Buying knives made by inaccessible makers

[Shortknock27]

Just a query: What are everyone's thoughts on buying knives (for the purposes of carrying and using, not sitting in a safe) that have been made by someone who is either deceased or no longer makes knives? This is not a question of buying a knife for it's inherent rarity due to the above, but rather the idea of buying a knife that cannot be sent back to the maker for a "spa treatment" or repair as needed. Do many of you buy knives from inactive makers to use or would you rather save your money for a knife from an active maker for the above reasons? Thanks for your thoughts.

Scott

 

[Jon Brand]

There are a bunch of folks who will repair a knife for you no matter who the maker was/is. You pay for their time obviously. Someone else would have to help me name them..

I would also say if you like the knife enough, just grab it and enjoy it. Theres no doubt youll come across a good maker to help you out with it down the line.

 

[eisman]

I have knives from makers no longer producing (for various reasons). I use some of them. I have only returned knives to the original maker for work twice, once at the recommendation of the maker and once due to damage from shipping during the sale. I have had two knives worked on by someone other than the original maker also, both due to issues with grip/handle/scales; once due to a major crack in a piece of oosik that could not be sent out of the country for repair, and another due to some very thin burl drying out and (literally) shattering in shipment. In my experience the makers I've worked with before have not been adverse to being asked if they would do the work, but they often know someone better (closer, more experience with the material, same style). I can't remember ever insulting anyone asking if they'd do a job.

 

[Lorien]

I bought this knife awhile back;

realizing that Terry Primos is not doing knives anymore. I considered it to be a very good value, and Primos has a reputation for quality. The combination of those two things, plus the fact I really like the knife is what compelled the purchase.

Now, buying a knife at a price greater than its actual worth because it has a famous name on it is something different. Not my bag for sure, but lots of people do it. If I were one of them, I probably wouldn't use it and therefore have no concerns about the 'after sales service' thing. In fact, it might even help the knife's value if the dude who made it is dead. Or maybe not- fact is you'll never really know til you have to know.

 

[Mark Knapp]

I bought this knife awhile back;

realizing that Terry Primos is not doing knives anymore. I considered it to be a very good value, and Primos has a reputation for quality. The combination of those two things, plus the fact I really like the knife is what compelled the purchase.

Now, buying a knife at a price greater than its actual worth because it has a famous name on it is something different. Not my bag for sure, but lots of people do it. If I were one of them, I probably wouldn't use it and therefore have no concerns about the 'after sales service' thing. In fact, it might even help the knife's value if the dude who made it is dead. Or maybe not- fact is you'll never really know til you have to know.

Hi Lorien, I'm sure I'm not the only one that will point out to you that the famous name is one of the things (maybe the biggest) that gives it it's "actual worth". Other than that, it's just a piece of steel with a handle. It might be very nice looking, but unless you give it a workout, the only thing you really know about it is what you know about the guy who built it. It's a little confusing to me that you talk about Terry's reputation and then say the thing about the famous name. Maybe I misunderstood you. Somebody once told me that "something is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it"

 

[Lorien]

Hi Lorien, I'm sure I'm not the only one that will point out to you that the famous name is one of the things (maybe the biggest) that gives it it's "actual worth". Other than that, it's just a piece of steel with a handle. It might be very nice looking, but unless you give it a workout, the only thing you really know about it is what you know about the guy who built it. It's a little confusing to me that you talk about Terry's reputation and then say the thing about the famous name. Maybe I misunderstood you. Somebody once told me that "something is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it"

Good point, Mark.

At 600 bucks all in, this knife was pretty much at the very top of my budget for a single knife.
That Terry's reputation as a well trained and mindful knife maker COUPLED with the fact that I bought the knife for less than what a similar knife from a still active knife maker would sell for, opened the door to me getting use out of this knife, as opposed to putting it up and preserving its dollar value.

Both of those factors balanced against the fact that I was so stoked on this knife that I knew when I bought it I'd never part with it when I first laid eyes on it.

So, I've used it a fair amount, and can attest to the quality of its heat treatment and construction. That it was made by someone with credentials and name recognition gave me the confidence and trust to drop coin on it, and I'm pleased to say that it was also a very good buy. For these reasons, I have little concern that the knife will chip out or fall apart.

I hope that makes more sense than my first post

 

[Mark Knapp]

Good point, Mark.

At 600 bucks all in, this knife was pretty much at the very top of my budget for a single knife.
That Terry's reputation as a well trained and mindful knife maker COUPLED with the fact that I bought the knife for less than what a similar knife from a still active knife maker would sell for, opened the door to me getting use out of this knife, as opposed to putting it up and preserving its dollar value.

Both of those factors balanced against the fact that I was so stoked on this knife that I knew when I bought it I'd never part with it when I first laid eyes on it.

So, I've used it a fair amount, and can attest to the quality of its heat treatment and construction. That it was made by someone with credentials and name recognition gave me the confidence and trust to drop coin on it, and I'm pleased to say that it was also a very good buy. For these reasons, I have little concern that the knife will chip out or fall apart.

I hope that makes more sense than my first post

Yep, It's clear to me that you got a heck of a good value. Of course as makers we look for the people wanting to spend on the top end. The value of our work never goes up unless someone pushes it up, regardless of what we put into it. Many very good and some well known knife makers are making knives for an hourly wage much less than they can make doing something else. Supply and demand play a huge part in what you pay. Time and materials has less to do with it.

So buy lots of knives, we appreciate it.

 

[flatgrinder]

Man, I miss seeing Terry's work and reading his tutorials.

 

[Danbo]

Man, I miss seeing Terry's work and reading his tutorials.

I just miss Terry.

 

[RogerP]

Man, I miss seeing Terry's work and reading his tutorials.

I just miss Terry.

I'm with both of you.

I'd certainly factor the "no longer making" element into the price equation, but it wouldn't stop me from buying a knife - particularly one I intended to use.

Roger

 

[2knife]

On this topic, how is it that one such as Terry Primos just drops off the landscape?
Not to mention his obvious talent, -if not for health reasons- wouldnt he miss it too much?

 

[RogerP]

On this topic, how is it that one such as Terry Primos just drops off the landscape?
Not to mention his obvious talent, -if not for health reasons- wouldnt he miss it too much?

He didn't drop off any landscape - he stopped making knives. It would fall to him to say why.

Roger

 

[JParanee]

Like I always say they are just knives

If ya want to use them

I carry knives from deceased makers especially if I considered them a friend :thumbup:

 

[Lorien]

if you are a knife maker, then you are also a business owner. Owning a business is a very challenging way to make a living, which is probably why 3 out of 5 new businesses fail within the first three years of operation.

Making knives is something that requires a great fondness for the actual work of making them, which for some I'd imagine would be at odds with the nuts and bolts of running a business.

 

[Mark Knapp]

if you are a knife maker, then you are also a business owner. Owning a business is a very challenging way to make a living, which is probably why 3 out of 5 new businesses fail within the first three years of operation.

Making knives is something that requires a great fondness for the actual work of making them, which for some I'd imagine would be at odds with the nuts and bolts of running a business.

You are correct sir, and add to that, it's an art form that requires discretionary funds, not a necessity. It can be tough, but don't get me wrong, I ain't complainin'. I love what I am doing, and want to do more. I (we) would do it for free, that's why it's possible to get a really good knife at a really reasonable price.

I'm not knocking you for looking for the deals, the more knives people buy at whatever price, the better it is for all of us. I'm content to let the price thing sort itself out.
As always, nice to talk to you Lorien.

 

[Lorien]

I wish I could give bikes away for free, but we all have to make a living!

Mark, I see my 'collecting' or whatever you want to call it from the past 5 or 6 years as an education. I learn something from each knife, which helps me decide what it is I look for in a knife. This helps with the buying, certainly, but I've learned more about knife making through the knives I own than any other single place, (except maybe Wheeler's legendary thread). Always curious how things go together. In fact, your mosaic handles are among the most fascinating things I've seen in knifedom, and I feel that in order to understand your techniques better, I should probably figure out a way to acquire one of your knives!

 

[Mark Knapp]

I wish I could give bikes away for free, but we all have to make a living!

Mark, I see my 'collecting' or whatever you want to call it from the past 5 or 6 years as an education. I learn something from each knife, which helps me decide what it is I look for in a knife. This helps with the buying, certainly, but I've learned more about knife making through the knives I own than any other single place, (except maybe Wheeler's legendary thread). Always curious how things go together. In fact, your mosaic handles are among the most fascinating things I've seen in knifedom, and I feel that in order to understand your techniques better, I should probably figure out a way to acquire one of your knives!

Lorien, you are far too kind, I don't put myself with the other outstanding maker's who's knives you own. One thing is clear, the thing they have in common (besides the fact that you have their knives) is that it's easy to see that they love what they do, a thing I do have in common with them.

It's really easy to get one of my knives, I take bribes Thanks again for the props.

 

[Lorien]

you ride bikes up there in Alaska?

 

[Mark Knapp]

you ride bikes up there in Alaska?

I do, but one look at me would tell you I might should do it more, we only get about a week and a half of good bike ridin' weather. I got a Trek and my wife rides an Italian 21 speed. I'm sorry to say your love for custom knives exceeds my likin' for bike ridin'. My old dog has gotten too warn out to run with me, doesn't seem like that much fun anymore. We're Probably going to get nailed for committing commerce on a chat forum pretty soon. Talk to you later.

 

[Lorien]

committing random acts of commerce! Egads!