eBay Item number: 260002881429

I placed a bid, my personal max, and unfortunately I don't expect it to stand. It's not the prettiest or fanciest and it's definitely 'old school' Moran from 30 years ago, but it is 100% mint and if it could be had for $4,500 I think it would be a good investment while providing the owner much pleasure.

Opinions, comments?

Link to the page in question: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260002881429&ru=http://search.ebay.com:80/260002881429_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQfviZ1

Boy Howdy Buddy, I think that this knife would be a wonderful gift! So keep bidding, as the top price is no object when considering our friendship, and you know I'd be honored to have it!

Yup, it's pristine. To that end I forecast a winning bid of about $7k. I am afraid the $4500 figure will fall off the planet in the final 30 minutes.

If that knife wasn't Moran it would sell for about $150.00. Isn't that something!!!

Coop

Robert - Well, if I do get it, can I trade it to you for one of your 7K rocking chairs?

Coop - Agreed. It will be interesting to see the final winning bid on this one, given Moran's recent passing. In connection with the article I wrote for BLADE (July 2006 issue) about a knife of this same vintage, I had the chance to speak with Mr. Johnny Perry, big time Moran blade collector and expert in these matters. He valued the well-used hunter featured in the article at (as I recall) about $4,400 or so. Therefore, I figured this totally mint custom order specimen would fetch at least that and actually probably much more. Thus $4,500 seemed a bargain to me and would allow a quick turn for a small profit or be a nice one to keep for a while... and then give it to Mr. Hensarling.

Robert - Well, if I do get it, can I trade it to you for one of your 7K rocking chairs?

You bet! I'll get it ready to ship. No second thought, you need to deliver the knife, I just don't trust the mail service anymore. I can schedule you in for next Friday the 22nd, at 11:40. How does that sound? (like one of your patients schedules probably:D )

a nice one to keep for a while... and then give it to Mr. Hensarling.

Absolutely! You're just the very best friend I have Buddy, such a neat and nice guy!
Maybe you should send it to Coop first.:welcome: I can see him now waiting for the USPS truck.

$4,550 and holding with less than 24 hours to go. I'm outbid but will be watching as I suspect there will be major sniping going down on this item.

How do you guys know it's real? It certainly looks new, could a 30 yr old knife look that good? Just asking.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave - You ask a very good and appropriate question. I know from having seen a bunch of Moran knives but mainly because I researched and wrote an article for the July 06 issue of BLADE Magazine about a same vintage Moran knife. The maker's mark stamping and handle treatment as it comes off the guard are identical to the one I wrote about. I wouldn't ordinarily be so confident without seeing the knife in person, but for the situation I mentioned above.

Well, I think I blew it! Final bid was $4,726 - in my view that was still a pretty good deal. I'll be awake tonight for sure wondering if I made a terrible mistake. I believe I could've borrowed the money from Robert or Coop, paid it back with interest and still made a profit on this one!

Buddy, dear friend----You have my sincere condolences on your loss! ---Sandy---

Is it possible I'm lacking...... guts? Nahhh! I set my limit and stuck to it. That's good, I think. That takes guts. Or was I just... scared?

Actually, it was an ugly knife. That's it! I'm too pretty for that knife. "Don't buy no ugly knife" - even a Moran.

And that sheath - Sandy, that sheath Moran made was so plain... and ugly too. OK, I think I got it figured out now - at least enough soze I can sleep tonight.

I don't know Buddy, but another $100 bucks or so and I could have had a decent Moran there. I'm pretty dissappointed in you right now, may talk to you later on, may not. Certianly I would have traded. It was at least a $9,500 knife!
snif snif.

I'm thinking the pristene condition of that knife led many to believe it wasn't 30 years old, and got em spooked.

Buddy and guys,

I still can't help wondering about that knife. Granted, the markings were right on, but here's why I still have doubts. How many guys 30 years ago would have bought a knife and never used it? They didn't know then that Moran would became famous, and that the knife would ultimately be worth thousands of dollars. Just seems strange to me. If I have the money to buy a famous knife, I would personally feel more confortable if it showed some signs of useage. Going back to the Hubers, you don't see a brand new mint condition Huber come on the market, well...at least I haven't. Okay, the Moran is real, but.....


Dave

We'll never know how much higher the winning bidder's reserve was. It may have taken another thousand to clear it, I dunno.

I agree about it's being somewhat ugly. I would only want it for it's historical and investment value. I have knives 1/25 the cost that are more appealing....

I don't think it's a scam.

Coop

Well, I went back and learned a little history on Mr. Moran. It seems that in the mid-60's he had a four year waiting list, and was already very well known. That changes my perspective. I can now understand why a man would have bought a knife 30 years ago, and never sharpened it, carried it, or used it (well, I really can't, because I know I would have used it). It takes a certain type of person to buy a knife and keep it as a long term (in this case, a very long term) investment.

Are you still upset, Buddy? Look on the bright side, at least you didn't have to give it to Robert.

Dave

Interesting..... After the auction was over I got a suspicious e-mail from someone purporting to be the seller of this Moran blade offering it to me for what I'd bid saying the original winner of the auction couldn't complete the purchase. I'm not that active on eBay but I seemed to remember being cautioned in the past about this kind of thing so I went to the eBay site, read the 'rules' and other info on avoiding getting scammed, followed their instructions and forwarded the e-mail I'd received without adding or changing anything directly to the eBay security team.

NOW - have I blown my opportunity to own this Moran blade twice? Or... was this a scam nipped in the bud?

Not nessesarily. If it is a real Ebay second chance offer, the email will have come thru Ebay and is under ebay protection. Ebay should contact you shortly to confirm if it is legit. The email should have come with the sellers ebay name. If so it would not hurt to express some interest with a return email thru ebay. I am in the middle of a similar transaction.

In high ticket items, using an escrow service would seem wise, even on an upfront looking high bidder sale.

I'd be suspicious too. You were the third highest bidder, not the second. Did the second guy get the first right of refusal, or did everyone get the scam?

The price was ripe for a scammer.....

Cop

Buddy, Buddy, Buddy, go for it. Life is short, and we're a long time gone. Please send the gentleman his money and have him drop ship the knife to me. It's ok, the knife is fine. If, later on, I have it appraised, and it turns out to be a fake, we can all have a good laugh:)

With friends like Robert, who needs ebay scammers?:fencing:

Even with all the shisters on ebay, I have met some really nice people on there. Met some really knowlegable knife nuts who are willing to share it.

After submitting the e-mail to eBay I got a 'form letter' reply thanking me and referring me to some other general links with info about scamming etc. I haven't yet received a formal reply that this was or was not legit. I'll continue to wait and see if eBay responds further.

The temptation to throw caution to the wind can sometimes be overwhelming. You are going about it the right way. Being teased like that has its own special knife in the gut twist. My deal will be a loss of only a hundred, but could net a potental 500-1000 if it goes right. Still agonizing. Waiting on his son to get back from a trip to yea or neigh. Starting to wonder if it is just a carrot dangling.

In all seriousness, I don't have good feelings about this transaction. I hope you don't indeed lose a valuable knife, on the other hand I surely don't want you to lose any money to a scammer. Seems like he was trying to see who the top few bidders were, and is probably working on a couple of them. Anyway to contact any of the other bidders? Of course they could be in on the deal to I guess.
Personally, I'd have to bow out.

My deal will be a loss of only a hundred, but could net a potental 500-1000 if it goes right. Still agonizing. Waiting on his son to get back from a trip to yea or neigh. Starting to wonder if it is just a carrot dangling. Huh? I'm not following this course of events. What deal are you talking about?

Coop

Huh? I'm not following this course of events. What deal are you talking about?

Coop

Actually both, you and Buddy. My last message on the forum was just some concern for what he may or may not do. I've been tormenting (teasing) him about buying that Moran, but I finally threw the towel in and decided that he'd get burned, but I'm sure he knows the odds.
Now on yours, I don't know. I've been involved in those kinds of deals a 100 times, where I was waiting for a family member to "bless" the event and give an ok to sell, makes me nervous as heck, if I'm really wanting the item. You just have to wait it out and keep your fingers X'ed. I didn't know you had a KMG! I'd love to see what kind of style/pattern you'd come up with, seeing as how you've been exposed to 100's of knives at your fingertips, and still have them on record. A little of this one, some of that one, would be one heck of a knife:rockon:

In post #17 I said I was in the middle of a similar transaction. Not as high dollar and slightly different.

The winner of the knife in my case, did so on his sons account that they share. The son did not like the one the old man bought and had his eye on a nice shiney one. I was second in line so the OM sent me an offer to buy it for what I bid so he can use the money to buy the shiney one. his son is out of town and he waits for his return to ok it. As it sits he says he will send me the knife for inspection before I send the money.

Because of all of us posting warnings and teaching each other to be wary(thank you all) I am half expecting an email saying he needs the money right away for an emergency or some other such thing.

Robt., I was referring to the guy with the Moran being the one teaseing. Your good nature ribbing gives me a chuckle and I am sure it does Buddy also. As a matter of fact, I would be willing to act as escrow for you two and have the knife sent to me for inspection.:rolleyes:

Time for Coop to drege up some of those knife kits he put together and post the pics again. He did some fantastic fit and finish on them. Top ten in all the kits I have seen pics of. If he ever gets the time, No doubt he can make that KMG sing.

I am putting the cart before the horse, but I was thinking of getting some shots of the knife I am buying taken. A historial piece. Not the Huber tho, not that old.

Thanks Roc. Yup, I've done a few kits.

My KMG has gound one blade to the point of having it heat treated and now it needs a second grind. I've been working on it since 2002. No rush.... :banplease I will say it is a delight to lok at.

I have over 200 A+ experiences (zero negs) with eBay and the people involved. Watch your back, though.

Coop

AaaaRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I just got the official eBay 'second chance' offer on the Moran knife. I'm having second thoughts and I'm feeling terrible confusion. BUT.... I know who to call for advice. I'll be back in a bit with more of AS THE WORLD TURNS - or, as 'my attractive wife' laughingly says..."Buddy's World."

Boy Howdy I was hoping this would happen! I'll PM my address to you for the shipment ol friend!
RH

Low ball him by $500 for the disappointment and the buyers remorse that has clearly been shown by others. Well, at least try....

Good luck. I know what Y.A.W. will say to you. :rockon: Lucky guy.
Coop

Coop - Thanks. No, I don't think I'll mention this to her - not at least until the knife's been sold for a tidy profit. Thank goodness for quality people in the knife world that a guy can call to talk things over with. As I type this reply I can see your logo and by-line reminding us that "Fantastic People" is a big part of what's important about our little knife world. There is no doubt I'll pursue this second-chance offer but I've been advised to insist on a three day inspection period while funds are held in escrow. That way I can ensure the knife is what it's purported to be and it gives me time to develop a few sale options of my own (after photographing that puppy of course). With just a little more luck this may wind up paying for that Tilt/Shift camera lens I just got!

I've read this entire thread, and still don't understand why the two highest bidders went to all the trouble to bid and then dropped out. All I can say, Buddy, is I am glad you insisted on an inspection period with the money in escrow. Very smart move. I hope the knife is everything you expect.

Dave

The 'second chance offer' was a fake after all. Fortunately I gave no vital information other than my name and shipping address. The "seller" stated his intent to ship the knife for a 3 day inspection per my request but didn't ask for funds to be placed in escrow. The knife never arrived and I began to re-look at the sequence of events the e-mails back and forth and further irregularities surfaced. I re-submitted the info to eBay security and got a reply confirming the fraud.

This guy was slick - too slick for me to know for sure but the 3 day inspection request is what protected me in this case. In reviewing his eBay look alike presentation after the fact I can see that the whole thing is geared to the disappointed and out-bid bidder who will litterally jump at a second chance offer at his high bid and click the crook's 'buy it now' button, which presumably accepts payment etc. Wow! Sometimes I get to thinking I'm pretty smart but a close call experience like this one jolts me back to reality and helps me understand that I (we) don't have to be smarter than the crooks as long as we know how to be safe! Lesson learned.

Now the crook has my address (e-mail and physical) which may mean nothing. Fortunately a large hidden safe in my home and two safety deposit boxes at the bank mean there is very little a thief could get by breaking in. Additionally, we have a "Make My Day" law out here in Colorado that has repeatedly withstood tests in court. And finally, there's my good ole Remmington 12 g slug gun with extended magazine.... So, you see, I really don't have to be smart... now, do I?

Whoa! With that kind of arsenal I think me and the wife better not bring that rocker direct to your house!
Seriously, I'm happy you didn't get burned. Your lesson teaches us all a few things. Of course it's always cavaet emptor anyway, but at these high prices, when it becomes a felony, we need to all be on the guard.
Good going Buddy!

Good bullit dodgin Buddy. I know you are disappointed. It seems my deal fell thru also, at the loss of no funds to me, thankfully. Some times you get the bear.

more than likely, the guy or his biddies bid the price up, dropped out, and then went after you, Buddy. The escrow deal is a lifesaver. On a slightly different note, do you still think the knife was a real Moran? It seems to me, that if it was, he would have completed the deal on the up and up. Just curious. Also, is there any indication as to who the man behind the attempted sell really is?

Dave

I do think the knife in the pictures the seller posted on eBay were of a real Moran blade. Whether the seller posessed the knife or not I couldn't say. I think you're right, Dave, to suspect that it was a sham auction to start with, designed to snag a real bidder with a 'second chance' offer. I forwarded subsequent e-mails to eBay security as a follow-up to my initial notification. They replied that this was indeed a 'spoof' and that the sender has been 'reported to the proper authorities.' I don't have any idea as to the identity of the perpetrator other than the fact that he signed his e-mails 'David' - Hmm. That's pretty close to 'Dave' isn't it? Hmmmm............

He Didn't!!! The SOB used my name? The nerve! Seriously, its too bad these guys can get away with this stuff. A less wary guy would have jumped at the chance to get a true Moran blade. It's a really, really good thing you insisted on the escrow account, it screwed up his game.

I bet Mr. Levine could shed some light on this.

Dave

its ok, man ! 2 more morans on ebay now! one is lime kiln .yahoo !