Collectors: Would you ask a maker to help sell one of your knives

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
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The subject says it all: I'm interested in hearing from collectors and makers on the subject. Collectors, have you done that and was it well received. Makers, what would be (or what is) your reaction on this?

On my part I would think that it's in the maker's interest to help their collectors sell. As a collector, I would be much more likely in the future to buy from a maker if I know they're willing to do that & even more generally, a maker would benefit from a vibrant market for their knives. Having said that, I also recognize that a maker is under no obligation whatsoever.
 
I think a maker should be willing to do this, but only for a fee for his trouble (10%?)
If the maker is desireable you will have no problem selling it online in my experience.
 
Most I would ever do is, "If you know anyone looking for a [insert knife], send them my way?" That is with makers I know through e-mail or seeing at shows.

Also...have done the opposite, "If you know anyone selling a [insert knife], I am looking for one right now."

JT
 
At a show I would. I tell them what I need to get out of it, and they can keep the difference. It is fair, and there is only one maker who ever told me no. I still have that maker's knives, but I stopped doing business with him after that, even though his knives sold very well.

The other case that I would ask a maker to sell a knife for me, or put me in contact with an interested buyer, is if I know that they are extremely backed up, the price has risen nicely, and there are many prospective buyers who would be interested in the knife. In that case, I would discuss it with the maker, but the minimum that I would offer the maker as a percentage/incentive is 15%.

These are probably the only cases that I would put it back through, or to the maker. I am a much better knife salesman than most knifemakers.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
I've done it, and I think most makers wouldn't mind. Heck, it's advertising for the maker, as a lot of times makers don't have enough knives on their table anyway. I'll give a maker a knife, and tell them to put a certain price on it, but I only need this amount(a lesser amount).
 
I would never really think of asking the maker to help me sell a knife. I figure makers have enough on their plate with trying to keep up with orders. This is just my own personal view and I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with asking, as long as a no from the maker will not cause any ill will. I don't think anyone should think the maker has an obligation to help them sell a knife.
 
I've never really had to do it 'cause I've never really had any problems selling my knives on-line. If for some reason I felt this was the way to go, however, I wouldn't have a problem asking most of the makers I work with if they would be willing to help me sell the knife.

Roger
 
I have helped custoemrs sell my knives, but only at shows. I don't recall being asked anywhere else. To offer a percentage is only fair since show tables do cost money. I will usually only do this once I have sold, or had reasonable chance to sell what I brought to the show. I don't want my own knives as competition for sales when I stand to make much more on the knives I brought.

I use shows to display current work, and two years can make a difference in the styling of my knives. Still, I do feel it is good customer service to help move my knives on the secondary market. It is good for both parties.
 
:) I find it amazing why someone would want to part with one of your knives Bailey!


But if they do... then point 'em at me :)
Especially if it is one of your folders.
Cheers
Rod
 
I have helped a few customers selling my knives, but that would be only natural as I have worked as a dealer for over ten years as a dealer and people still refer to me to sell/buy lots of knives or just get some advice on the subject.
I believe some collectors would feel embarassed to tell the maker they want to get rid of one of their pieces for some reason, but they should not feel like that - it does not mean that the collector did not like the maker´s work, as he may be selling the knife for many reasons, like need of money, dislike for that specific piece (no matter how good it is), change of interests, etc. Any mature maker will not feel offended with that and will sore offer help, if there is anything he can do.
That said, it is great to hear form a collector that he still has that knife he bough from you years ago and is still satisfied with it.
 
Not only would I ask a maker to help sell some of the knives he has made for me but I have. This maker usually sells out at every show he attends and he doesn't mind having extra knives on his table. I also think that it makes good business sense for the maker.
Since I am only able to go to one show a year and I refuse to brown bag knives at shows it helps me out disposing of knives that no longer fit my collecting interests.
Good collecting !
JOCKO
 
I think it is a reasonable request, provided the knife is in "as new" condition and is a good example of a maker's work. It works out particularly for everyone, when the money raised by the sale, is spent on a more expensive, and superior piece by the same maker. :cool:

The only area where I could see a problem, is if the maker does not expect to sell out. Then you are placing your knife in competition with the maker's own inventory. In this case, the maker deserves some compentsation for his time and trouble, imho.
 
Actually when I was planning to sell or trade my Fitch Hog Body for a Crowell or Dean bowie-John Fitch referred me to another of his Big Fans.As it turns out the "Fitch Fan" contacted me and Long story short-I have a Crowell bowie now :cool: But I don't know if I'd ask a maker to help me sell a knife,and if I did I'd definately kick him down some cash for his help.
 
At the ABS Reno show recently we bought a piece from Larry Fuegen that he was selling for the widow of one of his collectors who had passed. Then at the AKA Little Rock show recently I noticed Jerry Fisk was selling three (3 or maybe 4) knives that were "pre-owned." Don't know if these were 'favor' situations or if there was some profit in it.
I think, honestly, I would feel some embarassment in asking a maker to sell a knife I'd bought previously for any reason other than for a crisis type thing that could happen to anybody. I know I shouldn't think this way ... but I do.
The internet makes something like that a lot easier for someone like me. Actually, I've not yet sold a custom knife from my collection, but I can see that someday I will. I guess that's just natural - though I'd still be a little hesitant to involve the maker of the knife in the sale.
This could backfire though if a maker contacted me or someone he or she presumed still owned the knife, say to obtain a photograph of it or whatever, only to find out the owner had sold it! Oh well, life can be messy some times!
Buddy T.
(Not to be confused with Gold Member Buddy S. from the post above - So your parents named you 'Buddy' too? In my case Buddy is better than my 'real' name, 'Hubert.' And 'Buddy' was fine growing up in the South. But when I grew up, became a professional person, moved out West etc. I didn't like it so well. Fortunately as I got older that didn't matter any longer. I quit worrying about it at thesame time I quit wearing ties, a watch and a pager!)
 
Afterthought: I've often wondered why collectors don't seem to do more trading and/or selling amongst themselves. You'd think it would be easier than ever now, with e-mail and the internet.
 
HTMD said:
Afterthought: I've often wondered why collectors don't seem to do more trading and/or selling amongst themselves. You'd think it would be easier than ever now, with e-mail and the internet.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good topic for another thread.
 
WHile I mainly colect one maker and haven't sold any of his, I used to have several by another maker whose knive I bought and sold. Once, heading into a show he emailed and asked me if I had any to sell as he had only two ready for the show and wanted to go anyway (deposit down, pricelined hotel and likes to hang out with his knife buddies). Heck I didn't particularly but I sent them to him and he sold them. I took payment in a higher end knife.

I don't think knifemakers are all of one mind. SOme will do it happily, some won't care to and others might do it for certain knives, certain customers or at certain times. I think the key is to be polite while asking and offer 20% of the sales price. I did that and my knifemaker wound up crediting me over 100% of the sales price as a discount on a nice new custom.
 
It depends on how well I know them.

I would not ask them to do so at a show unless their table is empty. Everything sold and I would have to know that they are comfortable.

Brings up another question. Would a maker ask a collector to do the same. I have done so in a couple of occasions as a favor to close friends. In both cases friends purchased the knives and they are worth a good bit more today than they paid for them.
 
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