$2,000...$10,000...$50,000 knives--where do investors go to buy and sell?

Will York

Will York

Joined
Jan 21, 2000
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I’m curious as to how the marketplace for high-end knives operates. BladeForums operates its Exchange Forums, then there’s Knifeforums “Knives For Sale” forums, and USN’s “Trader’s Cove”—all of which service the sub-$1,000 range pretty actively. But it’s very rare to see a knife for sale for more than $2,000 on these forums, and rarer still to actually see a sale successfully consummated for more than $2,000 on any of these forums.

I see references to investment potential of knives in higher price ranges quite often, and obviously there are a number of US makers selling in the $2,000-10,000 range. But I wonder where the market places are for individual investors who buy knives in the $2,000-10,000 price range and then desire to sell or trade.

I’m also curious about the $10,000 and up range--I understand that some of the current-day Japanese swordsmiths command prices in the $20,000-$50,000 range, and that there are antique pieces with historical significance that are in a higher-value range still.

Where does one buy and, more to the point, where does one—as an individual investor—sell knives in these upper price ranges? Is the market limited to consignment and auction sales? If so, who services that market? In other words, who are the consignment dealers and auction companies in the $2,000-$10,000 and up ranges?

Thanks,
Will
 
Will,

The large forums cater to ordinary practical collectors. People who enjoy a good sturdy knife and generally carry or use them. They are investors in their own right and they can do as well as anybody else. But, I presume you want to talk about the higher end knives.

The very high end of the spectrum is fed through a specialized network of dealers and trade shows. There are invitation only art knives shows where $10,000+ knives flow pretty readily. There are also auction houses specializing in various grades of antiques many of which will easily go into that range.

Collectors should focus on gaining as much knowledge as they can in their area. You do not want to make too many mistakes in this price range. That Sam Huston bowie that sold for $250K last year was probably the kind of mistake that you want to avoid. Along the way, as you gain experience and expertise, you will come to develop your own contacts and slowly get into the loop on all this stuff.

But, no matter what the purchase price, there is no guarantee that any of this stuff will appreciate. Art is just that, it falls in and out of favor, just like everything else.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
The very high end of the spectrum is fed through a specialized network of dealers and trade shows. There are invitation only art knives shows where $10,000+ knives flow pretty readily. There are also auction houses specializing in various grades of antiques many of which will easily go into that range.
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Okay--thanks, I guess.

Perhaps I didn't make it clear that I am looking for some specifics on these general areas you've listed.

Anyone else?

Thanks,
Will
 
Will,

This is one of those things that will come to you when you are ready. :D

For antiques you can start with specialized online catalogs like this website. But, this is just a starting point, if you are really have the wealth and expertise to pursue a collection of these things, you are going to know many of the key collectors in the area. Your better pieces are going to come through personal contact, and not through catalogs like this.

http://www.hermann-historica.de/auk...mgroup_1_GB&start=81&dif=10&db=kat44_1_GB.txt

On, the custom art knife side, talk to some of the better priced makers. Guys like Buster Warenski should be able to point you in the right direction. Ask him for contact information for some of specialized high end art knives shows. You can reach him at 435-896-5319.

n2s
 
n2s--

Thanks again. I'd still like to think we could generate some dialogue about specifics, in terms of an open disussion here. We'll see, I guess.

Samhell--

Yep, I've communicated with both Gary and Dave, and have enjoyed both of their sites for some time. It appears that, as investors, they've both decided the best way to market their pieces is by maintaining dedicated websites for that purpose, which obviously is one way to go.

But neither of those sites carries a large number of pieces--just the personal pieces of the owner of the site, apparently--and neither offers to consign knives, as far as I know.

What about all the other high-end investors out there, who buy knives and then want to resell them? Is putting up a website the best option for an investor in high-end knives, who needs a way to market for resale?

Thanks again,
Will
 
For Jpz swords, one good store is Aoi-Art: http://www.aoi-art.ab.psiweb.com/

You'll note that the vast majority of items are in the $4k - $10k range.

I must say that the Jpz sword market is very different from the art knife market IMHO.
 
Originally posted by Joss
many other Jpz sword sites out there - it's a different world from custom knives.
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Thank you, sir. Any marketing arenas for American-made high-end customs come to mind?

w.
 
Hi Will,

Most of these knives are sold through custom knife dealers or directly from the maker to a collector.

The reason most are sold through dealers is that many of the collectors wish to remain anonymous. As a dealer gets known for selling particular items. He/she will be contacted by both buyers and sellers.

Many of the most incredible knives ever made have never been seen but by a few people.

Ok question for you, which high end market or knife style are you curious about?
 
Thank you for that web address, Phillip.

Les-

Thank you very much for those thoughts. I always appreciate your perspective on any subject related to knife values and collecting.

My fundamental reason for asking is that I wouldn't mind spending the money to buy some higher-end pieces, if I had confidence that I could get my money back out of those knives when I want to. I've really enjoyed owning and passing along a myriad of different makers' work via these forums, and was wondering what it would take to do the same thing at a higher level.

The most I've ever sold a knife for here was $2,000, which doesn't begin to touch a $5,000 Moran fighter or a $9,000 Yoshindo Yoshihara tanto. I find I admire a great many styles and makers' work, and just wonder if it's feasible to buy and sell at that level as a private individual--understandably with some education--without losing too much.

Any thoughts you'd have to share on that would be welcome.

Will
 
wonder if it's feasible to buy and sell at that level as a private individual--understandably with some education--without losing too much.
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No. You are not an established dealer, and you don't have the day to day feel for the market. Perhaps if you decide to specialize on X maker's knives you can get something going, but, it is not going to be cheap or easy, and it will not work if you are trying out a wide field of makers.

Your best bet would be to work something out with the maker. Come to an understanding where the maker is willing to take your knife back on consignment and help you to sell it in exchange for a commission. No one is going to get more for a specific knife then the guy who made it; and, the guys who sell at this level are as talented in sales as they are as artisans.

n2s
 
Thanks to all who have replied, and for the websites. I'll be off-line for about a week, so will sign off for now and check in when I get back.

Good day to all,
Will
 
I have some specific experience with 2 MS where they helped one of their past customer sell some high art pieces, and the owner had to take a severe discount on the knife.

Note that, for what it's worth, antique Jpz swords and fittings often sell for less than newly made ones, as counterintuitive as it may seem.

The problem (in my mind) is that this is too small a market to have a fluid 2nd hand market, esp. at the high end.
 
People that I work with think that I need to have my head examined for paying more than $100 for any knife. But of course they are the ones driving the Mercedes and Corvettes and the big nice $500K homes with swimming pools.:rolleyes: But come to think about it, $500K doessn't buy much in So. Cal. anymore.:( ;) :D :cool: :eek: :)
 
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