150 US$ = Good price for this custom folder?

Santi · Oct 8, 2001

Hi:-
Need an opinion from a KnifeMaker in here. How much would you price this folder if you were to do it yourself?
It's of 440-C. All stainless hardwear. 3" blade. OAL 6.5" approx.
The scale is of Ebony.
(And it's 100% hand-made. No CNC machine.)

More pics here.

A friend told me that for any makers in USA, no matter how no-name he is would probably charge at least 130-150$ for it.. Don't yout hink so?

THANKS!

Belstain · Oct 8, 2001

If I were still collecting knives (other than my own rejects that is) I would not hesitate to pay $150 for that knife, possibly more if I knew exactly how smooth the action is. This is just my opinion as a knife user not a maker because I dont make folders I don't know where I myself would price one. I feel that most knife users would pay 150 for any handmade folder if it had good steel and slick action. I have gone to knife shows and seen folders that were absolutely beautiful and seemed perfect until you tried to open or close them. "Is there some sort of hidden release on this or something? just push harder? ok"
To answer your question that seems a very fair price to me, but it is a buyers market. The only way to truly know what it will sell for is to sell it.

Peter Atwood · Oct 8, 2001

That looks like a nice folder. I think $150 is quite fair probably, if it has nice action and lockup. However, one improvement that could be made would be to use torx screws instead of pins in future construction. People want to be able to take them apart for cleaning, etc. and the torx screws are the current standard for custom folders.

L6steel · Oct 8, 2001

Unless light is playing tricks, that grind looks perfect. $150 would be an excellent deal if the rest of the knife is that slick.

NickWheeler · Oct 8, 2001

I don't really think I agree on the screw issue. While it does allow the user to take it apart and clean/adjust, there are still very many folks out there that appreciate what it takes to make a pinned folder and make it well.

Once a pinned folder goes together, it's done...so it has to be done right the first time....and like I said (IMHO) there is still a large part of the market that appreciates this factor.

Beautiful knife

Nick

tom mayo · Oct 8, 2001

Of course we all agree that the price is great, but I GOTTA ask: "Is this a very subtle advertisement?"

Keith Montgomery · Oct 8, 2001

Santi my man, how come you are asking what the price of all these knives should be?

Are you having a hard time valuing them yourself? As far as I am concerned $150.00 is under valuing this knife. A great deal for whoever buys it, but I wonder how any money can be made at that price. It looks quite a bit like the other knife on which you also wanted our help with pricing. I think I like it better with the ebony scales though.

Santi · Oct 9, 2001

Thanks a lot for all comment.

I'm in Thailand, and I just wanna know what you guys think in USA. Having some kind of frame-of-reference would help me, in buying and selling and trading knives in the future.

Thanks again.