Wittman - so many daggers in stock

[Serge M.]

With many collectors 50 - 70 years old they may not be able to wait 20 - 30 years to cash in.

Well, 20 -30 years from now we will have to note to our heirs not to worry about you as a buyer, as you couldn't afford the prices today, so you will be complaining about them in the future.

[dave peifer]

for myself,i give a lot credit to anyone who is a full time dealer and is a success.i know quite a few who do,it would't be for me.........dave

[Barry Brown]

[QUOTE=DAGGERMAN;6642416]
Owning the item has a cost and a gain in the case of good quality military items over time the loss is small and the gain usually sizable. If you buy today to score tomorrow then gents you have come to the wrong hobby/investment.

I agree with this sensible statement 100%, it sums the issue up for me.

[The Red Baron]

Well, 20 -30 years from now we will have to note to our heirs not to worry about you as a buyer, as you couldn't afford the prices today, so you will be complaining about them in the future.

hahahahh

[BrianK]

If You Have To Ask The Price You Can't Afford It

[QUOTE=Barry Brown;6642706]

Owning the item has a cost and a gain in the case of good quality military items over time the loss is small and the gain usually sizable. If you buy today to score tomorrow then gents you have come to the wrong hobby/investment.

I agree with this sensible statement 100%, it sums the issue up for me.

I say that both Tom Wittmann and Bill Shea say that prices and demand are down for daggers. I say that this shows they have not been a good investment for the last few years. The response here is "You just can't afford them anyway." This response is illogical and sophomoric. Then posters here must think that TW and BS are badly misinformed or lying in their Military Trader articles. But that's the way of the grumpy old men in this hobby. As Bill Shea says, he's worried about the shortage of collectors under 50. This sort of attitude is not going to attract the 20s and 30s crowd. Collect what you enjoy and forget about investment. BTW I could list the well known dealers here and what I have spent with them, but it's none of anybody's GD business.
,

[Barry Brown]

[QUOTE=BrianK;6643819]

I say that both Tom Wittmann and Bill Shea say that prices and demand are down for daggers. I say that this shows they have not been a good investment for the last few years. The response here is "You just can't afford them anyway." This response is illogical and sophomoric. Then posters here must think that TW and BS are badly misinformed or lying in their Military Trader articles. But that's the way of the grumpy old men in this hobby. As Bill Shea says, he's worried about the shortage of collectors under 50. This sort of attitude is not going to attract the 20s and 30s crowd. Collect what you enjoy and forget about investment. BTW I could list the well known dealers here and what I have spent with them, but it's none of anybody's GD business.
,

I admit to being one of the "old men" in the hobby. I try not to be "grumpy". I can agree with you that in the current market daggers purchased at top retail prices and purely for investment will probably not make any short term financial gain, unless they are very special as to rarity and/or in exceptional original condition. The best advice for any collector is; buy the best quality blades you can conservatively afford and enjoy owning them for the long term.

[Manalishi]

Don't know about Wittmann or other dealers but Bill Shea has dropped his prices on daggers (and other items) on his site. That's the first time I've ever seen that happen other than the occasional 10% off sale. That's OK with me as I've got all of the common daggers and am looking to buy the rarer blades. I like the fact that it's a buyers market.

I don't collect for investment but it would be nice if in 20 years if I can get at least what I paid for the daggers and swords I do currently own. I don't have much of a 401K and don't have much hope that social security will even be around 2 decades from now. Like it or not, this hobby is my 401K.

BTW, there is another big dealer with 855 daggers currently in stock. I tend to think, however, that the reason he has such a large inventory is that he's pricing as if this was 2007.

M

[BrianK]

855 daggers to choose from. Based a closed thread here I'd steer clear of any Damascus blades.

[schönbeck]

Which dealer have 855 daggers in stock?

Ps, someone wrote that wittman has a 20% markup. That I certainly don't believe. Plausible in consignment. Much more on bought items.

[Manalishi]

Which dealer have 855 daggers in stock?

Maederer

[11C]

Maederer's prices are stupid. That's why he has so many in stock.

http://militarycollectiblesinc.com/c...d9cbef5841eab6

[helmuthunter]

Well and very articulately said.

Yeah, thats mantra i chant daily as well.. I just enjoy the stuff and it allways gives back to me when i need some dollars for something else. Win some, loose some. All even in the end and i enjoy studying and enjoying them every day Johnno.

[schönbeck]

That's a lot of stuff. He must have a huge pocket. Not only a lot of edges weapon. Just look at the helmet section.

Consignment or why these very high prices?

Maederer's prices are stupid. That's why he has so many in stock.

http://militarycollectiblesinc.com/c...d9cbef5841eab6

[BobI]

At top retail prices of militaria move slowly except for the "best of the best". Otherwise, I call myself the K-Mart of militaria and I move a lot of "stuff". This "stuff" is in our blood and we, at least I, can't live without it. So, IMO and experience, if you want crazy prices you will be keeping your "stuff". If you can be reasonable, it will go away and be a decent investment. Still, like most investments if you sell because you need to, you are in trouble. If you can wait until the "right" time, you will do great!
Mis dos pesos,
Bob

[patrice]

I have sold a few items from my collection lately and though they were in a perfect condition, they were just common stuff, they went for at least 25% below normal retail, not the stratospheric retail prices that you usually see on dealer's sites. I knew what I was doing but I was just happy to get my money back.

An investment, hell no but a lot of fun during all those years and well worth the expense and effort.