Blister packages -- save or toss?

[Myron]

Elsewhere on MTO I have lamented the modern packaging that SAKs come in these days.  Now I am wondering what most folks do with blister packaging when they buy a SAK brand new primarily for collecting (ie, not using or carrying).  How about you?  Do you free the knife from the blister pack so you can handle it and enjoy it, and then toss the blister pack?  Or do you keep the knife forever imprisoned in the blister pack, unable to be handled and completely appreciated?

I myself don't ever really intend to sell any of my VSAKs and don't consider them investments.  So I open the blister pack and toss it, but I am wondering if maybe there is another strategy that I'm not aware of...

Thanks,

Myron

[cody6268]

Toss. Whether it be SAK or diecast collecting, I hate blisters. They take up a ton of space, and you can't put the thing back in it once opened.

[FolderBeholder]

It's true, it's hard to put the knife back in once open, but I have carefully cut around the knife on one that I opened.
The others I have kept sealed.

[jalind]

Elsewhere on MTO I have lamented the modern packaging that SAKs come in these days.  Now I am wondering what most folks do with blister packaging when they buy a SAK brand new primarily for collecting (ie, not using or carrying).  How about you?  Do you free the knife from the blister pack so you can handle it and enjoy it, and then toss the blister pack?  Or do you keep the knife forever imprisoned in the blister pack, unable to be handled and completely appreciated?

I myself don't ever really intend to sell any of my VSAKs and don't consider them investments.  So I open the blister pack and toss it, but I am wondering if maybe there is another strategy that I'm not aware of...

Thanks,

Myron

I've saved boxes, but only because I've got a dresser drawer that can be used for them. The vacuum molded Blister packs get pitched. All the ones I've encountered need to be cut open with a SAK (preferably), a utility knife (with razor blade), or pair of large shears. Not worth keeping. I look at them for recycling markings but rarely (this is more than just SAKs) are they marked with the type of plastic for a recycler. Regarding the boxes, it's very likely I will eventually clear them out. Mine get carried and used, so keeping the packaging doesn't do much for their value.

Leaving one in the blister pack reminds me of the Leica camera collectors who handle the sealed box with lint-free gloves and will not open it. If up for sale, they and the buyer will X-ray the box to ensure the camera is, indeed, inside, and that it's not a small brick. The difference would be one can see it through the blister pack. However, blister pack plastics do not age gracefully. The plastic outgasses, undergoes chemical changes including reacting to ambient indoor lighting, yellows, embrittles and eventually cracks apart. Been there, done that. Kept a torque wrench in its blister pack because it didn't come with a case. Eventually found one that it fit well just as the blister pack was falling apart from embrittlement. The bottom line is the blister pack will not last. It's anything but archival.

Edit:
IMO it would be better to build a case for protected storage of them. More effective usage of space and will last much longer if made from good materials.

John

[Myron]

Pretty much how I feel too. 

Anybody else?  If the MTO forum software supported polls I'd set one up to settle this burning issue...   

Myron

[Borg]

I forgot who but someone in this forum has a Wenger in Vic packaging, things like that i would leave alone and not open, or even if its rare or discontinued i would leave, generally speaking though i would skip it, i keep boxes but not blisters



They do make good decoration though 
The only reason these are still in packaging is because i have plenty Spartans roaming free, and these will be gifts probably, if nothing else they take up less space out the packaging, and lets face it, these Spartans will never be rare

[GoatDragon]

I don't even usually keep the packaging when its a cardboard box. Who needs that clutter? 

[gerleatherberman]

I fully understand some people's desire to save the original packaging, but blister packs are just cheesy. And leaving stuff sealed in them is kind of like not appreciating the tool(unless it is a duplicate item of something you have out already). IMHO of course.
If an item has the original cardboard package, I tend to break it down to its' flattened state and throw it in a giant ziplock bag in my closet.

I am fortunate though, that I don't really care if something has original packaging or not. Paying 2x-3x more for something with printed paperboard around it just doesn't appeal to me.
I do understand the OCD level of collecting, because I trade with people sometimes who cannot be bothered to own something without original packaging. They seem to appreciate the box more than the tool itself.
The way I see it though, I'd rather have 30 SAKs without packaging than 10 SAKs with packaging. I want to play with my SAKs. 

[moonweasel]

For the most part, blister pack is gone, I do have one exception though, more for the novelty, than collector value, but hey you never know.

[Greg Jones]

Toss the package use the knife, but it does look like the blister package might be a rare find in the future

[glenfiddich1983]

I hate blister packages. Only pack something in a blister if you want the contents to be impossible to be taken out. Like nuclear waste for example.

[ThePeacent]

blister and clamshell packages are hell,
and there is where they belong 

unless you buy it only and specifically to be sold as a profit or pass down new to somebody, toss it 

[AndyTiedye]

Toss.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

[GoatDragon]

I hate blister packages. Only pack something in a blister if you want the contents to be impossible to be taken out. Like nuclear waste for example.

Honestly though how hard can it be for any of us to open a blister package with the myriad of SAKs and multitools we have laying around? A true SAKnight relishes difficult to open packaging, it is our moment to shine! 

[gregozedobe]

If the tool is being purchased for using then liberate and toss the packaging.

If it is for a collection (ie not for use) then most definitely leave it in the blister pack.  If I'm buying a "collector" tool then I will pay more for one in a sealed blister pack as I can then have confidence that the tool hasn't been molested in any way.  If I'm trading it to another collector then they will have the same confidence.  This definitely increases the desirability of the tool. 

I've had some unpleasant surprises with supposedly "new" or "mint" tools in the past where there was damage not shown in the photos, so even if it is for use you are much less likely to get a tool with hidden damage if itl is still in its original sealed blister back..

[FolderBeholder]

I kept these in their blister packs as I collect boxes and packaging.

[Mechanickal]

Ok, FB came clear first.

I only had 1 SAK arrive in a blister, ever. And yes, it's still in there

[Butch]

I almost never buy new. Packaging is not much of a problem that way. Toss it all ' cept the knife.

[FolderBeholder]

Yeoman is one of my favorite SAKs and I like having the Yeoman in a blister pack because I know it is genuine.  The one I have in a box could "possibly" be one someone has made and I probably wouldn't know it unless I took off the scales or purchased it from a store.

[VICMAN]

Yeoman is one of my favorite SAKs and I like having the Yeoman in a blister pack because I know it is genuine.  The one I have in a box could "possibly" be one someone has made and I probably wouldn't know it unless I took off the scales or purchased it from a store.

That is a good point FB!

[zoidberg]

Pretty much how I feel too. 

Anybody else?  If the MTO forum software supported polls I'd set one up to settle this burning issue...   

Myron

Look for 'add poll' at the top or bottom of this page or 'new poll' which is next to 'new topic' in any of the subsections.

[mattbod]

I've never actually seen the blister packs. All my recent ones have come in those little silver boxes. I loved the old matchbox style box they did in the 90s. You only get that with the swisschamp now.

[ulzhan]

Bliesters are a pain in the ass to open. Manufactured for obsolescence. Just food for my garbage bin.

[Rich S]

You could collect a bunch of blister packs. Make a clay mold of the SAK handle. Melt down the blister packs and make a new clear (or color it if you wish) scale for your SAK.  On second thought, easier to just throw them away.
Rich

[Myron]

Look for 'add poll' at the top or bottom of this page or 'new poll' which is next to 'new topic' in any of the subsections.

Thank you, Zoidberg -- I'm still a newbie here and getting used to the different layout of MTO compared to other forums I use.   I will say that just doing an informal poll based on the responses so far it looks like we're about

- 95% toss the blister pack,

- 5% keep the knife in the blister pack,

- and 0% find another solution (such as liberate the knife from the blister pack but preserve the hard card). 

Great topic, and it's fun to see how everybody feels about it.  Thanks all for the responses!

Myron

[Myron]

Yeoman is one of my favorite SAKs and I like having the Yeoman in a blister pack because I know it is genuine.  The one I have in a box could "possibly" be one someone has made and I probably wouldn't know it unless I took off the scales or purchased it from a store.

The Yeoman and Scientist are two of my all-time favorites as well.  I have only mild anxiety that used knives I buy on eBay are fake put-togethers, but it's a shame that the only way to tell is conduct a destructive test. 

I must admit that I'm totally envious you found a Yeoman in a blister pack!  I am sure that I wouldn't be able to resist, however, and would have to open it up to fully appreciate and enjoy the knife.  I admire your will. 

Myron

[mattbod]

Why do Victorinox do both boxes and blisters for the same knives? I would think the cardboard box would suffice and be cheaper to produce. That lovely box I posted above contains my first knife bought early 90s when I was 15 a Climber which is my favourite everyday carry. A nice box even for a cheaper but fab knife 

[jalind]

Why do Victorinox do both boxes and blisters for the same knives? I would think the cardboard box would suffice and be cheaper to produce. That lovely box I posted above contains my first knife bought early 90s when I was 15 a Climber which is my favourite everyday carry. A nice box even for a cheaper but fab knife 

The blister is needed for hanging on pegboard pegs in Big Box home improvement and discount department stores. Needs to be big enough to discourage shoplifting and tough enough to get into to discourage someone trying to slice into it to steal the contents with a utility razor. Be observant in a WalMart, K-Mart or Target for a few hours in the USA and you can see all sorts of activity with people trying to steal things. In some store locations, it's shameless.

John

[mattbod]

Thanks should have guessed that. I guess it's the same with expensive razor blades. I have bought all my knives from speSmurfpillst stores or online.

[glenfiddich1983]

Why do Victorinox do both boxes and blisters for the same knives? I would think the cardboard box would suffice and be cheaper to produce. That lovely box I posted above contains my first knife bought early 90s when I was 15 a Climber which is my favourite everyday carry. A nice box even for a cheaper but fab knife 

The blister is needed for hanging on pegboard pegs in Big Box home improvement and discount department stores. Needs to be big enough to discourage shoplifting and tough enough to get into to discourage someone trying to slice into it to steal the contents with a utility razor. Be observant in a WalMart, K-Mart or Target for a few hours in the USA and you can see all sorts of activity with people trying to steal things. In some store locations, it's shameless.

John

Never thought of it that way! I always thought they were just to discourage me from ever using the contents