Similar SAKs - Would you buy A or B?

[kamakiri]

Just for fun...I already bought one of them and the other sold the following day.  I'm guessing by someone looking at both also.


Knife 'A' Picture


Knife 'B' Picture


Which one would you buy just looking at the pictures?

Knife Prices and Auction style:

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Knife A $49.99 Buy-it-now
Knife B $24.99 Auction - no other bidders yet

Considering the prices and auction type -  would you change your answer?

I bought:

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Knife B - turns out most of the stuff on the blades was tape adhesive/residue and the black spot near the scale shield was nothing permanent and rubbed right off.  Got lucky there!

I'm sure others have stories about similar decisions when similar knives are available at the same time...post them up too! I feel like I run into situations like this pretty frequently when I'm buying something on 'the list'.

[AlephZero]

You do remember which forum you're on, right? The obvious answer is "both". 

 

[Top-Gear-24]

You do remember which forum you're on, right? The obvious answer is "both". 

 

It's the only option I know, is there another one ... ?

But I must say knife A would be my first pick (for the collection) and knife B would be second, as a user  .

[Top-Gear-24]

Now I've checked which one you bought (I wanted to give my opinion first, before I knew which one you got), and I'm happy for you that all the stuff on it was easy to remove.  Judging a knife by one pic is always hard, and that's why I went for the safest choice.  Since I didn't know if it were scratches or just sticky stuff on knife B (but I would've found out anyway, since I would've bought both  ).

Congrats on the nice SAK mate  .

[Rapidray]

I buy untill my fun money runs out! 
Then I remember...I’m retired...everyday is Saturday! 

[Aloha]

I would have went for A. 

[Aloha]

Just had a look at what you bought  .  Glad it cleaned up nicely.  I would have bought A but you got a nice deal on B.  Looks like a single black scissor spring on B?   

[SirVicaLot]

Just going from the pictures i would have picked A. The photo looks better and shows more details, so it is easier to judge the condition.

[kamakiri]

You do remember which forum you're on, right? The obvious answer is "both". 

 

I know that all too well!  I always prefer to delay that decision, if possible, for the second knife.  I was planning to do just that, *after* I had the first one in hand. I had a little 'oh, smurf' moment when I saw the other one sell the next morning.

Now I've checked which one you bought (I wanted to give my opinion first, before I knew which one you got), and I'm happy for you that all the stuff on it was easy to remove.  Judging a knife by one pic is always hard, and that's why I went for the safest choice.  Since I didn't know if it were scratches or just sticky stuff on knife B (but I would've found out anyway, since I would've bought both  ).

Congrats on the nice SAK mate  .

  Thanks Top Gear! That's my whole intent to post your answers before looking.    Maybe there will be nobody else to post their examples... 

I buy untill my fun money runs out! 
Then I remember...I’m retired...everyday is Saturday! 

    I think I would have had to post two Hoffritzes to get your answer anyway, Ray!   

Just had a look at what you bought  .  Glad it cleaned up nicely.  I would have bought A but you got a nice deal on B.  Looks like a single black scissor spring on B?   

  and Aloha, Aloha!  Yes it is a black scissor spring!  And maybe I'm one of the few here who is more of a sucker for a good deal.    but the celebration factor on mail day goes up a bit when you just don't know what you're getting!   

Just going from the pictures i would have picked A. The photo looks better and shows more details, so it is easier to judge the condition.

I'm sure that's the more prudent way to operate. Buying the 'worse photos' has often worked for me with less expensive purchases, and I try to be more prudent and conservative with more expensive knives. But I admit I've had a few nasty bites that way. As long as the 'winners' outweigh the 'losers' dollar wise, I'll probably continue the practice.


------
Thanks everyone for all the replies!  I really do feel like I found 'my people' here!  At least people who understand this addiction! 

One bit of data I didn't clarify, is that I already had one of these, so buying two more at the same time seemed a little too spendy, when the first one is really in pretty good condition...and also a Nickel Silver tweezer tip to boot.  I didn't want that to be an influence on the process.


Anybody with an example or a theoretical one please POST IT UP!  2nd buys or comparisons...whatever. 

[Aloha]

This is actually a great topic that should be done again.  I know many of us tend to fall into BUY BOTH.  Its not always feasible.  I try to get the best condition as shown in pictures however if I have one and just want a user then I'd take a chance that it will clean up. 

[kamakiri]

This is actually a great topic that should be done again.  I know many of us tend to fall into BUY BOTH.  Its not always feasible.  I try to get the best condition as shown in pictures however if I have one and just want a user then I'd take a chance that it will clean up.

Exactly!  I hope people have documented some of their buys or will going forward to post in this thread.

I also hear you about the difference between buying users and as-is collectables.  I also have the problem with mod fodder and parts-only knives...and have to play 'which knife is less smurfed-up' 

[Top-Gear-24]

...
One bit of data I didn't clarify, is that I already had one of these, so buying two more at the same time seemed a little too spendy, when the first one is really in pretty good condition...

Yeah, buying three or more would be bordering on insanity ... 

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And I can't show pics of my 3 Spirits and 4 Swisstools because they are still on photobucket, and photobucket always makes my laptop freeze ... 

[kamakiri]

  You're not helping my problem! 

[CallsignBadger]

B for both? 

Nice find  

[ThundahBeagle]

Last year I saw an eBay auction for what was listed as an older Explorer. By the picture, it was clearly more. But it looked a mess and seller said it was a mess. The buy now price was good, so I bought it.

Turned out to be a Champion C with plus scales. New enough that the magnifying glass was plastic (not the kind with the grey ring) but I didn't care. That blasted thing was a tool box in a pocket.

The action on some of the tools was squidgy, so I removed the scales and boiled the knife. Lots of dirt and grime removed. Put the scales back on, oiled the he'll out of it, and kept it in my desk at work.

The neighbor down the street has an old Wenger with the long metal screw driver that houses the magnifying glass - kind of looks like an old clock - I saw it and told him he had a cool Swiss Army Knife. He said thanks but he had always wanted a Champion without the plyers. He never knew I had one, but since he mentioned it, I brought it back home and gave it to him

[Top-Gear-24]

Last year I saw an eBay auction for what was listed as an older Explorer. By the picture, it was clearly more. But it looked a mess and seller said it was a mess. The buy now price was good, so I bought it.

Turned out to be a Champion C with plus scales. New enough that the magnifying glass was plastic (not the kind with the grey ring) but I didn't care. That blasted thing was a tool box in a pocket.

The action on some of the tools was squidgy, so I removed the scales and boiled the knife. Lots of dirt and grime removed. Put the scales back on, oiled the he'll out of it, and kept it in my desk at work.

The neighbor down the street has an old Wenger with the long metal screw driver that houses the magnifying glass - kind of looks like an old clock - I saw it and told him he had a cool Swiss Army Knife. He said thanks but he had always wanted a Champion without the plyers. He never knew I had one, but since he mentioned it, I brought it back home and gave it to him

Cool story  .

And very nice of you to give him the SAK he always wanted  .

[CallsignBadger]

  

[FolderBeholder]

The neighbor down the street has an old Wenger with the long metal screw driver that houses the magnifying glass - kind of looks like an old clock - I saw it and told him he had a cool Swiss Army Knife. He said thanks but he had always wanted a Champion without the plyers. He never knew I had one, but since he mentioned it, I brought it back home and gave it to him

 

[Butch]

I would buy the SwissChamp on the next page. ................

[kamakiri]

Nice story ThundahBeagle! 

[kamakiri]

Here's another one!

Knife A:


Knife B:


Which one would you buy just looking at these two pictures? Both are HOFFRITZ tang stamp and Hot Stamp scales c. '80. I did not have one of these in the collection and have ones from before and after this date range.

Knife Prices and Auction style:

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Knife A is Buy-It-Now @ $69.99 w/ FREE shipping and a [MAKE OFFER] available

Knife B Auction starting at $27.05 w/ FREE shipping

Most of these sell in the $25 to $40 range or so.

Do you commit to Bid on B or maybe Best Offer on A? Say you don't have the money or budget or interest for both. This was a low priority on 'the list'.

Post your course of action before looking below!

I bought:

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Knife B at $28.05 with only one other bidder at $27.05 and was pleasantly surprised at how unused this one was. Wear was accurately represented on scales in the pictures. No way was A in better condition even just for the scales.  I thought it was pretty obvious compared to the Companions/Executives, so I didn't post it first.

[Mechanickal]

I would've went with B too.
It showed the file completely, and shows that it's clean.
Files are harder to clean than most tools... YMMV

[kamakiri]

I would've went with B too.
It showed the file completely, and shows that it's clean.
Files are harder to clean than most tools... YMMV

Yeah, pretty clear that the A knife wasn't in good shape and a bit overpriced for what it is.

[Rapidray]

I would've went with B too.
It showed the file completely, and shows that it's clean.
Files are harder to clean than most tools... YMMV

That’s the truth...and if its stained, its there for good! 

[kamakiri]

EXAMPLE #3

Hoffritz Wednesday reminded me I have an A, B, or C example...

KNIFE 'A'





KNIFE 'B'





KNIFE 'C'








Which one would you buy just looking at just these pictures?

Type or post your answers before looking at the info below!

Knife Prices and Auction style:

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Knife A is Buy-It-Now @ $79.95 w/ FREE shipping and a [MAKE OFFER] available

Knife B Auction starting at $0.99 w/ FREE shipping

Knife C Auction starting at $30.00 w/ $3.95 shipping

Knife B auction ends before C, but all 3 are listed at the same time.

Post your course of action before looking below!  Put all your answers in Sp 'spoiler' tags so others don't see your answers



I bought:

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HAHA...Don't cheat...I'll post it later this time   

[kamakiri]

I would've went with B too.
It showed the file completely, and shows that it's clean.
Files are harder to clean than most tools... YMMV

That’s the truth...and if its stained, its there for good! 

Actually, that doesn't or wouldn't deter me.  I find I can clean most files pretty well and I think that previous knife 'A' file could have been made *very* clean. Always takes time most can be made 'decent' unless there are holes in the case hardening.  Scales condition is much more of a factor for me. 'original' shine or smoothness especially on special inlays is a premium to pay for IMO.

[Rapidray]

I would've went with B too.
It showed the file completely, and shows that it's clean.
Files are harder to clean than most tools... YMMV

That’s the truth...and if its stained, its there for good! 

Actually, that doesn't or wouldn't deter me.  I find I can clean most files pretty well and I think that previous knife 'A' file could have been made *very* clean. Always takes time most can be made 'decent' unless there are holes in the case hardening.  Scales condition is much more of a factor for me. 'original' shine or smoothness especially on special inlays is a premium to pay for IMO.

The file doesn’t look good, but it still works! And the price was good. Really good. If it would have cleaned up, it would have been a bonus. Still happy with it.

[kamakiri]

I guess 'Example 3' died a quick death!