Following this thread I've been keeping an eye on the e-bay auction for this pack. It's already around the £110-00 mark. Now, people on this forum seem to sell things at a fair value as far as I can gather. How much is the going rate for one of these packs? Just curious as that already seems steep for something well used that was only £150-00 new? I am not critcising anyone in any way, just wonder if it is worth waiting for one to turn up at a lower price?
For example, Alan Wood knives? I saw some of these go for £350 - 400 on e-bay, whereas people on here or British Blades were selling them to each other for £150-ish.
You can probably tell I, too have fallen for these packs!
Any guidance appreciated.
Cheers,
Steve.
Unfortunately, the pack prices are about right for eBay. They are desirable items as they last for ages. Alas, the really good, quality stuff means that the capital outlay is usually high - people know that if you look after them, they last a lifetime, so the long-term 'cost per year' is low even though the initial purchase price is high. Same reason why bushcrafters will often pay good prices for ventile jackets, hammocks, knives, axes and the like - lifetime investments.
If you're lucky, you may get one at 'mates rates' on BCUK but they appear rarely (I've only seen one in the last year, I think), and there are plenty of other people out there who want one too. Truthfully, I think you'll probably have to save the money and bite the bullet to get a new one - just think of it as a long-term investment!
If you can get a genuine Woodlore for £150 then you are Harry Potter ('Alan Woodium, Appearum!'). Not only are these popular because of the design, quality and relation to Ray Mears, there is now a 10-year waiting list (!) and they have become desirable collector's items. You'd be lucky to get one below £300 now. We have been through this 'are they worth it?' many times on the forum and, the bottom line is that they are worth whatever someone wants to pay - no matter how unfair or ridiculous it seems to you.
I have an SBT Mk 1 and have already been offered £50 more than I paid for it by someone who doesn't want to wait a year to have one made (it took 18 months of waiting for me to get it so I know the value of patience and it definitely isn't for sale). It's not worth that, in my opinion, but that's supply and demand for you!
The good news is that BCUK is very good at throwing up excellent alternatives (someone has already pointed out similar packs for less money above) and you only need to check out the 'Maker's Market' or 'Edged Tools' forums to see some real quality hardware that is comparable to Woodlores and SBTs, etc. There are some real craftsmen out there (Dougster to name one - I am a very satisfied customer of his and he made me the sheath and pouch for the SBT).
Don't despair! Help is out there!
