Why I Left the Knife Community

[@PeterC585]

I got out of the community about two years ago. With so many Chinese makers I feel there's new knife's released daily. In previous years it was so special to find or acquire a new knife from a particular maker. Now I just see an influx of so many new knives not from the maker but from the manufactor it takes the pride of ownership away . Now in the community everybody wants the latest and the greatest and whatever you have isn't worth a damn thing. My collection was worth about $50,000 and I'm so glad I was able to sell most of it still when people wanted knives from the makers even if they were used.

[@nattybumpo4384]

It's not just the knife scene brother, it's savage out there.

[@bwrscott1]

People are crazy. I attempted to sell my house and was amazed that people only had low ball offers (less than what I paid for in 2000). I understand your rage.

[@joncox9719]

You are spot on Brother! Scammers EVERYWHERE! I grew up with not just a cheap skate father, he was a tightwad curmudgeon! He was not happy unless he literally stole an item he purchased by getting it at a rediculously lowball price! I dispised the POS Cheapskate at how he treated people, he had more money than Jed Clampit, but lived to get something for NOTHING! He would particularly look for people who posted they need to sell this because I lost my job, medical emergency, kids need braces and so on! In other words, he preyed upon the people who needed it most and took advantage of them! There are hundreds just like him and I dispise each and every one of them. I always pay the asking price if it is in line with current values and within reason, or, I simply do not respond to the add. There is nothing wrong with you making a little money either! But you never know when it will be YOU in a financial bind and don't want the wolves stalking you to take advantage of your bad situation! Treat people with respect guys, you don't know what kind of personal crisis they may be experiencing at the time, we are our brothers keeper!!

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

This restores just a little hope I have in humanity. Thanks for not continuing a bad tradition

[@rotaman8555]

The resale market is tough for everything these days. In regard to knives, many American-made items are overpriced while Chinese stuff is high quality (sometimes) and cheap. For instance, I bought a Benchmade for $125 and it is a good knife. I misplaced it for a while and was loath to spend another $125 so I picked up a Petrified Fish knife from China on Amazon. The Petrified Fish knife is amazing! It is super high quality. It looks great. The blade is on roller bearings and flies into a tight lockup. The pocket clips is sturdy but easy on and off. It is a fantastic knife and I paid just $28 for it!!! I later found the missing Benchmade and while it is a great knife the Petrified Fish is in my pocket now. I like it so much that I bought a second one as a backup and I still have less than half of the cost of the one Benchmade invested. So people looking to buy your knives have a lot of quality, inexpensive knives to choose from. And this is true of firearms, musical instruments, tools, optics, electronics, etc.

[@5door]

Most of the low ballers are just flippers. They need crazy margins because it’s not for them. I can’t stand that element and will not sell to them, even for my asking price. That’s happened twice, and it felt great turning them away. Trading amongst respected people is still the most fun for me.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Fair enough, I just don’t love seeing most of the passionate people being replaced by these low end scum

[@MRKetter81]

Do what you love man. We enjoy your perspective and content.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Much appreciated

[@kidhammer2567]

This is so sad to hear, yet I completely understand and agree with your reasoning. For as they say, "It's no fun when it isn't fun anymore." Thanks for sharing this with us, and blessings always.

[@bdcochran01]

1. every business has its problems. 2. my son is your age. call after call after call of complaints about the low balling and bad customers. it isn't just knives. do you have any idea whatsoever how many times accountants, management consultants, lawyers, independent mechanics hear the b.s. "give me a lot of work for virtually nothing and I will refer a lot of business to you."? One day, I am at a gun show in AZ. The vendor on the table next to me is selling just low end knives. A guy comes bye and wants to see a knife. The vendor tells the guy to f--- off and go away. Why? He says the same moron comes to every show, wants to see a knife, never buys. Well son, that is how life is.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

I like that approach.

[@workinhard23]

Well said lol

[@thewhitegarveytwg8912]

With all do respect, that’s how markets work. It’s not a buyers responsibility to provide you a profit or break even price. Why would I pay you retail for a used knife when I could just buy a new one…at retail? It’s also not a buyers fault where you live which increases shipping costs. That’s on you. The low ballers are assuming that you need the money which is why you’re selling. I agree with your hoarder comment, and a lot of those people are flipping stuff to buy more stuff so they are taking L’s. Most of these people seem to have come from “watch collecting” - I.E. buying crap watches off of home shopping networks. I too am tired of EDC as a lifestyle. All the endless, high priced pocket junk; the people that ask, “what should I carry, guys?”

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

You’re exactly the problem

[@thewhitegarveytwg8912]

And you’re problematic in a different way: you’re in love with your stuff. You want to break even or make a profit. Get into high end watches. They appreciate. Hilarious that you want to blame people for not making a profit. 🤡

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

@@thewhitegarveytwg8912 I never said make a profit, why are you calling me a clown? I’m exposing people like you for being a snake.

[@thewhitegarveytwg8912]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 you’re not exposing shit on me - I don’t buy used, I usually go through a local AD that cuts me breaks on several better brands and sometimes pick up discontinued knives from the online retailers - like the Weekender and Proper. Retail is for suckers. I don’t try to amass as many knives as I can. I give away to friends and family and have pretty much narrowed my collection down to a small number of knives, none of which are Chinese. You come off as wanting to make a profit off the CRK, yet it’s a base model knife. You expect to pass on the postage to someone else so you don’t lose money. That’s clownish. Especially when someone can buy the same knife cheaper in the lower 48. No one is telling you that you have to sell it. The choice is yours. Don’t like the CRK? Don’t like the prices offered? Trade it for something of equal value. You’re trying to flip just like the people you’re bitching about, I’m not disagreeing that a lot of those people on the FB pages aren’t ridiculous but their behavior is influenced by their experiences. I agree with you about hoarders, and that’s a problem IF you view EDC as some sort of life style. I’m old enough to remember when edc was about the pistol you were carrying and not a bunch of useless shit in your pockets.

[@elgatofelix8917]

I enjoyed this video. Even though you're done with knife reviews I subscribed anyway. Hope to see more content from you be it about knives or other topics!

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

I appreciate it!

[@Jerry-l5i4x]

Sorry to hear that the community is like that. I’m just getting into the community so I didn’t really know. Sorry to hear that you’re leaving

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Well, I hope you have a good time in the community, just it’s for me anymore sadly

[@thevirginiabushcrafter8833]

I don't Blame You. When I sell something, I tell them to make me an Offer. If the Offer is good, I'll sell, if not I move on. I never mention my price until it is the right/my price.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Clever

[@ericaortega9548]

I 100 percent agree. I had that happen to me a lot. So I just stopped selling knives and started being really picky about the knives I now buy.

[@nycbike73]

Same here

[@JoeDoomsday]

I agree. I quit selling knives after I tried to sell a few of them that I just didn’t need in my collection and people wanted me to sell the knife for pennies, compared to what I paid for it. I tried selling on EBay so I would have some PayPal protection but their fees and taxes are insane. I end up loosing money every time. Everyone wants a deal I guess. Now if I buy a knife it goes into my collection and stays there, permanently.

[@christianlishen1280]

I see it happening in the bushcraft and survival community too. I think it’s also people trying to make a buck. I know of several people who seem to only be into knives to flip them for a profit. More and more people getting into knives but refusing to use them because they don’t want to lower the value. For rare or fancy customs I get it but for production stuff it doesn’t make sense to me.

[@SubUrbanOutdoors-no2kp]

Please don’t leave!, Would love to see you do more field reviews

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Sadly it’s just no longer viable for me to continue

[@jameshinegardner2416]

I really don’t blame you.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

It definitely is unfortunate

[@aephspore3341]

This can be applied on whole EDC community, no matter what items, Knives, flashlights you name it, Ive also heard ppl complain in other collection hobbies with similar stories to this

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

This is true, very true

[@JPHomeland]

The same here in Germany. A Reiff F4 CPM 3v. Purchase price € 373, perhaps still worth € 220 on the secondary market. People here go for something like Wolfgangs or Odenwolf or cheap crap. Then they think they have something great. High-quality work from companies with a reputation is no longer respected. The worst are the people who advertise that they are looking for a particular knife. They wait for offers like a spider on the web and then want to play people off against each other. Why don't you just carry on doing your thing in nature? I'm happy about every video from you.

[@StevanOutdoor]

I just list a minimumprice and ignore all lower offers

[@SubUrbanOutdoors-no2kp]

Sometimes you have to do what you got to do what you got to do. Skies the limit!

[@elgatofelix8917]

I know EXACTLY the type of buyer you're talking about. Metal Complex for example - one of the most arrogant and disrespectful bottom feeders in existence.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Nailed it

[@elgatofelix8917]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 He'll literally delete your comments and block you just for giving your honest opinion on a product - not your opinion about him personally, but on a product he reviewed. If he disagrees with you he throws a hissy fit like a spoiled child. It's truly sad to see a grown "man" behave that way.

[@dlrmon1]

Too True...

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

@@elgatofelix8917 yeah, I see why he has a criminal record.

[@elgatofelix8917]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 really? I had no idea. I'm guessing he's on Epstein's flight list or something

[@tbjtbj4786]

Your used product is only worth what someone willing to pay. And i have used knives alot farming and duty. The price on the new knives are just crazy. I still using my grandfather case skiner. And that model is still under 100$ The idea for 600$ knives is crazy. But i use my knives not collect. But buying and selling over priced knives is like cars. A normal car 20-30% losses over hype over payed for cars 50+% losses

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Truthfully it’s more do to inflation and increased costs of living across the board. As some one who deals in knives and has for close to 10 years this is a pretty big down turn and the state of the economy as a whole is what’s to blame. Not really the hype or interest in the knives.

[@PythonVs1]

It’s the same for the gun community bro, we have a bunch of people in town that will try their best to low ball you, wanting a Scar for palmetto prices, same for the forums too and them not understanding the shipping cost 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

I feel that dawg

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

I think it’s Bidenomics at play

[@PythonVs1]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 Facts!

[@daw764]

Been asking for this from get go. It’s in your Name! 😁

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Thanks

[@TheBudgetguy_K.T]

I don't even bother with knives i could never afford and yeah agreed its rude to low ball someone who is already giving you a great deal... I buy a few from my bro they hook me up when I'm selling definitely need a niche friend group who is willing to support and know you! I make 60 bucks a week i don't buy knives often but i do collect and review stuff that i enjoy! Cheers buddy Sad to see ya leave but ill still be watching and this is probably my first comment lol i don't usually have the time to watch videos

[@workinhard23]

Totally get what your saying. Mostly disagree. Best of luck🍻

[@James-ke5sx]

The problem is there are so many knives on the market these days.

[@NickWestfalls]

This is more of a thing than people realize. 10years ago there were like 5 EDC knives and 5 custom makers that most people talked about. The market is flooded, it's a race to the bottom and you can get excellent knives for $25. Just not worth buying a secondhand knife unless it is heavily discounted.

[@Rooster-fo7lg]

You’re confusing “community” with “marketplace”…

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

The community and the marketplace are meshed together

[@Rooster-fo7lg]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 agreed. However they are inherently two different types of interactions with their own discrete set of goals. A community is simply a collection of individuals each with different minds but that share a similar interest or a collective geography that come together around those commonalities. Within that community some might choose to trade in which case market forces based on self interest come into play to set prices for goods and services. Everyone in the community will have some price for the good in question (let’s assume it relates to a fundamental characteristic of the community as it does in your case). Prices and value is set when the buyers and sellers reach agreement and trade occurs as a function of the marketplace. You are disgruntled with the element of price discovery which is a market function and occurs in any marketplace with in any community. So you’re either not clear on the actual value of what you are selling (which could be the case when commodities are abundant, prices fall) or quite likely you’re just talking the process to personally and getting hung up on takers who aren’t real customers but are just looking for someone desperate enough to trade the time and repetitions involved to discover what the market will bare for the price of a good based on the interaction of scarcity with demand.

[@joncox9719]

I had a $175.00 BRAND NEW ESEE KNIFE, never used! With a $50 custom Kydex sheath in addition to the factory sheath. Sold it to him for $120, $100 for the knife package and $20 shipping, when he got it, he found a extremely small nick on the edge "I believe it happened with him, it was brand new never used" anyway, he sent it back and I gave him a full refund and it took me 5 minutes on the knife sharpener and it was GONE! He could not deal with such a minor issue to realize he was getting $225.00 worth of NEW GEAR for $100.00. I just shook my head! The next guy who bought it, I explained to him what happened and he was tickled pink! They are everywhere! I do not blame you one bit, these people can't see the forest because of the tree's!

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Yeah you’re not kidding. We need to teach these people a lesson

[@joncox9719]

@@AlaskanFrontier1 In reality, he paid for the $50.00 custom sheath and would have gotten the $175.00 Esee 5 for $50.00, but he could not figure out how to work the minor nick in the edge! "The nick was not there when I sent it" I TRIED to explain this to him, but he was very dense, to put it nicely! So he sent it back on his nickel! Fair enough!

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

@@joncox9719 this is fair. Probably better it didn’t work out

[@tonyhaichem]

Concentrate on showing us more outdoor Alaska experience!!!! We enjoy your perspective and personality so we will continue to look out for your next video! Peace!

[@calebs7567]

It’s 100% the same in New Zealand, people are weird

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

That’s very unfortunate to hear

[@BobMrk]

I understand your point of view, but if you have carried it and it has snail trails, and you put a new edge on it, it decreases the value tremendously. Obviously, it’s not even close to new if you put a new edge on it it’s a used knife.

[@SimonCaddy-xf4vf]

Really enjoy your content

[@JustinCase-em6ql]

It's not just knives. I am noticing Americans, especially older Americans, have a lot of work needing to be done around the house, but are about insisting a busy, stressed out family member do it instead of paying trade guys/gals some money to do the job quickly and correctly, and warrantee it. Everybody in America now days is all I don't have any money, but you notice their lifestyle says they have the money to pay a plumber, electrician, or ac&r tech. to do the work. They act like everybody should do everything for free. So, it's ok if you think other people should not have any money. Well, how do they think they're going to put food on the table, working for free. They think every small business is greedy, when most are probably somewhat struggling. Yes, corporations are greedy. Small businesses, not so much.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Try selling the Zaan at a pawn shop! Then $350 will seem pretty reasonable 😂

[@dlrmon1]

Most collector markets have been “Over Inflated” for year’s now. It’s starting to become realistic again...and it’s going to get worse...

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

Well, as I have said before and I’ll say again, it’s not as much over inflated knife prices as much as it’s due to the current state of the economy, we are dealing with high inflation and high costs of living both of which make buying luxuries less appealing.

[@dlrmon1]

Inflated prices of everything “Inflation” has created the current economy...

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

@@dlrmon1 sure?

[@dlrmon1]

I don’t believe anything 100% these days...I think we are dealing with a semantics issue here...sorry

[@TheBudgetguy_K.T]

And if you ever need some folks to talk to Look up the #BeUp group JuhVon, Edgy American, Bluminati Ninja, NamelessEDC, Grumpy Grunt to name a few we are a bit tighter of a group Either way cheers Bro

If you sell your Pacific I would love to purchase it at the actual price it is worth!

[@RT_ok]

Man I would of snagged that zaan for that price

[@charlessalmond7076]

you think knives are bad? Try selling a Rolex on the secondary market....

[@Anson120]

Economic downturn? Now way! The stock market is booming! Even Mississippi is doing well. Their net income is way higher than even Great Britain. LOL. Yeah, the economy is definitetly imbalanced. No I am not talking politics. The economy is way more complex than that.

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

lol come back when you know more about the economy please

[@Tony42Rivers]

Yeah it’s becoming too much. Golden age over. Just over saturated now

[@liviuilea6926]

A knife used from you should cost more than a new one,are you kidding me!!!for sure the edge would be better 😄

[@AlaskanFrontier1]

You definitely have a point there

[@MrLeonidas0001]

This isn’t really new hate to tell you dude 😂

[@tonyhaichem]

I collect and purchase knives and guns that I intend to keep in perpetuity. Therefore I will never sell my fallknivens, BRKs, HKs, Sig Sauers, Weatherby, or Sako! Same goes for my optics: Leupolds, Zeiss, Leica. I do research on all of my outdoor equipment and I purchased the best I can afford. My equipment will all be given to my children. I never have any regrets with any of my purchases!