Are You Serious?

I guess you could say I am a serious collector. My day starts out with picking out the knife I will carry for the day it all depends on what I m doing or where I am going. I read constantly about knives ,guns and the outdoors and I spend alot of time in the winter right here learning and looking. Everyone I know brings me there knives and guns to work on mostly sharpening and fixing scratches and stuff. Ever since I can remember I was always looking for that next knife. So my point is I never really thought about how much time I put into knives but come to think of it it's alot so I guess I am pretty serious.

Interesting thread Kevin
 
I was set up at a small show in Mississippi when two good ol' boys hauled themselves over to my table. "You make these?" one asked and I replied that I did. He then stated that he collected knives. That he was a "knife collector, big time." His buddy then shouted out in reference to his friend, "Yeah, he's a big time knife collector. Big time!" He then picked up a couple of hunters and began (in the words of Jim Batson) coon-fingerin' them.

After a bit he asked how much this particular piece was and I replied, "$500."
He dropped that thing like it was red-hot. Clanked it right on top of a couple other blades as it bounced around. He exclained, "Man, you're proud of those!" All I could do was reply, "Big time......":rolleyes:

Cheers,

Terry Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
Funny story terry. I hear alot of similar stories of guys doing that and then throwing the knives down carelessly when they hear the price. Its a shame that not everyone can respect the hard work that goes into making them and see them as the art that it is..
 
I was going to say something along the lines that I consider myself an enthusiastic collector, in that my enthusiasm for handmade and custom knives is soley what drives me, (we all know it ain't unlimited resources:)). But after reading Bob's post, (I'm flattered, thank you!) I'll have to think on that a bit.

I can't have knives simply because I want them, but I happen to think that's good, because someday I will be able to afford more of what I would like to 'adopt'(;)right, Will?) and having to be extremely picky and value conscious now helps me develop my tastes and my eye.
It also makes me work mostly with people who make knives who aren't quite 'Big Time' yet, although there are some exceptions to that as well, who are generous enough to cut me some slack and make knives for me that might not be as labour intensive, since I'm going to be using them anyway, at a good price which I can save up to buy. I have never bought from a dealer, since I want knives that are 'for me' and I can't afford to pay a premium just so I can have a knife RIGHT NOW.

I guess I am more turtle, than hare:).

Collectors like Bob, Roger, Jim and Dr. D have graciously taken me under their wings a little bit and provided me with some tools, vis a vis education, that help me understand what custom knives are about, in general, and some makers like Nick, Matt, Jay, Will, George and Ray who've also shared lots of great information with me have really whet my appetite for this stuff. That's a big part of this thing for me. There are lots of other people who've gone out of their way to help me understand this or that who I haven't mentioned, but that would be a long list.

But ultimately, my interest lies in what I can produce, and to that end my goal is to become an enthusiastic crafter of knives. Maybe in 30 years someone might think I'm serious about that, but in the meantime and also in collecting, it's my thirst for knowledge which defines my approach, not a thirst to own this or that. I can't wait to build a knife, that to me is the ultimate.

Great thread Kevin, and to answer your question, we NEED ALL KINDS of people to make this community.:)
 
Kevin Jones said:
When addressing seriousness among makers, some have spent their whole careers promoting and pushing the custom knife industry forward in addition to their making knives.
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bigal2me said:
Kevin,

But is that being a serious maker or just trying to become famous or very well known?
It has been said in THIS thread that some SERIOUS collectors are not that well known?
Why does a maker have to be famous or push the market to make a great knife? Or to be taken seriously?

I do know what your saying there - THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP - :D
I know there are probably some serious makers out there, that are NOT that well known?
And they probably may like it that way?

For the ones that have pushed the market, it probably would NOT be the same if they had NOT done so..... :thumbup:

Todd

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Click to expand...

Todd in addition to making great knives, I have to believe the makers I know have gotten to where they are by driving many miles to hammer-ins and shows, training and offering advice to dozens of other makers, answering the phone on weekends to talk knives with enthusiastic collectors and basically by beating the brush to find anyone that will listen to them promote their trade.

I do not believe they have done this to become famous but because they love what they do and take their job/craft very serious. Now yes, fame can be a result of this.
And if some makers do become famous than good for them and the custom knife community as a whole.
 
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I do not consider the amount of money spent on knives or the total number of knives in one's collection to be factors in whether that person is a "serious" collector or not. I look at it as a matter of how much "self" the person puts into it.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Todd in addition to making great knives, I have to believe the makers I know have gotten to where they are by driving many miles to hammer-ins and shows, training and offering advice to dozens of other makers, answering the phone on weekends to talk knives with enthusiastic collectors and basically by beating the brush to find anyone that will listen to them promote their trade.
Click to expand...

Did that make them seriuos knife makers? NO
It was a drive in side them to make the best knives they could.

Not to get off track here, BUT - That's what I'm talking about....
They are FAMOUS from exposer AND being serious knife makers.

The question was are you serious as a maker?
Do I have to become famous to be serious? NO.
AM I VERY SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING KNIVES? yes- take a look at them.

Not trying to give you a hard time, just saying.

And like I said, what some of the well knowns have done is GREAT.
It has done a LOT for the knife community, I have nothing against that.
How well known do I have to become to be taken seriously?:confused:
How many knives do I have to make?
How good do they have to be?
How big of a collection does one have to have?
How many dollars does one have to spend? to be taken serious?

I hope you know what I'm saying?

I know what your saying here, you want these guys to take it serious.
Making knives or collecting, and they should, IF they want to be SERIOUS about it?

Do you think I could make a living doing this full time being an unknown maker if I was not serious?
Not a chance.

Sincerely

Todd Davison


.
 
David, there's a good article in August 2005 Blade by Don Guild where he put the number of custom knife collector's worldwide who would pay more than $2500 for a knife @ about 700. One has to wonder where he got this figure and of course its now old data as well. However its an interesting article.

I might contact Steve and see it there's any interest in Blade doing a follow-up article reflective of today's collectors.


scan0001-1.jpg
 
Here are a few of my thoughts on this thread. I have a customer that had a few factory knifes, nothing really special. He stumbled across my website,contacted me and orderd a couple of knives.The pair cost him 1200.00, Since his first purchase he has bought a bowie that was a little over a grand, as well as a couple more pieces that were rather pricey and has another piece on order for around the same amount.Now keep in mind he was'nt a collector until he start buying my work, but now he says he is a collector. Do I consider him to be a serious collector? You bet I do!If someone is will to spend that amount of money to purchase a knife or knives that they really want, then I consider them to be serious, even if they are just starting to collect.Now these knives do not just sit in a display case. He has at least one or more with him each and every day since purchasing them, and shows them to anyone that is willing to look at them, so even if he is just starting, his love for these knives and his willingness to share them with others makes him a serious collector in my book, even if he only collects my work.
As far as a serious maker, I consider myself to be serious about what I do.Not a day goes by that I don't think about knifemaking, and even though I have been at it for 10 years I am still on a constant quest to learn more and perfect what I do even more.A guy once ask me did I make knives because I like too, or did I just do it for the money. My answer was I do it because I love doing it, and getting paid to do it is just icing on the cake, that if I knew I would never sell another knife I would still do it.
My wife once told me that I think about knifemaking so much that it consumes me and I need professional help, so yeah, I'm a serious maker:D
 
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My 2 cents:

What the "custom knife world" needs are knifemakers who enjoy making knives and "collectors" or "accumulators" who enjoy the knives the knifemakers make.

Myself, I spend a lot of time & money in knives, but I do not consider myself to be a more "big time" collector then the guy or girl who has only a few custom knives because he cannot afford more.

And I think we don't need to take all this definition stuff too serious!;)

And I completely agree with Lorien:

Lorien said:
Great thread Kevin, and to answer your question, we NEED ALL KINDS of people to make this community.
Click to expand...

Kind regards,

Jos
 
bigal2me said:
Did that make them seriuos knife makers? NO
It was a drive in side them to make the best knives they could.

Not to get off track here, BUT - That's what I'm talking about....
They are FAMOUS from exposer AND being serious knife makers.

The question was are you serious as a maker?
Do I have to become famous to be serious? NO.
AM I VERY SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING KNIVES? yes- take a look at them.
Not trying to give you a hard time, just saying.

And like I said, what some of the well knowns have done is GREAT.
It has done a LOT for the knife community, I have nothing against that.
How well known do I have to become to be taken seriously?:confused:
How many knives do I have to make?
How good do they have to be?
How big of a collection does one have to have?
How many dollars does one have to spend? to be taken serious?

I hope you know what I'm saying?

I know what your saying here, you want these guys to take it serious.
Making knives or collecting, and they should, IF they want to be SERIOUS about it?

Do you think I could make a living doing this full time being an unknown maker if I was not serious?
Not a chance.
Sincerely

Todd Davison


.
Click to expand...

Todd, nowhere did I say one had to be famous to be serious. IMO, the two have little to do with one another except being famous could possibly be a by-product of being serious.

Nowhere did I say you were not serious about knife making. I don't know you or your business practices well enough to have an opinion.

Nowhere did I say I wanted these guys to take it serious, however I will say the custom knife community benefits form the seriousness of it's makers and collectors.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time either.
 
John,

Good post - I think that is what Kevin was after here?
He wants new collectors and makers to take it seriously?

The guy you mention, became serious about it.
And we all do at some point, we become knifenuts.... :D:thumbup:

Todd


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Kevin,

No problem at all, I think we all know the show must go on.

And we all would like the knife community to get better.

And that would be for why we all do it? make or collect?

For the PLEASURE of it that we get from doing it. right?

If it wasn't any fun? than? well you know? ....... :D

Keep on keep'n on my fellow knife enthusiast.

All the best to you.

Todd
 
tvandeventer said:
I was set up at a small show in Mississippi when two good ol' boys hauled themselves over to my table. "You make these?" one asked and I replied that I did. He then stated that he collected knives. That he was a "knife collector, big time." His buddy then shouted out in reference to his friend, "Yeah, he's a big time knife collector. Big time!" He then picked up a couple of hunters and began (in the words of Jim Batson) coon-fingerin' them.

After a bit he asked how much this particular piece was and I replied, "$500."
He dropped that thing like it was red-hot. Clanked it right on top of a couple other blades as it bounced around. He exclained, "Man, you're proud of those!" All I could do was reply, "Big time......":rolleyes:

Cheers,

Terry Vandeventer
ABS MS
Click to expand...

That's funny Terry:D
 
I guess what I'm getting at is can the custom knife industry grow and progress significantly with mostly causal custom knifemakers and collectors or does it require some degree of serious makers/collectors?

For discussion sake, let's define causal maker as one who makes good knives, however doesn't really go out of his/her way to promote himself/his business or the industry in general. Perhaps doesn't handle the business end as well as he/she could. More of a recreational maker.

And a casual collector as one who enjoys/buys custom knives, however doesn't really get too involved in the community. Doesn't go to many if any shows, doesn't really interact with other collectors etc. Kind of the "just the knives, don't bother me with the rest" approach.

Not saying there's anything wrong with the casual approach.
 
bigal2me said:
Kevin,

No problem at all, I think we all know the show must go on.

And we all would like the knife community to get better.

And that would be for why we all do it? make or collect?

For the PLEASURE of it that we get from doing it. right?

If it wasn't any fun? than? well you know? ....... :D

Keep on keep'n on my fellow knife enthusiast.

All the best to you.

Todd
Click to expand...

Agreed :thumbup::)
 
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