collectors - how important is the box ?

[KP]

If I'm buying some rare piece or something I was looking for a long time, box is not that important. In general, if it is coming from someone and was a user I can not expect to get a box.
However, if that's a new knife coming from the dealer I absolutely hate when the box is bent/broken/smashed or overall damaged. In other words, if dealer/retailer - gotta be NIB.

[Cuccos19]

If I want an a toy, a collection piece or a living knife icon I would prefer it with its box. But if I only want some knife for EDU (I would rather say Every Day Usage) I don't really care about the box.

Two different stories of mine for the same situation -> collection piece/toys for boys. I bought an old Police G10, without the Boye dent, full flat grind, serrated edge, typical normal 3screw Police/Endura SS type clip. It's collectible for me, rather here in Hungary. But the guy who sold it only could gave a Rescue's box. What could I say, anyway? Sorry buddy, I rather do not want that rare knife if you don't have the proper box of it? Of course, not. I wanted it too much to miss it.

The other story, when I was at the FeHoVa in 2008 (kind of small IWA show but not in Germany, it is in Budapest, Hungary). I bought a Blue Dodo PE (I think the last one in this country from a knifestore). But the box was at the bottom of all. They had to pick out all of the other knives, boxes, etc which was in that display case. They asked me, do I really want the proper box or would be good something other :spyder: box. I said that it will be the part of my collection, so yes, I would like it. They understand that, and started to dig it out. If it would be some EDC knife, even a Military or Paramilitary would be so for me (except the collectibles) I wouldn't really care about the box.

So the box question is finally: Better it have, but not the main point of the trade.

[Scottie3000]

All depends,
If I am looking for a user, box doesn't matter.
As for a safe queen, I would buy without box, only if it is supersteal.

What he said!

[CanisMajor]

Box is important to me if the knife is a safe queen, however I do not really care if, for example, my Military is in a Blue/Grey box or the newer Red/Black box. For a user knife, box is not necessary.

Canis

[Sammax]

I don't care at all for the box. But since most everyone else does, I started saving them in case I sale the knife.

[jzmtl]

I like to have the box, but that's because I'm a pack rat that saves every packaging, even for stuff that I no longer have.

[markg]

Another wrinkle to the debate is WHERE the knife is being purchased.

For example, if I was purchasing a knife from a dealer and I was there to physically inspect the knife prior to purchase, I will buy a knife without a box. I might push for a small discount, however I will buy it. Stocking dealers that have a brick and mortar store lose boxes for display knives all tht time, or get them mixed up or mis-matched.

If I am buying the knife from an auction site, I might pass or it might make me investigate the knife a bit further with the seller. "NIB" seems to give another assurance that the knife is actually new or unused. Futhermore it also clues you in, that the owner is a collector and should have a better idea of what new/unused/mint really means. Granted that is not always the case, but it has worked well for me in the past. :)

[v8r]

I'm a user/collecter in that order. It is nice to have the box,but not a deal breaker.All my knives that I have purchased have cut something, so there is no real collecter value in any of them.I buy because I like and boxes are secondary to me.I keep all boxes primarily for information purposes only. :)

[Jazz]

My dealer quite often (lately) sends me the wrong box - so, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna throw the whole works out (boxes, that is :o ). I don't know where to put them, and why the heck do I need them if I use them all to varying degrees?

- best wishes, Jazz.

[gtrtech]

I prefer having the box, it makes a complete package and gives me a safe place to store the ones I'm not using.
It also comes from collecting old model Ruger's where having the right box can add value to the gun, with certain models the box is worth as much or more than the gun it's self.

[MCM]

My dealer quite often (lately) sends me the wrong box - so, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna throw the whole works out (boxes, that is :o ). I don't know where to put them, and why the heck do I need them if I use them all to varying degrees?

- best wishes, Jazz.

Understand........ Have collected for 20+ yrs.
Its no fun storing all these box's.
But have never thrown one away.......
I store my knifes open, so the box's just take up closet space.

If I ever sell a knife, thats when having the box helps.

Its even nice getting the box when buying or selling a used knife.
So, you might want to hold of on tossing them in the trash.
If you do need to get rid of them, offer 'em up to folks that may need them!
And no, I do not need any more box's.
Unless you have one for an S30v Lil Temp....... LOL LOL

[LorenzoL]

I buy most of my knives for collecting purposes so it is always nice to have the box. On the other hand, you may get a better deal when the knife is missing its box.
In the end it does not matter much to me because my knives are stored in metal cabinets separately from their boxes. So, unless I am buying multiples of a knife with the intent of using them as a trade later, I can go with no box.
One more thing I think boxes are useful for: their condition often gives you a good indication about how the knife has been stored and how many times it has changed hands. When I see a really beat-up box I tend to scrutinize the knife more carefully.

[Toad310]

I would save the box. My problem is storage space. I keep my Rolex boxes in the safe, empty gun and knife boxes in my home office.

At my studio, I have hundreds of boxes for all of our equipment.

I also store all of the paperwork, manuals, warranties in the box. It is easier to find if needed.

Also, some boxes are a nice work of art on their own.

I even save the paper that Randall knives come wrapped in. Almost all of my custom knives came with no box.

I do toss some SAK boxes.

Apple has some of the best packaging ever, I just Can't seem to toss out any box from Apple.

[Toad310]

When you buy a Hinderer Kubaton, the box he uses is a Pelican case. Totally unnecessary, but still a very cool idea.

At first I thought it was silly and just added to the cost, however, I have come to really like the idea, and you could use it for something else if you needed to.

I do save the Hinderer Pelican cases!

[Firebat]

Box is almost always a must-have for me, and FS posts where seller openly states he/she threw away or is unwilling to locate ("dig up") box automatically throws up a red flag for me.

More than a couple times I've purchased knives touted as "lightly used but no box" and they arrive considerably more beat up than even the couple of glamour pics indicated. Could just be coincidence I suppose, but it seems no box often equals 'rode hard and put away wet'.

I'll pass and look elsewhere in those cases. Aside from accidental destruction, there's no reason not have the box. I just prefer to buy from like-minded individuals, and having it complete with box goes a long way for me.

Maybe not a popular opinion, but that's how I roll.

[PolishSumgai]

The knife came with a box when it was sold the first time and adds value to the resale. I just bought 50 Spyderco boxes from a guy who did not want them as he has his knives in a big floor display case. Best $25 I've spent in a long time.