DO YOU CARE IF IT IS SIGNED BY THE MAKER

S

sigsauer

Joined
Sep 26, 2000
Messages
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I saw a couple of BM Elishewitz knives for sale on eBAY a couple of months ago and very recently on the for sale forum here. These knives were personally signed by Elishewitz. The one's on eBAY did not sell for more than the usual going price. The one I saw here on the forums is a 730 with a asking price of $180.00.

Now my question is does a knife being signed give it good reason to be increased in price. I personally don't think so, personally I don't take allot in the movie star autographs either. I can see the cool factor in it but for one I like to use my knives and this would eventually come off unless it was etched in. The fact that I have the custom makers symbol on it is enough for me. Actually that doesn't even matter to me all that matters is that I know this excellent custom maker made the knife or collaborated with the company to make it.

I wouldn't mind having my knife signed by a custom maker if it wasn't to be used but I don't think that it would increase the value except to me personally. More so if it was signed for me in person. When I went to the Las Vegas knife show I met many custom makers and I doubt any of them would have a problem signing one of their knives for me. I didn't ask as I was more interested in just getting to meet them and hear their knowledge.

Does anyone else out there think that this should or shouldn't increase the value and does anyone feel that the custom maker symbol on the knife already represents their autograph.
 
Me, I don't care. Sometimes there's a premium on "sterile" knives. But except for sterile tacticals, I should think that a signature does increase market value unless the provenance is very clear.
Anyway, the question really should be put to the experts like Les Robertson or Mr. Levine. I'm just a lowly knut.
 
For a production piece, a user, I wouldn't really care too much. If it was signed in a manner such that the signature wouldn't come off with use, I guess I'd rather have it signed than not, but the difference wouldn't mean more than maybe $20 to me. For a collector, or a knife that's going under glass, the maker's signature should probably be worth a lot more.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"To give is a need, to receive is mercy." - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
Over time having the knife signed would possiblely add to it's value. A letter of authenticity signed by the maker would add more value. Of course that is only the case with custom knives not production/collaboration knives.

Since I use all the knives I have, having them signed makes no difference to me.

Keith.
 
If you are going to use the knife in any way, a signature will not help the long term value. If you are going to hold it as new, it may. This is likely more dependent on the total number of knives produced as oppossed to the signature. Given Benchmade's preoduction numbers, I personally would not put a lot of stock in a signature.Especially if you go to any shows where a maker appears, he'll probably sign it directly for you.
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
I have heard of people sending their knives to a maker (Allen Elishewitz actually!) to have the blade signed. I have NEVER heard of a maker charging for this "service". If I wanted a blade signed, I'd just send in my knife to the maker too! If someone is charging extra for a knife they have just because it is signed, I doubt that they will have an easy time selling the knife! I imagine many people shopping on ebay thought, "Hmm... this knife is overpriced!! Oh... it is signed..... gee.. why don't I buy the same knife from 1SKS or some other place and mail it to the maker!!)

The other funny thing I find with "signed" blades is that the blade is already "signed" via the maker's mark!! What else do you want to cram on a blade? The maker's favorite poem? Perhaps a short story??

If pople want a signed blade, I have no problem with it; however, I think most people would be rational enough not to whip out the $$ to pay for a knfie that comes this way, and instead just send their knife to the maker too!

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"Come What May..."
 
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