Native "Operation Iraqi Freedom"

joetheknifeguy · #1

Anyone owning this knife, Native, Operation Iraqi Freedom? Just wondering what you paid for it, and if they are hard to find, collectable, etc.
I am looking at one for $125.00. Worth it?

As always, thanks for your time folks.

Semper Fi
Me

P.S. And yes, before anyone asks, it is worth it to me :) Just wondering marketing wise, thanks again.

Blerv · #2

They are sold and gifted on a restricted basis to troops. They are hard to estimate on that basis.

If its for a troop you can contact Kristi at Spyderco.

joetheknifeguy · #3

Blerv wrote:They are sold and gifted on a restricted basis to troops. They are hard to estimate on that basis.

If its for a troop you can contact Kristi at Spyderco.

Thanks, it is from a Marine that just got back from Afghan. How he received two of them, not for me to ask. Thanks for the info.

Blerv · #4

Oh no problem. I'm sure be just purchased them as allowed. Wanted to make sure you weren't scrambling for a B-day present or something. Nothing is worse than paying too much for a soldier.

joetheknifeguy · #5

Marine not soldier. Big difference! Nah, I wouldn't mind paying him more than what he paid for it. Was just wondering it's value. I've been there. Love these kids!

Jay_Ev · #6

Every now & then I see them pop up for sale and that is roughly what I see them going for.

araneae · #7

New in box I'd say $100-140 is the ballpark. He probably paid much less than that.

gijoe945 · #8

They are $55 dollars at some post exchanges/ Extremely hard to find. I bought two, gave one to a friend. Please do not buy to resell. Keep them among soldiers. Thank you.

Scottie3000 · #9

I received one for free last time I was in Afghanistan, but I've yet to see one for sale in a post exchange (military "everything" store).

Halfneck · #10

Last time I saw them in a PX was back around 2002? 2003? at Ft. Campbell. Of course not been at a PX since.

The Deacon · #11

gijoe945 wrote:They are $55 dollars at some post exchanges/ Extremely hard to find. I bought two, gave one to a friend. Please do not buy to resell. Keep them among soldiers. Thank you.

FWIW, they're only sold in post exchanges, so almost all the folks selling them on eBay are military or ex-miliary with PX privileges and they're the ones supplementing their income by reselling them. eBay price has remained pretty constant for 4-5 years, so whoever buys one from a soldier had better be a collector, since they're not likely to make much profit reselling it.

For the record, I do somewhat agree with you in principle. While I collect Natives, I never served in the military so I've never felt I had a right to own the OIF/OEF versions.

gijoe945 · #12

I was in the military for 21 years and I should know better then to say what a person should buy or not to. Freedom of choice is something that not all people have. If a soldier is supplementing his or her income, is what I should have not put to the back of my mind. I found my natives around Christmas two years back and not seen them since at Offut Air Base, Nebraska.

#13

Just FYI,

When Gail and I set up the program, our preference was to not have them for sale at all in the US. We thought they should be available down range. They asked that they make them available in the uniform store, which we agreed to as part of the deal. They were inconsistent about their offerings in the US, which was ok with us.

We just went ahead and did our thing with the lottery and shipping them each month. Which, by the way, we're still doing, but at this time only to Afg.

sal

joetheknifeguy · #14

gijoe945 wrote:I was in the military for 21 years and I should know better then to say what a person should buy or not to. Freedom of choice is something that not all people have. If a soldier is supplementing his or her income, is what I should have not put to the back of my mind. I found my natives around Christmas two years back and not seen them since at Offut Air Base, Nebraska.

I went ahead and bought it anyway. It was an Air Force guy that purchased a bunch of them at the PX. I saw a few of these at Camp Lejeune in the NEX last time I was there, they where going for a lot less, so if the Air Force, underpaid, non-com made a few bucks on me, so what? My Grandfather, WWI, My Dad WWII, Me Nam, My son both Iraq and Afghan. So, as I said, so what? The knife is mine now. The world is still spinning, and will I estimate for a very long time to come.
Semper Gumby
(Always Flexable)
Joe

joetheknifeguy · #15

joetheknifeguy wrote:I went ahead and bought it anyway. It was an Air Force guy that purchased a bunch of them at the PX. I saw a few of these at Camp Lejeune in the NEX last time I was there, they where going for a lot less, so if the Air Force, underpaid, non-com made a few bucks on me, so what? My Grandfather, WWI, My Dad WWII, Me Nam, My son both Iraq and Afghan. So, as I said, so what? The knife is mine now. The world is still spinning, and will I estimate for a very long time to come.
Semper Gumby
(Always Flexable)
Joe

CORRECTION! Originally from a Marine stationed at Camp Pendelton, but he sold it. I saw anther one, an Air Force Sgt. selling it. Just wanted to make that clear if you have been reading the threads. Thanks.....

joetheknifeguy · #16

joetheknifeguy wrote:CORRECTION! Originally from a Marine stationed at Camp Pendelton, but he sold it. I saw anther one, an Air Force Sgt. selling it. Just wanted to make that clear if you have been reading the threads. Thanks.....

OH! Please! Aloow me to continue! It's Sunday, Miller time! I gave the knife to my son, two deployments to Iraq, Fallugia and Ramadi and one to Afghanastan. Navy/Marine Corps, Commendation Medal with distinguished device "V" for valor and a purple heart. I think the kid deserves it heh? OK, I think I'm done, back to my miller..... :D