I don't think ebay allows firearms

Yes, but it would have to be alot cheaper. I like to buy things new, so if its defective I can take it back or return it.

If it ant in my hand! then my money stays in my pockit
as for retail, most of the time, I buy at cost from my shop.

I have had very good luck buying vintage fishing tackle off ebay. I buy a lot of my hooks and such off ebay also. So I would willing to buy a knife or "gun part" off ebay, but I would have to get it cheep enough to cover any freight and still be a big bargin.

The price advantage of buying through ebay is in the auction feature. Depending on the amount of determination on the part of the other bidders, an item could be overpriced. At another time, with fewer eager bidders, the same item could be a bargain.
Timing is everything.

I have bought quite a few knives off eBay with never a disappointment and perhaps a few dollars saved although my motivation was that the kinves were not available locally anyway. Sometimes you can get a deal on new brass, reloading equipment, and other such items but they don't sell guns. Try www.gunbroker.com for the latter, there might be some cost savings but probably not any more than Bud's.

There are some products listed as being "New, Old Stock," which means unused but with old, shopworn packaging, and possibly discontinued from current production by the manufacturer. Bargains abound.
Then there are products listed as "Used." The problem with buying used items is in the description. "Gently used" may be in the eye of the beholder. Look for the buyer's return policy here.

I love the internet and the ease of shopping here, but I don't know if I'd buy a knife without seeing it in my hands. I am kind of a knife enthusiast, so I like to feel and hold a good blade before I buy it. I even have a hard time buying a knife that is in packing material in the store. Anyway I wouldn't buy either online, but that is just me.

I have bought lots of stuff on EBay but never a knife or gun parts, but I probably would if the price is right. Most sellers have a rating on there that you can use to see who has good reviews and who doesn't.

I buy lots of stuff on Ebay. Never had a prblm, but I'm not afraid to use the buyer protection. If you don't get your item or it's in unacceptable condition open a case. Never had a big prblm and I have over 620 feedback, so that's lots of transactions. Most good items can be sent to manufacture if defective. I've done it with Stream light flashlights and the such.