Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on collectible knives. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
Metals slide on escalating trade war; consumers dip in
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Gold, Silver Hit Hard By Sell-Off in Raw Commodity Sector
Commodities:
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OPEC’s oil output jumps in June as Saudi Arabia opens the taps to tame crude prices
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Oil Prices Crash As Libya Resumes Production
Forex and Cryptos:
The analyst/commentator “Adapt 2030” usually concentrates on the nascent Grand Solar Minimum. But this week he covered the new trend in 51% attacks on Anonymity cryptocurrencies: Grand Solar Minimum Preparedness Roadblock: Anonymity Coin Attacks. (You can skip forward to 8:58 for his crypto technology assessment.)
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A lot of he fundamentals discussed in the piece posted back in March still hold true: How Currency Investors Are Bracing for a Full-Blown Trade War
Economy & Finance:
Producer prices rose in June, leading to the biggest annual increase in 6-1/2 years. JWR’s Comments: We can now expect to see warnings of a “superheated economy”, in the mass media. This will be the excuse for the Federal Reserve’s FOMC to raise interest rates even faster. It is ironic that it was the Federal Reserve’s own meddling that precipitated this inflation.
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As Erdogan Cements His Hold Over Turkey’s Economy, Global Investors Begin to Panic
Tangibles Investing (Collectible Knives):
Buying collectible knoves can be a gamble. I’m pleased to see that the limited edition Cold Steel XL Voyager SurvivalBlog knife is now selling for about twice its original selling price. (Beware the $45 made in China counterfeits now being sold on eBay.) But that is not typical for most knives that go out of production. So I suppose that the most important thing to remember is: Buy knives that you really like and that you plan to use. Buy a spare (or two) of each of those models and keep them in “new-in-the-box” condition. That way, if their prices ever fall, you can always simply use them, or gift them within your family.
Here are some good reference articles:
FAQ: What makes a knife ‘collectible’?
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10 Common Mistakes Knife Collectors Make (Part 1)
and,
10 Common Mistakes Knife Collectors Make (Part 2)
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. So please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often “get the scoop” on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always bought doubles of knives, one to use (I ALWAYS have a blade on me, seems like I always need one), and I beat up on them pretty good, but I also like collecting them, so the spare stays in its box in the safe. When buying a gun/knife shows, I have almost always been able to get a seller to knock a bit off the price of both in exchange for buying two of the same. I don’t know if I’ll ever make a dime off of any of them, as I recoil in horror at the very mention of selling one of my knives. I’ve told my wife, “Guns, knives, and tools are Hotel California items in this house. They can check-in anytime they like, but they can never leave.”
Something I have noticed in people, many are convinced, by themselves, that to arm your self with a knife or a gun is pointless, because you’ll never come out on top of the encounter anyway. These people also often believe that an attacker will easily disarm them, and then use the weapon on THEM. Projection of weakness and hopelessness. When I taught bayonet practice in the Army, I was able to convince the female and male soldiers that surprise and ferocity in their attack can win the day…..despite a larger and stronger attacker. Sun Tzu in a nutshell. Even in my advanced age and weakness, I still maintain the attitude that I will both see the challenge before it becomes dangerous, and prevail in a fight.
Silver Eagles under $20/pop delivered? Yeah, I’ll keep taking that deal for as long as it lasts!
Regarding your Rawles Cold Steel knives, it’s a great design. Bought mine from the CS website. Sold a dozen on EBay to fund another purchase. Had a couple returned. One buyer had switched it for a Chinese counterfeit and I lost quite a bit of money as I didn’t find out until after it was sold again. As a past knife dealer I can tell you that within months of a popular knife hitting the market the Chinese knockoffs will begin flooding the market. Always buy from a licensed dealer and keep your receipts in the box.
Tangibles Investing (Collectible Knives):
Collectibles have to be the biggest SCAM out there! NOTHING that is made to be collected should be considered an investment or even worth collecting! It does not matter if it is proof coins, beanie babies, baseball cards, knives, or anything else! A few might develop a brief following, but all will fall once they are not being hyped.
Real rarities that may become a good investment, were made to be used! Survivors are few and far between and nobody can promote them and make a profit. That is why the earliest baseball cards can be valuable and the rest are waste paper!
I recently had the displeasure of evaluating a coin collection all bought from TV and at coin shows. The coins are real and some may be rare, but there is little demand for them. His estate may get 25 cents on the dollar if they are lucky and they have time to wait.
I have no interest in trying to hawk the third rarest double eagle! It may be rare and beautiful, but the number of serious collectors (those with the interest and money) to collect double eagles by date and mint can be counted on your fingers!
Buying two or more of what you like and use is a good idea! Quality tools will never go out of favor or become cheaper to make!
I’m not sure I would agree with the scam view of collectibles. YOU HAVE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND A DECENT AMOUNT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE COLLECTING. And also not get too emotionally attached to these collectible items too. If you do that then it’s typically a safe bet.
W.S.