Market Observation & Trends- How is the toenail market today?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gerald Hines on November 13, 2010 at 17:10

I think the Elephants are hoarding their clippings.

Permalink Reply by Doug Scearce on November 14, 2010 at 7:46

I feel they are not being sold for the asking price's due to some think they are way off , an most I've seem are going for about 25% cheaper than that of a 2 years ago maybe time of the year when you spend the most money on bills that hit an hit hard this time of year. But I look at e-bay every day on 15 ways to find them an most do go for less or not being placed there due to the lower market prices, It's been a while for me to find the ones I want on E-bay when I do they want double the value are 50% over book .But books don't stop me from buying if it's Nice ! and I want it!! ,
I buy!!

Just my feeling !
Doug

Permalink Reply by Scott King on November 14, 2010 at 11:25

Good info, Doug. I know you are plugged into the ebay market, so I value your observations & opinions. Thanks.

Doug Scearce said:

I feel they are not being sold for the asking price's due to some think they are way off , an most I've seem are going for about 25% cheaper than that of a 2 years ago...

Just my feeling !
Doug

Permalink Reply by Scott King on November 14, 2010 at 11:29

You reckon :) I'm thinking bout bringing some out :)

Gerald Hines said:

I think the Elephants are hoarding their clippings.

Permalink Reply by Barry Stephenson on January 9, 2011 at 23:36

I think the good ones are still holding their value but not many good ones are coming up for sale. The ones with alot of wear and reworked handles are selling cheaper. I do think great knives will bring out the people who collect and know it may be the only time they may find a rare knife at any price.

Permalink Reply by Halicon on January 10, 2011 at 5:58

Greetings Toenailers. I'm a big fan of the toenail design and a firm believer in that the design was well before it's time. And the steel they used was and still is excellent instead of Case's Stainless "generation".

 

I have seen the gorgeous ones under ownership of Scott (please let the next generation appreciate them as much as we were allowed to :)).

I am in you guys care if you will as I am completely fresh when it comes to toenails but will have a great time looking at all your collections.

It's awful to hear that they are loosing some of their interest and value though. I share your pain as a fellow collector of the sweet things history has left us with (yes I'm only 26! laugh it up ;)

 

By the way Barry, would there possibly be any interest at a professional restoration of worn toenails (microscope and hardened needle to cut only the ferrous iron away but leave the rustic patina, I specialize in those kinds of restorations. Takes an hour or two per inch depending on the steel but it is worth it on good crafts), or do you think it would be a step that would render it "useless" for collection purposes?

 

I see many Toenails today with the ferrous orange'ish yellow oxide eating at it and can't help myself to think that it would look much better and also last longer if only the rust was removed.

 

I'm tremendously sorry for swirving off-topic everyone, I couldn't help myself at the sight of all these sweet nails :)

Permalink Reply by Scott King on January 10, 2011 at 8:53

I can't speak to all vintage patterns, but I see the interest remaining strong- but as with many things today folks are spending their money wisely.

Glad you joined us- ET' is a great pattern- it's history IMHO is second to none and that is one reason I am crazy on them.
Oh yea- I was 26 once :)

Halicon said:

Greetings Toenailers. I'm a big fan of the toenail design and a firm believer in that the design was well before it's time. And the steel they used was and still is excellent instead of Case's Stainless "generation".

Permalink Reply by Halicon on January 11, 2011 at 7:41

I've been so close to getting one at several occassions. I think it's finally time to cave in and stout my own ET. The history of it is amazing (to me as a non-american), I don't believe there is any production knife that comes with as much fascinating history as the ET does.

Case must have time traveled into the future to pick that design up and drag it back. I personally believe it is the most rewarding collectable of Case's entire history (It made me so sad when they switched to stainless, burr nightmares, didn't they even use Vacuum resmelted steel at one time in history?)

 

Again I am sorry for going off-topic, many thanks for welcoming me into this special group Scott.

 

To go on-topic, I have seen a rapid decline in the amount of vintage toenails on ebay, has anyone else experienced this? I sometimes search for vintage knives and straight razors but from my perspective it looks like the vintage ET market has completely nailed (heh heh) itself shut? Just bad luck on my searches or is there actually something in it?

 

The newly released ET's aren't as amusing as the history you know a vintage one comes with. Many thanks for your answer Scott.

 

Scott King said:

I can't speak to all vintage patterns, but I see the interest remaining strong- but as with many things today folks are spending their money wisely.

Glad you joined us- ET' is a great pattern- it's history IMHO is second to none and that is one reason I am crazy on them.
Oh yea- I was 26 once :)

Permalink Reply by Scott King on January 13, 2011 at 11:33

Chris- The old rare ones are often traded "offline." They don't last long- which is one reason to buy the best you can afford. Marginal toenails, although nice, can be more difficult to sell, unless the seller simply wants to liquidate.

Halicon said:

 I have seen a rapid decline in the amount of vintage toenails on ebay, has anyone else experienced this? I sometimes search for vintage knives and straight razors but from my perspective it looks like the vintage ET market has completely nailed (heh heh) itself shut? Just bad luck on my searches or is there actually something in it?