Bagwell Values

H

Homero

Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
6
Hello all... I'm new to the forum and I was wondering if anyone could help me with the value of two knives that I own.

The first is a is a Bill Bagwell Damascus Bowie. It has a truly massive 9" blade, brass hilt and stag handle. I had Bill make the knife approximately twenty years ago. It came with a leather sheath made by Bill as well. At the time I believe I paid just about $900 for it. The knife has never been used or sharpened and is in mint condition.

The second blade is also a Bagwell. This one is a drop point skinnner with approximately a 4.5" Damascus blade and wooden scales. Not sure what the wood is, Bill never told me. It has a nice grain pattern. The spine is about 1/4" thick at its thickest point and the knife has no hilt. I ordered this knife at the same time I ordered the Bowie, so it too is about 20 yrs old, and it too comes with a Bagwell made sheath. This one has been used slightly and sharpened once or twice.

I have absolutely no clue how much these knives are worth now. I am not planning on selling either of these knives, I just wanted to have an idea of whether or not they have appreciated these last 20 or so years.

I have done many searches for Bagwell and his knives and the only thing I come up with are the Ontario Knife collaborations. I have yet to see one of his own for sale to even gain an inkling as to what they may be worth. Does he even make knives any more?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Homero
 
Hi Homero,

I'm afraid I can't help with the valuation at all, but I'd also be interested to know the answer. As to whether he is still making knives, check out the thread on this same page entitled "Wild Bill Caldwell".

I expect that contacting Bill directly would be your best bet to determine what he would currently charge for similar knives (which, of course, may or may not accord with the market value of your particular knives).

Cheers,

Roger
 
Roger, I just had to go back to that thread on Wild Bill and check to see if there was something there about Bill Bagwell. I couldn't find anything.

Homero, Bill is indeed still making knives. I haven't seen a hunter made by him in a long time, but he is famous in the self defense arena for his fantastic fighter bowies. His knives demand fairly high prices. I think a 9" bowie would go from anywhere between $1200.00 and $3000.00, depending on materials used. With knives in the $3000.00 range having pattern welded (damascus) blades. I have seen bowies of his like the one you describe sell for $1200.00 to $1500.00. As far as the hunter is concerned, I don't have a clue as to its value.
 
Keith: You mention that Bagwell knives command "high prices." $1,200-3,000 for a knife that someone bought from a well known maker 20 years ago for $900 doesn't seem very high. A comparable piece by Moran would probably bring $12,000-20,000.
 
yitz said:
A comparable piece by Moran would probably bring $12,000-20,000.
Click to expand...

But then again, VERY few makers' knives are remotely comparable to Moran in term of the price they command. After Loveless, the list gets pretty short.

Roger

PS - Sure hope I've got the right "Bill" this time. :rolleyes: We need more knifemakers named Ebenezer. :D
 
yitz said:
Keith: You mention that Bagwell knives command "high prices." $1,200-3,000 for a knife that someone bought from a well known maker 20 years ago for $900 doesn't seem very high. A comparable piece by Moran would probably bring $12,000-20,000.
Click to expand...

Actually, I stated that his knives command fairly high prices, and they are worth every penny. The $1,200.00 to $3,000.00 prices I quoted are for Bill's current knives, not 20 year old ones. His knives have however increased in value, even if not nearly as much as the ones made by Bill Moran.
 
I am not allowed to post pics or attachments yet or I'd post a couple of pics of the knife. Maybe that would help.

What do I need to do to be able to post pics?

Homero
 
Here are some of Homero's pics of the Bagwell in question.

Cheers,

Roger
 

Attachments

  • Bagwell Bowie.jpg
    Bagwell Bowie.jpg
    34.7 KB · Views: 218
  • Bagwell Hilt.jpg
    Bagwell Hilt.jpg
    53.3 KB · Views: 128
Please forgive me for not reading your first post thoroughly. For some reason it didn't register that this was a damascus knife :rolleyes: . Even though the secondary knife market is in a slump right now, Bill's knives have held their value well. Your knife is worth more than I originally suggested. If I were looking to purchase a knife like that I would be willing to pay up to $1800.00 for it. Some other people might go higher.
 
My new Bagwell Belle fighter in damascus cost me $2200.00 delivered this Feb.04 after a two year wait.

He has refined, tweaked, and learned throughout his career and so the new knives are "better" than the ones 20 years ago overall [ naturally ].

I would give you 1600.00 for that damascus 20 year old Bowie. It takes less time to make than his Belles and his regular bowies go for about what I would offer, butthen I'm a collector of Bagwells.

The hunter is worth what someone would be willing to pay. I recently picked up a hunter about the same age as yours [ but brand new never used ]for 700.00 and I could have probably gotten it for 500.00-600.00 if I wanted to haggle it down, but didn't.

If you are ever interested in selling either of those Bagwells, I will give you 1600.00 for the Bowie and 600.00 for the skinner whenever you want to part with them.

Bagwells do not escalate in price like Morans, not many do. They will rise in value over time however. At least keep me in mind [ first dibs ] if and when you do decide to sell either or both of the Bagwells.

Brownie
 
Hi Keith,

I would have posted sooner but hadn't often looked in on this sub forum much.

Guess I better start paying attention here hey? ;)

Sure would like to pick those Bagwells up from Homero if he ever decides to sell them. :)

Brownie
 
brownie,

Got any pics of your Bagwells? I know I'm not the only one who would love to see them.

Cheers,

Roger
 
Thanks brownie - don't know how I missed that first time 'round. Fantastic knives! Gotta get my hands on a Bagwell bowie some day.

Roger
 
Thanks Roger,

I have a Matt Lamey fighter/bowie damascus on order, as well as a damascus bowie from Greg Covington.

Bill Bagwell has my next one already on order, three years out.

Brownie
 
hodge175:

Thats a very nice rendition by Bill. Have you used it at all?

Let me know if you ever decide to sell it.

Brownie
 
I have used it from Panama to Jordan and everytime I went to the field, I was in Operation Just Cause and it was on my hip then. I used it to cut out of my chute during the invasion that night.

People thought I was crazy for taking it to the field, but that is what I bought it for to be there when my life may depend on it. I paid around 900.00 dollars for it at the time but I wanted the best I could get.

I looked into randalls and other but chose to go with Bill, it had some damage on the tip from Jordan because of of the rocks and doing IMt's over there. I sent it back to Bill and he fixed it free of charge for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top