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Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on April 30, 2013 at 6:33

Charles, I agree with you. It definitely has rust in the nail notch and appears they removed some metal near the tang. It was probably rusted heavily there and they took it down far enough to remove the pitting. Ebay purchases are iffy at best. I bought a knife one time and was disappointed when I got it because it had a Rockwell test mark and stamp which wasn't shown in the pictures. Had that been shown I would not have bought it. When I contacted the seller he dismissed it with the statement "What did you expect when you only paid a few dollars for it?"

All I can say is, lesson learned. His name went on my favorite sellers list as a constant reminder to not buy from him again. I guess we both have another EDC knife to put into rotation.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 30, 2013 at 8:12

Some folks do like to "tinker" with Vintage knives.  On one hand the knife looks "new" and rejuvenated. In reality it was probably just fine left in its original condition. My preference is it is OK for a seller to sharpen the knife and clean or polish bolsters or scales, but leave the knife blades alone. If they acquired a patina, even rust, it can still be used, it just might not take the top spot on your collection shelf.

I guess if there is even the hint of a doubt, prior to the sale, you could email the seller and ask a question about condition.

All in all though for the price you paid, I am quite certain you can still get something out of it.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 30, 2013 at 17:03

Charles,

Frankly I appreciate it if they just say, knife has been cleaned.  Honest and allows me to make the decision based on facts.  Regrettably, some folks just wont some right out and say it.  The good news is, this particular makes an excellent user in my opinion and they price was right to carry.  I do however share your disappointment :(

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 30, 2013 at 18:16

I don't really regret the money.  After all you couldn't buy a better user knife for $6.58.  In fact I may just stick this one in the glove box  in my truck to have it there if I need it.  The knife otherwise is in good shape.  There is nothing wrong with the scales or the bolsters.  The blades are tight and have good snap to them.

The disappointment came from not getting what I thought I was paying for.  It was listed as used, but was also listed as being in excellent condition.  I have decided to try to collect some of the formerly US made knives such as Colonial and Imperial.  And I thought this was going to be a good specimen.  I wouldn't have minded if the blades had been cleaned, but ground down just ruins if for me for that.
 
Jan Carter said:

Charles,

Frankly I appreciate it if they just say, knife has been cleaned.  Honest and allows me to make the decision based on facts.  Regrettably, some folks just wont some right out and say it.  The good news is, this particular makes an excellent user in my opinion and they price was right to carry.  I do however share your disappointment :(

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Permalink Reply by Brad T. on April 30, 2013 at 20:24

I have bought a LOT of knives on eBay and not all my buys were informed ones. Most were good buys, some not so. But, I chalked them up to lessons learned. Now when I bid if I have doubts, I ask questions. An informed decision still doesn't make it a good one though. I have been guilty of buying out of pure desire for a particular knife. I am sorry you are not satisfied with your purchase but you will bid from now on with more caution.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 30, 2013 at 20:46

Yes, I will definitely bid with more caution now, especially if I am making higher bids.  Although in this particular case, I don't think I would have done anything differently.  The seller had posted five pictures of the knife.  In the pictures the knife looked very good.  Also the seller stated that it was in excellent condition.  So if I had asked questions I would probably have been told the same thing.  If the seller did not grind the blades himself, he had to be able to see that it had been done.

I could probably get my money back through PayPal because the knife was not as represented, but I think I will keep it.  For $6.58 it is still a usable knife.  If I had paid much more I would get my money back because I was buying it as a collectible knife.
 
Brad T. said:

I have bought a LOT of knives on eBay and not all my buys were informed ones. Most were good buys, some not so. But, I chalked them up to lessons learned. Now when I bid if I have doubts, I ask questions. An informed decision still doesn't make it a good one though. I have been guilty of buying out of pure desire for a particular knife. I am sorry you are not satisfied with your purchase but you will bid from now on with more caution.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on April 30, 2013 at 21:27

Well Charles, I have had bad and good buys on Ebay, most have been good. I had a few half bad buys and just a few really bad buys. I got in trouble with some members for saying too much about the sellers on Ebay. I would just warn you that there are great sellers and some not so great. Please, do your homework on a knife purchase. Most sellers want you to be happy with your new knife.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on April 30, 2013 at 21:43

You give good advice Robert.  I couldn't really call this one a bad buy simply because I paid so little for the knife.  It was a diappointing buy because I thought I was buying a collectible.  But what I saw when I received it ruined it as a collectible.  However it is still a good usable knife and how often can you buy one for $6.58?

I sent a message to the seller asking him if he knew the blades had been ground.  I didn't accuse him of doing it and I didn't try to get a refund.  I told him the knife was well worth the price as a user and I would keep it as such.  I am just curious as to what reply if any I get.  Any reply I get may determine whether or not I would bid on another knife from him.
 
Robert Burris said:

Well Charles, I have had bad and good buys on Ebay, most have been good. I had a few half bad buys and just a few really bad buys. I got in trouble with some members for saying too much about the sellers on Ebay. I would just warn you that there are great sellers and some not so great. Please, do your homework on a knife purchase. Most sellers want you to be happy with your new knife.Y

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Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on May 1, 2013 at 4:07

It has been my experience on eBay that the majority of sellers will gladly refund your money rather than run the risk of a dissatisfied buyer leaving negative feedback. And, in a case like this where the knife was apparently misrepresented, they are indeed obligated to do just that. 

Charles, rather than casting the knife aside, perhaps you should give the seller an opportunity to make it right? That's what I have done in the past. I have yet to encounter a seller who would not go out of their way to remedy the situation.

In any event, good luck my friend!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 1, 2013 at 5:08

Charles, Please let us know if there is a reply

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on May 1, 2013 at 16:34

This is his reply:

"I am not a knife collector. I had inherited this from my uncle. I respect your
opinion on the "collectible" aspect, but I simply sold you an item that I didn't
need. Sorry that you are unhappy. I will happily refund you the full amount and
you can keep the item if you so desire. Just let me know."

I then replied this to him:

"Don't refund the money. The knife is well worth what I paid for it as a user.
And I will use it.

There used to be many US made knife companies. Now, as
with everything else, most knives are foreign made. I am trying to collect
examples of those knives that were US made. This knife would have been a good
one for my collection. I'll just keep looking for another Colonial. I am sure
there is one out there for me.

Thanks for your offer. I appreciate it but
please keep the money.

P.S. We collectors can be a finicky bunch."


 
Jan Carter said:

Charles, Please let us know if there is a reply

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