Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at secondary market prices of Rawles XL Voyager knives. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)
Precious Metals:
The US Economy: All Roads Lead To Gold
o o o
Horwitz: Gold may have found a bottom
Economy & Finance:
Reader Mark J. sent a link to this piece by Chris Martenson: The Federal Reserve Is Directly Monetizing US Debt. Mark’s Comment: “The Fed bought more than $4 billion of this CUSIP. If these T-bills were out in the “open market” they weren’t there for long. At most, less than a day before the Fed scooped them up. Does it really matter if a big bank sits ever-so-briefly between the Fed and the Treasury debt it buys?”
o o o
At Zero Hedge: Q4 GDP Crashes: US Economy Growing at Slowest Pace in Four Years
o o o
California gig economy law to strip truck drivers of highest-paying industry jobs
o o o
At Wolf Street: US Freight Shipments Skid Below 2014 Level, Hit by the Slowdown in Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction
Commodities:
H.L. sent us this: A Copper Price Forecast For 2020 And 2021
o o o
OilPrice News had this: Forget OPEC: China Now Moves The Oil Markets
o o o
Debt, Deficit & Taxes:
At Wolf Street: US National Debt Spiked by $1.3 Trillion in 12 Months, to $23 Tn. But Who Bought This Pile of Treasury Securities?
o o o
World Debt Downgrade Warning – Moody’s
o o o
US Budget Deficit by Year Compared to GDP, Debt Increase, and Events
o o o
A WSJ article, by way of MSN: Warren Tax Plan Would Bring Rates Over 100% for Some
Forex & Cryptos:
Q4 2019 to Q3 2020 Forex Predictions.
o o o
Video: EUR/USD Technical Analysis for November 20, 2019 by FXEmpire
o o o
Fidelity Bags Key License as Bitcoin Price Flails at $8,000
o o o
Top Economist Says That the Way to Kill Bitcoin Is to Keep Price Under $1,000
Tangibles Investing:
I now only rarely see Rawles XL Voyager knives selling for less than $100, on the secondary market. I’ve seen them in display cases at knife shows and gun shows with $140 to $170 pricetags. Congrats to those of you who “bought low”, when they purchased these Cold Steel brand knives. Since this was a limited edition, I can foresee them selling for $250+ in a few years, if they are still “New in Box.” By the way, beware the “Rawles” lookalike fakes on eBay that are made in mainland China. If you see any Rawles XL Voyager knives being offered for less than $70, then it is a pretty safe bet that they are fakes. And be advised that these were ONLY made with a black DLC tanto blade that is half-serrated. If you see any other color blade, or any other blade configuration, then it is definitely a fake!
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. 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 closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News from local news outlets that is missed by the news wire services is especially appreciated. And it need not be only about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!
JWR, I am glad that you have, up till this point in time been wrong about the ban of private sales. However your previous articles motivated me to stock up dramatically on private sales. What do you think the recent U.S. Supreme court ruling allowing Remington to be sued will have?? Most likely higher prices at the very least to spread out potential liability cost to customers?
The Supreme Court’s ruling was limited, but it is still frightening. The specter of being sued out of business may cause some smaller gun makers to drop out of business–particularly AR and AK makers.
I am still quite concerned that “Universal Background Checks” will be ramrodded through congress, following the next big “A quite kid, on Prozac” shooting event.
Jim, I carry mine every day . It still locks up tightly in both open and closed position. The belt clip needs a new paint job. It cuts radiator hoses for engine removal like … a sharp knife through rubber things. I paid the stupid-tax a few times when it went through with too much gusto and caught the engine block. “Call it a serration” higher on the blade. The handle is grippy when bloody, oily, wood sap-py (is that a word?), and dry. I personalized mine by filing a gap immediately below the belt clip to ease in and out of pocket removal. It’s still sharp and there’s still nothing on the tool truck that can compete. The blade’s black finish is way stronger than I expected and my expectations are pretty high. I’d certainly buy it again if I found myself without it suddenly.
I currently have a Rawles Cold Steel Voyager up for sale on Ebay. In the box, never used. Last time I sold a few on Ebay one of the buyers said it wasn’t for them and (I suspect) returned a fake. I didn’t know any better and relisted it for sale and boy did that kick off a firestorm of comments. This one is real, it’s the last one of quite a few I ordered directly from Cold Steel. Currently at $100. They are getting tough to find but we have other financial priorities. I would hope a survivalblog reader would pick it up! The auction closes on Sunday.
Been looking for one, NIB. You’re right they are hard to find. Hope I win the auction!