Lum Assistance

[Idliver]

For all you experts out there...I need your help. I am novice sydie collector. Don't know much about em. just love em. I recently bought my second Green Lum Chinese Folder, SE, and I noticed the Lum symbol on this knife is different from my other one, and any other Lum I have seen. The square frame around the Chinese characters has a 2mm verticle line extending from the top border upward. It looks as if it is an intentional part of the engraving. My photos don't show it clearly, but if you start at the top right corner of the square, the line starts about a quarter of the way left. Also, the black color of the engraved image is not as dark as my other knife. The knife came with a box that has a date of 12/14/2000 to the right of the UPC code. The knife is numbered in the 300's, but I'd prefer not to get too specific just yet. Otherwise, the knife looks new and is in good shape.

So, I figure
A. This is an authentic early model with a slightly different symbol.
B. It's an authentic model with a factory engraving error.
C. It's a forgery.

Bought it on Ebay.

I appreciate your input.
Thanks

[Projek]

For all you experts out there...I need your help. I am novice sydie collector. Don't know much about em. just love em. I recently bought my second Green Lum Chinese Folder, SE, and I noticed the Lum symbol on this knife is different from my other one, and any other Lum I have seen. The square frame around the Chinese characters has a 2mm verticle line extending from the top border upward. It looks as if it is an intentional part of the engraving. My photos don't show it clearly, but if you start at the top right corner of the square, the line starts about a quarter of the way left. Also, the black color of the engraved image is not as dark as my other knife. The knife came with a box that has a date of 12/14/2000 to the right of the UPC code. The knife is numbered in the 300's, but I'd prefer not to get too specific just yet. Otherwise, the knife looks new and is in good shape.

So, I figure
A. This is an authentic early model with a slightly different symbol.
B. It's an authentic model with a factory engraving error.
C. It's a forgery.

Bought it on Ebay.

I appreciate your input.
Thanks

You can send it to me and I will verify for you :D

[mrappraisit]

I think adding pictures would get you some results, you can blur out the CC# if you want to keep that on the DL.

[The Deacon]

I doubt if it was intentional, since neither the later Lum Chinese Folders or the earlier Folding Tantos seem to have it. Of your three choices, I'd pick B, unless you see five more with the same number appear on eBay. :D

[Idliver]

Here is a photo of the symbol on the blade. Anyone seen one like this before?

[Idliver]

Here's the pic.

[Piercieve]

Whats the purpose of keeping the CC # on the down low?
Just curious.

[Idliver]

I just thought that until I know if I'm dealing with an authentic knife I didn't think it was cool to identify who the seller was. But if it helps get to the bottom of the mystery I can give it up. What does this look like to you?

[markg]

Looks like an engraving error to me.

[jujigatame]

I'd say B, legit knife with a cosmetic error.

[mrappraisit]

I am going with B as well. Everything else looks correct.

[amen74]

I'll play along and also go with B. Now, what's the big deal with the CC#? :p

[ozspyder]

Most definitely it is an engraving error, or someone trying to fix a light engraving and slipped themselves.

I wouldn't worry about concealing the CC# as many CC blades get onsold either by the dealer if the CC owner doesn' want the blade. In addition CC# blades get sold second hand/ third etc... It wouldn't be a direct reflection on the CC owner at all, bu specifically to that blade.

[Idliver]

It's #356. Thanks for all your input. WOULD ANYONE BE INTERESTED IN A VERY RARE GREEN LUM WITH A UNIQUE ENGRAVING ERROR? I know when the US Mint has a double struck penny the value for that rare mistake can be hundreds of dollars. Then of course ther is the Inverted Jennie, the upside down bi-plane postage stamp worth millions.

Any idea if this chop flaw has a negative impact on value?

[ozspyder]

Idliver,

I would doubt that this would go for any more than the usual NIB minty fresh Lums Though many people out there are looking for a very nice green Lum Chinese user. This would be an ideal candidate to fit that role and would say that those interested should PM you about it rather than having this openly discussed in the forums (forum rules)

Very nice knife, thanks for sharing.

[Idliver]

I was just kidding about "anyone interested in buying". I hope my last message was taken as I intended - humorous sacasm. Didn't mean to offend anyone. I'm just a little pissed at myself for not looking more carefully at the picture before bidding. I guess that's the problem with a last minute impulse purchase after a long day. Serves me right. Caveat Ebayor!

[cobrajoe]

I was just kidding about "anyone interested in buying". I hope my last message was taken as I intended - humorous sacasm. Didn't mean to offend anyone. I'm just a little pissed at myself for not looking more carefully at the picture before bidding. I guess that's the problem with a last minute impulse purchase after a long day. Serves me right. Caveat Ebayor!

Don't worry about that, most of us who deal on ebay get some not so pretty knives sometimes, but I guess that's the biggest problem with buying knives that have been discontinued for some time, it's extremely hardt to find the "Factory Fresh" knives.

Heck the micro dyad I bought (the cheapest one I could find on ebay) has some obvious fit and finish issues (the spring holders and the liners have gaps big enough to fit paper through). I chose to keep it though, it adds to the other character marks caused by keys and coins and sharpening :D

[Idliver]

Don't worry about that, most of us who deal on ebay get some not so pretty knives sometimes, but I guess that's the biggest problem with buying knives that have been discontinued for some time, it's extremely hardt to find the "Factory Fresh" knives.

Heck the micro dyad I bought (the cheapest one I could find on ebay) has some obvious fit and finish issues (the spring holders and the liners have gaps big enough to fit paper through). I chose to keep it though, it adds to the other character marks caused by keys and coins and sharpening :D

So YOU'RE the one that bought my "B" grade Dyad.....just kidding.

Thanks for the sympathy. :o

[The Deacon]

For the record, Collectors Club numbers stop at 200. But, back when the Chinese Folder was introduced, Spyderco still numbered the entire first production run of collaboration models. So 356 is a legitimate number, but not a Collectors number. Which means it would really take some excellent detective work to determine the original owner of your knife.