Big Guns................

So I am curious how many knives do you produce on average in a year Neil? Or for that matter what is the average output of a full time maker in a year? I know there are going to be huge differences between different makers, but what is the average? If I remember right Tom Mayo once wrote on this forum that a full time maker should be able to turn out one knife per day. Given weekends and time off and stuff that would equal out to about 300 knives a year. Is that about average. Input from any full time makers would be appreciated.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
Neil,
I think you are making way too much of the word "fad".

My use of that word was to show that although tastes change, the desire of serious collectors to collect the pinnacle of handmade knives generally doesnt wane. If you read all of the knife books for the last 30 years, there are 4 constants, those makers.
 
Kile,

That is probably the #1 question, I'm asked. As you mentioned, many things must be considered. Without getting long winded, I would be very happy producing about half of the mentioned number in a years time;) (not including the Credit Card Knives which are far from a custom)

I can average 5-6 knives for a week or so prior to a show or for a special project. I couldn't keep that pace up year round:eek:
 
I can't help but echo Les Robertson's sentiments. Also, BFC has a VERY tactical bent to it, so you don't see alot of discussion regarding gent's folders and really fancy knives. Sure, they are some makers that are really hot right now, but is going to last? 10 years from now will they be selling for the same heavy premiums that they are today. Probably not, but what about the W. Osborne, Sawby, J.W. Smith knives and that sort? The best appreciation in knives seems to be with those folks who can produce a classic design, in a near flawless manner. Just something to think about.
 
A lot of collectors like to be "members of the club", so to speak.

As many get their information mainly from the internet, they see what others like and what others kvell over. So then, they want to be part of the club by getting one from that maker and then posting it for others to see.

This is where you see a lot of excitement generated over the few that are constantly mentioned here and elsewhere.

Nevertheless, it adds to one's experience and learning and over time, some persons start to look at other makers on dealers sites and at shows with an improved eye as to what to look for in a knife and in accordance with their own inner dictates. They start to stretch out and include other excellent makers into their collections.

As regards worth and value, some folks collect as though they are in the stock market. Others collect what they like and with a sense of joy over the ownership. Bottom line, sharing is what it's about, as it's no fun having the greatest collection on earth if you can't share it with like-minded individuals.
 
Originally posted by Boink
Bottom line, sharing is what it's about, as it's no fun having the greatest collection on earth if you can't share it with like-minded individuals.
Click to expand...

Hear hear!!! :) Great thoughts Boink!

Coop
 
I remember reading many years ago that there would NEVER be a classic automobile made after 1940, because they made so many of them. Times change and so do the intangibles that drive what is or is not a classic. If you happen to be near Ernie Emerson or Ken Onion's table at a show, you might find it hard to believe they aren't destined for some measure of immortality. I watched a Mick Strider custom go for several thousand dollars the second it hit the market, then sell again a few months later for $10K. I guess it helps to be dead or nearly so to make your knives worth more, but I doubt anyone can honestly predict what will find appeal in 5 years, much less 20. There are probably 50 makers today making bowies at least as good as a Henry, and while the Henry's will never decline in value, who is to say who will supplant him as the premier bowie maker?

I do take some offense at the "fad" moniker. There are performance aspects of knives that are measured on a different scale altogether. Different makers dance to different tunes, and I personally take greater satisfaction in knowing that one of my blades was walking around Baghdad months before the war started than knowing some rich guy in California has one tucked away in a drawer somewhere. On the other end of the scale there are makers who see most or at least many of their knives go to museums or directly to extremely rich people in other countries, and never see the market we know. Warenski and Fogg come to mind. There are others who make blades for highly specialized interests, such as katanas and the like. Others like Herman and S. R. Johnson are, by anyone's measure, among the best ever at fashioning exquisite cutlery.

In time, who can say who we will look back on as the truly gifted and innovative knifemakers of this or any century. New stars are born everyday, and we will learn who they are only when those other than have posted here decide...
 
Originally posted by Anthony Lombardo
Neil,
I think you are making way too much of the word "fad".

My use of that word was to show that although tastes change, the desire of serious collectors to collect the pinnacle of handmade knives generally doesnt wane. If you read all of the knife books for the last 30 years, there are 4 constants, those makers.
Click to expand...

I am curious, as a new "collector", what those 4 constants are from the last 30 years? I ask this and put collector in quotes becuase the I buy the knives that appeal to me, I buy knives that I am not scared to carry or use as a SD tool & therefore not afraid to lose it in some manner - that doesn't mean I collect production knives I carry a $300 Polkowski daily, but "tactical" knives tend to have a greater appeal to me. The "fads" of knives amazes me, if you look at Polkowski there is always a wait for each knife he makes yet his name does not stir the excitement that Blackwood does for some reason. Nealy is another one, he seems to be a well respected maker with a history in the business now, if you buy directly from him there is a 3-4 month wait yet on the secondary market they do not seem to garner much demand unlike a Hossom or a Blackwood, is it just aesthetics or something else? Please do not take any of my comments as knocks against either Blackwood or Hossom blades as I have heard nothing but great things about both & would buy one of their knives directly from them in a moment or as Les pointed out in a post above I will wait for the market to adjust and then buy one on the secondary market rather than paying two or three times the actual cost of a knife.

Just some rambling thoughts early this Weds. alpha mike.

Simon :)
 
This is a good thread. I'm not sure who are the most popular makers, but I know one thing - it's that some makers are more often on the market than others, at least without being in the business full time. I get Cutting Edge regularly, and the Henry and Scagel are nearly unheard of (except that there's a Scagel this month, available for North of $20k). Loveless in comparison are plentiful, although I realize that some model are more common than others. Right now, I don't think I would want to pay full retail for a plain vanilla Loveless drop point, from a speculator's stand point. As to Emerson, it seems that his knives come available for sale on the forums every other week or so, but I don't follow them very closely. Morans seem to be more common than Scagel & Henry, but less than Loveless. Top knives by Fogg / Kemal are nearly impossible to find - I know 'cause I'm looking really hard!

What I do note is that the 2nd hand market for "high roller" knives ($1,500 and above) is very limited on the forums. On USN, Dave Ellis has a subforum where he shows his ware, and he seems to be buying matched sets of Loveless, Emerson, etc, all the time, but he obviously doesn't get them by following the For Sale forums here or there. In fact, it's nearly impossible to find true muesum quality knives on the net, outside of dealers (but then, I'd be warry about spending $2k+ on a knife I've only seen pictures of too.)

On Swordforum, one can regularly see fully polished Howard Clark katana for sale, and those got to $3k to $6k and more, but they are the most expensive "knives" I've seen for sale on a forum.

Anyway - I'm looking forward to being at Blade, because dealers at shows do often have some high quality knives. (BTW, Les, it will be a pleasure to meet you face to face finally.)

JD
 
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