Custom Knives – Where in Five Years?

The collectors without the knifemaker not would be.
The knifemaker it would produce also without the collectors.
Without the collectors not there would be the art knife.
In these last 5 years I have seen the collectors to guide the knifemaker, some times cutting the wings to who wanted to fly in an other direction (This in Italy).
 
Stock removal knives are the very backbone and lifeline of the custom knife market, like it or not. The VAST majority of people who begin collecting knives DO NOT go out and buy a hand forged knife, almost totally because of cost. And as time goes on, a minority percentage of the new collectors evolve their tastes to the hand forged market.

So stock removal knives effectively lead the way for the hand forged market.

I would rather see an outstanding stock removal fighter (example only) that has been fitted PERFECTLY without solder than most hand forged knives from those who cannot achieve such fits.

So the hand forged guys NEED the stock removal makers in order to maximize the number of newcomers to knife collecting.
 
betzner said:
I would rather see an outstanding stock removal fighter (example only) that has been fitted PERFECTLY without solder than most hand forged knives from those who cannot achieve such fits.
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I'm not sure I follow this - are you suggesting that most forged knives don't have clean guard fitment? If not, then I don't get the point - wouldn't everyone prefer a knife with clean fit and finish to one without, regardless of the method by which the blade was shaped?

I mean, I can only infer that you would likewise prefer a forged knife with the guard fitted PERFECTLY to a stock removal knife from someone who could not achieve such a fit, right?

Roger
 
I really hate to stay off topic, as I liked where the main intent of this thread was headed, but I have to say that I disagree with the idea that stock removal is necessarily the backbone.

I will say this up front: I got into knives stock removal first, then did develop a taste for forging. However, it had nothing to do with price and everything to do with exposure. At the first shows I attended and in the magazines I read, stock removal was just what I saw more. If the ABS and forgers had been getting the same press then, I could have gone either way.

So, I would say that for any person in the knife business, it's about positive exposure. To wit, I would have to agree that the knife industry changing the public view of knife from weapon to tool is imperitive. It not only would help with building a bigger collector base, it would stunt the ridiculous growth rate of anti-knife laws (which aren't helping our cause either).

And for the record, I think that excellent fit and finish has nothing to do with the method the blade was shaped and everything to do with the skill of the maker.
Nick
 
I enjoy many stock removal knives. I just don't choose to be involved in the shenanigans surrounding the marketing and pricing of many of them.

And being a history buff, I appreciate the tradition and heritage of the forged blade.
 
betzner said:
Stock removal knives are the very backbone and lifeline of the custom knife market, like it or not. The VAST majority of people who begin collecting knives DO NOT go out and buy a hand forged knife, almost totally because of cost. And as time goes on, a minority percentage of the new collectors evolve their tastes to the hand forged market.

So stock removal knives effectively lead the way for the hand forged market.

I would rather see an outstanding stock removal fighter (example only) that has been fitted PERFECTLY without solder than most hand forged knives from those who cannot achieve such fits.

So the hand forged guys NEED the stock removal makers in order to maximize the number of newcomers to knife collecting.
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You might be surprised how many smiths are press fitting guards without solder. I tried soldering a couple of times and really didn't like it. I have press fit and sealed with a tiny bit of JB Weld ever since. The fitting is tougher than with solder because if it ain't super tight, you have a nice little black line. But I like the end results better when it turns out right.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I enjoy many stock removal knives. I just don't choose to be involved in the shenanigans surrounding the marketing and pricing of many of them.
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WTF?? :confused: I enjoy many forged knives. I just don't choose to be involved in the shenanigans surrounding the marketing and pricing of many of them.

He he he!!! Man, this thread has enjoyed some gross generalities. ;)

Coop
 
This is an interesting thread - I'm just catching up now.

I have to say that I cannot reconcile the price inflation with the number of makers inflation, if really the collector pool is that stagnant. I suppose one explanation is that those are the same collectors simply spending more.


Anthony Lombardo said:
That will get the panerai wearers to more knife related websites.
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Ouch... You know, I'm considering buying a good watch to celebrate the birth of my son, and when I was looking at the Panerai, I really thought that I would have to deal with the fact that it is so popular with a certain sub-segment of the knife community. In any case, they're too big for me, but the thought definitely crossed my mind.
 
Kevin......if you knew the answer to the question you posed, you could probably make a lot of money......:eek:
 
Joss said:
Ouch... You know, I'm considering buying a good watch to celebrate the birth of my son, and when I was looking at the Panerai, I really thought that I would have to deal with the fact that it is so popular with a certain sub-segment of the knife community. In any case, they're too big for me, but the thought definitely crossed my mind.
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hmmm, maybe you should get in touch with a swiss watchmaker first... :)

regards,
hans
 
Kevin Jones said:
I enjoy many stock removal knives. I just don't choose to be involved in the shenanigans surrounding the marketing and pricing of many of them.

And being a history buff, I appreciate the tradition and heritage of the forged blade.
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SharpByCoop said:
WTF?? :confused: I enjoy many forged knives. I just don't choose to be involved in the shenanigans surrounding the marketing and pricing of many of them.

He he he!!! Man, this thread has enjoyed some gross generalities. ;)

Coop
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Coop, without getting this thread back into the realm of conflict what I meant was that I know, understand and agree with how the ABS forged makers price their knives. For example, today a collector asked me what a maker would ask for a particular folder he is just finishing. I told him correctly to the exact penny what the price would be.

I can't do that with stock removal knives and in particular the makers I'm referring to IMO don't set their prices, certain dealers make the market and set their prices.
So I choose to buy from my forged makers and not be involved in the other.

By the way, I can't believe it took three days for you to challenge me on that post. ;):)
 
tom mayo said:
Kevin......if you knew the answer to the question you posed, you could probably make a lot of money......:eek:
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You are right Tom.
That's why I'm asking the very intelligent makers, dealers and collectors on this forum for the answer. ;):D
 
Stephen F said:
IWC Portuguese chronograph in 18K .........
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Is a really nice $15,000 watch, no doubt, but, in speaking with Joss, the ceiling is a bit lower than that, maybe a new Fogg bowie.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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