Hopefully, my first: Elishewitz/Pirela Sensei!

[Atomic Zero]

Cross-posted on Custom Knife Forum:

I'm about to enter the exciting but scary, wife's-gonna-kill-me world of custom knives. I'm really nervous and I need a little advice.

Short background:
I just started the whole knife obsession about four months ago and I never thought I'd own a custom any time soon. Sure enough, I saw the Elishewitz Sensei and it knocked me on my ass. I looked around for quite a bit and couldn't find the damn thing anywhere. Of course, it just made me want it more.

Then I saw it on Pete's Tactical Knives. I e-mailed him and he said he'd work with me on a payment plan. How cool is that!? I never thought that would happen.

Now, unlike many professionals here on bladeforums, I make a very meager income. But, by being "such a typical male" as my wife puts it, I couldn't let the opportunity pass. So today, I applied and was accepted for a second job. A second job for a single knife. Oh good God, it's hopeless.

This will be my fifth knife, and the others all together cost about 1/7th of this one.

Questions:
* I'm a knife virgin. If for any reason I need to sell it, what's the typical loss on reselling a custom knife?
* I plan on using it, and I expect that it'll be roughed up sooner or later. What's the standard turnaround time and cost on light repair?
* I'll just come out and ask: is this a good deal!?

Sorry about going on for so long. I'm so nervous I'm shaking.

Thanks in advance,
Zero

 

[Esav Benyamin]

When it comes to spending serious money, a Sebenza is a good deal. It works hard, holds up under use, is cheap to refurbish, and if you really, really like it, you can spend even more money by getting one of the decorated models: inlay, graphic, gold coin.

None of which should discourage you from going for the Elishewitz!

A lot of people will tell you they stopped buying so many new knives once they got into the good stuff. It's not exactly economy, but you won't want to waste money on a knife that looks like beater next to a great custom or semi-custom. You will definitely be more focussed in your hobby.

 

[Atomic Zero]

It's funny you should mention that. After seeing what's possible with a little effort into saving money up front, a lot of the cheaper knives I was looking at didn't make as much sense. Why buy a couple of cheap beaters when the combined cost could go into a better knife that could possibly last a lifetime?

Although I'd like to own a lot of the knives I see, I just can't see buying one and not using it. I'd rather have a handful of beautiful, wonderfully designed knives in my pockets than a drawer full of good knives I don't use.

Zero

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I applaud you for taking the plunge, and being so brave. I don't have the cajones to just make a call, and order a knife that I would have to make payments on. I'm not that brave. My wife would kill me. I guess the act of taking on another job is a great idea. Unfortunately I don't have the option, with a two year old kid, and one on the way. Anyway, I really love the design of the Sensei, too. I think that there were only 10 of those made, so you definitely have a special knife. If you ever do decide that the knife is too much of a burden, consider taking payments from me. I'd love to give it a home.

Please post a pic or two when you have a chance.

I really envy your courage.

DD

 

[Atomic Zero]

If this is courage, then we're all American heroes!

Actually, I backed out of it...for now. The knife really is a thing of beauty, and I hope to own one someday very soon. Too bad reality had to come and body-check me into paying bills and all. I am keeping the second job, though. Extra work never hurt anybody

Once I decided to hold off, I sat down and drew it (though disproportionately) and taped it up on my office wall as a reminder to keep it on the horizon.

Thanks for the kind words!

Zero

 

[Daniel Dorn]

You will have it someday, or at least one just as nice. If you are able, take a good portion of each new paycheck, and deduct your own "knife tax". I'd say 20-50% would be good, since, hey, you didn't have any extra income before.

Good luck,
DD

I actually have a plan that might make my own custom purchases more feasible. Right now, I'm taking a Tae Kwon Do class that costs me $55 a month. I really don't have the time for it, especially with a new baby on the way, and if I keep just $25 of that expense and put it into a "knife fund" I should be able to get something nice for myself by the end of the summer.

 

[Atomic Zero]

A knife tax, eh? I should bring that up with the wife. If she bitches about it..."It's tax, sweetheart. Blame the government."

That's pretty much what the second job is for, half is a truck fund and the other is a knife fund. The existing disposable income is spent on cigarettes, one movie a month, and 50 bucks each for mad money.

25 bucks a month adds up really quickly. I had to "save" about that long for a CS Bush Ranger! But I think a "baby fund" is money better spent anyway. Congratulations!

Zero