Ever escalating desires

The problem seems to be that the knives in the $1000 to $3000 range are in a weird range. They are not something many collectors go for, but they are not part of the crazy high end knives that seem to trade hands between a handful of crazy high-end collectors. Tough market if you ask me.

I've got a few knives in that range that if I can turn over for a profit I'll be happy to, but if not I'm happy to keep them.
 
Steven Roos said:
The problem seems to be that the knives in the $1000 to $3000 range are in a weird range. They are not something many collectors go for, but they are not part of the crazy high end knives that seem to trade hands between a handful of crazy high-end collectors. Tough market if you ask me.

I've got a few knives in that range that if I can turn over for a profit I'll be happy to, but if not I'm happy to keep them.
Click to expand...

Weird Range ? :confused:
I'll bet the majority of ALL custom knives (folders and fixed blades)
fall within the $1000 to $3000 dollar range these days.

IMO, that's why its so hard to sell a knife in the $1000 to $1500 range is the fact there's so many on the market.
When you get over the $3000 range there's fewer buyers, however fewer knives.
 
Having worked at a retail knife shop, there is something totally different going on once you get up into the $1,000 range. There are lots and lots of customs available for less than that. If custom knives started at a grand, I doubt there would be even half of the collectors there are today. Perhaps the $1000 mark isn't as crazy expensive as it used to be, perhaps the range to $2,000 to $4,000 would be better.

Anyway, if it takes over a grand to get a custom knife these days, I'm going to find a new hobby!
 
I would think that the majority of knives collected would fall into the $500.00 to $1000.00 range, because more people can afford them. After that however, I think that $1000.00 to $1500.00 would be a very strong segment of the knives collected.

When I started this thread I was thinking about it being a quantity versus quality topic that I wanted to discuss, but realized that it really had nothing to do with that. No matter how many knives I add to my collection, quality will always be the major determining factor in my decison making process.
 
If it is quality vs quantity, it is all about quality for me. I've already got more than enough knives to do anything I'd ever want, so any knife I'd add to my collection has to have a good reason to be there.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I would think that the majority of knives collected would fall into the $500.00 to $1000.00 range, because more people can afford them. After that however, I think that $1000.00 to $1500.00 would be a very strong segment of the knives collected.

When I started this thread I was thinking about it being a quantity versus quality topic that I wanted to discuss, but realized that it really had nothing to do with that. No matter how many knives I add to my collection, quality will always be the major determining factor in my decision making process.
Click to expand...

The assumption I made in my above post that the majority of custom knives made fall into the $1000-$3000 price range really got my curiosity up so I did a quick check of a couple leading dealer sites that offer a good variety of types, styles and price ranges. Those results indicate that I'm off by about 10%; in that customs in the $1000-$3000 range made up about 41% of total listed.
It would have been interesting to see the under $1000 and over $3000 percentages, but I didn't have that much time or energy to take it to the next step.

Of course this only represents knives listed for sale on a couple websites, and does not account for knives that transfer straight from maker to collector. However, I would guess that most special orders from makers would most likely fall into the $1000-$3000 range. Perhaps, the best indicator would be to survey all custom knives's prices offered for sale at the Blade Show to see into which category they fall. Of course folders affect these percentages too, as custom folders are more limited under the $1000 mark.

I believe when addressing "knife quality" in regards to quality of knives in your collection, it has to be looked at from two angles.
One is obviously "knife quality", the other (for lack of a better term) is "maker quality".

IMO, the ultimate "quality" of knife for a collection would be; one that is designed so you and most others like it, is well executed, processes excellent materials/fit/finish and made by a maker that represents and promotes himself and the customs industry well and will work to insure your knives continue to rise in value long term.

And you are right Keith, as there are many customs in the $1000-$1500 range.

If looking for a piece in that range, you have many options form established maker's better hunters to newer maker's better bowies. If selling in that range you have much competition. In the $500-$1000 range these days, you are more limited to entry level custom knives.
 
Talk about slippery slopes. My purchases had all been under $1000 until I became interested in integrals. Then I had to have "just one" Loveless knife. That was the beginnning of the end, because you can't own just one Loveless.

There are still a lot of other maker's I would like to own, but as my knowledge and tastes change so, it seems, does the price, and I've noticed that my average expenditure is climbing past that 1k price point.

For me, it's the chase, identifying then acquiring something new and different (at least to my collection). The problem then becomes cash flow, and you just have to start picking out the cream of what you want to keep and offer the rest to those who are on their own "chase".
 
I am not sure if price is an issue when it comes to quality and desire.
My wife Stephanie purchased more at the Bladeshow than my table sold...a rule we try to keep.

As a Custom Maker I purchase knives to use as lessons. Studding knives gives me time to understand things that only time can teach. As most of you know, I learned to forge knives from Don Fogg and most of my collection are Dons unfinished knives. But I also own a Moran and the Last silver inlay Demo piece he made while instructing at the Old Washington school, several Alex Daniel's, JR Cook, Greg Neely, Ken Durham...all teach me more each day. I did not pay much for these pieces, but I did pay four figures for a few knives that did not show me much.

So, when you think about it...how much is a car worth? You could buy a Ford Focus for ten grand and in five years it worth four, or a Ford GT for one twenty-five and in five years it worth two twenty-five. The idea is to find the diamonds in the rough that please your eye and stimulate your curiosity.


Dale
 
Weird Range ?
I'll bet the majority of ALL custom knives (folders and fixed blades)
fall within the $1000 to $3000 dollar range these days.
Click to expand...

I guess you have never been to a gunshow!
Check the worlds largest seller of handmade knives, Ebay, and report back :)
My guess is the average price of a handmade knife is A LOT closer to $300 than $3000 (or even $1000 for that matter).
 
Kevin Jones said:
Weird Range ? :confused:
I'll bet the majority of ALL custom knives (folders and fixed blades)
fall within the $1000 to $3000 dollar range these days.
Click to expand...

Anthony Lombardo said:
I guess you have never been to a gunshow!
Check the worlds largest seller of handmade knives, Ebay, and report back :)
My guess is the average price of a handmade knife is A LOT closer to $300 than $3000 (or even $1000 for that matter).
Click to expand...

Anthony, in my comment I'm addressing knives made by "legitimate" custom knife makers.
Artist that consistently make fine custom handmade knives that reputable dealers and will buy and be able to resell. And that serious and knowledgeable collectors are interested in.
The kind of knives you, I and most forumites here love and collect. And I'm no saying there aren't many fine custom knives priced under $1000 or way under that for that matter just that a large percentage is over $1000.

I'm not addressing the thousands of so called custom knives many of which can be found on eBay and at gunshows that many "jack of all trades" tinker with when there's nothing else they are interested in.

And Anthony, I didn't say that the average price of a custom was closer to $3000 than $300.
 
I'm not addressing the thousands of so called custom knives many of which can be found on eBay and at gunshows that many "jack of all trades" tinker with when there's nothing else they are interested in.
Click to expand...

Man, I have bought a lot of nice knives on ebay. Fisks, Bagwells, Deans, Kilby, Knight, Newton.....
I'm not addressing the thousands of so called custom knives
Click to expand...

Uhuh.

I think you are equating the 50 people who follow this area of bladeforums with the"average" custom knife buyer. Thats a big mistake. I would guess the "average" custom knife buyer buys 3-4 custom knives per year, tops.

There are handmade knives, custom knives, customized knives and benchmade knives.

What exactly are you referring to?

Originally Posted by Kevin Jones
Weird Range ?
I'll bet the majority of ALL custom knives (folders and fixed blades)
fall within the $1000 to $3000 dollar range these days.
Click to expand...

I think you are out of touch wth the market. Way out.
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
Man, I have bought a lot of nice knives on ebay. Fisks, Bagwells, Deans, Kilby, Knight, Newton.....

I never said there wasn't many fine customs listed on eBay or even at gun shows for that matter, only that there's a lot of junk there too.

I think you are equating the 50 people who follow this area of bladeforums with the"average" custom knife buyer. Thats a big mistake. I would guess the "average" custom knife buyer buys 3-4 custom knives per year, tops.

This has nothing to do with how many customs any collector buys in a year, but how much quality and cost of that quality has risen.

There are handmade knives, custom knives, customized knives and benchmade knives.

What exactly are you referring to?

I think I gave a pretty good definition of the type of custom knives I was addressing if you read all 3 of my post. And as I said, there are many fine customs out there way under $1000.


I think you are out of touch wth the market. Way out.
Click to expand...

Perhaps, but than that's OK as I'm fairly satisfied with how I do in the sector of the market I concentrate on..

I'm glad my post always get you so fired up. Differing opinions, view and ideas is a good thing. ;):D
 
If you check the Knifemaker's for sale forums here on Bladeforums, you will not find many knives over $1000.00.

At this point I purchase very few knives that are under $1000.00, but I would guess that I am in the minority. Many makers don't even make a knife that is priced over $1000.00.
 
gk2410 said:
Talk about slippery slopes. My purchases had all been under $1000 until I became interested in integrals. Then I had to have "just one" Loveless knife. That was the beginnning of the end, because you can't own just one Loveless.

There are still a lot of other maker's I would like to own, but as my knowledge and tastes change so, it seems, does the price, and I've noticed that my average expenditure is climbing past that 1k price point.

For me, it's the chase, identifying then acquiring something new and different (at least to my collection). The problem then becomes cash flow, and you just have to start picking out the cream of what you want to keep and offer the rest to those who are on their own "chase".
Click to expand...

Good points, and from the looks of your collection your average expenditure is climbing WAY past the 1K price point. ;):D
 
Keith Montgomery said:
If you check the Knifemaker's for sale forums here on Bladeforums, you will not find many knives over $1000.00.

At this point I purchase very few knives that are under $1000.00, but I would guess that I am in the minority. Many makers don't even make a knife that is priced over $1000.00.
Click to expand...

I don't believe the for sale forums here is indicative of the general market from a forged customs standpoint anyway.

Just look at the dealer sites that sell the most customs knives and see how many pieces are priced over the $1000 price point.

And a large percentage of the the customs market is higher end folders thus supporting my $1000-$3000 majority price theory.
 
Kevin Jones said:
The assumption I made in my above post that the majority of custom knives made fall into the $1000-$3000 price range really got my curiosity up so I did a quick check of a couple leading dealer sites that offer a good variety of types, styles and price ranges. Those results indicate that I'm off by about 10%; in that customs in the $1000-$3000 range made up about 41% of total listed.
It would have been interesting to see the under $1000 and over $3000 percentages, but I didn't have that much time or energy to take it to the next step.

Of course this only represents knives listed for sale on a couple websites, and does not account for knives that transfer straight from maker to collector. However, I would guess that most special orders from makers would most likely fall into the $1000-$3000 range. Perhaps, the best indicator would be to survey all custom knives's prices offered for sale at the Blade Show to see into which category they fall. Of course folders affect these percentages too, as custom folders are more limited under the $1000 mark.

I believe when addressing "knife quality" in regards to quality of knives in your collection, it has to be looked at from two angles.
One is obviously "knife quality", the other (for lack of a better term) is "maker quality".

IMO, the ultimate "quality" of knife for a collection would be; one that is designed so you and most others like it, is well executed, processes excellent materials/fit/finish and made by a maker that represents and promotes himself and the customs industry well and will work to insure your knives continue to rise in value long term.

And you are right Keith, as there are many customs in the $1000-$1500 range.

If looking for a piece in that range, you have many options form established maker's better hunters to newer maker's better bowies. If selling in that range you have much competition. In the $500-$1000 range these days, you are more limited to entry level custom knives.
Click to expand...
What is an "entry level" knife? Just curious because I'm not sure that I have ever seen a knife from such well regarded makers as Lin Rhea or Brion Tomberlin listed for more than $1000 and those guys are just the first two that I could think of.
 
jdm61 said:
What is an "entry level" knife? Just curious because I'm not sure that I have ever seen a knife from such well regarded makers as Lin Rhea or Brion Tomberlin listed for more than $1000 and those guys are just the first two that I could think of.
Click to expand...

Joe in "entry level", I'm speaking from a price point prospective, not referring to an entry level maker or knife.

My point being that IMO, a new collector will most likely have to spend in the $500-$1000 range (notice I said IMO and most likely,Anthony) to get a quality custom knife in starting a collection he will be satisfied with long term, rather than spending less on impulse for a lessor piece then having to re-sell later when they learn more about quality custom knives and/or their preferences change and want to adjust their collection.

Funny thought, as I was writing my original post, I too was thinking about Lin Rhea as he does offer a lot of knife for under $1000 (as some newer makers also do).
 
As I recall, the bonus and the force that drove the custom tactical market in the nineties and even now, is the fact that you can purchase a 'custom' folding knife for $500 or less and a fixed blade for $350 or less.

That really allowed new collectors to get a taste of the custom market and subsequently their tastes grew.

I would forecast/submit the core of custom knives sold is around $400-700 and that this selection of collectors here on BF is in the upper ranges.

WWG has written pages on this progression.

Coop
 
my first bowie purchase was @ 1,000 range...it was my real first custom bowie and was excited to purchase. but since then, i've only bought user grade bowies at $500 range. if i were to see something that really tickles my fancy and it's available...i would have no problem spending $3000.

i guess my fixed blade collection is not that mature yet...so it's quite erratic in regards to my spending habits. but i am rethinking a different focus on what i really want to collect and therefore the price limit may raise quite a bit.

great post! let's hear more from others.
 
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