CASE LIMITED EDITION; User or collector?

S

Silverdagger

Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
633
Today I purchased a Case Mini Copperlock at a pawn shop for $40 including tax. It is model 61749 L SS It is bone handled minicopperlock that is burnt bone. It has a 1999 date code. The problem is on the blade reads "LIMITED XX EDITION 1 OF 2500". The knife has the original grind but it has been used slightly as the front is not as sharp as towards the handle. There are a couple of tiny scratches. The bolsters show some slight wear. Just looking at it I would guess that it served as a backup knife after someone lost their regular knife and it has done so just a few times over 13 years. Blade is in 99% condition and bolsters 95%. The brass is slightly tarnished. It did not come with a box or papers.

My delima is this. Do I use the knife or do I collect it. The seller at the pawn shop said if I sharpened it I would devalue it to collectors. However, I would rather use a knife than collect it. I just don't want to ruin some sort of rare piece or something. I tried to do a google/ebay seach and I'm guesing the knife is worth somewhere around $50.

Any thoughts? Use it or collect it? It is a beautiful knife to look at, kind of like amber bone but lighter.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I personally wouldn't worry about devaluing the knife. The "LIMITED XX EDITION 1 OF 2500" implies it is one single knife out of a total of 2500 produced, as opposed to the very FIRST one made (as would be implied with serial numbered knives, where the marking would be something like 'No. 0001/2500'). The lack of a box or papers, and the fact that it's previously been carried and/or used eliminates the possibility of the knife being 'new' or 'mint' anymore, which is usually the biggest draw for hard-core collectors. The collectibility of these knives is more about their appeal to dedicated fans of a particular pattern or scale material/style, and less about the real rarity or monetary value. Even when new, I doubt these knives sold for much more (if any more) than the 'standard line' knives from Case.

Use the knife, enjoy it, and don't look back. :)
 
Last edited:
I think David gives good advice. Another thing to consider is whether or not you will be irritated by the blade etch on a user. Personally, I find that they affect the function of the knife... it's just an opinion though. If you think it will bother you, return it and buy one that doesn't have the limited edition etch. If you like the etch, put it in your pocket and enjoy the knife.

Are you really not going to post a photo of this beautiful knife??? ;)
 
If you like the looks of the knife, use it and enjoy it.

The limited edition knives, are more of a marketing thing IMHO. Collectors really want pristine condition, with the box and papers. Your knife already has scratches, and the edge needs to be touched up.
Those knives in N.I.B condition, may go up a little in value in 10 or 20 years, but who knows how much, if any.

Having it in pocket and using it, you will easily get $40 of enjoyment out of it.
Even at that, if you use it, and take care of it, it will still be worth probably 20-30 dollars 5 years from now.
 
I would say that you should use it if that was your orginal thought when you bought it. If you are going to use it, you will have to sharpen it. It is obviously used, so some of the collector value of a limited edition is already lost. Some of my knives have some collector value, but I am an accumulator and not a collector. I don't use some of the ones I have, but don't know why really. I use most everything I buy. On some knives, where I have more than one, I'll keep one pretty much unused, but not to try to speculate on its collector value.

Ultimately, if you thought it was collectible when you picked it up, then keep it as a collector piece. If you bought it with the initial idea of possibly using it, then go ahead. Just a thought, a limited edition of 2500 knives is not that limited; it's a pretty good sized production run.

Ed J
 
Very nice! Looks like a unique shield on it as well. Really does distinguish itself from the crowd. :thumbup:

If you do still want to post a pic of yours, uploading photos to photobucket or a similar free photo-hosting site is pretty easy. Once loaded there (photobucket), when viewing each particular photo, there'll be some linking options on the right side of the screen. The 4th option from the top is the 'IMG code', and clicking on that URL in the box will automatically 'copy' it, after which you can 'paste' the copied URL into your post here.
 
Not sure if you like the blade markings, but if you don't care for it, they are usually easily removed.
 
Shred about 20 cardboard boxes and if you still don't like it, then add it to the collection. My thought is that the value of the knife is only what someone will pay for it and if you are willing to sell it. The latter is my problem I will not sell any so therefore the value is n/a. Not really a complete answer I know but something to think about.
 
It's already used, so go for it. The difference in collector value between "kind of used" and "really used" is insignificant unless the knife is a rare antique. :thumbup:
 
Case's marketing notwithstanding, a knife isn't collectible merely because the manufacturer says it is. Several factors must come into play first -- condition, desirability, and perhaps most importantly, rarity. The collectible Case knives of yesteryear became that way because they were sold during a time when there weren't many knife collectors. Those that bought knives bought a tool, so the vast majority of them became used and worn. The few pristine remaining examples are valuable because there are only a few and because they are pristine. Those two conditions do not apply to most knives sold today. Given enough time of course, most knives will be used so I suppose that the potential for collectibility exists even with something as common as a Victorinox Soldier. The question is, will the knife be a collectible and appreciate in value during your lifetime? If you believe the answer is no, use the knife and enjoy it.

- Christian
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Case does has done "limited editions" to death IMHO. There are 2499 others just like it, most all others are probably pristine examples tucked away in some knife collectors stash. Mini Copperlocks are nifty and make fine EDC knives anyhow. Life's much too short not to use a pretty knife.
 
Silverdagger, It looks like a nice knife. If you don't think the etch will get in the way, I say pocket the knife and enjoy.

Here are a few quotes from BRL that I think are helpful on the topic of collecting... some humor as well.

bernard_levine said:
My usual rule of thumb for valuing limited edition knives is 25% of the original retail price. But collector interest can raise that percentage, sometimes to 100% or even more.
Click to expand...

bernard_levine said:
re: Value.

Limited Edition items never appeal to "serious" collectors, "serious" meaning big-spending (among other things). Serious collectors don't buy them new, and they don't buy them old.

That said, there are collectors and casual buyers out there for just about anything -- even old limited editions. Thanks to eBay, and to forums like this one, it is now possible to find them.

BRL...
Click to expand...

bernard_levine said:
...
Collectibles are for collecting, and for decorating your den. Mutual funds are for investing.

If companies that sell collectibles really believed their items' "values" were going to increase, they would not sell them. They would keep them for themselves, as an investment. The same goes for hot stocks flogged by retail brokers. If those issues are going to go up, why are they selling them now, and why are they offering them to YOU, a total stranger, not to their friends. Most people are so gullible, so vain, and so self-centered that they cannot see this.

BRL...
Click to expand...
 
User!

I've already pocketed my Case/Bose Lanny's Clip, it's a sweet knife and will give me more pleasure being carried than sitting in a display case.

That said, I just got back from Pittsburgh and while there picked up a Hard Rock Cafe Zippo. I collect them from every HRC I've been to, last time I was there they were out of them. The Zippo will go into a display case, not because it will appreciate in value (I doubt it), but just because I collect them. Since all Zippos are really the same except case decoration I don't need to use all 500+ of my collection, I have a handful of users.

I suppose it doesn't make sense, but neither does collecting :D

Enjoy your new min Copperlock, it's a great knife and fits nice and flat in the pocket.
 
I just wanted to come back and thank you for your time and advice. After careful consideration of your well thought out, detailed and informative posts, I will take your almost unanimous advice and make this knife a user, which is what I actually had hoped you would tell me. Thanks again for your help. This is the classiest area in Bladeforums and I appreciate all of your advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top