custom knives are like new cars?

dsvirsky

dsvirsky

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
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Once you drive them off the lot . . . :confused:

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Tom Anderson Firehawk that was for sale over at KnifeForums. It's one of only two that Tom made (the other was on his table at Blade). Pictures of this knife were posted in the Gallery some time back, by another of the prior owners and the knife received some nice comments. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=195596&highlight=firehawk

Now, I'm at least the third person who's owned this particular knife (probably at least the fourth), but other than having been lightly sharpened at some point, the knife is umblemished. It's a solidly made, well designed knife -- the fit and finish are very good -- and I've never seen anything but praise for the quality of Tom's work.

However, (and I'm really not complaining :p) the purchase price was barely over 1/2 the price of a new one from Tom (which you can't get -- Tom said he wasn't going to be making any more of this model). To me, it makes no sense that this knife, which has virtually all its useful life remaining, has lost 1/2 its value and is now "worth" barely more than a production folder. I can understand where collector/art pieces might lose value under these circumstances, but this is a user.

I guess my new TNT is worth about $20 now. :eek: I used it to cut down a big weed out of my front lawn and now there are scratches on the bevel.
 
Dvisrsky, if that knife were being sold by a dealer, it would be near its original price if not even higher. Individuals often sell knives because they suddenly need money or they see some other newer toy they want. People who sell knives for a living cannot afford to take a loss and they will wait until they can the price they want. Your TNT is worth plenty, if you have the patience to wait for your price.
 
Tom,
I have an even better idea: send me my knife's little brother, the small, Timascus TNT that I have on order. :D

Anthony,
I'm not worried about the resale value of any of my knives, because I'm not selling a single one of them (they'll have to pry my TNT out of my cold, dead hands). I just find it amazing how much money people are willing to lose on turn & burn.
 
No one ever said that knives were a good investment!
all the more reason to go out and use them for what they were designed.

dave
 
Originally posted by recoil
No one ever said that knives were a good investment!
all the more reason to go out and use them for what they were designed.

dave
Click to expand...

That's a refreshing point of view.

I am finding a lot of learning in getting knives in general and customs in particular. There's something really neat about knowing that the custom was hand-crafted in sometimes limited quantities. It's a question of what you can afford. By this, I mean, what you can afford in the way of collecting just for the sake of having them and affording one that's pricey by ordinary comparison and then really using the knife.

What's tough about customs is getting them from pictures or ads. Photos don't do these things justice in many cases and in others, the photos give a false impression (not purposefully) and you wind up getting something that you are underwhelmed with. Maybe a lot of knives being sold are the underwhelmed variety, or those that lose out in the "neato" factor and newer ones are acquired.
 
Dave, as other people have written here, circumstances with generally dictate what appears to be a low price.

Although, I have always contended that the aftermarket is where you find out what a knife is "really" worth.

Obviously, those makers who are more prolific will see their knive struggle in the aftermarket. Doesn't make it a bad knife, just means that lots are available at any given time.

Also knives that are part of a "fad" will take a big hit after the fad is over.

We were talking about this on The Knife Collector List last couple of days. I wrote that each person needs to develop their own "formula".

This applies to makers...which knives do they make?

Dealers....which knives or makers do I buy from?

Collectors....which knives do I buy?

As for knives being "poor or bad" investments. Those who say that generally have little or no experience investing in custom knives.

I for one have held that custom knives can be good investments. However, you have to do your homework. You cannot simply "buy what you like".

That is generally what seperates the investor from the collector/user.

Custom knives aren't bad investments...they may just not be the right investment for everyone.
 
I think the car analogy is a good one. Suppose you had $250,000 to spend on a "special" car. You could buy an original Shelby Cobra (AC body) with the 429ci engine for about that, or you could buy a new high end Ferarri for the same money. Drive them both across country, and the Corbra is still worth the original price. The Ferarri is now worth a lot less, and may never be worth as much as the Cobra ever again. Was the Ferarri a bad buy? Both will outrun most any LEO you encounter on your trip, but when you get there your butt will feel a whole lot better from the superb ergonomics of the Ferarri seat. The Cobra will probably have you stranded in Kansas City for a few days while some part is flown in from wherever you can find it. The Ferarri will likely get you laid more often on your trip than will the Cobra. And if you want to run Pike's Peak just for the fun of it, the Ferarri has a better chance of getting you to the top faster and more certain of being alive. If money is what floats your boat, buy the Cobra. If the exhiliration of driving a high performance, no compromise sports car is what motivates you, buy the Ferarri. If you're the kind who worries about dinging a fender or chipping an edge, you're not likely to use either a car or a knife to it's fullest potential. Buy a Rolls... :)
 
Originally posted by Les Robertson
Dave, as other people have written here, circumstances (will) generally dictate what appears to be a low price.

Although, I have always contended that the aftermarket is where you find out what a knife is "really" worth.
Click to expand...

Those are good points, Les. The value of any item is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. That's why I only made two of this model. Thanks to the internet, I was able to see first hand how this model was received and made my decision to discontinue it - not by whether or not it was "a good knife," but by customer reaction.

Although there are people who collect my knives, I've concentrated on making "users." People buy my knives by how they perform and not by the name that's etched on the blade.

I also realize that many people buy based on just a few factors:

1. Appearance (style)
2. Reputation
3. Price

Until someone actually gets to examine the knife first hand, they are relying on what information they find on the internet and what people are saying about it. Getting one into your hands means going to shows, finding a dealer who has one, or finding an acquaintance who has one.

Even so, there have been instances where I was told: "I like the knife but it doesn't have a name." Most of the well-known makers I've met have explained this to me as being part of "paying your dues." Obviously, this applies to others who have been making knives a lot longer than I have and are still being cited as "rising stars."

I'm determined to continue making the best knives I can, continually improving them, and NOT increase thier "perceived value" by excessive self promotion (or worse, by denouncing someone elses wares). Hopefully, this policy this will allow me to avoid the "flash in the pan" scenario and I can continue to do what I love best for many years to come.
 
And sometimes you judge a knife by the character of its maker, and that's why that Firehawk was just a hell of a good buy!
 
They all go down in value if you use them. They may recover value later, but never as much as the unused car or knife...
 
Isn't an unused knife kind of like the sound of one hand clapping (while a tree is falling in the middle of the forest), when there's no one to hear it?
 
Some knives values do drop quite a bit in the second hand market. Knives by the hot makers or in the current popular styles hold there value exceptionally well(but this may not be the case in the long run). The knives of the top makers also do well even if they are not one of the ones that are getting all the current press.

Knives from unknown makers do not fare as well. Nor do knives that were once the fad, but are now no longer popular.

Sometimes, in cases like this one, you find a nice knife from a fine maker and it is a really good deal. Don't try to analyze it too much and just be happy that things worked out the way they did.
 
Jerry...Im just being picky....but Cobra's came through with 427's, not 429's :D

As for resale, I need to find me some of the 1/2 priced customs - O YEA!!!!

ReaperVelle
 
Guys,

First, my comments are not intended to get any one's drawers in a knot.

Anything collectable bought as an investment will maintain it's value better if it remains in mint/unused condition.

I bought more knives than I can remeber as users. Used them, enjoyed them and then sold them at a loss. This was done almost every time to one of my soldiers in the 101st. My intention when purchasing these knives was to use them. I expected to lose money on them.

However, I have also bought knives with the intention of not using them and put them in my collection where the remian in pristine condition.

The last group I buy are for re-sale and are sold in mint condition. They are sold both to collectors and users.

Once the client buys the knife, they make the determination as to what they will do with the knife.


Tom Mayo,

You are incorrect about both Emerson's and Onion's. Emerson's have seen a drastic downturn in value in the aftermarket over the last 12 months. Knives that were selling for $1,700 a year ago are now selling routinely for $1,000 - $1,2000 (some below that). There are alot of collectors who are going to lose money if and when they sell their Emerson purchased in the aftermarket.

Many collector's having seen what happened to Emerson's knives have slowed the escelation of Ken's knives. They have plateaued much earlier than they would have if Emerson's knives kept going up.

This does not mean that you cannot make a good profit buying at retail and selling them in the aftermarket. However, that market has changed dreastically.

Many collectors/investors have become more "market senstive". They now are realizing that sometimes it's better to get out a little quicker. It's also better to spread the money around among several makers make a smaller profit on each, but overall make more money on your investments. Im talking 10-15% on your money in less than 30 days.

Tom Anderson,

You are one of the smart ones. You are taking the information you are receiving and making it useful for your business.

A maker who can gather, interpret and act on information they reeived (from whatever source) will have a true measureable advantage over their competitors.

Most custom knives that are made would be classified as "users".

There are some that have investment potential and it is up to the owner to determine if they want to try their luck.

There are some knives that even though they could be used, should be put in a padded case and put in a safe.

Lastly, there are some knives that have been used...really used that are also considered investment knives. Scagel, Moran and Loveless come to mind.

This goes back to the "forumla". Every collector has a formal or informal formula and uses this to make the determination as to which category their new purchase goes into.

I realize like just about every other person involved in custom knives that most knives are not made or bought for investment purposes.

However, on occasion knives do appear which have investment potential.
 
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