Darrel Ralph Knives Questions

pcb105

pcb105

Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Messages
229
Hi All,

Newbie here. I have inherited several knives (~150). Included in these knives is a few Darrell Ralph Knives. I have done a bit of research and identified most of them.

Two of them are Gunhammer EDC one with IKBS bearing (as indicated on the blade) and one with the Maxx Glide bearing (as indicated by M.G. on the blade). The blades on both knives are in mint condition (does not look like they have been sharpened or used. The titanium frames have very small scratches.

Q: So my first question: Can these small minor scratches be buffed out and how? If they are buffed out does it impact value?

Q: I have also been told that Darrel Ralph did not use IKBS very long, does this affect the collect-ability of the knife at all?

One of the knives is a EDC from 2000. I was told that they only made 5 of these knives with the tear drop pattern. So to me this would seem to be a very rare knife.

Q: Since only 5 were made does this affect the collect-ability?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BGArydWv81IhCMEoAdbTIg?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2zZKoOfsv-p4PtK7G34NGw?feat=directlink

I am trying to figure out what knives in the collection to keep and what ones to sell as I can't keep 150+ knives. The collection is pretty eclectic (William Henry, CUDA, Darrel Ralph, Bowen Blades, Dunn by greene, Kershaw, Boker, Seki Cut, Case).

Q: What is your opinion on keeping or selling these knives? I am honestly trying to raise about $5-10K to send my mom on a great vacation, while keeping a few knives. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will post another thread with more details on the other knives. [If this violates any rules please ignore and PM me and I will edit accordingly; IMO I do not think it violates any rules; but better safe than sorry]

Q: Where is the best place to figure out how much to charge? {Please do not answer this question if it violates a rule}

From the initial research I have found out that the Darrel Ralph and William Henry knives are the cream of the collection.

P.S There are also 2 Darrel Ralph Balisong knives (I think Venturi) that I am researching now that I am planning on selling as I like the folders and fixed blades better. I believe that I need to upgrade my account to a different level in order to do so.

Thank you for your time. (Sorry If I am posting in the wrong area).
 
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Welcome to Bladeforums!
If the knives did not cost you anything why would you not keep them? Are you into knives at all? You kind of have an awesome collection now right off the bat without even trying, a goal which many people take a lifetime to obtain.
I would suggest the following in order:
1- Register as a GOLD member and you will be in a better position to sell a knife if you wanted to, on the Exchange.
2- Review the knives carefully. Take photos in a well lit area with a neutral background and a ruler on the table for reference. The photos should highlight the blade on both sides the handle on both sides and any notable dings, scratches, and other wear marks.
3- Decide what knives you would like to keep and what you would like to sell. The more organized you are the better off you will be.
4- Browse the forums and read the topics that interest you. There are a lot of very good people here, and so much information that you would not even believe. If you have questions, feel free to ask.
 
Thanks for your comments. The reason I am going to sell some of the knives is the following (in order of importance).
1) I want to raise enough $ for my mom to be able to go on a great vacation or buy the car she desires (adding 10K to the kitty). If there are 150 knives I figure I should be easily able to raise $10K if I sell 100 (average sell price of $100)
2) I am not a collector of knives. I will keep a few (up to 50; which still qualifies me as a collector (I think?)) for memory sakes and I think some of them are really cool and nice. By the way I also inherited 15-20 hatchets (Which will definitely be sold as I have no desire to collect them unless I decide to be a sawyer; which is not likely. :) )
3) I collect vintage and high end audio video gear. That is my passion.
4) My wife puts up with my AV collection already, adding a knife collection (and a hatchet?) collection on top of that is asking too much.

Please do not take that I think knife collectors are strange or wrong (well maybe hatchet collectors :) ). I am sure most knife collectors wonder about the sanity of spending >$1,000 for 1 speaker.

I am enjoying reading about knives etc, (I am an engineer), and I have a new respect for knife making.

There is one curious fact that I have found. A few of the titanium knives (from Darrel Ralph, william Henry and Spyderco) that have a titanium handles have small scratches or rub marks (that don't go away when cleaned )on them (nothing deep and probably could be polished off). I was under the impression that titanium had the attributes of being very light and strong. I sort of figured that would translate into being scratch resistant. The blade steel shows no such marks. Any ideas why this would occur?

Thanks again for your help. I hope this makes sense to you.
 
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Wow, where to begin. To the question, Why would you sell the collection. Not everybody is into knives. Forgive us we sometimes forget that fact.
Buffing touching altering in anyway. No. depending on what it is and how old it is. Leave it alone. Unless the maker says different (and I don't mean the Man upstairs) patina and messing with it is bad MoJo.
Seemed like (going by memory) Darrell Ralph was a prominent figure (good stuff) think you also asked if only 5 were made was a big deal. Whatever you do go s l o w. One person OR selling as a group would be a bad idea. IF you sell, slowly, painstakingly piecing this collection out is going to net you the biggest Vaca for Mom.
Nice collection. Go Slow. You may actually find the same Love the person had that you came by this inheritance from.
What better tribute than that.
Good luck you are off to a good start and a journey that may lead you places you did not yet imagine.
 
pcb105 said:
Q: So my first question: Can these small minor scratches be buffed out and how? If they are buffed out does it impact value?
Click to expand...

leave the knives the way they are, there is a good chance you'll ruin or devalue them.
 
Thanks for the advice. I am planning on gong slow. I probably will keep the Darrel Ralph knives (except for the balisong; no disrespect but I just don't like them; that is all balisong, not just Darrel Ralph). The collection does have its fair amount of duplication. It has the IKBS and the Maxx Glide versions of the Gunhammer, plus > 6 different versions of the Spyderco Military (including the MOP version).

I hope everyone I deal with on Bladeforums is as helpful as you are. This reminds me of some of the audio / video forums. Of course debate (even heated) is a good thing.
 
jimnolimit said:
leave the knives the way they are, there is a good chance you'll ruin or devalue them.
Click to expand...

I would not do the work myself. I have received feedback from the original knife company (william Henry) that they would buff the knife for me to remove the scratches for a fee of $20. Do you think this is logical?
 
pcb105 said:
I would not do the work myself. I have received feedback from the original knife company (william Henry) that they would buff the knife for me to remove the scratches for a fee of $20. Do you think this is logical?
Click to expand...

Sure it's a great deal on a knife worth 100's of dollars like that, they won't mess it up.
 
I have noticed that anodized Titanium handles are much more scratch resistant than raw Titanium handles. Ti does not have great surface hardness, but many makers leave the handles raw because it does not corrode.
 
It might be within your best interest to contact the makers of the hand made knives, like you did with William Henry, to see if they will refurbish the knives. This can be a great return on investment. While you're at it, see if they'd be willing to take the knives in on consignment. I have no experience with this, but it might be a possibility. Either way, they can give you a good estimate of value.

Of course, Ebay is always an option, but would require a significant investment of time and energy.

Ideally you would find someone to appraise your collection, and then find a local (or travel to a) knife show and rent a table to sell your wares. That way you could experience the knife world, and possibly find another passion!

Or, you could just send them all to me, and I'll see what I could get for them.:D I wouldn't charge a lot of commission. You could just pay me in knives.:p

Good luck!
 
pcb105 said:
I would not do the work myself. I have received feedback from the original knife company (william Henry) that they would buff the knife for me to remove the scratches for a fee of $20. Do you think this is logical?
Click to expand...

I think that whether or not to spend the $20 on presumably each knife should be weighed against how much the current scratches may lower the value. At the same time, you gotta spend money to make money, so it may prove beneficial to have them refurbished. 6 of one, half dozen of the other?

If I were in your situation, I would probably buy a Gold account on these forums and sell the knives, that you can value specifically, here. And for knives where you're uncertain, probably put them on ebay with a reasonable reserve and see where they go. And take really good pictures!
 
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