Procuring thrift shops, flea markets and property gross sales may be overwhelming. With the sheer quantity of stuff, how have you learnt the place to begin? How do you notice gems amid all of the … properly, junk?
As an expert reseller who has been combing by way of thrift shops for the higher a part of 30 years, I may also help. If you happen to’re prepared to chop your purchasing time in half, rating larger bargains or stroll away with brag-worthy finds you possibly can flip for money, learn on.
From hard-to-find home items to resale money-makers, the whole lot featured on this collection qualifies as a BOLO (Be On the Look-Out for) merchandise. Whenever you discover it, purchase it!
Featured discover: Cutco cooking utensils
I’m embarrassed to confess that my culinary abilities don’t prolong a lot farther than steaming rice and boiling eggs. Nonetheless, each time I hit a thrift retailer, I ensure to take a look at the choice of kitchenware. My purpose? To search out just a few extra items of Cutco-brand cooking utensils.
Cutco — the identify comes from “Cooking UTensil COmpany” — started manufacturing in Olean, New York, in 1949.
In 1952, Cutco contracted with industrial designer Thomas Lamb, nicknamed “the Deal with Man,” to create a brand new kind of deal with for its line of cutlery. Lamb’s revolutionary deal with designs had been featured in a 1948 exhibition on the Museum of Trendy Artwork in New York Metropolis.
The Wedge-Lock deal with that Lamb designed for Cutco featured an ergonomic design that secured the fingers throughout the knife deal with and “locked” the person’s thumb in place to create a safer grip.
Why purchase it?
Sturdy, snug to make use of and American-made — what’s to not love about Cutco utensils? The corporate continues to be going sturdy right this moment, however retail costs are steep. A brand new six-piece set of cooking instruments prices $266, and this five-piece knife set will set you again $519.
Any piece you could find secondhand for a greenback or two is a tremendous cut price in my e-book.
Eagle-eyed thrift buyers can construct a group slowly and inexpensively, then hand items down as “sensible heirlooms” to children or grandkids. Strive doing that with the array of flimsy plastic utensils accessible in most shops right this moment.
For resellers, Cutco’s practicality has created an enthusiastic fan base. Persons are keen to pay up for full units or to get that last lacking whisk or potato masher. This classic 11-piece knife set not too long ago offered for $416 on eBay, and this single spatula offered for $65.
What to search for
Cutco items with Wedge-Lock handles are straightforward to establish. Handles are made from robust plastic resin and have an natural, extremely contoured form that matches your hand completely.
Figuring out Cutco’s Wedge-Lock handles by coloration is an inexact science. Based mostly on Cutco’s present product line and classic items accessible on eBay and Etsy, handles seem to have been made in 4 colours:
- Brown multicolor (pictured under): Referred to within the secondhand market because the “brown swirl,” these handles characteristic brown as the bottom coloration with crimson, orange or black veining. Brown swirl handles are thought of the oldest instance of Cutco’s Wedge-Lock items and often command greater resale costs.
- Darkish brown: Cutco’s darkish brown handles are almost indistinguishable from black.
- Pearl white
- Crimson
Resellers, you don’t should be choosey. Almost all Cutco merchandise promote properly. Preserve an eye fixed out for every type of knives and any of the next commonplace kitchen utensils:
- Whisks
- Spatulas and spreaders
- Potato mashers
- Serving/basting spoons
- Ladles
- Serving/carving forks
- Pastry servers
Cutco’s emblem has advanced through the years. Older variations characteristic one small diamond on either side of the Cutco identify. The extra modern model encompasses a single giant diamond to left of the identify.
Professional tip: Some early Cutco items are unmarked. The model is mostly lacking from whisks and enormous carving forks. Contemplate the wedge-lock deal with to be affirmation that you simply’ve discovered a real piece of Cutco.
Disclosure: The data you learn right here is all the time goal. Nevertheless, we typically obtain compensation if you click on hyperlinks inside our tales.
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