How to figure out the value of a knife

J

Jtech

Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
4
I am new to this forum and have recently come into a pretty large knife collection. My grandfather was a custom knife collector and his collection includes some Randall, D'Holder, Hancock and many other makers who I haven't heard of. My parents would like me to slowly start figuring out what the knives are worth and to start slowly selling some so that others may enjoy them.

My question is how to find out what a particular knife is worth and then where is a good place to sell them so that people who will really appreciate them will see them.

Any help in this would be greatly appreciated.

To start does anyone know anything about this "Hancock"? Such as the name or style of knife?

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One way would be to Google the Maker and look at his work to see what similar knives are being sold for
 
On the D'Holders, try dknifeplace.com

EDIT - dknifeplace.com is, by far, the best source of after-market info on D'Holders.
 
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I would contact the knife makers who made the knives. they should have the most info on their work.

Here is Tim Hancock's info:

Email : westernbladesmith@gmail.com

Tim Hancock
10805 N. 83rd St.
Scottsdale, Az 85260
 
As a custom maker, I must admit that I am not the best at knowing the aftermarket value of my work and I would imagine that most makers are the same. I would use the advice of the full-time purveyors as to value. Maybe one will chime in.

Gary
 
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It's a fairly rare old Hancock Hunter considering it's full tang construction and absent his "MS" mark.
I sent you an e-mail with more information.
 
I think this post shows why it is necessary for collector to try to keep up with current values of their knives and have a spread sheet that has all the info about a knife, its cost and perhaps close to current value on the after market.

The OP will need to talk to other collectors, maybe join CKCA and also locate all the dealer websites he can and then look for info about the knives he has or at least knives being offered currently.
 
It is definitely hard to figure out values since it is all about what someone is willing to pay for a knife. I just wish my grandpa had kept how much he paid for each knife to use as a starting point. Thanks for everyone's help!
 
Documenting your collecting like the below can really take stress off your heirs at a very difficult time for them.

CollectionDocTemplate2A.jpg
 
Hi Jtech, welcome.

It needs to be said: The 'value' of a knife is one thing. What someone will pay for it may be another.

To sell here on the forums requires an understanding of the value, because ALL knives need a price.

An eBay auction, on the other hand, will let you know precisely what the knife will sell for. As with ALL ebay sales, it is up to the seller to do appropriate homework on clear photos and valid descriptioins.

eBay can work both ways: Many people will attest that selling there will find buyers of a lower interest and buying capability. My own triaals have not shown me this at all. I often find a higher return there. (And, I do the selling thing smartly).

We've all heard of the guy who bought a Scagel at a tag sale and wanted to get $30 for it. When it closed for around $12,000 he THEN knew the 'value' of the knife. I am dead certain he would have had a harder time selling it for that in traditional markets, had he known more.

My point is: At an auction, you don't necessarily need to know the value to get all its worth. Just list it clearly.

All that said, I'd druther see if for sale on these forums first. Keep it in the fold. :)

Many good answers here.

Coop
 
Take your time and get educated. Most people are honest but some out there may try convince you to sell something well below true value - to them of course....:(

Do some internet research and learn about the makers and the models.

I hope you will keep a few for yourself. Best of luck.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Hi Jtech, welcome.

It needs to be said: The 'value' of a knife is one thing. What someone will pay for it may be another.

To sell here on the forums requires an understanding of the value, because ALL knives need a price.

An eBay auction, on the other hand, will let you know precisely what the knife will sell for. As with ALL ebay sales, it is up to the seller to do appropriate homework on clear photos and valid descriptioins.

eBay can work both ways: Many people will attest that selling there will find buyers of a lower interest and buying capability. My own triaals have not shown me this at all. I often find a higher return there. (And, I do the selling thing smartly).

We've all heard of the guy who bought a Scagel at a tag sale and wanted to get $30 for it. When it closed for around $12,000 he THEN knew the 'value' of the knife. I am dead certain he would have had a harder time selling it for that in traditional markets, had he known more.

My point is: At an auction, you don't necessarily need to know the value to get all its worth. Just list it clearly.

All that said, I'd druther see if for sale on these forums first. Keep it in the fold. :)

Many good answers here.

Coop
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Coop, you and I usually think along the same lines, however on this subject we are in complete opposite directions.

If looking for the best return, eBay is the last place I will go to sell quality custom knives and the BF exchange forum is next to the last. Now if buying there's great deals on the BF forum.

Anyway, differences of opinion is what makes it interesting.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Coop, you and I usually think along the same lines, however on this subject we are in complete opposite directions.

If looking for the best return, eBay is the last place I will go to sell quality custom knives and the BF exchange forum is next to the last. Now if buying there's great deals on the BF forum.

Anyway, differences of opinion is what makes it interesting.
Click to expand...

I'm with Coop on this one, probably because my own experience mirrors that of Coop.

Most people do not have quality images that show quality product - so they do not achieve quality returns on auctions from quality material.

But I have the same advantages selling on Ebay that Coop has - quality items and QUALITY IMAGES(all imaged by COOP)! This can't be said about most Ebayers.

Buying on Ebay, though, is really hit and miss. There, you take your chances.

Best,

Bob Betzner


EDIT: Now I sell very little, so most of my comments reflect simply how well that quality images assist. I have, however, noticed the quality of knives available on Ebay having declined substantially over the last few years.
 
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So what is the best way to make a profit? By accepting private offers from other collectors who are willing to pay a premium for something they want real bad? I have been that guy (on the buyer end). The problem is the knives that I not list for sale are usually the ones people contact me about. I find that when you just need to sell something for quick cash ebay and the forum can be great. Hit or miss of course, as with anything and depends on the piece.
 
betzner said:
bla bla bla ...

Buying on Ebay, though, is really hit and miss. There, you take your chances.

Best,

Bob Betzner

Wow Bob we both posted that phrase at the same time.

I also find that the majority of knives on ebay are of lesser quality. There are so many on there that its hard to find the good ones.
Click to expand...
 
Kevin Jones said:
Coop, you and I usually think along the same lines, however on this subject we are in complete opposite directions.

If looking for the best return, eBay is the last place I will go to sell quality custom knives and the BF exchange forum is next to the last. Now if buying there's great deals on the BF forum.
Click to expand...

betzner said:
I'm with Coop on this one, probably because my own experience mirrors that of Coop.

Most people do not have quality images that show quality product - so they do not achieve quality returns on auctions from quality material.

But I have the same advantages selling on Ebay that Coop has - quality items and QUALITY IMAGES! This can't be said about most Ebayers.

Buying on Ebay, though, is really hit and miss. There, you take your chances.

Best,
Bob Betzner
EDIT: Now I sell very little, so most of my comments reflect simply how well that quality images assist. I have, however, noticed the quality of knives available on Ebay having declined substantially over the last few years.
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Bob I would like to think the items (knives) I sell are of quality as well and I always supply quality images but have obviously not had the success you and Coop have.
However re-read my post, I'm not saying eBay and this forum isn't an easy and effective place to sell knives, I'm saying I can get a much better return selling them in other ways.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Coop, you and I usually think along the same lines, however on this subject we are in complete opposite directions.

If looking for the best return, eBay is the last place I will go to sell quality custom knives and the BF exchange forum is next to the last. Now if buying there's great deals on the BF forum.

Anyway, differences of opinion is what makes it interesting.
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751646

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kevin Jones said:
Bob I would like to think the items (knives) I sell are of quality as well and I always supply quality images but have obviously not had the success you and Coop have.
However re-read my post, I'm not saying eBay and this forum isn't an easy and effective place to sell knives, I'm saying I can get a much better return selling them in other ways.
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Kevin, I agree that this forum is not an effective place to sell, at least for me. It's more a buyer's forum, if you know what I mean - so it doesn't make sense to use - for me. It can serve a purpose, though, if advertising is the only thing one is attempting to achieve. Though it must be said, most of what is sold in the Exchange is not much like what you and I would be selling, either.

The very few items I sell or would sell on Ebay are ones I list there for a reason. Other items I might well sell in some other fashion (where I would achieve a better return, too, probably in the same way you do).

I don't think you and I are contradicting each other at all. I think it just depends, in my case, what I am trying to sell at the time - though now, that is almost nothing.

Bob
 
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