... I think it's going to be hard for Ethan to find a company that can produce the Becker line like Camillus did, and sell them for similar prices.
... .... and given that some of Ethan's designs IMO are significantly better, I think they would adapt well to better blade steel, handle materials and sheaths.
Of course maybe I'm just hoping for a Becker Necker in A2 at 62HRC, or perhaps D2, with a choice of nice scales and sheath options.
well, let's look at it this way... the becker line has gone through a number of versions now... and people continue to love and use them. none of the older models REALLY attracted a lot of attention or price increases, except VERY lately, and that's only because of this edge/transition i'd guess. that perked up a bit, and people grabbed some but not always. ho hum
for example, a 2nd gen machax BK-4, post satin finish type, possibly the light powder coat (although i suspect the funky camp-panion BK-2 (tm) (that's how they spelled it in 1991)) "bead blasted and electroless nickeled" and then DEEPLY blued (or possibly nitride coated) was obtained not very long ago for $75 - that's with the fantastic eagle industries sheath - easily worth $45 by itself. recently, a similar model went for $150-175. that one was NIB. i've seen a few pending for sale for $150. these are the OLDER models. i've never seen a satin model for sale (whoa!). older campanions were in the $50 range, and i've seen several under $100. a few have gone by on ebay for around $75-130 lately. a few of the VERY rare items might command a bit more, but we're talking about the OLD OLD OLD and *absolutely* minty [like] NIB (and with box, sheath, papers, ...) - be aware - some sales are KNIFE ONLY, no sheath, no nothing.
compare to the camillus stuff - less expensive to finish, as they are coated, same good handles, inexpensive kydex sheaths for the most part, or not very expensive cloth sheaths with plastic inserts (no eagle or leather here kids). i can't see spending more than $100 on them right now, except for the machax BK-4 or the magnum camp BK-5 NIB (with BOX and sheaths)... except as a scarcity issue or strong desire to have one. almost all of my camillus generation beckers... let me ponder ... yes, i don't recall paying mover $90 for any of them. even recently... patrol machete BK-6 NIB, a tactool BK-2b for $65, older divetools BK-2a for $60, a BK-10 for $35, and so on. didja know there are at least two variants of each for the BK-2s (two sizes, different features even, as well as multiple sheaths).
very lately, i've seen a patrol machete for $75, camillus machaxen for $100-150, magnum camps for $100, and so on. lots of people have them, and just flipping them, as the time is right. they made TONS of these, and i expect to see tons hit the market. wait. plenty to go around, well made, hard to use up.
so, i SOOOO hope ethan finds a home to make more items. this will represent yet ANOTHER generation of knives. MAYBE certain older ones will be worth something? maybe. it might mean even more camillus holdouts being sold, as people might want a D2 brute (drool) and "trade up"... yar. i expect, in order to attract attention, initially they might have to be sold near cost (loss leader), and have a few upgrades from camillus. like, better finishes and grinds, better sheaths, possibly different steals. 1095 is fantastic, and the C-V stuff is downright terrific. better? stainless is not better
it's just ... different. want better? swedish laminated steel :> yah.
i have recently unearthed a number of older becker flyers and letters. a 1991 pamphlet listing the machax, camp-panion, tactul, divtul, with complete specs, materials, etc. sweet. this is back in the cincinnati days. ethan's photo then is *precious*
a letter of 1992 indicating blackjack ownership and changes. jump to 2001, next fliers, listing different and new models. woo. several of those from 2001-2004 or so. i intend to scan and host those for perusual in the near future. that, combined with other findings (thanx guyon), should provide for a very complete FAQ that we all (i'll help start it), on the Becker Family tree. Someone should archive the Camillus/Becker listings before they are taken down (if they are). Just a thought.
who wants to ditch some users?
new stuff coming. someday.
bladite
