Desperately Seeking Loveless...

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Well, I grew a set of balls, finally.:D

It's no big secret that I lust after an R.W. Loveless Dixon Fighter with amber stag scales...been posted on the Forums, and all my friends know.

At the encouragement of Phil Lobred, called Mr. Loveless, and he directed that I send in my request via a written letter, which I did, back in March of this year....maybe he and Jim will get to my knife, maybe not.

One of my good friends called me before Solvang to say that there was a fine example available, but was not sure of the price. Indicating interest, a call came back that the price was $13,000. Called another good friend of mine who indicated that the maximum price from the Loveless shop would be $9,000, but was not absolutely positive about that.

Armed with that information, and consulting with my wife, offered the selling agent $11,500. While this brewing, called a few friends to see about interest in knives that would have to be sold in order to cleanly accomplish this mission without severely denting our finances, and happily, the pieces identified for possible sale were highly desired.

Calling the selling agent back on Saturday morning, was told that the owner of the knife had paid a bit more for the knife, and MIGHT take $12,500, which I offered. Sunday night was told that $13,000 was a firm price. Told the selling agent that the owner of the knife could pack sand.

Called Mr. Loveless on the telephone just now, and he confirmed the current original selling price somewhere between $7,000 and $9,000, could not be exactly sure, but seemed confident in the range.

This post is made as a cautionary tale to those of you interested in these sorts of things(how do you valuate a knife if you don't know the original selling price?).....and to create a discussion. Would you have paid a $4,000-$6,000 premium over the original cost of the knife(contemporary production, btw, not a Delaware Maid)?

I feel pretty good about my decision.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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STeven, you know that I do not have the knife budget of many contributors to the Custom subforum. I think you did the right thing. It is very easy for me to say that the owner could have worked with you on the price, but who knows for sure. You had your threshhold, and stuck to your guns. Instant gratification is great, but you always would have had that $4K in the back of your mind, regardless of how high your knife budget may go. I think that you would receive more enjoyment getting the knife directly from the maker, Mr. Loveless. I really enjoy working with different makers in designing, ordering and receiving a knife, moreso than trading for or buying a knife secondhand.

I still enjoy the deals I get on custom knives seconhand :D.

Again, I do not have the knife budget of many collectors in this subforum. Good luck in your search.
 
THAT is in extremely bad taste....funny? yes.....but I'm not sure how the other Customs regulars are going to take that, and REALLY don't want this thread to drift off because of it....I leave it to you to possibly replace with another less "bound to incite" image.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven, I'm far from being a Loveless expert, but I think you made the right decision. The only thing is you have to wait either for the knife to come from the Loveless shop, or that the right piece comes along.

In general I'm willing to fork over a 10 to 20% premium for the (absolutely) right piece. But most of the time I order direct from the maker and avoid those pesky premiums:D

Marcel
 
^^petah - I don't wish to derail STeven's thread, but what the hell???

STeven - as between paying the premium now and waiting - I'd wait - assuming delivery is not so far in the distant future as to be purely theoretical.

As between selling for a healthy premium and keeping - well, if it's a knife I have always wanted as much as you have longed for the Dixon - I'm keeping it.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
As between selling for a healthy premium and keeping - well, if it's a knife I have always wanted as much as you have longed for the Dixon - I'm keeping it.

Roger
Click to expand...

Roger, I clarified my language....I meant would you pay the premium?.... have no intention of ever selling the ONE Loveless I intend to own.

Don't know how long it will take to get one... have only been serious about the pursuit for the last year....BUT....there are more than 3 or 4 of them out on the market(usually micarta), and can be extremely patient when in the hunt.

Best Regards

STeven Garsson
 
I think you did the right thing and I respect your patience. I can't say I behave the same way. If I want something bad enough i will try to spring for it if I consider it reasonable. Take my hancock hunter for example. I paid about $900 more then the original selling price but its one of the nicest knives in my collection and I could not pass it up. I think it depends what you are after. For many knives I would never pay that kind of premium but I thought that the hunter was an exception. And hopefully you'll find the right piece for the right price and you won't regret this. Good luck..
 
No, I wouldn't have paid the premium. I would wait to get one from the Loveless Shop unless you come upon a a fine example offered at a fine price in the mean time.

If there was a commitment from the Loveless Shop as to when or at least if you were going to get the Dixon it would sure make the wait easier.

I'm a firm believer that patience pays off.
 
STeven,
Only you know what is right for you, but since you mentioned Phil Lobred encouraging you to place an order, did he have any input regarding your decision to pass on the one for sale?

Peter
 
peterinct said:
STeven,
Only you know what is right for you, but since you mentioned Phil Lobred encouraging you to place an order, did he have any input regarding your decision to pass on the one for sale?

Peter
Click to expand...

I didn't speak to Phil until he was on his way back from Solvang, and explained to him what knives I would have had to sell in order to get this Dixon.....he agreed that I probably made the right decision.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven,
My guess is that you will find what you want eventually, at a price you feel better paying.

Having the knowledge and connections that you do, it is probably just a matter of time:D

Peter
 
I, too, have had a similar Loveless lust - for an amber stag Chute. But not knowing the amount of the premium commanded by a Loveless knife has been the primary factor in my holding off. It's enlightening to see the amount from your example, and I guess I'm not surprised by it.

Given the circumstances of your search and the end result of your failed offer, I think what you've done makes sense. Having got up the "cajones" to write that letter and make that call, stick with it, in my opinion, FWIW.

However, being a knife person as so many of us out there are, I have no idea if I would respond the same way, if faced with "the one knife I just gotta have" so close you could almost touch it. I would like to think I would have responded as you did.

Bob
 
betzner said:
I, too, have had a similar Loveless lust - for an amber stag Chute. But not knowing the amount of the premium commanded by a Loveless knife has been the primary factor in my holding off. It's enlightening to see the amount from your example, and I guess I'm not surprised by it.

...... I would like to think I would have responded as you did.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, the reason that I mentioned prices was to enlighten.....when I called Bob back in March, I had been told that he was not taking orders for double edged knives, and he stated that was BS....from Bob's mouth to these Forums.

I got "Dixon Fever" once I heard this was a good one in amber stag, no doubt about it....but Mrs. G. indicated that the knives sold to make up for the deficit better be moved quickly, that was gonna be work and it was going to HURT, so a good deal was a necessity....and as you can see, a good deal was not in the offering....the lack of movement, even down $500.00 was petty and killed any short term desire I had.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven, even though telling someone to "pack sand" has always had an innate pleasure all it's own (especially to someone who so clearly deserved it), I believe you made the right decision for another very important reason: the chase is often even more enjoyable than the consumation. Happy hunting!
 
Steven as usual in your knife collecting you have made a sound decision. I commend you and know that it was a pretty close call with getting your dream knife . I know you will find the right piece that you won't have to be bitter about the price.


That was the nice comments ........... I hope it is sooner than later because I really desire that piece that you thought of selling and secondly how could you spend so much on a stainless stock removal knife:D ........ Only kidding boys don't get all worked up I to would like a Loveless
 
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