Changing taste

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
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Though I am still going to be adding mostly forged knives to my collection, they aren't all going to be bowies and fighters. There are a few ethnic styles coming to my collection in the future. Also, I'm starting to add some stock removal Loveless style fighters.

For me, it's that I want to add a little variety to my collection. How often do you folks find that your taste in knives changes, or that you decide that you would like to expand the styles and types of knives you collect?

In the past I have completely forsaken the type of knives I was collecting to go in a completely different direction. That isn't happening this time, but it does bring up an interesting question or three. If a persons tastes change every couple/few years, does it make sense to order a particular type of knife from a maker that is three or more years back ordered? Should a person even put their name on a makers list if they are that far back ordered? What if when your name comes up and you no longer collect knives in a style that maker is producing?
 
I read your post and had this strange thought!
Not only do "collectors" tastes change over time, but makers likes and dislikes and style evolve over that same period of time.
You mention that your tastes might be different when your name comes up "next" on the list of a maker's three year waiting list.
What if two things happen:
1.) YOUR tastes have changed and you are not all that thrilled about that knife anymore, and:
2.) the MAKER has evolved and no longer is thrilled to make it!
What a debacle THAT could turn out to be!
 
I think it's quite common for collectors to change the course of their collecting interest.

Most collectors start in the production arena, some advance quickly through this while others take years or find all that they desire in this genre alone.

There are a few collectors that I describe as "knife explorers", they have a desire to see and experience all types of cutlery. This is driven I think by the pursuit of knowledge. This desire to see and experience something different often leads to obscure types of cutlery that are not as accessible to us in the mainstream - perhaps Japan, so much to know, hundreds of years of perfecting the art of Forging - others might lean toward traditional blades like the Khukuri, simple technique of creation but the style of generations unchanged.

It's interesting that Karl has mentioned that Makers change also, I never even considered this aspect but it is certainly human and expected. A Maker may challenge himself for years (and for some this journey is quicker than for others) focusing on perfecting a style but certainly after he feels he has accomplished that where does he go to stay inspired? To other styles of course!

Very good topic!
 
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I suspect that, for most of us, tastes evolve continually. Mine have done so,
and continue to do so, which is why, in recent years, I have prefered to
accept what I call Open Orders.....details to be finalized when the time draws
closer.
This is the most flexible/stress free way I know to do it...........

(and every now and then I still get the urge to do something with
a tapered tang..!)
 
I would not say my taste's have changed that much over the years more like evolved to what works for me.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
If a persons tastes change every couple/few years, does it make sense to order a particular type of knife from a maker that is three or more years back ordered? Should a person even put their name on a makers list if they are that far back ordered? What if when your name comes up and you no longer collect knives in a style that maker is producing?
Click to expand...

Great subject with lots of variables. Each collector/maker will differ, but I don't expect most will change drastically every year or two. To get on a wait list that is more than 3 years out means the maker has something in his style you really desire, and though slight changes in style may occur, one would have to see drastic changes to not follow through, all other factors being equal. If you have waited that long only to realize the style doesn't meet your present likings, one can always let the next in line move up the makers' list.

I would have a hard time signing up for over a three year wait, but waiting that long in certain situations sure isn't out of the question for me. Time flys when you get as long in the tooth as some of us are! ;) :D

- Joe
 
I'm not so sure my tastes have changed. My interests have definitely broadened into folders and stockremoval knives, especially since becoming active here the last 3 years. I feel I'm a much more well rounded knife enthusiast now. Thanks for your help.

My collecting philosophy really hasn't changed that much. I enjoy many styles of knives without feeling the need to acquire them.

I try to become as knowledgeable as possible on the knives and familiar with the makers before adding pieces to my collection. In the last year I purchased my first knives from Kyle Royer, Will Leavitt and will be receiving my first Josh Smith knife very soon. I also purchased my first, what I would consider, high end folder.

I guess I would say my taste in custom knives is not conservative, but my collecting habits are if that makes any sense. This probably comes from my previous experience in collecting classic cars.

We will see where 2009 takes us.

Interesting thread Keith.
 
Kevin, 2009 will bring you an oyster knife :p I'm working on it....

I don't have the long term waiting lists that the more accomplished have but I would expect that my waiting list to not be for a specific knife but a piece of my time. I would also inform people on the list if my style of knives changed as I advanced in skills or my artistic (well the ninja monkey's) desires change. Hopefully we could reach a compromise but if not I'd gladly recommend them to someone that does do what they want. Nothing is worse than working on a knife you don't really want to work on. It goes back to making "honest" knives for your customer.
 
my taste for owning knives has been replaced by a taste for designing and making them.
5 years ago, I rediscovered cutlery, acquired plenty of cheaper production knives, then higher end ones. I did a lot of surfing and reading, thence to custom knives. I bought a few. Now I want to make some.
I no longer have a heat on for every knife I see that I like, while I appreciate all the different knives, it really will take a special one for me to buy it at this point. I don't necessarily want to own a lot of stuff which I won't use. I like using my stuff. If it just sits around, I don't have much time for it.
I have a couple of knives in the works that I will gladly pay for when the time is right, but those knives do not currently exist, and when they do, perhaps I will invest in lending a hand in the making of them, instead of just buying them. There's a coupla guys not too far away who I'm sure would be willing to help a brother out and have a fun weekend making a knife.
For me, life is a journey of exploration and a lot of that goes on inside. For something that I enjoy for only my own reasons, this knife thing has always satisfied and provided. Now I feel I need to express my enjoyment with physicality, and that need to create is very exciting.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
1.) YOUR tastes have changed and you are not all that thrilled about that knife anymore, and:
2.) the MAKER has evolved and no longer is thrilled to make it!
What a debacle THAT could turn out to be!
Click to expand...

If that were the case then there might be a very good chance that together the maker and the collector could come up with a knife that would work for both of them.

Over the years my tastes have both changed and evolved.
 
If someone was willing to put their name on a long waiting list, there's probably something special and timeless about the makers work. There could be a good chance of success.
 
cdent said:
If someone was willing to put their name on a long waiting list, there's probably something special and timeless about the makers work. There could be a good chance of success.
Click to expand...

I agree, if you would be willing to place your name on a long waiting list the maker's work must me highly sought after.

As for me I have a tiny collection compared to some of you guys but I can say that my taste is evolving or refining.
 
I don't know that my tastes have changed all that much - at least not in a very long while. Since discovering forged blades, they have been my primary interest - but never exclusively so. I have always purchased a few stock removal pieces and still do. Ethnic knives have always been of interest as well. I suppose my interest in slipjoints is something relatively new.

Roger
 
Started with a singular focus on big fixed blades. Quickly gained an appreciation for fine folders.

Now focus on a couple of makers with a goal of creating a "timeline" of knives to show the evolution of their work. Problem is there is always newer work by these guys that I desire :D

Outside of the makers I focus on I buy what catches my eye but have become much more selective as I become more knowledgeable.
 
Over time, I have come to the point where I prefer not to have anything on order. My attention tends to be drawn to subtle changes in style that may not be reflected one or two years out.

I have found that I can be completely and totally satisfied with my knife purchases without waiting for an order to be filled a couple of years later. In fact, I have found that in waiting, my tastes have generally already evolved in small ways, making any order rather irrelevant.

EDIT: Keith, good thread. I really had never quite thought much about this before.
 
This is a great thread and something that I have thought about often --- mostly due to my personality type that does tend to find new objects of obsession every year or so, lol. I've been reluctant to sign up for a long wait primarily because I know my interests will very likely change in the course of 2 years.

For example, in the last 2 years, I have been in and out of Tomahawks. I still appreciate them (and drool every time I see a fne one posted), but my limited collection has shifted in emphasis to other things that I want more.

I think it has a lot to do with the collector --- personality type, funds, and maybe even age (or at least longevity in collecting, as it seems that even I am becoming slightly more "fixed" in my tastes.)
 
Interesting thread Keith.

I would also say my tastes have changed and evolved in the typical way of going from production knives to customs to higher quality customs.

I have been interested in knives, guns, etc. since as far back as I can remember, but I would say the Internet provided the exposure for getting active in collecting.

The Internet also provided a LOT of information about knives and the location of shows.

Once I started going to shows, my interest in custom knives increased although I still like various production knives.

Through my participation in Bladeforums, I would say my knowledge increased dramatically and my taste became refined to the point that my economics don't allow for the purchase of the knives that most interest me.

I thank David Darom for creating some GREAT books that allow me to appreciate knives that I could not own and would otherwise never have the opportunity to see.

Peter
 
:thumbup:for Dr. D
 
Yes, I feel that my taste has evolved as a collector. For instance, I have developed an appreciation for the simple elegance of custom slip joints. I think tastes are continuing to grow and change.
 
My tastes and the direction of my collection has changed over the decades. That is natural. You gain appreciation for things that you may not have understood in the past, partly due to your involvement in the activity. Go with the flow and enjoy. :)
 
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