Are Steve Ryan knives over-priced?

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
1,620
I really like Steve Ryan's designs, but I think they are way over-priced. You can get customs fro very well known makers for about 1/2 the price of a Ryan knife. Let me know what you all think.
 
If you like them enough, you pay the price.
I like them alot, but not enough to pay those prices.
But I guess he's selling them, so they're not overpriced for everyone.
 
If demand is any indication of value, then no. When's the last time you saw a Biohazard in the for sale forums? If I had the money, I'd own one. That knife has been at the top of my dream knife list for quite some time.
--Josh
 
Actually, the prices you are seeing on Steve Ryan's knives are from the secondary market. His current prices are still about $400-$500 for a folder amd a little less for most fixed blades. However, due to demands on his time, he is not taking orders. Don't know when he will take orders.

If you want the knife, you pay the price. I now many people that wouldn't buy one of his knives at half of what he charges. I also know of some people who would have no problem paying more then the secondary market to a get a design they want. Only you can truly determine if a knife is overvalued.
 
yes the knives from ryan are still in the $500 or so range, the prob is like ernest emerson he's wayyy behind, so the market drives the price, just like emersons and mayos/etc.

i would say they are worth the price, if ya want one, and i do, an excellent knife. i know i always wanted a emerson CQC8 spec war, and dont regret one bit spending $750 on mine, have enjoyed it that much in only a yr.

heck, i cant even find a surefire alpha, ryans are popular lol.


greg
 
Okay, so it comes down to supply and demand. If the demand for his blades are so great that he has fallen soooo far behind, then maybe he should go the route of greats like Reeves, Emerson, and (my fave) Simonich (R.I.P.)? He is obviously has a large fan base for his designs (myself included), so maybe that would be the best thing for him to do. I love his knives, but I would never pay more than $500 for a knife. Then, again, I'm not a 'collector'; I'm a 'user', and I can get a knife that will just as good (if not better and more functional *Busse* for considerably less. Please keep in mind that I'm not in any way slamming the guy or his work. If I was in a position to make the money he is off of my art, I would. But, dammit, I want a Ryan knife at a reasonable price!!!!!! :(
 
his knives are very well made and you get a lot for what you pay imo, also the desings are unique and well is up to the individual, i owned one for a long time , i say they are a little overprice but there is a lot others i think that for what you get are a lot more overprice, just mo
 
I think the purveyors are pretty good at setting prices at what the market will bear. Ryan's knives have a unique look and he has done well to create a special little niche of 'art-tactical' for himself. Few other guys do quite what he does, and he doesn't stray out of his niche. He also is a very skilled guy. I wouldn't put him quite up there with R.J. Martin or Darrel Ralph, but close. I have seen him at a couple shows, and he never seems to have any knives for sale. I don't know why he even bothers to go.

Bottom line, I don't think his knives are 'overpriced.' If they were, it would be lot easier to find them for sale.
 
yes they are in the aftermarket.

I like some of Steve's designs, especially the Model 1, 7 (well, anything with and s-shape blade interests me...), but wish they were slightly smaller and half the price of what the sellers are asking in the aftermarket. I have seen some of them not move at all for weeks.

the fit and finish isn't the same as a Tom Mayo, but they are rather big tough tactical blades that collectors like to have. Haven't seen pictures of used ones but then again, I haven't seen many pictures of used expensive knives either.

one thing's for sure...his designs are badass....
 
Revierler said:
surefira alphas are permanently to b e found on ebay, i got mine for USD 275,--
Click to expand...

they were a little more difficult to come by in '04 FWIW, which was when i was looking for one.

heck since then i have owned and swapped off a ryan fixed blade lol.

the custom ryans are still kinda scarce and pricey though.
 
Considering that a lot folks here will pay over $500 for a certain brand, $800 for a badass custom folder is not too high IMO. Not that I could afford one with ease that is.
Great looking knives , out of my price range though.
 
Econ 101: supply and demand.
Click to expand...
I disagree.
It's all about marketing elitsim, and exclusivity.

It's like country club memberships....the memberships are high in price not because of supply and demand, but because the clubs themselves don't want the average working Joe to be able to afford membership.
The more elite and exclusive the club, the higher the cost.
 
allenC said:
I disagree.
It's all about marketing elitsim, and exclusivity.

It's like country club memberships....the memberships are high in price not because of supply and demand, but because the clubs themselves don't want the average working Joe to be able to afford membership.
The more elite and exclusive the club, the higher the cost.
Click to expand...

True, to a point. The secondary market would "level" the price if it was just marketing elitism, & "exclusivity" is part of supply & demand. Obviously enough people want what he has & have driven the prices in the secondary market to greater hights, which the maker has nothing to do with (Unless he/she purposely doesn't make that model anymore or "hints" that there won't be more, etc.).

After all is said & done, a product is worth what it'll sell consistently at, as far as the markets are concerned. For an indivisual, it's worth whatever one will pay for it. Having said that, just because something may have consistently sold for a certain price months ago (Or even a couple years ago), doesn't necessarily mean it's worth that price now.

Regardless, his knives are VERY nice.
 
O.K... Custom Ryan's are pricey... but, you do get what you pay for. Steve makes some of the largest, strongest, one-of-a-kind folders out there. A Ryan folder will cover all bases, from utilitarian tasks to answering a defensive role. If you're into big & strong... it would be difficult to find a better folder.
 
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