Gus, I have Always used the Buy what you like criterion. That's why I pretty much skipped the production knife phase of knife collecting. It's just that as my knowledge and appreciation of fine knives has grown, so has the average cost of the knives I seem to desire.
Anyway, Phil is right. I did buy a Warenski knife. I was somewhat aware of his reputation, having been reading the knife rags for over ten years. But I have not read some of the book publications that Gus meantioned. Like many new knife collectors (I bought my first custom knife in 1996), I am much more aware of the reputations and work of the newer knife makers than the established long term makers. I know something about many of the established makers, but their knives often seem too expensive to justify buying.
I have not received my Warenski knife yet, but should have it in hand by tommorow. I saw this knife several weeks ago in the Bruce Voyles catalog for his Mesquite Texas auction of 600+ knives belonging to One collector (lots of Loveless, Lile, and other great collectable knives). I almost registered to place an internet bid on this a and a couple of other knives, but life got in the way, and I forgot about the auction until it was Over (bummer). Then I saw the knife on Les Robertson's site. The price still seemed reasonable to me. I know Les bought it for Less money, and turned around and made a profit on this knife. But he is a Knife Entrepeneur. He took the risk (very low in this case), bid on the knife, and turned around and sold it very quickly. So I'm sure he is happy, and I am happy, and so it is a good deal. I have no real appreciation for what the market for a 'plain jane' Warenski knife is, but I paid what I felt was a fair price. Especially because I have never seen an affordable Warenski knife for sale.
I have no plans on selling this knife. Nor do I see it as an investment. Les had two of Buster's knives, a skinner and a hunter, both with cocobolo handles. I really liked them both, but could only really justify buying one of them. I bought the skinner, and it looks like someone else has already purchased the hunter. I loved the lines and form of this knife. I hope it feels as good in my hands as it looks to my eyes.
This thread as pointed out Buster's reputation for making highly elaborate engraved Art knives. I do not yet own anything like that, nor does this kind of knife appeal to me (yet). My tastes are for simpler, unadorned, user grade knives. I dislike the term 'Art knife', because, although it has some logical rational, it excludes simple, relatively inexpensive knives from the 'Art' knife category. I think almost any handmade knife produced by one person could be considered Art.
I will not be using the Warenski as I have plenty of other knives I do carry. And this knife fits the style of my
My Knife Collection very well indeed. I just thought owning an knife made by such a reputable maker would be Fun, Fun, Fun.
Anybody have any comments about Busters simpler knives? Did he make many of this sort of knife? Or is most of his work high end Art knives?
The knife:
I hope Les doesn't mind me using his picture
Paracelsus, happy owner of a Warenski knife
[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 10-09-2000).]
