Hey Guys

everythingsharp12 · Dec 17, 2013

Anyone wanna have a completely random knife discussion? I kind of do. Where do you see the demand for all of these incredibly sought after custom makers (Rexford, Mayo, Southard, etc.) in like 5 years? Do you think it will be out with the old, in with the new? Or will Rexford Epicenters still be selling for $5000+ on the secondary market? Your thoughts?

gooeytek · Dec 17, 2013

Secondary market prices today have become ridiculous, and although there are a lot of knifemakers out there that can make a knife well, there are only a good handful that know how to incorporate a good design and aesthetics into it. A huge part of what drives up the demand for these stupid-looking but well-made knives are the man-crushes a lot of people have on these knifemakers that they've elevated to rockstar status. I hope it doesn't last, there are too many expensive customs out there that make me go: W...T...F...

This bromance phenomenon is only encouraging a lot more expensive and ugly knives to be made.

everythingsharp12 · Dec 17, 2013

gooeytek said:
Secondary market prices today have become ridiculous, and although there are a lot of knifemakers out there that can make a knife well, there are only a good handful that know how to incorporate a good design and aesthetics into it. A huge part of what drives up the demand for these stupid-looking but well-made knives are the man-crushes a lot of people have on these knifemakers that they've elevated to rockstar status. I hope it doesn't last, there are too many expensive customs out there that make me go: W...T...F...

This bromance phenomenon is only encouraging a lot more expensive and ugly knives to be made.

Yeah it really puts some nice customs out of reach for people who have more brains than money. I think the problem is also that, especially in the example of the Epicenter, people are willing to pay these absurd prices which makes anyone who has one automatically think theirs is worth that much. Thus, you get Epicenters selling for $6000, Mayos selling for $3000, and so on. I even heard about a ZT 0888 selling for $3500 on ebay. It actually makes me angry that one, someone was asking that ridiculous price, and even more so, someone actually PAID that ridiculous price for a production knife. It's getting absolutely ridiculous.

WRGreen · Dec 17, 2013

Financial situations have forced me out of the knife buying game, so I'm just gonna have to get by with the 20 or so fine knives I still have. Boo hoo! I'm actually glad that I've avoided the crazy explosion price bubble. One can't necessarily blame the makers because it seems that the secondary market is where most of the really insane markups occur. Is it price gouging or good collector investment? I don't think it is the fearmongering insanity like in the firearm/ammunition runs that occur after each media contrived or actual 'crisis du jour'. Somebody is buying these things, and I wish them the best of luck and happiness in their pursuit. I don't understand how some of these creations can demand their price, but that's OK with me.

HwangJino · Dec 17, 2013

I believe custom makers will have to follow demand unless they are extremely creative.

what I want to know is why on a KNIFE forum, not many here are interested in kitchen knives.

monger4142 · Dec 17, 2013

the hinderer supply/demand is taking so long to reach equilibrium that I don't even want one anymore.

Czechmate · Dec 17, 2013

gooeytek said:
Secondary market prices today have become ridiculous, and although there are a lot of knifemakers out there that can make a knife well, there are only a good handful that know how to incorporate a good design and aesthetics into it. A huge part of what drives up the demand for these stupid-looking but well-made knives are the man-crushes a lot of people have on these knifemakers that they've elevated to rockstar status. I hope it doesn't last, there are too many expensive customs out there that make me go: W...T...F...

This bromance phenomenon is only encouraging a lot more expensive and ugly knives to be made.

So many of these newer maker's "knives" part of this bromance phenomenon don't even perform well as a knife ie: cut well due to super thick blades and edge geometry; it's laughable really. (shakes head)

I'm still slightly enamoured with knives designed like the SMF and TUFF, both of which feature diminutive cutting edges for their size/bulk but I'm finding that characteristic less and less enchanting as time goes on. (I'm glad I came to my senses!)

It seems that function has definitely taken a backseat and creating the most radical or hardcore design is top priority versus building a performance oriented knife.

We should put together a list of makers and models to avoid that way this nonsense will stop.

CJZ · Dec 17, 2013

I just got a ZT 0770 in the mail and I absolutely love it.

Oh and I also got an 0550. That's a nice little tank folder.