  I've only been around MTo for a few years and I've noticed a big increase in prices paid for the very old PSTs 

Compound interest baby......why the rich get richer and I fell off the bus 

Perhaps Mora's production can't keep up with world population growth 

  Just had a thought: Imagine how much value a rain forest Indian with little or no outside contact would place on a cheap-as-chips SS Mora Companion?