Custom Buying - Well Known OR New Name

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
Messages
3,061
I am struggling with something concerning buying Custom knives. While I probably already know the avenue that I will choose I would still like to hear other views on this subject or paths that other more seasoned collectors have chosen when buying.

I love custom fixed blade hunting knives and have found two or three relatively new makers whose work (pics only) I like. Their knives range in price from $100 to $300. To me it seems that after you clear that $300 hurdle you could start to consider some of the more "well known" names (ie. there are some D'holders that sell for $400-$600 that are just gorgeous). While I appreciate the amount of talent and years of experience the more established Makers have I could never pay that price for a knife and actually use it (and I do like to make use of the knives that I buy), to me it just doesn't seem reasonable. But then again how many using knives can a person own?

I understand that the work of some of the Masters are much more likely to appreciate in value, but I think buying knives purely for investment purposes is not the way to go. I also know the two most prescribed pieces of advice when buying;
Buy what you like.
Buy the best that you can afford.

Choices, Choices! So all you serious collectors, share your thoughts on this. Surely you were at this juncture at some point in your collecting. Thanks in advance.



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Marine Sniper Motto:
There's no use Running, you'll only Die Tired!
 
Hi Hill,

The two pieces of advice you wrote are excellent.

A few other things to consider:

Just because a maker is well known does not mean their work is worth the money they charge in the after market.

Just because a maker is not well known does not mean their work will not be worth more in the after market.

I find the key to buying custom knives is buy qualtiy for the money. I have found what I consider bargins at $100 through $2,000

Quality always sells, or in this case "resells".



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor"
Albert Einstein
 
Some of us not so well knowen makers have found a nitch making very good using knives.
most (80%) of my knives go to hunters, and there is no way there going to pay big bucks to put a blade into blood, guts and gore. However we do make the odd high end peice using exotic materials, but not enough to get a reputation from.
You may get more than you paid for from new or part time makers just because there labour value is not as high as a big name maker.

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Robert
Flat Land Knife Works
rdblad@telusplanet.net
http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html
 
I've been collecting for about five years and I Still struggle with your dilemma everytime I buy a new knife. I started collecting a couple of (still) relatively unknown makers who make the greatest user grade knives I'd ever seen. I thought getting a handmade, forged and differentially tempered tool knife for $100 to $300 was Amazing. And cheap considering the time, skill, and effort that goes into producing such an object.

I like to consider most of the knives I own as 'potential' users. I buy what I think are the highest quality knives I can for the money. But as my collection has grown (17 custom fixed blades), the probability of actual use obviously decreases. And recently I am drawn towards collecting the work of ABS Journeyman and Mastersmith knives. Not because they will likely appreciate in value, but because I think they are probably among the most functional and well made using knives available.

Fixed blade hunters are probably the best value in handmade knives. They are the simplest kind of knife to make. Folders require a lot more time, precision machining, and engineering. You can buy the work of outstanding new makers like Gen O Denning and Wayne Hendrix for much less than $200. There are many new makers of forged knives producing tool steel knives in this price range, and you can buy pattern welded knives for a little more. I am a fan of the forged blade. But I have a few stock removal pieces that I just could not resist. I do have a bias Against mirror finished knives, because that gets in the way of my being willing to consider using them. But GenO Dennings work was so perfect, that I could not pass up owning a couple of his extremely well made knives.

I have a number of simple tool steel forged knives made by Mastersmiths. They are much less expensive than fancy damascus pieces, and many can be found in the $300 to $600 range. As time goes on, the cost of the knife I consider being a User seems to be going up fast.

Of course, I do not sell knives. I buy them for life. They are NOT investments to me. It is starting to be clear to me that the time is coming, however, when I will need to sell or trade knives to purchase new ones of better and better quality. My understanding of knife construction, appreciation of fine materials, and desire to own the Best knife I can afford is forcing me to buy more and more expensive knives. A couple of years ago, $300 seemed like a lot of money for a knife. Now I own several knives in the $600 dollar range. And I recently placed an order for a mammoth ivory and damscus folder from a well known Mastersmith whose work I love that is even more. I doubt I will ever actually Use this knife. But I do plan to carry it from time to time, and use it for show and tell.

On the other hand, I have a plain sliver on order from Tim Herman with a D2 blade which I intend to make my daily carry piece. I am going to Use this knife. It is expensive. But will cost much less than Tim's usual work. I'm not getting carving, I'm not getting engraving, I'm just getting one of the most equisitely well made knives that I have ever seen (actually, I have not seen this knife, yet). The whole point of Tim producing a very limited number of these knives was to get his work into the hands of folks who would actually Use his knives. So thats what I plan to do. This knife will never be sold. I hope I die with it in my pocket.

Some people seem to be happy only owning a few user grade knives. If those knives are very well made, and inexpensive, so much the better. But I collect such knives as Art. I think functionality, simplicity, balance, fit and finish, and line and form are very much part of the Art of knife making, knife appreciation, and knife Use.

Enjoy the ride! I do.

Paracelsus

My thoughts on collecting in the article section at KnifeArt.com:

Collecting Knives As Art

My Knives

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 08-07-2000).]
 
Para I thank you for your kind remarks but everytime yall get started my head swells and I cant get back in the shop,(mobile homes have such small doors) for two days. Ol lady just told me she was gonna buy me a virus so I cant get to bladeforums for a while GenO

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GenO Denning
Shop Tour
 
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