Starmate Pricing Advice

[nofatchicks]

I know that this knife has been out of production since 2001 and that they are aggressively sought after and come up for sale rarely.

However, I was wondering what a fair price to pay for a NIB Spyderco Terzuola Starmate C55GPS would be. They originally retailed for approximately $155.00 US.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Murdoc]

A quick search on ebay yielded 4 offers from the last few days, showing prices from $175 BIN to $225 auctioned. A $300 offer wasn't sold.

It all depends on how desperately the buyer wants a particular model, plus the occasional bidding war that drives prices up to unbelievable heights sometimes (see the recent "Captain" thread).

I think $200 is an usual, average price for a NIB Starmate model these days, which isn't too much regarding the original retail price.

By the way, welcome to the forums!

Dennis

[nofatchicks]

Thanks Dennis, it is good to be here. I have been collecting knives for almost two years now and I am up to 17 Spydercos now. I have been a member of Bladeforums for a little while and thought it was ridiculous to not have joined this one seeing as how I am a huge Spyderco fan.

Thanks for the information. I am in a bidding war for one now but want to know where to cap it. I found a store in the US that was selling these Starmates for $95 US but are evidently out of stock. I really like this knife and all larger Spyderco folders for that matter. I have also located a BLACK carbon fiber Military that I am more concerned with. That is unless the seller isn't advertising the knife falsely.

I have never heard of a black carbon fiber military being in production. Have you?

[anti-torsion]

Well, if they are saying the handle is black CF, there are a couple versions of that, if they are saying the BLADE is black then its a frankenspydie and I would stay away from it.

Pic or link would help.

[The Deacon]

Well, if they are saying the handle is black CF, there are a couple versions of that, if they are saying the BLADE is black then its a frankenspydie and I would stay away from it.

Pic or link would help.

Think you're confusing the Bob Terzuola Starmate with the Bob Lum Folding Tanto. AFAIK, there was only ever a black G-10 Starmate with an uncoated blade, available in PE and CE.

[nofatchicks]

No the Starmate is legit. It is the S90V Satin finish bladed Military with the black carbon fiber I was concerned about. I have just never heard of black carbon fiber on Militaries. All the ones I have ever seen have a grayish charcoal appearance.

I just wanted to confirm that the Military has been produced with BLACK carbon fiber and that is was not just some sort of weirdo fraud... or Frankenblade haha.

[The Deacon]

No the Starmate is legit. It is the S90V Stain finish bladed Military with the black carbon fiber I was concerned about. I have just never heard of black carbon fiber on Militaries. All the ones I have ever seen have a grayish charcoal appearance.

I just wanted to confirm that the Military has been produced with BLACK carbon fiber and that is was not just some sort of weirdo fraud... or Frankenblade haha.

Most people call regular CF black. If I were asked, that's how I'd describe all the CF Spyderco has ever used except the sliver twill they used as accents on the Spyker.

[nofatchicks]

Yeah, the CF appears to be black. It is much darker than the generic CF I see on the other Militaries. I was just worried it was a product of insufficient lighting conditions and no flash was used when the pictures were taken. I just don't want to buy two of the same knife because this guy can't take pics. He isn't responding to my messages either despite my obvious interest in his auction. Little frustrating.....

[anti-torsion]

Think you're confusing the Bob Terzuola Starmate with the Bob Lum Folding Tanto. AFAIK, there was only ever a black G-10 Starmate with an uncoated blade, available in PE and CE.

I was referring to the military and its blade, not the Starmate. Should'a quoted the post... sorry :o

[dorfinator]

Well I have recently purchased a Starmate and waiting on delivery. After reviewing the photos it's my opinion that the Stretch 2 is very similar to it. I really like the Stretch btw.

[Murdoc]

In direct comparison, the CF CAN look a little greyish...:


...but without a black FRN side by side, I too would describe CF as "black". Besides, the CF Millie is darker than the CF Stretch:



And in the right light, nobody would really call it "grey" I think:


So, just the fact that the seller calls it "black" (handle, I hope!), doesn't sound wrong. Not answering emails from potential buyers is another story....

Dennis

[The Deacon]

Dennis, I suspect it Miliary looking darker is due partly to the different weave patterns, and partly to the US made peel ply on the Military being more deeply texturured. Military is a checkerboard weave, Stretch a herringbone. At least to me, the Japanese peel ply feels like G-10 while the US stuff feels more like a cheese grater.

[nofatchicks]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I already made a "verbal" agreement with a guy that found me on another forum to purchase his Military S90V next month for $250 Canadian shipped. I think that is a pretty fair deal. Then this one I am having problems getting an accurate description for showed up on eBay. I think I could possibly take it in auction for less. However, the seller hasn't responded to any of my 3 messages over the last 5 days which is kind of off putting. I think I will honor my original deal with the guy I have been exchanging emails with which should in turn free up my knife funds for now so I can hone in on this Starmate auction.

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate all the information :)

[nofatchicks]

Just to update everyone on the CF situation. It was just a plain CF Military S90V. I guess they call them all black carbon even though they look gray. Thanks again for all the input. I am just a NOOB when it comes to Carbon Fiber. All my knives have titanium and G10 scales.