Crazy

[Huntsman]

Someone posted a link earlier to this guy's Black Beauty - But he has got a ton of overpriced exhibits!!

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/egger1990/m.html?item=114098710126&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[Reinier]

Nice goodies Huntsman! No cheap ones, that's true...

This one is a bit stupid as well. $199 for shipping a Classic?

[elsinox]

Someone posted a link earlier to this guy's Black Beauty - But he has got a ton of overpriced exhibits!!

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/egger1990/m.html?item=114098710126&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Mr. Egger is a well known dealer. I think he knows exactly what he`s doing. If there`s a limited edition coming out, he buys as many knives as he can get (for example Man on the Moon, Damascus). Then after some time, he sells them for a higher price. I think it is a good business model and he earns a lot of money with it, and its totally legal. The only way to end such trades are that you have to register yourself on a list if you want to buy a limited piece. But still there you can register a friend or familiy member... Mr. Egger is not the only one. There are some out there making it the same way. Thats a matter of demand and supply. And if you buy many of a limited edition, the prices will rise, and you can sell them for more. Thats how it is.

[Echotech]

This one just seems to be for the leather cover, the Swiss card isn’t marked from what I can see…well if you like Hermès maybe US$574 is in your price range

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HERMES-x-VICTORINOX-Swiss-Army-Knife-Card-Type-W-Leather-Case-/224344151498?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

[kamakiri]

I guess somebody wanted the Duchess!

[kamakiri]

Couldn’t believe this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233914410345

Only good for parts, IMO.  broken liners clearly pointed out.

But sold for $251 + shipping.

[Sneider]

Without words 

https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/victorinox-damast-2010-nur-2010-stueck-1161983294/

[Reinier]

Without words 

https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/victorinox-damast-2010-nur-2010-stueck-1161983294/

I thought it was already ridiculous when I sold mine for about $1000 a few years ago.

[kamakiri]

Highest I’ve seen for a well-used Space Shuttle w/o box.

[SwissMix2020]

Its a matter of supply and demand.  Thankfully, the realm of SAK collectibles are not yet in the mainstream like Nike sneakers or Casio G-Shock watches.

Eventually, I too may have to shell out a few hundred bucks when I look for some examples of pre-1970s models or some limited/rare models.

But there still the thrill of finding a bargain and so far Ive  been able to score plenty of 1975-1985 models for under $10.

[Huntsman]

But there still the thrill of finding a bargain and so far I've  been able to score plenty of 1975-1985 models for under $10.

Oh boy  What's your secret?  I always pay through the nose  ...... Well I used to  as now I've  stopped buying .... as all the models I liked were too much $$$

I am assuming lots of time digging and patience on ebay .... maybe with a few garage sales, bric a brac stores  flea markets thrown in

[SwissMix2020]

Sakwiki and the various guides on how to identify various tools to determine approximate age and models helps a great deal when seeking a bargain.  The more you study the better you get at identifying good deals.

An easy one are looking at 91mm models and any without a sewing eye in the awl, or those still with a screw on the scissors.  Lack of a hook on some models.  And of course finding a clip point small blade.

Other thing are more nuanced.

They sold millions of these things, so there are still bargains out there and most people are more interested in limited editions & special designs than the original plain red scale models.  More people who are buying more people maybe interested in selling.

Anything pre 1973 is going to be expensive.  For now, nobody seems to care as much for late 70s to early 80s models.  Not sure why?

Other thing is to be cautious with sellers who sell a ton of SAK and that are accurately described; ie they put the model name, approximate age and features...those sellers know their stuff and usually price close to their real value.

Its kinda mean to say but find the casual sellers as I find them often mislabeling or not identifying properly what they are selling.  Makes it harder as they wont come up on a regular search as they wont use proper keywords.

And yes, patience.  Lots of patience.  I bid on several a week and may walk away with just 1-2 per month.  If anything, I am probably helping those sellers get a bit more for their auctions...

[Reinier]

I agree SwissMix2020. I've found the best bargains when knives were just described as "Swiss Knife" or "Altes Taschenmesser, Rot, Dachbodenfund"

And I think Huntsman knows about SAKWiki

[pfrsantos]

I agree SwissMix2020. I've found the best bargains when knives were just described as "Swiss Knife" or "Altes Taschenmesser, Rot, Dachbodenfund"

And I think Huntsman knows about SAKWiki

I've awlso found some nice knives, from the german brand Rostfrei.

 

[Reinier]

Or worse: Rosterei

[Huntsman]

When I go to Schweiz   I prefer Rosti mit spiegel Ei ....... not rostfrei     


PS.       SAKWiki                

[kamakiri]

Anything pre 1973 is going to be expensive.  For now, nobody seems to care as much for late 70s to early 80s models.  Not sure why?

I think you can answer your own question:

They sold millions of these things

Production ramped up during that time. From the mid ‘70s, they ‘couldn’t keep up with demand’. A new facility was completed in 1980. Knives from that period aren’t particularly rare and are pretty easy to identify as you said.

And yes, patience.  Lots of patience.  I bid on several a week and may walk away with just 1-2 per month.  If anything, I am probably helping those sellers get a bit more for their auctions...

I suppose finding ‘bargains’ is relative. I can’t really get too excited about finding a knife for under $10 that’s worth anywhere near $10.

I completely agree with your narratives about the different types of sellers, and how to look for bargains in general. Commonly mislabeled ‘rare’ models is one of the ways I find some things below market prices.

The big annoying trouble I find are the incorrectly dated or named ones from popular sellers. Drives prices into the crazy range quite unjustifiably.

[kamakiri]

This was still a bit surprising.

[Frailer]

And I think Huntsman knows about SAKWiki

I think you’re right. 

[Huntsman]

Post removed

[kamakiri]

Post removed

Wow. Max said he liked it. But I suppose you know better. 

[Huntsman]

Apologies KK - Inappropriate - I was feeling grumpy - It's just that it is not always appropriate/relevant - As you say IMHO
And as mentioned great to promote contributions to the Wiki - Thanks for that !

Have removed my post from my and your posts

[SwissMix2020]

I think you can answer your own question:Production ramped up during that time. From the mid ‘70s, they ‘couldn’t keep up with demand’. A new facility was completed in 1980. Knives from that period aren’t particularly rare and are pretty easy to identify as you said.


I suppose finding ‘bargains’ is relative. I can’t really get too excited about finding a knife for under $10 that’s worth anywhere near $10.

  yup, it’s totally relative.  For now I’m just acquiring basic models to study first hand their characteristics.  It’s one thing to view pictures and read about them...I learn new things when I have them in hand.

Eventually, I want to graduate to identify fakes or when they mix up/replace to create frankenknives.

I’ve already hit my first dud and bought one that even after several cleanings...I’m afraid to touch lest I get a bout of tetanus.  Might be my first donor knife to experiment in modding and taking it apart to study the inner layers and workings.

Someday, I hope to spot those truly rare finds for a song but go for much more than $10.

[Echotech]

On the subject of eBay seller descriptions and bargains

Advertised as “Vintage pocket knife Victorinox Switzerland stainless Rosterel x 2” (yep Rosterel)

Thought they were both OC Pioneers from the pics, turns out the red one is a Farmer so even better as I’ve a few OC Pioneers. The silver Pioneer is without the keyring, only have a red one without keyring so again very pleased.
The gunk on the blade will come off easily and both are going to scrub up really well I reckon.

Thought there’d be plenty of bids but only two, so with delivery got them for A$61, about US$45. BARGAIN

[cody6268]

I struggle to understand the prices of branded knives on the gear pages of heavy equipment and fire apparatus manufacturers. Some generic knife may be $25, but typically, there's a slimmer SAK (say Spartan and/or Classic SD) or a lower end Buck or Case knife. But, the prices are usually around double what they typically sell for.

But this takes the cake. $105 for a $35 Buck Spitfire. I priced out a Custom Shop build, and for G-10, S35VN, and a Cerakoted blade, it came out to about the same. And this is just a standard aluminum/420HC version.

https://www.tigercatoutfitters.com/collections/accessories/products/knife-buck-spitfire-in-orange?variant=39308604768417

[EMZ]

This blue Alox 2015 Limited Edition Pioneer is already at € 351, with still 3 days to go. (I have no involvement in this auction!)
I think yhat's an awful lot of money for a knife that originally cost about € 45 in 2015.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/255043662224

[EMZ]

This blue Alox 2015 Limited Edition Pioneer is already at € 351, with still 3 days to go. (I have no involvement in this auction!)
I think yhat's an awful lot of money for a knife that originally cost about € 45 in 2015.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/255043662224

Sold for € 445, a whopping US $525.92...
That's a lot of money. You could also say that it was a good investment for the seller.

[Altis]

That is pretty crazy. How silly would it feel if Victorinox just decided to release those colours again (or ones very similar).

On one hand, nobody likes what feels like price gouging. But things like this are only worth what people are willing to pay, and there's people who feel it's worth it to them to pay such high prices for things that are hard to find.

In a way, I think it's good that it incentivizes people to buy up and increase copies of limited or discontinued models in circulation, keep them in good shape and present them to the market for those who really want them later.

[kamakiri]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-Victorinox-VICTORIA-f235fmaU-blue-angler-fisherman-U-Bail-Swiss-Army-Knife/353590318085



Wow. $730 + shipping. And for a scissor with a ‘kamakiri’ spring fix/mod. Lol.

Looks like ‘70/‘71 to me. Highest price I’ve seen on one of these so far. And far from the best condition. Especially with the double leaf spring fix.

[ulli]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-Victorinox-VICTORIA-f235fmaU-blue-angler-fisherman-U-Bail-Swiss-Army-Knife/353590318085

(Image removed from quote.)

Wow. $730 + shipping. And for a scissor with a ‘kamakiri’ spring fix/mod. Lol.

Looks like ‘70/‘71 to me. Highest price I’ve seen on one of these so far. And far from the best condition. Especially with the double leaf spring fix.

Maybe I should sell some of mine.... :-)